I've been taking Fosamax for 8-10 yrs. I had always been active,didn't have a sedentary job, so was surprised when my internist diagnosed me with severe osteoporosis. Within a year or two I had regained a lot of bone, but my mother had suffered several fractures, so my regimen was continued. Four yrs. or so ago, the pain in my face/jaw was so bad I asked my family dr about it and received a "no idea" ! I was sure my dentist could find the cause, but the teeth were not the problem. Now after seeing 2 other physicians, a specialty dentist, an ophthamologist, ENT, and neurologist and having CAT scans and MRI, I am no closer to an answer.
I usually have to take something for pain 1 or 2X/day. Has anyone else had this experience or knows someone who has ?
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Is my jaw/facial pain due to medication ?
- By apr43
- Posted February 4, 2009 at 12:51 pm · 9 replies
- In Postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
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- By kat-01
- Posted February 4, 2009 at 5:59 pm
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Wikipedia has alot of information about Osteoporsis. Just type in Osteroporsis and go to their website. They say that bone and jaw pain can occur while taking Fosamax.
- By SueI
- Posted February 4, 2009 at 11:25 pm
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Have you quit taking the Fosamax? I would!! Also I recall a while back that one should not take it for so many years (can't recall how many).
- By bdcapell
- Posted February 5, 2009 at 8:53 am
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I was on Fosamax for about a year when I developed great pain in the left side of my jaw, upper tooth area. Dentist could find nothing. I quit taking and gradually over a period of several months the pain quit completely. I would get off the Fosamax now!
- By apr43
- Posted February 5, 2009 at 1:30 pm
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Thanks to all of you who have replied. It's great to hear from people who have had the same problem or know someone who has. Isn't it strange that of all those medical professionals (who always ask you for a list of ALL the medications you are taking) not one of them questioned the Fosamax ? I refilled the prescription yesterday but I'm thinking I will not take it.
- By Alli
- Posted February 5, 2009 at 4:07 pm
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You could try an alternative.. strontium citrate some board members are using it including myself with good results and no side effects. Take away from calcium as they compete. I personally know of people who had to come off because of jaw pain too.
- By SueI
- Posted February 5, 2009 at 6:10 pm
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I think it is VERY strange that not one Dr. questioned the Fosamax. But, since finding out I have Osteoporosis I have also found out that medical care is really terrible, and thats with good insurance. Good Luck to you!
- By April995
- Posted February 6, 2009 at 6:29 am
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Apr43,
Fosamax and some other Drugs for Osteoporosis can cause, Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) Dead Jaw. It can collapes the bone in your Jaw. Did you tell your Dentist your taking Fosamax?
I would not be taking it . Have you called your Dr. that put you on it?
You can go to www.google.com and put in Fosamax side effects..
Hope this helps.
I also started taking Strontium Citrate, and feel fine.
Make sure your taking D-3 with your Calcium about 4 hours apart from the Strontium if you take it. It can be bought at a good health food store. Mine is *Doctors Best. It is not make in China, and does not come from China.
I tried Boniva one time about 6 weeks ago, and was sick for 2 weeks. I never took it again.
Good luck,
April
- By Moonbeam74
- Posted February 6, 2009 at 10:47 am
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I had to quit taking fosamax 3 months before I culd have 2 teeth extracted.
- By SaraMeeks
- Posted February 8, 2009 at 4:51 am
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Although I am a physical therapist and my field is movement and exercises, given your symptoms and what I know of the side effects of Fosamax, I would seriously consider getting off it. If your doctors are not aware of the problems with Fosamax, seek a second, or even third, opinion. The current recommendations for taking Fosamax are less than 8 years but I'm not sure of the recommended duration.
NOF may have more information on their website www.nof.org.
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