topic Re: Fosomax in Wellness

Fosomax

susielong — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 20:10:54 GMT

Anybody here take this, if so what is your opinion of it. I don't like the side effects I'm reading about it and don't know if I want to take it or not. Dr. has just prescribed it and I haven't started it yet, so would like to hear from somebody that has actually used it. TIA, Susie

Re: Fosomax

gazelle77 — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 20:13:55 GMT

I would never take it from what I have read about them.

Re: Fosomax

adelle38 — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 20:27:25 GMT

You should have a long discussion with your doctor about this. From what I've read, the side effects can be more debilitating than osteoporosis. They are under researched and over prescribed. Everbody's situation is different.

Re: Fosomax

NYwoman — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 20:31:01 GMT

I would never take it because of the side effects of bone loss in the jaw and thighs. There is a new alternative that is not a bisphosphenate.

Re: Fosomax

namaste000 — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 20:32:50 GMT

I agree there are disagreeable side effects, BUT you have to weigh your specific situation. I know people who refused to take it and now their osteoporosis is so severe they are afraid to leave their houses.

If you have osteoporosis, not osteopenia, then you have to think long and hard about your specific situation and possible take the medication. Once you lose bone mass it is gone forever.

Re: Fosomax

susielong — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 22:49:05 GMT

I have osteopenia and have no problem with it at all. Was really surprised when they said it showed that. I also have colon/digestive issues which is one reason I really think I don't want to take this med. From everything I have read about it I just don't like the sounds of the side effects.

Re: Fosomax

echoscream — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 23:46:56 GMT

A few years ago, while watching TV one day, I saw an advertisement featuring Fosamax, where a law firm was giving you a phone number to call, if you had bad health results from taking this medicine. When I asked my doctor about it, he didn't comment directly, but said I could take a vacation from using it. Since then, I have never went back to taking it.

For quite a while, the results of people using it were great, but evidently after a prolonged period of time - certain bones did not show improved density, but rather the opposite was occurring.

Up to now, I didn't even think it was still being produced. I just searched online and found out things I wasn't aware of. Here is a link below, that might explain the problems some people have experienced taking it and there is reference to lawsuits.

http://www.youhavealawyer.com/fosamax/information-alendronate-sodium/

Now, please - let me be clear - I am certainly NOT saying it's bad - but you need to do some research and be aware of ALL the facts - to make the best decision for you. Probably all medicines have some negative facts about them, the side effects and all. But you have to investigate the risk - and get all the information you can - so if/when you do take or keep taking Fosamax - you are truly aware of the risks involved.

Re: Fosomax

Beauty$Junkie — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 23:51:03 GMT

My doctor at first suggested this. I told him I would think about it, and started researching it. I was finding so many negatives that, when I came back the following year, he also said 'no' to Fossomax. I eat right and exercise. The less drugs the better for me.

Re: Fosomax

jubilant — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 23:57:32 GMT

I tried Fosamax years ago. I could not take it. I tried it for about 4 months and it became obvious my stomach could not handle it. With that said, I have always had a sensitive stomach so that may not be the case for someone else.

Re: Fosomax

Another new name Sue — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:01:26 GMT

All meds have side effects. Don't you laugh at the drug ads on TV when they list the side effects? They are so horrible: thoughts of suicide, heart attack, stroke, cancer, depression, etc.

I had to decide which I feared more, the medication or fragile bones. I decided I feared fragile bones more, and took Fosamax for years. I had an uncommon yet known side effect, a fractured femur (thigh bone), which required surgery to repair. It seems bizarre that such a drug could cause a fracture, but it's true. I'm taking Evista now. I cannot tell you to take it or not, you have to struggle with that decision yourself, and it isn't easy.

I believe there is still a lot not known about the full effects on bone and the body, so those of us who have taken it now are a bit like "guinea pigs", in my opinion. There are some opinions about how many years a person should take Fosamax; some doctors say 4-5 years. If you decide to take it, you could take it 2 years, then do a bone scan to see if it's helping. That said, it's difficult to know if a drug helps with bone density because you really don't know what it would have been without the drug. Sigh....I'm just confusing you.

Good luck, you are not alone in this dilemma.

Re: Fosomax

sidsmom — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:03:01 GMT

Funny....I used to see tons of commercials with Sally Fields as the spokesperson. Ads in Prevention Magazine, other women's mags....also on TV. Now? Quiet as a mouse. Amazing how marketing these drugs takes on a life of its own. Years later, we still remember it. Big Pharma @ it's Best.

Re: Fosomax

Shelbelle — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:03:14 GMT

I have osteopenia, I keep it stable for last 10 years with calcium, D3, magnesium and vitamin K2. No meds for me.

Re: Fosomax

willdob3 — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:44:57 GMT

I would not touch it or any other, similar drugs. I value my health.

Always do your research so you can make an informed decision. No one cares as much about your health as you do.

Re: Fosomax

Mustang Shar — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:47:47 GMT

Let me add, my 87 yr old Mom, broke her femur getting off the Senior bus. Her Orthopedic stated YES, fosomax caused it, not a doubt.

Re: Fosomax

Reba055 — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 02:54:50 GMT

I took it for about a year and developed severe GERD and my esophagus had to be dilated. Unfortunately I'm now stuck in the cycle of having to take a PPI to control symptoms and after long term use it is nearly impossible to stop the PPI. Due to long term PPI use I now have B12 deficiency, Vit D deficiency, and low iron stores. Also now I have a hiatal hernia. I have learned to research drugs thoroughly before taking. Yes, sometimes we have no choice but it is very disturbing how little some physicians know about prescription drugs, especially when prescribed long term. I encourage anyone on PPI's to look at the risk of long term use. And this applies to over the counter ones too!

Re: Fosomax

jbinrwc — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 03:13:10 GMT

I took Fosamax for a few years. Never had problems with my stomach. My Dr. took me off of it when the bad side effects became known.

Re: Fosomax

sparklestar — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 03:15:33 GMT

Several years ago after a bone density test that was not good, I was prescribed this. Within days of taking it, I could not swallow food. I stopped taking it.

Re: Fosomax

Helping — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 04:04:12 GMT

Prolia is an injectable given every 6 months. Might want to ask your dr about it.

Re: Fosomax

Jeremiah 2911 — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 04:32:16 GMT

How a Bone Disease Grew to Fit The Prescription:

http://www.npr.org/2009/12/21/121609815/how-a-bone-disease-grew-to-fit-the-prescription

Please read and/or listen to this story about FOSAMAX. Very informative.

Re: Fosomax

BeckiWV — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 05:11:27 GMT

I am at risk for osteoporosis but I try to keep my bones strong naturally.

I would not even consider taking Fosamax or a similar drug unless I really had no other alternative.

I have a lot of dental issues, so no way.