Thoughts on Fosamax

[A-123]

Does anyone have information on Fosamax? I just had a bone density done and now Dr wants to add another drug. I’m on 20 mil of prednisone and I know it’s making my bones worse. Looking for an alternative. Having a hard day today.

[SheffieldJane]

I am sorry that you are having a hard day. I hope tomorrow is much better. What did your bone scan show? Do you have Osteoporosis?

I would only want to take a Biophosphonate ( not sure that I have got the collective name for bone density drugs right there) if I absolutely had to because of very poor bone density results, they bring nasty problems of their own. I would rather take calcium and vit D supplements like Adcal and deal with it with exercise and good diet, if at all possible. So it really depends on you and your current state of bone health.

[Insight329]

My doc put me on it. At the advice of the forum, I found out the results of my bone density scan. I realized I really didn't need to be on it. I discussed the results with him, provided him with an alternative plan using diet and exercise and he was agreeable to it. If you share your results of your scan with us, we can provide you with information on what the numbers mean and then you can determine how you'd like to proceed. (Or we could just provide you with what the numbers mean and you don't have to share your scan result. DIdn't mean to be intrusive). HeronNS is our bone expert here. She increased her bone health and is very willing to share her experience.

[Lyn_seaside]

I was on Fosamax for ten years or so (age 45 to 60) with a couple of gaps, three years on, two years off. I had no side-effects from the Fosomax (or other alendronic acid tablets). My bone density stabilised, and, in fact, increased, so that I am now at a normal level for my age, despite having started from a low level and three years of Pred. I took Calcium and Vit D all the way through, and still do, and have a fairly calcium rich diet (cheese-fiend!!!), but it took the alendronic acid to make the difference. I was well aware of the risks of the AA, and my dentist is delighted that I'm now off it as it affects the jaw particularly, but I am now off both Pred and AA and happy that they both did their job. Should it prove necessary, I would go back on Fosamax with no hesitation. Hope this helps.

[bunnymom]

I am sorry for your hard day.😞 I get it. I have been on generic Fossamax for a year

So far so good. I know another thing can feel like the last straw.

[HeronNS]

There are alternatives. Here's proof that alternatives work: hindawi.com/journals/jeph/2...

I and others I know have refused drugs and just done our own thing, improving our bone density with nutrition, a few supplements, and appropriate exercise. But your decision must be based on your current bone density. One of my friends started out with osteoporosis, although I don't know what her t-score was at the time. She went the natural way, improved to "osteopenia" and continues to improve, as shown by her successive DXA scans.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I have been on pred for over 8 years. The baseline dexascan showed slight osteopenia. After over 7 years my bone density had barely changed despite my refusing to take alendronic acid/Fosamax but taking daily calcium and vit D supplements.

Without knowing your t-scores it is impossible for any of us to give an opinion.

[peanuckle]

I took Fosamax for years with side effects. Had trouble getting dental work done because of it. Have been off it for about 5 years now and take calcium and vit.D instead. Bone density is the same. Do your research and see what others say on this forum. There are alternatives. Take care.