Wellness

[Nooks]

My mother-in-law took it for a few years, and lost many of her teeth. She is heartbroken about it. When my husband and I were looking into alternatives to prescription drugs for her, we saw something at iHerb.com that had good reviews. If you are interested in reading about it, you can enter the following information into their search engine: Doctor's Best, Strontium Bone Maker, 340 mg, Veggie Caps

[jubilant]

I know I already posted but I wanted to add that it took my stomach well over a year to recover. I feel if I hadn't stopped when I did, I would have been in big trouble. Just a heads up for anyone who may have a sensitive stomach or prone to ulcers or gastritis.

[tends2dogs]

On 10/3/2014 Shelbelle said:

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

Same with me, Shelbelle! The clinic I go to said that they NEVER prescribe Fosamax. It can form bone, but the integrity of the bone is poor. (see post #9 HappyGal She took it and had a fracture. This is not uncommon)

I take the same supplements as you plus boron and strontium. I am also on bioidentical hormones. I seem to be holding my own.

All the best with your decision.

[winamac1]

On 10/4/2014 tends2dogs said:

On 10/3/2014 Shelbelle said:

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

Same with me, Shelbelle! The clinic I go to said that they NEVER prescribe Fosamax. It can form bone, but the integrity of the bone is poor. (see post #9 HappyGal She took it and had a fracture. This is not uncommon)

I take the same supplements as you plus boron and strontium. I am also on bioidentical hormones. I seem to be holding my own.

All the best with your decision.

Which strontium are you taking if you could please share? I bought Doctor's Choice..I believe is the name. TIA

[Shelbelle]

My friend has been on Fosamax for several years, now she has gum recession, anyone know if this can cause that to happen, thanks?

[LilacTree]

My opinion only . . . dangerous stuff. I can't believe they are still prescribing it.

Please do a lot of research.

[Retiredpsych]

At least 10 yrs. ago I took Fosomax (my doctor prescribed it after my first bone density test showed my osteo had caused decreased bone density and a one inch decrease in my height...and he was even taking it at the time.) It was very popular. At one point he switched me to Celebrix. I took them for a total of 6 or 7 yrs. My second bone density showed a significant increase in bone that could only be attributed to the drugs (tests were done using the same machine at the same place by different technicians, that rules out false positive results). I actually regained 1/4 in. in bone length. I had to switch doctors (insurance reasons) and my new doctor took me off of the drug. I had been on it at least two yrs. longer than is recommended. I never had any side effects from the drugs that I am aware of, however, I was upset that my original doctor allowed me to take the med for longer than is recommended. Would I do it again? After reading so much about it, probably not, but thankfully I didn't have any negative side effects. I think everyone has to weigh the pros and cons based upon their own circumstances.

[HarDee]

On 10/3/2014 echoscream said:

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.

We need to do research, but I'm not certain I would necessarily trust something that a personal injury lawyer has put out. They have a stake in this too

I have osteoporosis and have taken Boniva for three years. I had osteopenia and tried exercise, diet, calcium and it didn't help. I developed osteoporosis....so for those trying to prevent this I wish you luck. It didn't work for me. I fought very hard to not take Boniva. I had the RX but just refused to take it. After talking with a sister in law about her mother who had osteoporosis and would get fractures from walking I talked with three doctors and decided to go ahead. They all said there are definite risks, but the chances of having these side effects is very slim and the benefits outweigh the risks. I haven't had any problems and many women have no side effects either, but we don't hear from them. My mom was on it for many years, and her health is fine. I'm told I won't be on it longer than five years. At my last bone density screening there was improvement.

We all need to make choices, and yes, you absolutely need to do research and talk to several physicians before going ahead if you decide to do it.

[PamelaSue72]

I cannot recommend this drug at all. I took Fosamax for three weeks. Within one week of starting the drug, I had intense left jaw pain; it was that bad, it almost took my breath away. The pain did go away in about 15 minutes or so, but it was nasty.

Three weeks later, I ended up in ER with a suspected heart attack. I knew the ER nurse; she said she thought I was too young to be having a heart attack, but she added that one never knows and it's better to be safe. They did a ton of tests on me and while waiting for the test results, I was lying in the bed reading a book. The doctor came into see me, saw me reading, and said, "There is simply no way you're having a heart attack! Not with that attitude!" He was smiling when he said it.

Indeed, the intense pain was due to Fosamax. I went in a couple days later for a stress test and for some other tests to check for an ulcer. Nothing. When I went in for the stress test, the woman told me right out, "We get more young women coming in here for stress tests because of Fosamax problems than anything else!"

I only took that drug for 3 weeks. To this day, I have occasional left jaw pain and my dentist swears it's from the Fosamax.

My MIL has been taking Fosamax for years and never had a bit of trouble. She still has all her own teeth and has no dental issues or jaw pain. And, may I add that my MIL will be 94 years old next Monday!

But me....I would not recommend that drug to my worst enemy.

ETA: I am osteopenic (not sure of the spelling; for the spelling and grammar "queens" out there, go to it) and have a bone density test every two years. There has been no change in my results for the last eight years, so I take that as a good sign. I do take extra calcium, extra Vitamin D, a multi-vitamin. I walk 6 miles every day. I'll take what I can get at this point. It hasn't gotten any better, but it hasn't gotten any worse either.

[LilacTree]

My dentist was very surprised that I do not have any bone loss in my jaw since he saw me walk into the room with a walker. I told him I have severe osteoporosis. He said it was a good thing that I did not take any bisphosphonates because my jaw is in excellent condition. He has had prospective patients come in who were on those meds and has had to turn them away because they had suspected osteonecrosis.