Recommendation: Fosamax for 40 yr old

LtotheK

Hi friends,

I've learned so much here that I thought I'd check in again to see what people thought.

I was diagnosed with an osteopenic hip and osteoporotic spine. My endocrinologist ran every test you can think of:

D

thyroid (I am ever-so-slightly .1 point low TSH)

parathyroid

calcium, etc.

a urine test to determine the rate at which I'm losing bone (not too bad comparatively)

He also ran my FRAX scores, which show my chance of hip fracture in the next 10 years is 1.2% He said 2.5% and they start to worry.  He would like me to start Fosamax, and said Prolia (his initial recommendation) and once-a-year Reclast were not warranted at this point.  He prefers Fosamax to Actonel.

I would love some feedback.  My concerns are the fact that these drugs are so under the magnifying glass now, and appear to build brittle bone and raise the chance of atypical fracture.  

He was very supportive of lifestyle changes to build bone, too--I bought a rebounder, which I love, and have started a weightlifting program.

Thank you, once again, for everything you do for me here!

cp418

Have you considered meeting with a nutritionist? He/She may be able to really help with multiple areas for your thyroid and bone health with recommended supplements and diet. I understand about Fosamax - oral bone drugs as they can be be hard on digestive issues with patients with heartburn.  One of the primary reason I cannot take them.

LtotheK

Hi everyone,

Well, after staring at my Fosamax script in the drawer for a cool three weeks, I am diving in.  Took my first one today.  Still extremely wary of this stuff, but what I really don't want is to end up on Prolia in a couple of years.  

Anyone have pointers on this medication I may not be thinking of?  I followed the directions to a T about how to take it.  Now I'm wondering if there are any other things I should consider.

I am having a pretty rough go with constipation thanks to the calcium--I'm still only up to 800 mgs a day (and it has magnesium in it--alas, it's still not enough).  Worried that Fosamax might add to that nonsense.

eme

I just had a bone density test and it was suggested to go on Fosamax. After reading all the side effects I would like to hear from anyone who is taking this drug. I have not gotten my prescription filled yet and am not sure what to do.

Thanks

dogsandjogs

My doctor said to take it with 2 glasses of water instead of just one.  I was on it for almost 4 years with no side effects until I got jaw pain. Quit taking it about a month ago---

termite

 Hi Dogsandjogs,

I just filled my prescription for Fosomax after a month of debating about it. 

Were you put on anything else after the Fosomax? How are dx scan results now 

Thanks,

Mich101

Hi ladies - I'm with you. I had a bone density test 2 years ago and was told I had osteoporosis.  I hesitantly took Fosomax for a short time and then stopped.  I now have had a  retest and I was told there was slight improvement but my doctor feels strongly that I need to be on Fosomax.  I am so hesitant to take it too.  I will continue to check in to hear what others have experienced.  I've called in the prescription, but have not picked it up yet!!

dogsandjogs

Termite: I had a scan a few months ago. Results were the same as 2 years ago, but at least not worse. Haven't told the doc I quit the Fosamax. I see him in a couple of weeks and will tell him then.

Hindsfeet

My oncologist or the pharmasist down played the side effects of fosamax telling me it was pretty much harmless and the benefit is it seems is low cancer recurrence, I took the first pill with a whole glass of water and went on an hour walk. I drank another glass on the walk. It all seem ok until I woke up at 1 a.m. My stomach was on fire. I felt as if a bomb had gone off inside of me. I drank another glass of water. I had a hard time going back to sleep. The next day my legs could hardly stand up. I could barely walk. I had a wicked headache, and I felt aweful. I made it to the sofa and was there the whole day. Oh, to add, my tongue and throat swelled. I had a rash on my chest, and a fever of 101.8 F. I had a breakout of mouth sores...5 with a large one on my tongue. I probably should had gone to the ER.  I took benadryll. It helped. I took benadryl the next six days as I was really ill the whole week. My doctor said it would take 6 weeks to get the fosamax out of my system.

I did a lot of research that week on fosamax. I learned that although it is suppose to prevent bone breakage that it fills the bone mass a subsitute (which is compared to clay), which causes bone weakness. It causes the femur bone to break into which is one of the strongest bones in our body. It causes fasa jaw...shrinkage of the jaw bone...loss of teeth and other problems. BTW... I read the fosamax fills in the bone making it appear on the scan it is dense but in reality it is filled with the whatever clay substance...

My oncologist has it down on my allergy list. When I went in for my appointment with her she saw I wasn't a happy camper. She also saw that I didn't appreciate not knowing the side affects before taking it. She also saw I weary of any drugs and there was no way I was taking anything like fosamax.

So, I'm increasing my calcium, Mageisum, and vitamin D...Plus someone else has recommended something else, alternative that does no harm that is suppose to be good for bone support. Her mother, the one recommending it although 60+ has bones of someone who is 20. I haven't bought it yet.

Look at this website and read patients comments...best to get it from people who've taken it.

http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20560&name=fosamax

BikerLee

I'm really interested to know LtotheK - what did you decide?

I've decided to use hormone replacement therapy - with testosterone.

I feel LOADS better and feel like I'm protecting my bone density as well.

I've been reading some very interesting research on hrt in post-bc women.... And I feel really good about my decision....



Anyway - I'm VERY. Interested in knowing what you've elected.



Hope everyone is having a good day.

Lee

Anonymous

recently been a great deal of info in the national news about the long term very NEGATIVE SE's of Fosamax.  Don't have links, heard it on the national TV news...

purple32

I really need advice in this area.  I am having a  a VERY hard time tyring to battle this BC ( lucky its early stage, but still...)
I'd like to fight with all that I've got, but feel as though " I've got nothing "  to fight with.

Lungs are bad and so I skipped RADS.

 OK , bones are very bad ( broke 3 ) and have just gotten results from my latest BMD test - no surprise. A smidge away from osteoporosis. I am 54 and went through meno at age 41.,

 I was one on Actonel, but stopped when I heard abpout sudden fenmur breaks .  Now I take CA and D3 , but scans show it has not helped YEARS before I tried calcitonin, but stuidies say it is not very effective.  It is not a biophospate.

When I was in my late 30s , my dentist mentioned that my jawbone was thinnning. I have TMJ and am afraid of the ONJ issues with biophosphates.

I need something!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, my MO wants me on arimidex.  I cant even consider it.

 I am *thinking* of the lovely tamoxifen.

In any case, I need some serious helps for the bones ( not to mention the BC!)

I am quite sure the DRs are beginning to think I am a paranoid nut who reads too much, but I can barely exercise anymore due to pain.  Yes, I do read up on all this, but only because  over 13 yrs and now 4 scans, I am headed for osteoporosis which is disabling .

Has anyone else been in my shoes ?  Sometimes I wonder which of these disease processes is worse - not that I have  a choice, I have all of them!

What to do?!

PS  For anyone not yet to my stage  ( severe osteopenia)  - exercise all you can- ESP weights and be faithful to the CA- esp with D3. Have your D levels tested too. As this has gotten worse and with severe injuries I cant do much exercise anymore.