MY doctor wants to put me on fosamax. I have refused twice now. I hope I am making right decision. As anyone taking this med?

[Roxydog5555]

Hello all. Wanted to get some info about other peoples experience treating osteoprosis.

[Met00]

It's difficult to make a decision based on other people's experience, because we're all so different. I tried two different osteoporosis medications when I was first diagnosed (both bisphosphonates), the first one gave me reflux, the second I persevered with for a year, but kept being ill and it made my IBS much worse. So the past 7 years I've relied on diet, exercise and supplements. But I haven't fractured and I'm only just into the osteoporosis range, so my fracture risk is low. There are so many factors to consider!

[Roxydog5555 in reply to Met00]

Thanks for your reply. I will continue to get more info on this. But the reviews on fosamax is so bad. its rated 2 out of 10.

[Met00 in reply to Roxydog5555]

I don't know how much you can go by ratings, as I doubt many people would even think of rating a medication if they were happy with it. The science of it is that, for up to three years, it can reduce fracture risk by 50%, but there's no evidence of it preventing fractures when taken for longer than this, compared to stopping after 3 years (see nice.org.uk/guidance/ta464/.... Whether or not it's worth reducing fracture risk (with no guarantee of preventing fractures, it's 50/50 whether it will stop them or not), will depend on how you perceive risk and what your own fracture risk is. For example, personally I wouldn't want to take medication that would reduce my fracture risk from 10% to 5% (that would be a change from 90% chance of not fracturing to 95% chance of not fracturing), and don't know that I'd be interested, even if it reduced it from 20% to 10% (increase from 80% to 90% chance of not fracturing). But I haven't had any fragility fractures, and maybe if I had I'd be more inclined to want to do anything I could to prevent them in future!

[Fefcoo in reply to Met00]

Thank you for sharing! I am newly diagnosed with Osteoporosis and have GERD & IBS, so I really appreciate the heads up on that medication! My PA is researching other meds, has referred me to an endocrine specialist. So, I am starting supplements, watching my diet, & exercising. Best for now.

[PonyTrotsky]

Hi Roxy.

I was on fosamax for almost a year, but am on hiatus now because I'm going to have a tooth implant. I had no side effects at all, and the biggest downside was remembering to take it just once a week.

My doctor is great, and always takes the time to discuss things at length. If at all possible, I'd recommend talking this over with a professional you really trust. This seems to be one of those cases where there's no one answer for all people.

Best of luck!

[Aerobics-Instructor]

Been on Fosamax for almost 2 years. No side effects but I hate having to wait 30-60min one day a week before having my tea. Will get my DEXA in March but I don't expect it to improve as biophosphonates don't really build bone. I'm just hoping for no further declines. I'll let you all know when I get my DEXA. Of course, I also take Vit D, K2(MK-4 & 7), Melatonin, and Collagen -- so who knows which will be the cause of my scores -- if any!