1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Has anyone been helped by Fosamax?

Posted by jasperina @jasperina, Nov 10, 2023

I am newly diagnosed with osteoporosis and my provider is recommending Fosamax.
I am 67, and have good lifestyle habits. Recently I started weight lifting 3x per week.
I see a lot of negative stories about this medication but I would like to know if anyone had good results on it.

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jasperina | @jasperina | Nov 23, 2023
In reply to @gravity3 "On alendronate (fosamax) for4+ years. Never had any problems. Seemed to slow down my osteoporosis. Every..." + (show)
@gravity3

On alendronate (fosamax) for4+ years. Never had any problems. Seemed to slow down my osteoporosis. Every body is different but they all break down eventually..just in different ways and at different rates.

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I may go ahead and take it in conjunction with a weight training program. From what I see, it all has side effects, but if I do nothing things will just get worse. Glad to hear it helped you.

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jasperina | @jasperina | Nov 23, 2023
In reply to @mannism "Fosamax can cause femur fractures after five years. Some people have periodontal issues. I had to..." + (show)
@mannism

Fosamax can cause femur fractures after five years. Some people have periodontal issues. I had to have bone regeneration in my jaw after taking this for two years.

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Yikes. Are you on a medication that has worked better for you now?

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mannism | @mannism | Nov 23, 2023

The DEXA scan arrived and then Fosamax. At the time any woman who was not "normal" was told to take Fosamax. I was one of these patients. Merck marketed heavily and created a disease for its drug. The guidelines were pulled of air at a conference in Italy, and as far as I know have not changed. You can read about this online.

Normal was the bone density of a 30-year-old woman, which most people in their 50s and older would never match. The term osteopenia was introduced as a measurement, not a disease. It is normal to lose some bone density. It becomes abnormal when it is drastic and could lead to fractures. This should be about fracture risk and how much bone loss is normal. The British use FRAX, which is a realistic assessment of that risk.

I have not taken anything since the expensive and painful periodontal adventure. Still, if you take the test and it is abnormal, then the doctor tries to prescribe Fosamax. There are other options but the best thing is to take calcium, vitamin D and do weight-bearing exercise. I would consult with an endocrinologist as they are familiar with metabolic bone disease.

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1 reply
jasperina | @jasperina | Nov 23, 2023
In reply to @mannism "The DEXA scan arrived and then Fosamax. At the time any woman who was not "normal"..." + (show)
@mannism

The DEXA scan arrived and then Fosamax. At the time any woman who was not "normal" was told to take Fosamax. I was one of these patients. Merck marketed heavily and created a disease for its drug. The guidelines were pulled of air at a conference in Italy, and as far as I know have not changed. You can read about this online.

Normal was the bone density of a 30-year-old woman, which most people in their 50s and older would never match. The term osteopenia was introduced as a measurement, not a disease. It is normal to lose some bone density. It becomes abnormal when it is drastic and could lead to fractures. This should be about fracture risk and how much bone loss is normal. The British use FRAX, which is a realistic assessment of that risk.

I have not taken anything since the expensive and painful periodontal adventure. Still, if you take the test and it is abnormal, then the doctor tries to prescribe Fosamax. There are other options but the best thing is to take calcium, vitamin D and do weight-bearing exercise. I would consult with an endocrinologist as they are familiar with metabolic bone disease.

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Thanks for your input. I am putting off this prescription until I talk to a dr more experienced with management of osteoporosis. In the meantime, I am definitely doing weight bearing and other exercise & calcium, vit d, etc.
I share your caution about drug companies and their profit motive. Very sorry you had this terrible periodontal side effect. There are always unintended side effects.

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mannism | @mannism | Nov 23, 2023

Google FRAX and see what your risk is. I would look for an integrative doctor or an endocrinologist. Unfortunately, many PCPs do test and prescribe, instead of diagnose and treat.

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chocolatty | @chocolatty | Nov 28, 2023

I went from -2.5 to -1.8 in spine in 3 years.
Hip went from -1.3 to -.9.

No side effects.

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1 reply
jasperina | @jasperina | Nov 28, 2023
In reply to @chocolatty "I went from -2.5 to -1.8 in spine in 3 years. Hip went from -1.3 to..." + (show)
@chocolatty

I went from -2.5 to -1.8 in spine in 3 years.
Hip went from -1.3 to -.9.

No side effects.

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Thank you. Encouraging to hear. I am newly diagnosed and still thinking about my course of action.

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