PMR, Osteoporosis and Fosamax?

My father started at 15-20 mg prednisone (can’t quite remember), but ultimately had to go up to 30 mg because his inflammatory markers got very high. He started Fosomax about 4 weeks into his prednisone treatment.

The potential side effects sound very disconcerting, but he’s actually had no problems (I mean with the Fosomax). Everyone’s different, but he’s extremely sensitive to medications, yet has no issues with it. We were pleasantly surprised.

I hope you have relief soon from the PMR pain.

There are a lot of lawsuits underway for Fosamax regarding jaw necrosis, disintegration of the jaw bone. Has your doctor discussed the risks with you?

@slf202mcinfo, I would talk with my doctor about fosamax and it's safety. Fosamax has some safety concerns according to a few searches I've done. I have no medical background or training but I do try and use a natural supplement if there is one available. Here are a couple of links with additional information on fosamax:

https://www.drugwatch.com/fosamax/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/whats_the_story_with_fosamax

Hope this helps,
John

I started the Fosamax when I started prednisone. I had concerns about side effects but was more concerned about losing bone ( I have osteopenia). When my doctor added methotrexate after two years on the prednisone I told him that was too many drugs that affect my GI tract and I wanted off the Fosamax. He said that was fine because I had gotten to a lower prednisone dose and bone loss was not as much of a problem. My bone density increased about 10% while on the Fosamax so I am glad I took it. I had no apparent side effects. I will request a DEXA scan at my next visit and if I have lost significant bone I will go back on the Fosamax until I get off prednisone.

I reluctantly started fosomax due to the potential aide affects but conceded when my pmr morphed into gca and i had to go on high dose Prednisone. I have been on it for a year and a half and Was able to maintain my bone density after a year which my dr was very pleased given my high does of Prednisone for a year. I do have osteoporosis. I have not had any side effects so far. I've had a couple major relapses so i will continue to take it until i get off or a very low dose of Prednisone. But everyone is different but it's very important to protect your bones. There are other biphosfonate that you could look into maybe. Good luck to you

Thank you for your reply. I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis and was on Fosamax for one year and did reasonably well with it and good bone results and then asked my doctor for a drug holiday to see if some unpleasant symptoms were related, GERD was but aches and pains were not. Then a diagnosis of PMR. My doctor definitely recommends I go back on Fosamax. Taking 20mg of prednisone for PMR. I know Fosamax definitely has risks and I don’t like taking anything but I also want to be reasonable. Osteoporosis also has big risks.

Thank you for your reply. I feel very much the same.

It is my understanding that all bisphosphonates share the risks. Opinions on this?

Yes, and doctor feels benefits far outweigh risks. But I agree the jaw necrosis is horrifying. GP’s answer is the occurrence is very small and usually associated with poor dental hygiene.

I found Fosamax difficult to take, and was switched to Risendronate … no problems with that at all. Been on it for nearly 4 years. On 10 mg of Prednisone and Methotrexate 20 mg weekly. What an ugly illness PMR is! All snakes and ladders. x

I took Fosamax and within a few months developed gastric ulcers and could no longer take this medication.