Has anyone had positive results, low side effects with Foxamax?

[Southerngirl2787]

I have a history of parathyroid tumor...10 years missed by doctors, several doctors! Severe osteoporosis age 50...after tumor was removed, got back to osteopenia, until a few months ago! So I've had severe damage to my spine, SI joints, wrists/hands, nerves in legs, two tibia transfers so far, and 6 other surgeries thus far...T7 fracture last fall, now yesterday MRI says 5 more thoracic fractures! Three doctors screaming to take the bone density meds! I have seen/heard many folks say no notable improvement with any of them, my Mom only got worse on Fosamax. These drugs make no sense to me as they do not allow normal bone growth....so is there anyone with positive results? Not talking about better DEXA scores...prevent fractures, less pain, etc. Thanks!

[Cappuccinobaby]

If you have osteopenia why do they want you to take a medication that's potentially more damaging? Have you had a recent dexa scan ? I'd also suggest you get your calcium levels tested incase you have another parathyroid adenoma, it can happen

[Southerngirl2787 in reply to Cappuccinobaby]

I had osteopenia, until last year, and it's back to severe osteoporosis. Since October, I've had 6 thoracic fractures, found out yesterday about the 5 more! I am monitoring labs and calcium has gone above 10.0, which was line in the sand from Tampa Norman Thyroid Center. But PTH is still "normal" which means nothing! Next is scan in Houston.

[miseanois]

I am so sorry to hear of the severity of your symptoms. I haven't taken any meds but am still hoping, doctor s would say,fooling myself, that my osteoporosis won't get any worse. I am 56 and have had one wrist fracture in the past year

I have no pain and no other fractures.

I am afraid of meds because side effects seem unpleasant but also osteoporosis itself clearly can cause great suffering so I am conflicted.

I have been drinking herbal teas ...horsetail for bone health and a Japanese tea called kukicha twig tea for my digestion and a magnesium drink( mag 365) to help with calcium absorption. I am feeling well but with some fear that I ought to be doing more.

I have also been actively practicing gratitude because it feels good to do that.

[Raleigh59 in reply to miseanois]

I read a Japanese clinical trial is giving 3 herbs for osteoporosis-idk what they are.

I agree the drugs and medicines don’t keep the bones soft. The best supposedly is envenity which builds bones but none of them build soft bones.

I take strontium citrate which the research shows egaggerates dexa improvement by 10% so if I go from -4 to -3, then .10 of that improvement is exaggerated on the dexa and my real score should be -3.10

[Southerngirl2787 in reply to miseanois]

I have been doing the natural way for 11 years now, actively managing supplements, etc. I was in healthcare 30+ years, kept up with studies, exercises, PT, eat only meats, veg, fruit, hard dairy, nuts, eggs, good fats, zero processed foods, zero grains, sugars, starches, nothing that causes inflammation. Weight 120...devoted to getting and staying strong. Now to be slapped down with more fractures! Out of no where 5 more in thoracic this past week! So, I have to consider the meds now, before I end up in a wheelchair. Surgeon wants me on Tymlos. Right, $2600 a month. I do my "thankful prayers" every morning, it sets the tone for the day, and helps ground me that, this too, will pass.

[Tkylulu21 in reply to miseanois]

How bad is your osteoporosis? I am 56 as well. I broke my hip last year which is why I can a bone density scan & found out I have osteo. I really dont want to take these meds because of the HORRIBLE side effects. I really wish I was never tested, I would feel better not knowing.

[Southerngirl2787 in reply to Tkylulu21]

Well, from the time I wrote this originally, I'm up to 10 spinal fractures, and in October MRI showed 4 thoracic discs are rupturing, and 4 lumbar discs are rupturing! I haven't had kypho on 2 of the fractures, wanted to visit grandson, long flight to get to him. But at this point, I have to have kypho, as next steps are to fuse the discs as needed to stabilize the spine. OP is listed as severe, from memory of DEXA, spine was 3.9, Hips 3.0, and I can't remember the 3rd score was 3.3. Root cause was my hormone replacement for estradiol had been accidentially lowered...ANP has no clue what happened, she entered 1mg instead of 5mg daily. I was in the 1s on DEXA, then exactly a year later, in the 3s! Been on Tylmos for 8 months now, first two weeks were hell, stopped for 2 days, got back on and most of the side effects stopped. My side effects were nausea, no appetite, headaches, but the worst was dizziness...even rolling over in bed made me dizzy! Been okay since then. Neurosurgeon says bones are getting denser, he sees them during all the surgeries. Endo doesn't know if a DEXA would even be a value now, since they run a fracture risk, and clearly, I'm fracturing my entire spine. Due to AS, I have cervical discs and vertebrae that have fused on their own, which at this point is good, they aren't deformed.

[dog45678]

Sorry to hear of your challenges. You have a right to research and make your own decision, I believe it's called freedom of choice. Keep a good protein intake in mind when looking at nutrition. Walking is wonderful, weights may be a concern if increased too rapidly. Investigate natural options like the Marodyne LiV. People are posting fantastic results. Wishing you all the best.

[Southerngirl2787 in reply to dog45678]

Do you use Marodyne LiV? I've never heard of it. I love walking, I'm restricted right now, nothing over 3lbs either.

[Southerngirl2787]

That's awful! I think my mother had OP, but she was 99% vegan, smoked, barely weighed 100, and had horrendous heart disease..arterial blocks were abundant! She decided not to deal with it, as the first and only medication, made her so sick. You've been through the ringer as well with health challenges! And we are still in the running!

[Southerngirl2787]

I need to ask for that since flying has gotten ridiculously expensive!

[wellness1]

Well, your sense of humour is intact.