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I've been taking Fosamax weekly since the end of October, 2008. I have pain in my left leg (off and on) which occurs in my hip, knee, and foot all at the same time. Also, I have GERD and wonder if Fosamax or any osteoporosis medication is good for me. If one has IBS, can Fosamax aggravate that as well?
Exercise Forteo GERD Alendronate Fosamax Reclast Osteopenia Actonel Pain Osteoporosis
Yes it can i had to take my meds. in the vain every 3 month. Its not Fosamak, i took Fortello in the vain i thank that was the name i forgot. After a year i took Reclase wont know how i am till nov. i have GERD and that why i took shots by the vain take about 2 minutes. Reclase take 15 minutes i had no side affect Hope this help
Dear gatomia:
I searched the Pubmed database at the National Library of Medicine to find out if Fosamax (alendronate) increases your risk of gastroesophageal and/or gastrointestinal side effects: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1754220 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10338731 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16257815 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9128331 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9244956 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10349198 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15619680 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10695692 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12374248
Dear gatomia:
You might prefer to believe the people who have reported negative side effects while taking Fosamax (alendronate). The following 2 links will send you to Askapatient.com, a website first shared on NOF Inspire by Char42: http://www.askapatient.com/classreport.asp?class=CALCIUM%20METABOLISM http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20560&name=FOSAMAX
Gatomia~
Unfortunately, I had side-effects with Fosamax. I had flu-like symptoms, bone pain along with GERD symptoms that increased with each dose I took. I also started to get severe stomach pain as well. I am not able to take any oral or nasal meds for Osteoporosis, due to those symptoms, and now I’m on Reclast. This past April was my second infusion and I'm unsure what route my doctor and I will choose for next year. He was talking about Forteo. I will not take Forteo, my choice. I just may decide to take a break from meds altogether and try the natural route.
Please inform your physician of your symptoms. If indeed your symptoms are side-effects of Fosamax they can become worse, as in my case, the more you take. Also, only your physician can determine whether your symptoms are from side-effects of Fosamax or not, so it's always best to inform them.
I’m wishing you the very best and hope you get relief from your symptoms soon. The side-effects I had from Fosamax were not pleasant and my heart goes out to you and anyone else who may be having those same issues.
Take care,
Cyn
Maybe it caused those side effects, but I've only ever heard of it maybe causing GERD. I've taken Fosamax, 70mg, once a week; for 8 years. I've had no side effects other than my bones getting stronger. I take it every Tues. morn. Used to take it on Sat. morn's but too much is usually going on on the weekend.
I would be very wary of discontinuing taking it.
Ron
I was prescribed Actonel and I think it is the same medicine but different name and I had side effects almost immediately and stopped after 2 pills
I just do not want to deal with those side effects
why should I take these meds if my diagnosis of Osteopenia has NO SYMPTOMS WHATSOEVER
some fat cat company in the US is getting rich off us human lab rats
GI bleed warning, my neighbor age 78, I live in a 55 plus community suffered a GI bleed and was in the hospital. Now back home she is not taking Fosamax and is feeling better. She is scared of all those type of medications. She had GERD when she started on Fosamax. Of all the Seniors I know in this community I only know one that can take Fosamax, but I am not sure she is really aware of a side effect or symptoms of her other problems.
Thanks for all your informative responses! I'm going to talk to my doc, but I did stop taking the Fosamax a little over a week ago and today when I woke up, my reflux was almost nonexistent. Don't know if that's a fluke or not, but I'm trying to increase my calcium intake by introducing orange juice with calcium and Vitamin D. (I drink OJ anyway.)Someone told me that if you are on Prolisec, etc., that calcium citrate is better absorbed than calcium carbonate. For some reason, the calcium citrate needs less acid for absorption? Anyone hear anything about this?
Thanks again!
I also read that calcium citrate disolves faster. Then later read that calcium carbonate absorbs better. If tablet dissolves in glass of water in 30 minutes it good.
Hi Ron1,
I would be very wary of continuing taking Fosamax after 8 years. It's good to know that your DEXA results must have been encouraging.
However, taking bisphosponates long term can be harmful. The effectiveness is supposed to decrease after 5 years. How are your teeth, jaw, eyes, etc.? Please check into the potential dangers and decide again, whether to take or not to take.
Perhaps it's time for a Fosamax "holiday"?
Sylvia
No problems. I'll ask my endocronologist when I see him again. But my spine density was -4.78 when it was taken 8 years ago. Thats below the red zone! Fosamax (alendronate) raised it to -3.50 which at least is in the red zone. Without the Fosamax I might be a blob of jello now.
Ron
Ron, Wow! Improving from -4.78 to -3.50 is excellent. Congratulations! Taking Fosamax obviously was the right thing for you to do. I am new at this "Osteop..." stuff. It's just that I've seen recommendations to stop after 5 years. Please check and perhaps consider half the dosage? I was taking the 35 mg weekly.
I hope that your next phrase, whatever you decide to do, will be equally successful.
Sylvia
A warning about Reclast -- a recent study referenced in the HSI red alert says that in about a two-year period 24 cases of renal impairment, and seven deaths, were attributed to the drug.
And as to Fosamax, you bet it can cause severe pain as a side effect, as well as the gastric effects mentioned by the member. It can also do really bad things to your jaw bone.
Well, guess what? I had the nausea before I went to bed last night (and I stopped taking the Fosamax over a week ago). My girlfriends took me out for a birthday lunch and I think I probably overdid it. So, I will be talking to my primary on Monday to see what he might suggest. Sharonusa, you are indeed active. I admire you! I'm actually surprised with all that activity and exercise you have osteoporosis. Not fair!
Ron -- The FDA has reported that Fosamax, and bisphosphanates in general, can cause severe bone, muscle and joint pain, as well as GERD and jawbone loss. Also, there an argument over whether it's making bones stronger or merely harder and actually easier to fracture. I took it and suffered severe pain, and my BMD actually went down. People react very differently to the same drug. Now I'm hearing that Demosubab is the next best thing -- not a bisphosphanate but very effective. This is not a plug for the drug - just a report.
Hi Gatomia,
I was told to switch to calcium citrate instead of calcium carbonate a couple years ago. Only difference I notice is its more expensive. But I'm using it.
Ron
I take the generic fosomax and I believe it causes more pain than cure. Because my stomach was acting up, I quit taking it for about a month and the pain in my hip and back are now gone. I would wake in the morning and it felt like a sharp knife in my hip. Fosomax hasn't really helped my scores much either. Not sure what to do but there are more persons complaining about the effects of all these drugs instead of great results. I would be extremely leary of taking any injection with a long life. Then your stuck. At least with a pill you can stop and get it out of your system soon. Hope you feel better. When my IBS acts up my doctor (gastrointerologist) takes me off fosamax. Yes it can affect it. Make sure you stand or sit up and drink plenty of water with it when you do take it. Hope this helps
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