Fosamax for Osteopenia

I'm on Fosomax for the 3rd time in my life. Im 83. It causes no problems for me and always gets me out of the osteoporosis stage after being on it for a couple of years or so. I exercise, take calcium, but apparently need Fosomax taken periodically. I've never broken a bone and get my.bone density test every other year to keep watch.

@topsy
Thank you for your helpful reply! I am surprised to be at this point since I'm already quite active, exercise and take calcium but I also don't want to break a hip so it's very helpful to hear your experience. Hopefully others will tell their experience also.

I hate to have to leave a
negative comment but feel I must since we are all different. Hopefully I am in the minority, but I suffered severe bone loss in my upper jaw and lost a tooth after approximately one year on Fosamax. I understand we all need to do something to preserve our bone density and I’ve been told by dentists that Fasomaxx is the least harmful. I just want to put this out there to be sure that if you are on Fosamax, please see your dentist regularly as I had no symptoms until the bone loss was significant.

I have to leave a negative reply also. Both my daughters have osteoporosis They were too young to do the dexa so they didn't know. One broke her femur by doing nothing and the other fell while ice skating and broke her shoulder. Then discovered by taking the dexa they both have osteoporosis. Yes I have it also, but another story. Neither one was put on Fosamax because it's an older med and is known for it's side effects. In the early nineties when Fosamax was the only med given for this problem there were a lot of women with lost jaw bones. I had a friend I hadn't seen in a long time and ran into her. A very attractive woman and I was shocked at her appearance. She had lost part of her jaw because of this particular drug. There are so many newer ones please ask your Endocronologist for something else. I hope that you are seeing one.

It really bothered my stomach and went with Prolia. No problems with this, but after several years scan showed little to no progress. Was then put on Reclast infusions with no issues. After two years was put on Evenity for 12 months wit Injections once a month. After 4th injection started with lower back spasms, general body aches and other possible side effects. Debating now whether to stop Evenity. Wondering what side effects will start showing up for injections 5 - 12; and which ones may be long term.

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis after my bone scan 4 years ago. Rather than take one of those drugs I opted to take vitamin D plus K, calcium and magnesium, and some other supplements, and ate lots of Greek yogurt. My next scan my readings improved significantly back to osteopenia. I’ve continued this practice and will have my next scan in one year.
I had bone loss in my jaw this past summer when I went for a consultation with another dentist for jaw pain. My regular dentist kept telling me it was from clenching my jaw at night, something I’m still upset about. I add this because bone loss can be caused by osteoporosis as well as these drugs. Wishing you well in your decisions.

@ga29

Are you referring to Osteoporosis drugs when you say "bone loss can be caused by osteoporosis as well as these drugs." If so, please send a link to the research that indicates this.
The primary cause of osteoporosis is linked to the loss of hormones during and after menopause. There can be other causes and testing should be done to rule these out as primary or secondary causes.

@gravity3 I am replying to the previous comments by those who experienced bone loss after using certain medications. I am not a doctor, only reporting my experience.