Fosamax??

[dao94566]

Is it true that Fosamax only strengthens the outside of the bone and that the core of the bone still continues to weaken? Thats why taking Fosamax is not good to take long term because it will cause femur fx!

[dcdream]

I do know that doctors now recognize that you have to take a drug holiday with this. On for a few years, off for a few years. They decided to do so after women began to break their femur and also had jaw collapse/ dental issues, after having been on said meds straight for 5 years. These two side effects made a huge media splash and women began to reject said meds. Doctors then decided to do the drug holiday protocol to deal with these side effects, so women would take the meds. One has to wonder how a drug with such effects can be managed by the body even with an on and off approach if one is on these meds for decades. And if side effects are so bad if you take it straight for 5 years, on and off for decades may also have bad side effects. The trend now is on the drugs with a holiday protocol for the remainder of your life. If the first line of defense becomes ineffective, onward to a stronger med that you have to be on for life. If you begin meds in 50's and 60's , long term effects are important to know. That's where I get nervous, after seeing my mom who did so with fosamax on and off in her 70's, then off for two years in her 80's and then the fractures and hump began. She had a reclast infusion to stop the decline but now has severe acid reflux from years of taking these drugs. So I would like to see long term use consequences/research. I wonder too if drug companies figure the average person dies in their 70's and 80's, so long term consequences don't matter to said companies. They figure the meds help for as long as the average life expansion. They figure that's successful. The problem lies now in that with folks living longer, said folks will have to deal with long term use side effects, like my mom is now. My mom's spine collapsed about 6 inches at age 89. Her heart and organs are impacted by this. Her doctor has no idea why this happened since she was on meds and did the protocol. Has anyone seen long term med research? Bones are living things, not just hard structures. They actually are flexible, so when we do fall or bump them, they don't break. Unfortunately the meds, not being composed of natural elements in our bones, are hard and become brittle, which in turn are easier to fracture.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to dcdream]

You are so right dcdream! I doubt if there is any long term research being done at all. At the moment drug companies get their money, doctors are happy their patients are ‘protected’, in the U.K. the NHS think they are saving money, many patients carry on crumbling in spite of taking OP drugs, you could say they would have been worse without the OP drugs but how do you really know? As you say the average person dies somewhere in their 70s - 80s so like you I feel that long term consequences don’t really matter to drug companies. I know I probably sound very cynical about it but that’s how it feels to me.

[Raleigh59 in reply to dcdream]

I understand all that you said and I think it’s not so simple. My mother and grandmother got the hump back too and lost many inches of height. Some of that is caused by the posture. I really don’t want to get that kyphosis , lose height and break bones.

What do people think of the posture braces people are wearing ? I now go to the gym every day but there are people who exercise every day, do a sport, play tennis, lift weights who still get osteoporosis due to their genetics I am told.

Idk what is true anymore but I know my genetics are very much against me for osteoporosis and kyphosis and I only two months ago started the gym so I didn’t understand what my bones were doing til too late.

Regarding the medicines, maybe some insurances let you choose your medicine but mine makes me start with the lowest price one and do a step process of testing out medicines.

I guess like anything you get what you pay for so the most expensive Osteoporosis medicines or shots like evenity are the best. Idk but I am scared of growing old with my genetics.

[dcdream in reply to Raleigh59]

Our situations are very similar with genetics. My doctor believes my cause is genetics as I have no other illnesses and live a very active healthy life. That said, my concern of the hump and falling is great. I demanded and received last summer a variety of physical therapy sessions with different therapist. One gave me bone building exercises, one focused on my balance and body mechanics ( posture training and proper alignment) and the third was strictly for weight training. Each developed a set of routines for me and made certain I was performing them correctly. I also had a consult with a spine/bone doctor, as well as, nutritionist. Medicare covered all the therapy and consults. I feel stronger than ever now as a result and do daily exercises to avoid getting the hump. There's many components to bone health that involve all the connecting muscles, ligaments, etc. My routines address that to hopefully help me build bone and strength. Will it make a difference? Only time will tell. My routine consists of Pilates 2 times per week (short 20 minute session), yoga 4 times a week (40 minute session), weights 3 times per week (15 minute session), walking/hiking 5-6 days per week (several miles per day), 5 days per week hump avoidance exercises (4 minute routine). I don't spend hours at a gym or do anything intensive either, because I know that's not something I could stick with daily for years. My goal is to not fall and to make my home fracture free (furniture placement, eliminate small rugs one could trip over, etc.) and to remain strong and to avoid the hump.

[Raleigh59 in reply to dcdream]

how can I learn all of your exercises ? Especially the hump avoidance exercise ? I use the back extension machine at the gym like at least 5 x per week and I alternate elliptical and stair machine each day. I am only at 20 minutes of each of those . I established a routine also with the big weight machines that I never imagined myself doing. I’ve only been going to the gym for two months but I’ve learned that I really like it. I even like being sore because I feel it’s helping my muscles which help support my bones. I like to think my bones are at least not getting worse .

[Raleigh59]

I think doctors have known about the drug holiday for a long time but the fact that the medicine makes bones stronger can protect a percentage from fragility fractures, it does not make everyone better, and makes some people worse especially those who go off of it because they need a holiday. Those that never go back on it just like us don’t know what to do but my 96 year old friend was on it for 5 years like 20 years ago and then had to stop it because her teeth were loose and then they never put her back on any medicine. How to prevent falls and breaks is the question, do the medicines help a percent and what percent do they help.

The medicine reduces 14-70% fractures than would otherwise occur depending on body part and person and compliance to f person taking medicine . It mostly helps prevent vertebral fractures.

It prevents fragility fractures . It strengthens bones that are withering away but it doesn’t strengthen every bone and each person responds differently and for some the medicine might not work at all or make them worse. Some can be millions of people . But I think it’s that many more million benefit than don’t.

It’s a risk to take the medicine and a risk not to is what one doctor explained to me. It really depends on dexa numbers if you trust them and the family history . In my situation I guess I don’t have a choice . What I don’t understand is how much better is strontium citrate than the medicines but my pharmacist said she thinks the strontium can’t strengthen the bones .

[Raleigh59]

I take fosamax I am doing it just for one month. 5 mgs every second or third day, I actually read not to have food especially dairy two hours before and two hours after the pill. It severely affects life style.

[Raleigh59]

I really think the key is agility . If you do anything at the gym at least 30 minutes per day we will be agile and not fall and be much more able to move through all different situations.