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Is'nt that nice,Neil Gonter is a paid hack for the pharmaceutical companies. I notice that he does not mention the number or substance of the law suits now pending in regards to Fosamax.
I used Fosamax twice and had to discontinue after my joints stayed inflamed for almost 4 days. Had I continued I might have experienced further joint discomfort and bone loss in my jaws.
Do not send me your crap in the future. You do a great diservice to the community. PRINT THAT!!!
When I began taking Actonel I felt like my joints became painful, but after a while I adjusted very well to this great product. I took Actonel for some years and my bone density tests were much better than at the beginning of my treatment. I stopped for a year and now I am back to the Actonel treatment again to prevent fractures.
I am 29 years old and have been taking Actonel for almost three years. I am a female runner and after finding stress fractures in both of my legs at the same time my Dr. ordered me a bone density scan. It came back in the Osteopenia range very close to Osteoperosis. He was hesitant to put me on the Actonel since it is marketed for older women. I also take calcium vitamins, 2 a day and I get scanned every year. After almost three years my results have increased and my spine is very low in the normal range and my hip almost there. However after having a bone scan this past week a stress fracture was discovered in my lower leg. This was very dissapointing to find that even on the medicine I am still getting fractures.
Has anyone had any similar experieneces?
Have you tried other forms of treatments, besides prescriptions. The side effects of these drugs scare me. It also worries me that these drugs inhibit the body from removing calcium it needs to function from the bones. Your body will not use calcium from your diet, it has to take it from your bones. Look up Osteodenx. www.n-terminus.com
I am nearly 28 and have been taking Actonel for about a year and a half along with the 2 pills of calcium a day. My problem areas are my shins and lower back. You are the first person my age that I have come across with this problem. When people don't believe that my bones are that bad, the only way I can explain it is that my insides are twice the age of my outsides, lol. The Actonel seems to work well until about a week before I am due for my monthly dose...then I ache something awful...like today. reading these comments are shocking because I have now had 2 doctors from the same office tell me that no one has ever complained with the aching while on this med.
since I posted this I have discontinued the Actonel.
After visiting an Endocrnologist who was very intrested in my issues she brought up some good reasons to stop taking it.
She had done some studies on this and she was mainly worried b/c none of the studies seem to contain information about younger women my age, they were all based on the post menopausal women. She was concerned that no one knows what this could do to my body say if I became pregenant, possibly harming the baby. Also she brought up that this drug stays in your body a long time, no one knows how long so if I decdied I wanted to get pregnant the drug could still be in my body for years after I stop taking it.
She seemed to think your bones do not stop growing until you are 30, I have since turned 30. The changes in my increase in bone density were so small that she said that could have been from my bones still growing, not anything even related to the medicine. So between the endocrnologist, my orthopedic dr. and my gynocologist we all decided I would not take the drug anymore.
Just some things to consider.
Interesting enough I listened to a Dr. that spoke about young women runners who had stress fractures because actually lean women without much body fat don't have enough progesterone. On a personal note do you still have a menstral cycle? I believe it would be worth looking at your endocrine system and hormone levels.
I heard/read that Fosomax actuallly was CAUSING unusual, hairline bone fractures! All of the biophosomates have similar ingredients, so I'm thinking Actonel might do the same. An acquintance took Actonel and she was hospitalized with a severe infection after losing many teeth! She took kit for a long time though--7 years. My doctor told me that it is very rare to have jaw-bone problems we're hearing about fromtaking the drug. But then why do they warn you not to have invasive dental work while on it? I am not intending to scare off people who are taking these drugs for osteoporosis. I am doing the research for myself before starting or not. Hearing about stomach diestress, esophagal problems (fosomax), hairline bone fractures... I don't know! Wish there was somthing natural that's effective. Weight lifitng ,etc. not enough, apparently.
I heard/read that Fosomax actuallly was CAUSING unusual, hairline bone fractures! All of the biophosomates have similar ingredients, so I'm thinking Actonel might do the same. An acquintance took Actonel and she was hospitalized with a severe infection after losing many teeth! She took kit for a long time though--7 years. My doctor told me that it is very rare to have jaw-bone problems we're hearing about fromtaking the drug. But then why do they warn you not to have invasive dental work while on it? I am not intending to scare off people who are taking these drugs for osteoporosis. I am doing the research for myself before starting or not. Hearing about stomach diestress, esophagal problems (fosomax), hairline bone fractures... I don't know! Wish there was somthing natural that's effective. Weight lifitng ,etc. not enough, apparently.
Also, I came across research that indicated marathon runners showed transient suppression of osteoblast activity which means less bone is being created. It's worth a few direct questions to your doctor before settling on Fosamax. Also, I'm looking into Calcitonin "nasal spray" which temporarily suppresses osteoCLASTS, the bone resorption cells.
i was kinda excited to find an article with info from people my age. i just turned 30 and have been taking actonel for a year. i spoke with the manufacture of the meds and if you are planning to become pregnant probably not a good idea to take this med as it has not been tested on women our age. i have never heard of the teeth thing and that kinda scares me. i took the montly pill at first and had terrible aches and other issues for 7 days but when i switched to the weekly pill i have been fine. one thing to consider before stopping a med is the percentage of people who still would have had some form of medical issues with or without taking the pill.
I have been taking Actonel on and off for about three years. However, I do take generic Prilosec due to heartburns every day. Without that pill, I would suffer at night. Now, back to Actonel...I asked my doctor about taking Actonel and he was sort of vague. I stopped my Actonel because it states that with continuing heartburn, you should not take it. Or is it if you take Actonel and you get a heartburn? No answer to that...Asked the pharmacist and she was vague too. I do not think they know enough about damage this pill can do. So, I am not taking it anymore. My mother had Osteo, now me and my daughter. I guess it runs in families and there is nothing really one can do. If you can, please reply....
My gyno prescribed Generic Fosamax, and I experienced the same aches and pains decribed by the Lipitor user (article in News & Observer, 23 June 2009) It was uncanny - my symptoms began almost immediately after having taken the FIRST pill! After day 6 my problems eased. Nothing in the product information prepared me for what I went through. Do you think HRT may be a better solution for my osteoporosis?
I have taken Boniva for two years. Recently, last two months, I have had terrible heartburn, thought I was having a heart attack but relived by antiacids. My last dose was August 9, and my Jaw and mouth became sore. So I was taken off it. Well
yesterday I had a bone density test and Lo an Behold, I was worse than when I started Boniva, before I started test was 2.8 now after two years of Boniva it is 3.3.
Can anyone explain this. I believe Boniva actually hurt my bones . Have you heard of this? I am totally defeated. I took it just as instructions said.
so, with today's news about femur breakage due to taking fosamax, should those of us taking boniva be alarmed?
Hi suzanne, I know you must be alarmed with the recent news, many people are. Boniva, Actonel, Reclast, Fosamax, Aredia, and Zometa are all bisphosphonates, which mean they come from the same class of drugs. Since Fosamax has been on the market longer, we are hearing more about it and its side effects.
If you are concerned about this type of femur fracture and have been on any of these meds for 5 years or more discuss the situation with your Dr. Try to do as much research as you can but from reliable medical sources.
All these drugs "may" have the potential to cause a fracture like this, but we do not have all the statistics yet. This does not mean you will automatically have this type of fracture if you take this drug, but the possibility of it happening to "some" remains.
Good luck and talk with your Dr. about what you think is best for you to do for treatment.
Hi suzanne, you are very welcome... If you would like to, please let us know what you and your Dr. decide to do for you osteop treatment. Try to keep this info in perspective, and do not let it overly worry you. There is still a lot on this topic we do not know, so stay current with the research that will undoubtedly come out of this alarming report. Knowledge is power.
Good luck to you!!
hi and thanks for your email. doc says that the half life of fosamax is much,much longer than that of boniva (which is working quite well for me btw) so is in the bones longer and this is possibly why it is causing problems. says that, in 2011 when i have my next dexascan that, if all is well with my bone density, he will take me off boniva for 6 months. so, we'll see what happens!
best, suzanne
Have been taking Actonel for several years, and recently have been afflicted with severe heartburn. Could Actonel be the culprit after all this time?
Hi bee jay, welcome... Some people have delayed reactions to these osteo meds, so I suppose it could be possible to have this from Actonel. Just to be sure, check for other causes as well so you don't overlook something that could be eliminated or replaced within the foods/drinks you have. If it persists, discuss this with your doctor and see if it's from the med or not. You may want to ask for something that would help control the heartburn as well.
Have you change what you eat lately? Discuss both these options with your doctor and I hope you find out what the cause is.
Good luck...
Hello, My best friend was on Fosamax for 10 years. It destroyed his espohagus and stomach. Years earlier, when he had his wisdom teeth removed, he nearly died from a serious infections, no doubt, caused by the jaw necrosis that Fosamax caused. ALL bisphosphonates can cause these very same problems. Please, please do a LOT of research before taking these drugs. Diet and weight bearing exercises are the ONLY way to safely build natural bone. Drug companies have frightened us all into thinking that we're going to crumple up in a pile of bones if we don't take their drugs. Spontaneous breaks BECAUSE of bisphosphonates like Fosamax, are NOT uncommone. Do some research.
My mother never took either medication. I don't believe she ever had a bone denisity but she did have pain in her spine. She tried epidurals and uses Fenntanyl patches. At the end of her life she had spontanous compression fracture of L1 with complete discengration. She took 1500mg of calcium everyday but I guess that wasn't enough. What are we to do. They say osterpenia is not painful but when they fracture that's a whole new ball game!
My mother never took either medication. I don't believe she ever had a bone denisity but she did have pain in her spine. She tried epidurals and uses Fenntanyl patches. At the end of her life she had spontanous compression fracture of L1 with complete discengration. She took 1500mg of calcium everyday but I guess that wasn't enough. What are we to do. They say osterpenia is not painful but when they fracture that's a whole new ball game!
6/19/10 I lost my husband last October. I'm not saying that the cause of his death was from fosamax, but I do believe that it contributed to it. While he was trying to regain some of his strength in a rehab facility, he vomited a large amount of blood. They rushed him to the hospital and the first thing that the doctor asked me was why was he on fosamax? That was the beginning of the end for him. From that point on he spiraled down. Next thing you know he had a fatal infection in his in his blood and he passed away less than a week later. I have osteopenia. I've tried boniva and had flu like symtoms. Next I tried fosamax and had terrible joint pain. What is the answer. What is worst having low bone density or having terrible side effects? I am 56 years old and torn about what to do.
I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. My friend's stomach and esophaugus were destroyed by Fosamax. Here's what you CAN do: reistance exercises are the only safe, effective way to build bone. Weights, stretch bands, bike riding, swimming (I do leg lifts in the water, hanging onto our dock. They make foam "weights" for the water), hiking up hill...anything that creates resistance will cause bone growth. AND, you have to cut caffeine from your diet and sugar, if you can. A lot of red meat is also inflammatory. Drink lots of good water. Everyone...let's not be guinea pigs for pharmaceutical companies. Bisphosphonates WILL be banned someday...don't be one of the casualties before it happens. Good luck.
You are so right about us being guinea pigs. We have to stop it! These Dr's today don't tell you everything. I was on Fosamax for a month and my feet were very cold and purple. I went back to the Dr. and he told me to get an MIR. He never called me with the results. (he blame it on the smoking ) I stopped taking the Fosamax and within a week my feet were back to normal. Now he wants to give me the once a year shot and I'm thinking twice about it. I'm reading to many horrible things. What can I do for my bones?
Thanks.
Here's a bit from some research I collected, about one of the possible reasons for using MK-4 vs MK-7, and that low-dose vitamin K supplementation may actually help stabilize warfarin therapy:
"Finally, a first, small-scale clinical study, testing concomitant application of warfarin and low-dose vitamin K points towards a greater stability in anticoagulation for the vitamin K group, but cohorts were too small to draw final conclusions (Sconce et al., 2007)"
(Oldenberg, "The Vitamin K Cycle", Vitamins and Hormones Vol 78, 2008)
There is research that suggests that low-dose vitamin K supplementation may actually improve stability of patients on warfarin therapy [74].
Vitamin K also has possible direct effects on osteoblast function [26, 47], as well as possible anti-resorptive effects [27].
There are pleiotropic actions of vitamin K that may be beneficial in this regard and others as well [48*], including possible anti-cancer effects [83].
[26] Igarashi M et al. “Vitamin K induces osteoblast differentiation through pregnane X receptor-mediated transcriptional control of the Msx2 gene.” Mol Cell Biol. 2007; 27(22): 7947-54.
[27] Hara K et al. “The inhibitory effect of vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) on bone resorption may be related to its side chain.” Bone. 1995; 16(2): 179-84.
[47] Yoko Akedo et al. “Vitamin K2 modulates proliferation and function of osteoblastic cells (in vitro).” Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 1992; 187(2): 814-820
[48*] Kaneki M et al. “Pleiotropic actions of vitamin K: protector of bone health and beyond?” Nutrition. 2006; 22(7-8): 845-52:
“Increasing evidence implicates a role for vitamin K in calcification of arteries and atherogenesis. Moreover, the therapeutic potential of vitamin K2 as an antihepatoma drug has recently been highlighted. [..] Recently, undercarboxylated MGP was detected in the intima of human atherosclerotic arteries [..]but not in non-atherosclerotic arteries. [..] Pharmacologic doses of MK-4 have consistently ameliorated vitamin D–induced aortic calcification in rats”
[74] Sconce, E et al. “Vitamin K supplementation can improve stability of anticoagulation for patients with unexplained variability in response to warfarin.” Blood 2007; 109: 2419–2423
[83] (secondary source) “Menatetrenone Gives Hope Against HCC Liver Cancer!”, Advanced Orthomolecular Research (Canada), May 2006, at http://www.aor.ca/ assets/Research/pdf/Advances_10_May_2006_Menatetrenone.pdf (accessed September 29, 2010)
It looks to me like the comment from JimW89 published on Monday, October 18, 2010 at 06:21 PM is about an alternative way to build bone without using bisphosphonates. Is that right? If so, would you be willing to explain it in more lay terms, and describe a bit more what the point is of each of the supplements you're talking about?
I'm a bit concerned that doctors won't know much about them -- or maybe I should ask, do you know what kind of doctors might be a bit more knowledgeable about them?
A little bit about my history (& why I'm at this site):
I took fosamax for 6 months but stopped last May due to nausea/trembling (like low blood sugar nausea except eating didn't help!) JUst started Boniva today and I don't feel so good. I have osteopenia in my spine which makes me eligible for biphosphonates, but the only reason I'm interested in them is my breast cancer history. BIsphosphonates have been shown to reduce bone metastases in women with breast cancer. My BC was stage 3, so I have to do everything I can to reduce the risk of metastasis/recurrence...... On the other hand, the drugs I'm on (tamoxifen in addition to the bisphosphonate) seem to have side effects that really add up and build on each other.... very disappointing. I suspect that a supplement combination that really builds bone is also likely to reduce the risk of bone metastases...... The only other relevant info is, I exercise regularly and have for decades -- but mostly aerobic exercise (biking & swimming.) I added hill walks to my repertoire when I started chemo a couple of years ago, to try to address the bone density issue a bit.
Anyone have any knowledge or thoughts about any of this?
It looks to me like the comment from JimW89 published on Monday, October 18, 2010 at 06:21 PM is about an alternative way to build bone without using bisphosphonates. Is that right? If so, would you be willing to explain it in more lay terms, and describe a bit more what the point is of each of the supplements you're talking about?
I'm a bit concerned that doctors won't know much about them -- or maybe I should ask, do you know what kind of doctors might be a bit more knowledgeable about them?
A little bit about my history (& why I'm at this site):
I took fosamax for 6 months but stopped last May due to nausea/trembling (like low blood sugar nausea except eating didn't help!) JUst started Boniva today and I don't feel so good. I have osteopenia in my spine which makes me eligible for biphosphonates, but the only reason I'm interested in them is my breast cancer history. BIsphosphonates have been shown to reduce bone metastases in women with breast cancer. My BC was stage 3, so I have to do everything I can to reduce the risk of metastasis/recurrence...... On the other hand, the drugs I'm on (tamoxifen in addition to the bisphosphonate) seem to have side effects that really add up and build on each other.... very disappointing. I suspect that a supplement combination that really builds bone is also likely to reduce the risk of bone metastases...... The only other relevant info is, I exercise regularly and have for decades -- but mostly aerobic exercise (biking & swimming.) I added hill walks to my repertoire when I started chemo a couple of years ago, to try to address the bone density issue a bit.
Anyone have any knowledge or thoughts about any of this?
Hi Nadine, welcome... Jim was referring to vitamin K2. Here's an article from our Heart site from Dr. Davis on vitamin K2 that should help to explain it's use in osteoporosis, calcium absorption and it's ability to prevent calcium calcifications in the body.
I hope this helps...
Hi Nadine, I forgot to mention that I'm sorry to hear about your cancer, and understand why you've been prescribed these two medications. You'll want to do whatever you can to prevent bone mets, and I'm not sure there are any vitamin supplements that would do this. Vit K2 is good to take to help your general health including bone loss, but I don't think it is used for cancer, but read as much as you can about it.
If you need more info on this topic of tamoxifen you might try asking your question at our breast cancer site if you haven't already. Here's the link to MyBreastCancer.coms Ask a Question area, where you can get great info on that topic.
Good luck to you and I hope you find treatment that doesn't have many side effects.
Hi Jim, welcome... Hopefully those on Warfarin will see your post about K2. I thought though that you were talking about osteoporosis and K2 and wondered if you could explain that concept to our readers. I see a reference to it in the citations and was wondering if you could help out. Would love to hear more!
Thanks for posting, interesting stuff there!
Hi Nadine,
Sounds like we are in a similar situation with breast cancer and osteo and supposed to be taking meds for both. I was on Tamoxifen, now on Arimidex, and now supposed to start one of these osteo drugs - just despareately seeking alternatives. I hadn't heard about the breast cancer bone metz relationship with these osteo drugs. What did you choose to do and how are you now?
YOU ARE RIGHT ON THE MONEY. THESE DRUGS ARE BAD BAD NEWS. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN OUT LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THE LONG TERM RESULTS AND I HAVEN'T READ ANYTHING THAT IS ENCOURAGING. EVEN THE SURGEON GENERAL HAS A WARNING, AS DOES THE FDA.THEY SAY TO BE VERY WARY. CALCIUM AND D AND WEIGHT BEARING EXERCISE ARE YOUR BEST BET.
IT IS STANDARD PRACTICE NOW FOR DOCTORS TO HAND YOU A SCRIPT AS A QUICK FIX AND IT ANGERS ME GREATLY. AS A BABY BOOMER I KNOW I WILL SEE A LOT OF NEGATIVE EFFECTS IN THE FUTURE FROM OTHER WOMEN.
IAM DEEPLY SADDENED AT OUR HEALTH CARE "PROFESSIONALS"
I have been on Fosamax for two weeks now and have severe chest pain and upper back pain the second day after I take it. I was told that if I couldn't take the Fosamax that I would have to go to a Rheumotologist and get IV treatment. I haven't heard about the IV treatment. Does it have the same side effects? My sister took the Fosamax and ended up in the emergency room with bad stomach pains.
Hi Karen, welcome... So sorry the Fosamax is causing problems. Yes there are injection and iv infused meds for osteoporosis. Here's a link to an article I wrote about all the osteoporosis medications on the market right now.
Boniva comes in a quarterly shot. Reclast comes in an annual infusion. Prolia comes in a bi-annual injection. Boniva and Reclast are bisphosphonates like Fosamax. Prolia is a biologic with very similar side effects.
When patients have trouble with oral osteo meds they usually recommend the iv/injectables because it doesn't travel through your stomach and cause gastrointestinal problems. Do as much reading as you can on all of these meds first.
Good luck to you on this...
I took my first dose of Boniva yesterday and I am now suffering from flu like symptoms (aches from the tip of my hair to the tip of my toes), complete with 100.2 fever, chills and gassy stomach. Based on the info. I read here, including the sufferings I am experiencing right now (not to mention I missed work), this will be my first and my last with Boniva or any of its relatives (fosamax, actonel, etc)
Hi Bet, welcome... We're so sorry you're having these symptoms from Boniva! Have you contacted your Dr. about this? I hope this subsides soon, and I wish you didn't have to experience this.
These drugs cause problems for many, so it's too bad we have to find this out "after" we've taken it! If the symptoms persist, you might want to notify the FDA at their AERS website, however you'll probably get more help from your doctor.
Good luck to you!
I am searching info on Boniva b/c I am an active 64-yearold woman, and just 3 weeks ago, I fell and broke the Femur in my right leg. It was a total break, and the fall was not an impact fall. A simple trip on a rug, not a fall from any height.
I have been taking Boniva for several years, and Fosomax before that. My last bone density scan in April was very good, with only very mild Osteoparosis. I am trying to find out if there are any class action suits or other information I can gather. My primary care doctor is looking for consulting physician who may specialize in this type of fracture.
It is a very difficult place, between the years FDA takes to approve a medication, and not testing it long enough on humans to determine long-term affects.
Good luck to all of you!
I don't suppose I can undo any damage done by the bisphosphonates I gook for over 2 years - maybe 3- given their half-life of oral. I am now taking Osteo-K which is MK4, D3 and calcium. I had a bone graft for dental implants and my dentist wanted the generic fosamax discontinued. Don't know why, now that I find out they have such a long half-life. Fortunately, the bone graft took and he says everything is go for my implants in Jan 2011.
Did any of you posting here develop osteoporosis thanks to long courses prednisone or other steroids?
Hi Petra, good luck with your bone graft surgery! I can't speak for the members, but you would think there are some who have steriod-induced bone loss, since it's the number 1 secondary cause for osteoporosis/osteopenia.
Your dentist is doing what is recommended by the ADA, but you're correct the half-life of fosamax is very long. At least you won't be adding more of the drug to your body before the surgery.
Good luck...
My mother took Prednisone for a couple of years and developed a hump on her back. She hasn't been testes for osteo, but looks like her bones are probably more vulnerable.
The only way to build real, natural bone is to do any of the many types of resistance exercises. Weights are best, but biking, swimming, etc., are very good.
If bisphosphonates actually worked well, the substantial dangers just might be worth the risk for some, but how they "work" is very suspect and goes against all common sense. For bone remodeling to occur, it's necessary for bone resorption to occur first and bisphosphonates block that resportion. Yup, that's how they "work"...by stopping the action of osteoclast cells....pretty dumb, right? The theory is that some people have too much resportion going on, but giving the same drugs to everyone, most certainly means that that action of the 2 types of bone cells, will be out of sync, causing even more bone deterioration, like the spontaneous femur breaks of long-time users.
If you feel crappy after taking the drug, think very hard about staying on it. It killed my friend, destroying his esophaugus. He had severe heartburn for years, but didn't know it was Fosamax that caused it and he put full faith in his doctors. He also had jaw necrosis that nearly killed him when his wisdom teeth were pulled. The worst of the problems are suffered by long-term users and it's often too late once they realize what's going on.
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