To start generic Fosamax soon and very concerned!

Oh, my endocrinologist says to take it for 5 years. This is concerning. I have been taking it for three years at this time.

I agree there is a distinct advantage that you can stop taking oral (Fosamax) osteoporosis meds in case you experience side effects. When considering which osteoporosis drug you may want to try, research which ones can be stopped and those where once you start taking them you will need to stay on some type of osteoporosis drug permanently.

After about a month of generic Fosamax 1x/weekly, no side effects at all. I've taken 4000 IU of Vitamin D and 1000mg of Calcium daily.

Hello, I am now 80 years old. Active, eat well, exercise daily. I am at a loss why my osteoporosis is getting worse. I made several falls the past few years without breaking anything. But my numbers are much worse than yours: minus 3.8 for spine and minus 3.2 for hips. I have resisted medication for years. But the endocrinologist convinced me this time. I did not want to take Prolia since my sister had a bad experience with her jaw. The doctor informed me that Prolia has a higher incidence with jaw problems than oral medication. I started Risedronate one month ago and have not had any side effects. I follow the rules very very carefully. Like drinking lots of water with it on an empty stomach, staying upright for half an hour, delaying any other medication etc. . So far so good. Good luck!!!

I was 'supposed' to begin Prolia injections but decided Not to - After I paid $300. for the Injection & brought it home. From leaflet and internet info I learned you have an incredibly High chance of future bone issues-cracks, breaks - when you stop taking Prolia. I wish my own Dr. who prescribed it had warned me-before I wasted $300.

Unfortunately, doctors don't let patients know about side effects. They follow 'standard of care' when prescribing these medications. Patients now have to do their own research to determine whether they are willing to accept the risk of serious side effects. These side effects occur in a small percentage of people, but I don't want to be one of the unlucky ones.

I was on Fosamax for three months and then had to stop taking it while I had an emergency surgery and was hospitalized for two weeks. I felt uneasy taking it in the first place because I read about the side effects, and decided not to restart the medication when I got home from the hospital. Doctor wanted to start me on Prolia, but once again, the side effects scared me. I am already on a lot of meds following my stem cell transplant, so I am careful about any other medication that doctors want to add. I focus on taking calcium, consuming dairy and walking 4-5 miles per day. I am also cautious about what exercises I do that may affect my back - that’s where my osteoporosis is.

Instead of taking the 70 mg of fosomax, I asked my doctor to give me a 35 mg dose since I was concerned about side effects.

I take 500 mg of calcium in the evening per my endocrinologist, and 1000 of D during the day. I get enough calcium through my diet, and I am vegan.

I am told I will be on the fosomax for five years. My bone scans are improving, spine is now at osteopenia level and right hip is almost at osteopenia.

I work with a trainer twice a week doing a weight workout. Since I’ve always been a walker/runner, cyclist and ended up with osteoporosis I think the weight workout is going to benefit me more. This is my experience with the bone journey as I age. Am now 71. Have lost over an inch in height. Would like that back. My pants are all too long -:)

I have been researching osteoporosis drugs since I just had an MRI that shows cracks at L1 and L2. My doctor and I had discussion about Fosamax and Prolia. He wants me on Prolia.
I just finished a 7 day short course about exercise for osteoporosis. Margaret Martin is a Physiotherapist from Canada. She teaches appropriate exercises for osteoporosis. You can find her at http://www.melioguide.com. I also bought her book, "Exercise for Better Bones." (Amazon, $15) The book has three different levels of exercise depending on how active you are currently.
I'm 82, seeing a Neurosurgeon later this month, trying to determine where my pain is originating. I am leaning towards Prolia.
I wish you well on your journey!

I am recovering from two broken hips, they were 45 days apart. I'm taking calcium, magnesium and D3, also Fosamax. So far, so good. However, I would like to find a magnesium that didn't cause loose stools, and is absorbed well.