Osteoporosis

  I just recently had a bone density test and was diagnosed with osteoporosis......I'm 51 and still only in the peri-menopause stage......which is horrible!......My doctor prescribed Fosamax for me....and of couse Calcium plus Vitamin D......Is anyone on this medication?........How long have they been on it, and does it work?.....Must you be on it for the rest of your life?.....Menopause is bad enough, without this happening, too.

    Thank you

[Bellabella]

I don't want to put you off what your doctor has recommended but Fosamax is not without problems. But then again, most drugs have side effects and not everyone experiences them.  If you google "Fosamax" you will see for yourself the side effects. There are other choices for osteoporosis such as Boniva (once a month).

I personally took Fosamax for a couple of years and came off it because it caused swallowing difficulties and gastrointestinal problems.  I had borderline osteoporosis which is known as osteopenia and this was discovered because of back problems.   Calcium + D supplements alone will not help much with osteoporosis but if taken in conjunction with the prescribed medication, it does help.

Can you talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of Fosamax, and whether it would be worth the risk.

[Linda719]

  Thank you so much for answering.......I talked to my GYN doctor about the side effects.....I will ask about Boniva as well.......Are you on any medication now?........Did the Fosamax make a difference in your bone density?.......I am not even through menopause...I'm still in peri......yuck...lol

[Bellabella]

I probably should be on medication but I am not. I try to exercise and do all the right things but I am one of those people that hate taking any medications unless absolutely necessary as I feel that the side effects are sometimes worse.  I am still borderline (osteopenia) and I didn't see much of any improvement.  

I think Boniva is in the same family of drugs  so really it is a question of what you decide to do for yourself.

In answer to your question, "Must you be on it for the rest of your life?....." Here is a quote from an online Health Journal:

http://www.onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_705.shtmlnline  

......"However, although Fosamax may improve bone density, experts say when it comes to fracture prevention, its benefit is modest at best. In fact, some researchers say that when taken for more than 10 years, Fosamax will actually make bones more brittle and thus, more susceptible to fracture. And even if patients stop taking the drug, doctors say it can stay in the body for up to 10 years........."

Personally,  I try to do the following:

Exercise
healthy eating
calcium supplements (coral calcium)
Glucosamine chondroitin for joints
coral calcium


This is not specific advice for you, though, as I am not a doctor. I am sure you and your doctor will come up with the right decision for you and  I wish you luck in the future.