Tooth and jaw pain

• By huessysignoret
• Posted November 16, 2008 at 8:15 am
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Uma -- As I shared with a member yesterday, I had been on Fosamax for about 5 -6 years when I had to have extensive dental work done (caused by another drug, but not related to this story.) Yes, I suffered from pain, to the point that I thought I needed root canals at three locations. That pain, after another two years, is still there, but there is nothing wrong with those teeth. Additionally, I suffered substantial bone loss in my lower jaw, leaving the front row of eight teeth loose. My dentist is also excellent. I stopped taking the Fosamax immediately. My oral hygiene is superb, and I also rinse in the mornings with Periomed, a fluoride treatment available only through dentists' offices. Gradually, the teeth tightened again. The pain in the teeth has lessened. Then, my new internist practically insisted on my starting Fosamax again because of my osteoporosis, and stupid me, I did. My internist did not believe Fosamax could have been responsible for my jaw bone loss or tooth pain. The new round of Fosamax did not seem to affect my teeth, but after several months, I began to experience joint and muscle pain unlike any I'd ever known. Again, I stopped the Fosamax. Gradually, the pain is disappearing. Now my doc wants me to use Boniva IV quarterly injections, but after reading the warning label and the comments in Inspire, I'm persuaded that I'm one of those women who simply should not take bisphosphanates. Actonel is essentially the same stuff -- in fact, I haven't heard from anyone who has noticed a significant difference among the bisphosphanates.

The early label warnings on drugs like Fosamax had to do with esophogeal and chest pain, and swallowing difficulties -- apparently thought to be the standard, and the reason for remaining upright for 30 minutes, dosing first thing in the a.m. before food, etc. Now, all the labels bear warnings about possible "severe" pain in muscles, joints and bones. This has GOT to be significant. There must be many women who are experiencing this side effect. Perhaps they previously attributed the pain to their underlying condition, and are only now suspecting the drugs, but in any case, for some women, I think pain from bisphosphanates is a real risk. I'm one of them!

I've decided to treat my osteoporosis with a combination of bioidential estrogen and progesterone. I'll use the lowest-dose Climara patch (I've had a hysterectomy) and natural progesterone which I'm able to obtain without a prescription. We'll see how that goes. I'm naive about this, and my doctors have been cavalier about explaining what's going on. I think women definitely have to take responsibility for themselves in this area.

I doubt that your dentist will be very familiar with problems caused by bisphosphanates and your doctors would probably deny a connection, but if I were you, I would be concerned. The good news -- if you're like me, your pain will abate.

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• By tallbarb34
• Posted November 16, 2008 at 8:39 am
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I am new to osteoporosis, and haven't even had my first visit with the healthy bone specialist. However, I have been doing some research since last week when I was diagnosed, and have read at least 15 research articles about the connection between the biophophonates and the jaw disintegration, called osteonecrosis of the jaw. This means that the jaw bones die and can disinterate. I will not even be trying any of those types of drugs due to the warnings and research about them. Good luck with your decisions.

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• By Loen
• Posted November 16, 2008 at 1:27 pm
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Uma,
As Tallbarb34 noted, you should definitely bring this topic up with your doctors. Osteonecrosis in the Jaw is not as common as osteonecrosis in general (which I have had, and both hips replaced). But there are others who have; I know in a support group. It IS known to be a bad side effect that some can get from biphosphonates.

You may have to get a few opinions and trials for diagnosis. First time when my hips hurt badly, I saw doctors who even took x-rays and said they were fine. But then I (and esp. my family) insisted on full scan, which diagnosed in both hips. They also both collapsed right away. (However, as not jaw, this was from prednisone, not biphosophonates.)

Good Luck!

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• By bdcapell
• Posted November 17, 2008 at 9:11 am
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I started Evists 1/28/07 along with Fosomax 7/24/07 and by l/08 could no longer take the pain in my upper teeth on left side. Dentist said there was nothing there thru x-rays.
Quit taking them both and pain subsided but every so often get a twinge still.

My neighbor was on Actonel, I believe, and her teeth deteriorated under her caps - paid a hefty Dentist bill to right that mess.

There is a law firm specializing in jaw deterioration - I found them on the web, but don't have the information as I type this. They were most helpful in my inquiries, not knowing if what I had was leading to something worse.

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