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Reclast vs Fosamax??
I am being given a choice of either Fosamax or Reclast starting in January, when I will have ended my two years on Tymlos. Does anyone have some evidence-based opinions/advice/medical input whether to opt for one or the other? I know that Reclast is "stronger," since it is infused. But I wonder if that is a good thing or a bad thing in terms of "locking in the gains" of the anabolic. In these Mayo Connect posts, I've read of really ill effects from Reclast, which makes me nervous (looks like one person who posted ended up in the ER; others seem to have had long-term effects). But the idea of taking one shot, then forgetting about all of this for a year is so attractive. With Fosamax, I'd have to take a pill every week, which really isn't that bad, but I would so like to be done with this osteoporosis stuff. Never had a fracture; otherwise in good health; no other meds; age 74.
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You might want to ask if receiving a lower dose of ReClast is an option. Possibly half a dose (2.5 mg).
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2 ReactionsFosamax can cause digestive issues for some people…many tolerate it fairly well…it could be that taking it at a different time can help..
I am in the same boat, and my plan is to take Fosamax. I do not like the concept of an infusion. If you have a bad reaction that isn't disappearing after a couple of days, there is no way to undo it. I'd probably be OK because I generally tolerate meds well, but I just don't want to do it.
I'll be around -1.5 by the time I'm done with Tymlos, I think, so I'll do Fosamax for a year, keep up my exercises, and see what happens.
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1 Reaction@sebutler May I ask how you fared on Tymlos? My rheumatologist is pushing that one on me.
I took Alendronate (fosamax) for four years and never had a single issue. Everyone is different, of course, but I’ll share what I did. I think it helped a lot.
I was reticent to go on it because my mom and aunt (her sis) both had to stop taking it due to stomach pain. But I do wonder if perhaps they didn’t follow the instructions on the drug.
It’s taken on an empty stomach. You’re not supposed to lie down or eat for 30 minutes after you take it.
I wanted it to work, and it did, for a long while. So upon waking, I’d take it with a glass of water. I’d feed the cat, make the coffee, and then I’d pop in my earbuds and settle in on my sofa and do a 20-30 minute guided meditation on YouTube.
When I was in chemo more than 20 years ago, I’d envision the drip was coursing through my body, wiping out cancer cells and leaving fresh, clean cells in its wake. And so I did with the Alendronate too.
I was drawn to the chakra meditations. They helped a lot.
By the end, the 30 minutes was up, I felt amazing, and then I could continue with my day.
Everyone has their way of dealing with these medications which can be frightening. The good thing about fosamax is that if you do experience unpleasant side effects, you can stop it easily.
If you feel the overall delivery is easier and more convenient for you, perhaps you can try the Reclast first, and keep Fosamax as your Plan B.
Best wishes to you. And big congrats on your brand new bone growth! That’s something to celebrate!
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1 Reaction@beachesanddreams Thank you for sharing all this. Sounds like you hit on a really nice way of dealing with Fosamax -- and with the chemo!! Wonderful morning meditations!! Kudos to you for braving it all!!
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1 Reaction@njx58 -1.5!! I'm assuming you are referring to your DEXA results. Wow!! I'd be in 7th heaven if I had -1.5!! And indeed for you, one year of Fosamax should do it.
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2 Reactions@normahorn Thank you. Yes, I will ask about the lower dose.
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1 Reaction@beachesanddreams Forgot to answer your question in my previous reply. I have had no problems with Tymlos. I was deathly afraid to start, fearing heart palpitations, dizziness, and the other side effects that are cited. But any side effects were trivial. I did have a thumping heartbeat for a short time after injection (lasted maybe a couple minutes), but nothing else. I was warned it would happen, and told it would not cause any kind of heart disease, so for me it was not a big deal.
One thing: I have seen in posts here that Tymlos is less effective if taken AFTER bisphosphonates, so do check with your doctor about that. Best wishes to you, too!!!
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1 ReactionI too am faced with reclast or Fosamax. Fosamax has been around forever.I like the idea of being in control ,if side effects are bad I can skip, or build up to tolerant the full dose. Once infused your infused, that scares me.
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2 Reactions@redlo Ditto!!
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