1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Fosamax Feedback

Posted by oknowwhatpixie @oknowwhatpixie, Apr 30 4:44pm

Age 57, Last DEXA Oct 2023: Lumbar T-Score -2.7, Hip T-Score -1.7, Femoral Neck T-Score -1.8
My FRAX score adjusted for my Lumbar TScore
Major Osteoporotic 7.4% Hip Fracture 0.9%
Never broken a bone my entire life, and I've taken a few serious tumbles over the years.

After sifting through a lot of information I think I will talk with my Rheumatologist about starting Weekly Fosamax. All preliminary tests have been run and there is no other underlying reason for my Osteoporosis.

I am going to see a nutritionist because I have a poor diet and definitely need to boost my calcium intake. I've also started weight bearing exercises along with my daily walks.

Rheumatologist talked about using Reclast for 2-3 years, but the more I come to understand some of the different medications the more I am leaning towards Fosamax. I've had some heartburn issues in the past but I am thinking that if I follow the instructions diligently for how to take Fosamax I may not run into digestive issues. Was also thinking about extending the wait time to eat after taking and taking a walk to stay upright for 60 minutes. Just as a precaution. Anyone with digestive issues that were able to take Fosamax and not have it make digestive issues worse?

Is it reasonable to think if Fosamax works well for me that my BMD could move out of Osteoporosis in two years and possibly take a drug holiday after two years? I'm hoping to get out of Osteoporosis in my Spine and stay in a stable state for a few years. Everything I read says the first 10 years after menopause is when you lose the most BMD. By the time I finish two years on Fosamax I will have reached 10 years. I know you continue to lose BMD as you age, but I'm optimistic that Diet and Exercise along with a short term use of Meds can get me in a stable spot.

Appreciate any and all feedback!

Thanks

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lilyrock8 | @lilyrock8 | May 16 9:01am

gee I’ve never heard that. And I had milk products 30 minutes after for the whole 2 years I was on it. Maybe that’s why it stopped working?? Though the safety info says it’s ok to eat or drink anything after 30 minutes.

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1 reply
oknowwhatpixie | @oknowwhatpixie | May 16 1:51pm
In reply to @lilyrock8 "gee I’ve never heard that. And I had milk products 30 minutes after for the whole..." + (show)
@lilyrock8

gee I’ve never heard that. And I had milk products 30 minutes after for the whole 2 years I was on it. Maybe that’s why it stopped working?? Though the safety info says it’s ok to eat or drink anything after 30 minutes.

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What I've read is that calcium can affect how well the drug is absorbed.

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katrinka | @katrinka | May 19 3:20pm
In reply to @normahorn "I am hoping that someone can tell me my thinking is so off base that it..." + (show)
@normahorn

I am hoping that someone can tell me my thinking is so off base that it is beyond belief.

As I understand the mechanism, bisphosphates work by coating the bones but do nothing to benefit the bones in any other manner. (essentially paint over rotten wood, or less rotten after a bone builder). So, when a DEXA shows improvement, what is accounting for the improvement is the thickness of the coating.

Please tell me I am oversimplifying to the point of absurdity.

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According to Johns Hopkins, bisphosphonates decrease the rate bone cells are absorbed. This allows the body to increase bone density.

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ripley | @ripley | May 20 11:51am
In reply to @artscaping "Well, good afternoon, @oknowwhatpixie, and welcome to Connect. I like your screen name. Sort of sets..." + (show)
@artscaping

Well, good afternoon, @oknowwhatpixie, and welcome to Connect. I like your screen name. Sort of sets your mind before you begin reading.
Let's start with an answer to the question about drug holidays. Here is the Mayo Clinic policy.

"We will often suggest a drug holiday in lower-risk individuals after 5 years on alendronate or 3 years on Reclast. In high-risk individuals, we use alendronate for up to 10 years and Reclast up to 6 years before a drug holiday. Drug holidays only apply to bisphosphonates (alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid) and not other osteoporosis medication classes."
Dr. Robert A. Wermers, M.D.

Just to clarify, Fosamax is also alendronate. I want to share with you that in June this year, I will finish my second year on Fosamax. I have never had any side effects or digestive issues, and Dr. Wermers is my doctor at the Mayo Clinic. And....I do think that your words "ok, now what " characterize my continuing battle with aging.

However, I don't want to miss a day of joy and nature. Good luck with your program plan. Let me know how it turns out.

May you be safe, protected and free of inner and outer harm.
Chris

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Do you go to the Mayo in Rochester? What was your experience getting an appt with them? How did you go about it to get accepted?

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1 reply
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | May 21 11:44pm
In reply to @ripley "Do you go to the Mayo in Rochester? What was your experience getting an appt with..." + (show)
@ripley

Do you go to the Mayo in Rochester? What was your experience getting an appt with them? How did you go about it to get accepted?

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Hi @ripley, I think I have already answered your questions about this subject. I live in MN, about 2 hrs from Mayo in Rochester. Please check the current replies. The only item I didn't mention in that response was that, at that time, I was the family caregiver for my lifetime partner. He was going through prostate cancer surgery and a month at a time rehabilitative treatments in Rochester for daily therapy. I had lots of time to roam around and visit the buildings and facilities when we were there for 30 days at a time.

Good evening,
Chris

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ripley | @ripley | May 23 12:07pm
In reply to @maggieb892 "My endo recommends taking Fosamax with 8oz. of water and waiting 1 hour before eating or..." + (show)
@maggieb892

My endo recommends taking Fosamax with 8oz. of water and waiting 1 hour before eating or drinking anything else. I definitely have osteoporosis in my left wrist and forearm, but all my numbers have improved in the last 3 years.

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How long were you on Fosamax? Do you think that drug is the reason your numbers improved?

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maggieb892 | @maggieb892 | May 23 2:37pm

I started on Fosamax in 2021 and will complete the course in 2026. My osteoporosis occurred with parathyroid disease. I think the surgery to remove the diseased gland has helped, getting breast cancer may have slowed my progress. I walk daily, take calcium with D, and eat a Mediterranean diet. I'm sure Fosamax has positively contributed to my better scores.

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Sue Ellen Murrey | @semurrey | Jun 18 9:15am

Letrozole for breast cancer has put me heavy into osteoporosis at 58 yrs old and I've been on Fosamax for past 5 months. My left hip is so sore and sitting for any length of time makes it so much worse. Any advice or have any folks experienced hip pain on Fosamax. I have regular joint pain from the Letrozole but this is definitely different.

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alif | @alif | Jun 19 10:11pm

@semurray
How would you describe your pain?I took Fosamax for three months and about month 2 decided not to take it anymore after the three months was up. Four days after the last dose I had terrible pain in my right hip/ groin/ area and equally as bad pain in the right knee.10/10 on the pain score resulting in vomiting from the pain. The pain came and went in spasms, (nighttime was dreadful) resulting in 2 x different xrays, an ultrasound and multiple doctor and hospital visits. Nobody, including orthopaedic specialist could find anything wrong. With the use of multiple painkillers, I am now, three months later, about 90% fine. I am now off all painkillers, but night time and sitting or walking for long periods is still quite uncomfortable. Was it the Fosamax? I don't know. It seems like it. I would love to hear from others about the type of bone/joint pain they had while using Fosamax. I am 67 yrs and am now trying to eat well, take supplements and weight train/ exercise.

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willow5 | @willow5 | Jun 20 10:10am

Hi - sorry to hear about all that pain and glad it resolved!

I’ve been on a low dose (75 mg) of Fosomax for about three years and no pain problems - though have developed mild occasional GERD.

I am now osteopenic in my back and my hip is just below the osteoporsis line, if that makes sense, on the bone scans.

You know, i’ve been a runner for over 35 years - work out with weights off and on, bike ride - i ingest enough calcium with diet, plus a multi with calciu, and I was told all that stuff would keep bones healthy, especially the running and weights, because of the weight bearing qualities. It was so disappointing to end up with osteoporosis Guess part of aging, we do what we do and problems still arise.

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