Fosamax

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SallyS70
SallyS70 Member Posts: 947
edited September 2015 in Bone Health and Bone Loss

I was diagnosed with osteopenia just before my breast cancer diagnosis.  My PCP suggested that I begin taking Fosamax once a week.  Last week after the first dose, I had foot cramps, I seemed more fatigued than usual, and I had mild headaches.  I am taking Arimidex, so I am wondering if the Fosamax and the Arimidex together may have prompted these side effects.  I just reread a Fosamax side effects' list and see that headaches are listed, but foot cramps and fatigue are not listed.  I did not take this week's dose and was back to normal.  I realize that my anxiety over starting a new medication may have added to last week's issues.  I would welcome information and thoughts about bone density drugs.

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  • Golden01
    Golden01 Member Posts: 916
    edited August 2014

    I just picked up my prescription yesterday for Fosamax and am also on Arimidex. I already have osteopenia too.  I haven't started taking it yet so can't add anything about the side effects. I understood about taking in on an empty stomach and not going back to bed or eating but I didn't know that it meant no coffee!!! Does that really make a difference? 

    I usually have a few cups of coffee and then head out for an hour-long morning walk. I planned to take my Fosamax after the coffee and before the walk. Not sure I'll be awake enough for the walk without my coffee!!

    Any advice? 

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  • SallyS70
    SallyS70 Member Posts: 947
    edited August 2014

    Hi.  I took one dose then stopped.  I plan to start again this Monday.  I don't know the answer to your coffee question.  Hopefully other people will post with an answer for you.

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  • Golden01
    Golden01 Member Posts: 916
    edited August 2014

    Why did you stop?

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  • SallyS70
    SallyS70 Member Posts: 947
    edited August 2014

    I stopped after one dose because I wanted to research the drug.  I feel comfortable restarting it.

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  • Janett2014
    Janett2014 Member Posts: 3,833
    edited August 2014

    I'm pretty sure it's no to the coffee because I think it's no to even water for that 30 minutes. I've been on weekly Fosamax for a few years and started Anastrazole on May 29 of this year. I have had no issues with Fosamax, except it is sometimes inconvenient to wait the 30 minutes to eat or drink. The only SE so far with the Anastrazole is that I have 3-5 mild hot flashes a day. 

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  • Janett2014
    Janett2014 Member Posts: 3,833
    edited August 2014

    Forgot to say this. I too have osteopenia. I think it has been 3 or 4 years. I will be VERY interested to see my bone density numbers this fall when I have the yearly scan. 

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  • SallyS70
    SallyS70 Member Posts: 947
    edited August 2014

    Janett, do you take the Fosamax with a full glass of water?

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  • Golden01
    Golden01 Member Posts: 916
    edited August 2014

    Oh my, I really need to read up on the details. I need to drink water on my walk so thought I could have more water than the eight ounces after I took the pill. Will check out all the details before that first dose!

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  • SallyS70
    SallyS70 Member Posts: 947
    edited August 2014

    I need to reread instructions too.

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited August 2014

    Well, I just reread the instructions, which say to take the pill with 6-8 ounces of water .  I've been assuming it was best to jsut keep right on drinking throughout that first half hour, but now that I've read your posts (and the directions), I guess the idea is 6-8 ounces, period.

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  • Golden01
    Golden01 Member Posts: 916
    edited August 2014

    I'm going to call my pharmacist before I take my first one to get this figured out for sure. I think water is okay, my directions say "After swallowing aldendronate sodium tablet, wait at least 30 minutes: . . .. .Before you take your first food or drink except for plain water. . . . . "

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  • Golden01
    Golden01 Member Posts: 916
    edited August 2014

    Was at the pharmacy yesterday so talked to the pharmacist and got the straight scoop. No food or drink before taking the Fosamax. Take it with 6-8 ounces of plain water. Nothing to eat or drink except plain water for 30 minutes (and don't lie down). She said drinking the plain water on my walk would be fine. I had eaten by the time I went to the drug store yesterday and today have a bit of a sore foot some am not going for my walk. I'm going to wait until Saturday, take my pill, and go out for my walk with a bottle of plain water. Hope it doesn't rain. 

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  • jakee1960
    jakee1960 Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2015

    I have been taking anastrozole. Six months after starting I developed trigger finger. It went away after a few months, although they still hurt sometimes. I just started taking generic fosamax and my ankles and calves have been hurting. I have also been getting headaches. I had been walking 5-6 miles before starting Fosamax , now it is so painful I dread walking and only make 1-2 miles because of pai

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  • metalopolous
    metalopolous Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2015

    I would not take it as Ive heard of many many bad side effects from this drug from esphogus cancers to rashes to loosing teeth .

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  • HomeMom
    HomeMom Member Posts: 1,198
    edited September 2015

    Hmmm I've been taking it for almost 6mos. I take it after dinner with a glass of water along with my Arimidex, Vit D, biotin, and calcium. I was in the "gray" area for Ostioperosis in my spine. I haven't had my second bone density test to see if it is working.

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