fosamax and bone fractures

The prescription drug Fosamax (the generic is alendronate sodium) is a medication which has been prescribed to hundreds of thousands of postmenopausal women to treat osteoporosis and help increase bone mass thereby reducing the chance of spinal or non-spinal fractures. Fosamax has also been prescribed to increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis. Brand name Fosamax is manufactured in the United States by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.

Fosamax has been linked in long-term users to the development of low-impact femoral fractures. In the event of a fracture fosamax may interfere with remodeling and healing. However, the decision to continue or quit would need to be taken by his treating doctor; keeping in view the initial condition for which it was advised and the risks Vs benefits. You may like to discus in detail with his treating doctor. Hope this is helpful. Take care!

I do want to caution your use of the Fosamax though. New studies have shown issues with femur bone fractures (brittle bone) and esophagal problems. There are other ways to strengthen bones naturally without taking biphosphonates. I'd get your vitamin D & calcium levels checked too since an underactive thryoid can cause problems with metabolism/regeneration of bone (so can too much thryoid hormone!) That is what makes Hashis difficult to deal with due to the hyper/hypo rollercoaster.

These medications have been shown to increase bone mass, prevent bone loss, and to decrease the incidence of bone fractures. Fosamax and Actonal have the advantage of a once-a-week administration, as opposed to the alternative of daily administration. Biphosphonates should be taken on an empty stomach, along with at least 8 ounces of water. The patient should swallow the tablet while in an upright position and not lie down for 30 minutes after taking this drug.

Hello Emanuelle, I definitely feel for your concern. Although I am 36 I have pretty severe osteoporosis and at one time was recommended to take medication for it. I have several spinal injuries which have resulted in Degenerative Disk Disease, other joint syndromes and overall bone density loss. I had not personally heard of the the fractures (femur) from the Fosamax, but I did hear of the other risk factors for some of the older drugs.

Your doctor will help you understand the results. T score between -1 and -2.5 indicates the beginning of bone loss (osteopenia). T score below -2.5 indicates osteoporosis. For consistency, before comparing results try to use the same bone density equipment, the same skeletal measures and even the same technician if possible, Ask your doctor for guidance. Then you can readily compare current to previous bone density test results. I hope this helps.

So I told my doctor that I wanted to increase my intake of calcium and do a wait and see on the Fosamax. She told me that she's not worried about me for now but for what may happen to me in 20 years. The scenario sounded horrible--breaking a hip and dying--if I didn't start treatment now. But she conceded and we agreed that I would be screened again in a couple of years. I am amazed at how the pharmaceutical companies drive diagnosis.

dental work - there are blackbox warnings about osteonecrosis of the jaw (bone death) The mother of a woman that I worked with took Fosamax for a few months and her teeth began to loosen - an oral surgeon had to pull teeth from a quadrant of her mouth and add some sort of bone replacement. The oral surgeon who did my root canal 2 years ago told me (reluctantly) agreed that the bone drugs are becoming controversial.

Do you mean Fosamax (alendronate)? If you do, its for treating bone problems like Osteoperosis by adding bone mass and slows bone loss. I use it for Osteopenia.

When I ran cross-country in high school and college (7 and 6 years ago, respectively), I experienced 2 metatarsal stress fractures (one in each foot, subsequent years) and had low bone density (osteopenia) as a result of an eating disorder. I had been on fosamax for awhile, take calcium, and my weight is back to normal, so supposedly my bone density is fine now. I was also not running like I had in the past, but took regular walks and we blamed the pain on worn out tennis shoes.

She is on 150mg of time-released morphine a day, and ora-morph and oxycodone for pain spikes and breakthrough pain. She is still crying and screaming much of the time for the pain. Her heart beats so rapidly at such times that it does not complete each beat and her blood pressure drops (tachycardia)--making her look over medicated due to lack of O2 to her brain, when in fact just the opposite is true with regard to the pain medication.

So hopefully we have caught the osteoporosis in time, and only have to be on fosamax for a year or two. We will do another bone screening in a year. The fosamax is affecting my ear buzzing too, so really don't want to be on it longer than necessary.

35 years of empty sella, hi prolactin, testosterone injections, osteopenia, broken ribs and recently hip - and now at age 67 two of my children ages 33 and 36 flunk Dexa scans and are prescribed fosamax, which they refuse to take until hyperparathyroid is ruled out. I get labs showing PTHs of 63/(15-65), 51 and 45, with ionized calciums of 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4 on scale 4.5 - 5.6. Three endos and 2 GPs say it's all coincidental. Should we get treatment in Europe?

Among them are some 500,000 vertebral or spine fractures, 250,000 hip fractures, and 240,000 wrist fractures. The numbers are different in different countries: reported incidences of hip fractures are highest in the US and Northern Europe; intermediate in Mediterranean and Asian countries, and lowest in South Africa, particularly in the areas where people follow traditional ways of life. There are more fractures among city dwellers than among country folk.

I know that the early hysterectomy has caused my bone issues(been on Fosamax and actually just started Reclast this week -2.7) but I wonder if it is effecting the breast? I went in for my annual mamo last week and have been called back yet again. New spot directly under the nipple, same breast. Sheduled US for next week. So two mamos and 2 call backs...I am nervous..is this common, should I be worried, is this what I have to look forward to every year...

I am a "heart patient" and have been taking Fosamax to improve bone density. Lately I have seen several things that implied I might not should be taking Fosamax. I would enjoy hearing some opinions on this matter. Thanks.

Hi spitfire...eek I did the same thing after fosamax. My former GP told me I had early bone loss (I cant remember the name she gave it) after a bone scan, then after seeinig my ENT about the issue he told me my esophagus was actually irritated from the med. And of course the "panic" when you feel as if you cant swallow only makes it worse. He looked at me as if I was nuts when I told him I was even on the fosamax, and recommended I stop it altogether.

My Mother was put on this drug and after a few years lost some teeth and had bone loss, but that was several years ago and she was in her 90's in a nursing home and the statue of limitations has run out.

MY FRIEND HAD TO HAVE INVASION DENTAL WORK, BUT WHEN THE DENTIST DISCOVERED THAT SHE WAS ON FOSAMAX AND HAD BEEN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, HE INSISTED THAT SHE TAKE A HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED BLOOD TEST. SHE HAD DIFFICULTY FINDING A LAB THAT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE TEST AND ONE THAT PERFORMED THE TEST. THE RESULTS OF THE TEST INDICATED THAT HER JAW BONE WAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY STRONG[?

Assuming loose teeth refering to increased tooth mobility, which is associated with periodontal disease, occlusal trauma, or bone pathology. Fosamax is not likely to cause tooth mobility.

I see a rheumatologist yearly and have bone density scans every other year. I am at the line with one hip for osteoporosis. Other hip and spine are in the yellow zone for osteopenia. I am allergic to Bonita and Fosamax so for now trying exercise, calcium, vitamin D to combat it. My mom has it and I've been menopausal for 10 years now at the age of 43. I don't take magnesium. Should I be and what would be a good starting dose?

Surgeon said Fosamax caused this condition and pain.(fossy jaw) I also had to have a bone implant in my jaw.How do I get rid of this constant painful condition? I Hate taking pain meds, but I'm grateful I get some relief. Pain in jaw, ear,eye, forehead, neck, nose all the whole left side of my face and head. Throat and chest pressure /constriction dizziness are now another pressing concern.

Fosamax and bone fractures

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