Hi, I’m new to this community. I started taking alendronic acid at the end of February and took it for 7 weeks. I started off fine, but after a couple of weeks started to have worsening sleep problems, including one night with no sleep at all. I saw a clinical pharmacist at my GP surgery who gave me promethazine to try for a week (to help me sleep). Things didn’t improve, so she switched me from alendronic acid to risedronate. That was worse! I have taken one, and now I have had 2 nights with no sleep, and one where I did sleep but only after taking 3 promethazine. I contacted the GP who said don’t take any more risedronate, and I now have an appointment to review things, but not for 10 days. Anyone else had these sort of symptoms?
I’m interested in your comment as I have also been on Alendronic acid for 2 months and am having trouble sleeping. It was bad at first, got a little better when I was unwell with a bad cold ( so exhausted) but have recently suffered again ( last night was terrible). I mentioned it to pharmacist prescribing drug and all she said was it wasn’t one of the side effects. I haven’t discussed it with a Dr yet but this will be next step so following your post with interest.
My pharmacist said that it wasn’t on the list of side effects, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t be one. I had a very bad night last night, dropping off for a couple of hours at 6am. I am taking the promethazine on alternate nights as I know it won’t be effective any more if I take it too often. It’s now a week since my last (and only) risedronate, so I’m hoping things will improve now I’m off it. It will be interesting what the GP has to say when I finally get to see her. My appointment is a week on Monday.
Hi I was on alendronic acid for a year and didn’t have insomnia issue but have just started on Evenity injections and have only had a couple of good nights sleep since I started it. I’ve read that insomnia is a potential side effect and it’s because it depletes your calcium levels. I’m not on calcium supplements as I was told that I didn’t need them when I was first diagnosed.
I’ve also been getting cramps in my calves.
So I’m going to ask for my calcium levels to be checked in case that’s what I need to address the side effects. It might be worth talking to your doctor about calcium.
I also take magnesium glycinate at night and it helps me to get off to sleep. My issue is that I wake at around 2am and can’t get back to sleep. If you’re not taking magnesium it’s also worth considering - it’s really good for lots of things.
I am on calcium supplements, and have tried to up my calcium levels by diet as well. I have been a vegetarian for many years, and also eat very little cheese. When I had my calcium levels checked late last year they were ok, but I might ask for the levels to be checked again.
Thanks for the tip about magnesium glycinate - I will go and get some to try.