To start generic Fosamax soon and very concerned!

Hi Patitoo,
I too started Fosamax this first quarter and have experienced gastrointestinal side effects, heartburn, upset stomach and general overall malaise. So, I only took it for about six weeks. My doctor then switched me to ProLia by injection every six months. I filled the script and put the Prolia in the refrigerator as instructed. I then did some more research and read the extensive list of side effects reported by other users.It was then that I spoke with my sister, a natural medicine Shamen. She recommended trying a combination of vitamin d3 5000 iu, Juvenente, Strontium caps 750 mg,, and Bone Up brand calcium compound 5000 mg until my next DEXA Scan in September. So, that's what I doing now.If I don't have a significant improvement by then, I will reconsider the Prolia solution, ProLia keeps in the refrigerator for about two years so it will still be usable until the Fall. It's about a 65 dollar copay on my insurance, but at twice a year its not too bad. I hope it proves effective as the list side effect is daunting.
Good luck with whatever path you choose,
Chris

Thank you for your reply, I feel confused on the meds, have read about most of them, I am taking D3 and Tums , seems most of the Calcium on the shelf were the Calcium that is in Tums. What form of Calcium is in Bone Up? Wonder is some Generics are better than others. I followed the directions this am, did sit after the tablet, put pillows behind me so I would be sitting straight. Drank water and after a few hours I could taste the med for some reason, the taste went away, I swallowed the tablet, . We must do what we can. Your cost for Prolia seems reasonable for non-generic, I did not realize it was only taken 2 times a year. There is one injectiable "bone" med, I was told, that is over $1,000 a year, you get just one injection a year. I got a 90 day supply of my Generic Fosamax at COSTCO (3 boxes of 4 Tablets) Very reasonable too, will look for my paperwork and post the price.
Maybe some others will add comments for all of us. I really need others' experiences, good or bad, on these meds.
I did read last night that if you take iron NOT to take with some of the meds, assume you wait a few hours. No Aspirin.,
Patti

Can anyone share with me the side effects they’ve had with Fosomax or if there are any natural alternatives that have been keeping bone loss at bay?

My Dr recommended Fosomax as I have osteopenia also but I opted for Bone Restore*Elite Calcium Supplement with Super Potent K2 by Life Extension. Sorry I can't tell you yet if it has helped as my next dexa scan is in November. I also go to Super Slow Zone for strength training to also build my bones. I also use Collagen Peptides for skin & joints in my coffee.

I was prescribed Fosomax about 30 years ago, and was on it for a few months. Started to feel pain in my hip joint by the groin, and found it difficult to walk. Got worse within an hour so I left work . I also had been experiencing jaw pain. I was seen late that afternoon by the medical professional who had prescribed it. She admitted that some patients experience pain as I had described, and was not surprised when I told her I would discontinue the drug immediately. The pain in hips and jaw got better and within a few days there were no more episodes. I later learned that indeed there had been reported cases of pain just as I had experienced, including in the jaw, and I recall something to the effect that there had been issues with jaw bones in particular. I was glad that I had discontinued the medication. I have not followed what transpired with Fosomax after that , and I wasn't aware that it is still on the market. I would like to believe that the issues and side effects were attended to.
I was in my in my 40's at that time and engaged in exercise, so I simply upped activities like daily fast-walking, used my treadmill, and exercised to music. Also continued taking my multivitamin and supplements, and included dairy in my diet. Bone density tests over the last few decades reveal no bone issues.
Do a little research, speak with your doctor, and determine what would be best for you.

What were the supplements you took? I’d really rather find a natural alternative. Fosomax side effects scare the heck out of me!

I've had excellent improvement in dexa scans after taking supplements of AlgaeCal, a plant based calcium formula and doing bone strengthening exercises. Amazon has a very similar formula quite a bit cheaper. Over about 6 years I've gone from osteoporosis to nearly normal bone density! I'm 75.

Has anyone else had verifiable bone density improvement after taking AlgaeCal? I’m looking to avoid the prescription meds for osteoporosis and would gladly try an effective OTC supplement. I am seeing an Integrative Medicine doctor next month and would like to be prepared to offer some evidence of a natural treatment that could help my bone density.

That's NOT a generic Fosamax. That's a vitamin. It's not even regulated by the FDA. Fosamax PREVENTS further bone loss at the molecular level. You can't add to bone by taking this vitamin, but at least it's something....and Fosamax can have negative side effects like jaw bone necrosis. Please make sure you discuss this decision with your health care professional.

My father has been taking generic Fosomax for about 18 months, preventatively because bone loss is a side effect of a medication he needs for a different condition, and he hasn’t had any problems, thankfully. He’s very sensitive to medication (as in, if he takes a full dose of Tylenol, he’ll be sleepy and fatigued for a full day), so this was a surprise.

I was also concerned about the side effects, but out of the other options (we were told there was Prolia or a different infusion, which both have side effects of their own), it seemed worth trying, and we figured if he experienced any of the pain associated with the side effects, he could just stop and we’d re-assess. Thankfully, he didn’t have any side effects. The most annoying think about it are all the precautions/preparations needed to take it because he has reflux.

It was my understanding that all the osteoporosis drugs have similar potential side effects because of the way they work. It’s my understanding those side effects are rare… And I’m saying this as someone with extreme sensitivity to medication. But everyone is different, along with what risk they’re willing to take. If there’s a “nice” thing about these side effects, it’s that they’re the kind that go away once you stop the medication.

As @linamend mentioned, vitamins and minerals can’t rebuild bone, but it can be protective.