I'm having second thoughts about Fosamax

[xXCRAZYCOOLKIDSXx]

I am 65 and just diagnosed with Osteoporosis, my t -score is -3.0. I am prescribed Fosamax. I am afraid to take it. Has anyone had a bad or good experience from taking this drug? Thank you

[Hane21]

I used Fosomax for many years, with holiday years in between, meaning, no treatment. As long as you stay straight up after you take it, and take alone without food. It seems okay. Exercise helps a great deal, so do that as well. (Weight Bearing and Resistance exercises, check with a Physical Therapist, to do the right exercises).

[Bubba3xt]

Hi crazy. I'm in the same place, diagnosed after a dexa with -2.9 hip but no fractures.(67 yrs old) For the last couple months I've been going back and forth with decision to follow doc's recommendation to take fosamax. I've been reading nonstop about it for the last few months and honestly the bad outweigh the good about 100 to 1. I know it's very difficult to regain bone mass without medication, but I have made tremendous changes in my lifestyle so I think I want to see dexa score again in two years before I succumb to any drugs.I think the biggest reason I don't want to take it is the common digestive issues. Since I switched from cow's milk to almond milk, take a probiotic and reduced things like sugar that cause inflammation, my gut is working better than it has in decades and common sense tells me that that means nutrients are being absorbed better. Add to that the fact I quit that poison tobacco six months ago and started running up and down stairs for a workout every day, I really want to see what a difference lifestyle makes.

Good luck with your decision.

[Met00]

You might find this Patient Decision Aid helpful. It's produced in the UK, but relates to bisphosphonates (Fosamax being one) so is relevant around the world: nice.org.uk/guidance/ta464/.... As you'll see, bisphosphonates only reduce the risk of fracture by about 50%, so, for example, if your fracture risk is 10%, that means that without medication 90 people with the same fracture risk wouldn't fracture, 10 would. If you take medication, that would reduce the risk, resulting in 95 people not fracturing, 5 still would.

[Herinspain]

Hi Crazy etc. My rheumatologist started me on Forteo a year last September. It's a two year course and I inject myself every day. It's supposed to put 16-18 % more bone on you. I believe a couple of percent is lost at the end of treatment. It cannot be taken for more that two years, as you might then get cancer. I saw the consultant last week after having a CT scan and from what I understand, I seem to be steady. Not sure if I have indeed gained anything, but I have not had any new fractures. I live in Spain, and I wasn't quite sure of all that she said, so I am checking with my regular GP to see if she can explain things. Although the consultant speaks some English, things do get lost in translation. However, the consultant did say that when my treatment finishes in September, we will talk about a different treatment in order not to lose what I have gained. I am assuming she means Fosamax. My sister is on her second round of Fosamax, so obviously, she is in favor of it. I will have to think about that. I do know that after you take this stuff, you have to sit up for half an hour afterwards in order to avoid maybe getting cancer of the throat. Everything in life seems to have some risks! Hope this information helped. If anyone here is also living in Spain, it is called Forsteo here.