Anyone able to use Fosamax or Actinel successfully? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

pixiepoodle · 03-06-2006, 11:59 AM

Just curious if anyone has tried Fosamax or Actinel to build bone density? I tried Actinel over the weekend and it caused a horrible flare up. One of the side effects is joint and muscle pain and I tried to tell my dr. that it would probably aggrevate my Fibro since Fibro causes muscle, joint and tendon pain. I think there is one one drug out there to help bone loss, but I dread trying it. Let me know if anyone has experienced similar side effects.

April414 · 03-06-2006, 08:50 PM

I was on Fosamax for a couple of years. Most of the time I could remember to take it. I remember the everyday meds better. Anyway when I first started it I had osteoporsis, a year ago it was osteopena, so it's gotten alot better. I can't say for sure if it affected my pain. Most of the time I was on it I hadn't been diagnosed yet and most of the pain I had back then was my right arm and shoulder blade. Which was my main problem when I finally got to see my arthritis dr. for the fist time. I had had other aches and pains, but have had to some extent for most of my life for a various of reasons. At this point I can't say if the aches and pains I had back then, other than my right arm were fibro or not.
I don't if any of this tells you anything or not.
April

goldenwings · 03-08-2006, 06:47 AM

Hello there pixie,

Just my own observations on this drug. I have been taking Fosamax for approx. 2 years now. I have been taking steroids every day for over 30 years and "whoops" the doctors realised that I had no bone protection going on - doh !! The first mediction for this that they gave to me constricted my gullet and caused inflammation which led to a gastroscopy and possible stretching procedure being carried out so I obviously stopped that. I was very nervous about taking another same type medication, but Fosamax has caused me no problems at all, even though I had pre-existing gastric problems. I take lots and lots of other medications as I have lupus, and heart problems and lots of other thing going on. I did a check on Fosamax first and then gave it a go and no problems.

The following is only information I used for myself to make the decision regarding taking Fosamax. They are not a painkilling medication nor are they prescribed as such. They are purely prescribed to help treat osteoporosis by reducing the risk of back and hip fractures. Although it didn state it on the data sheet I used, your doctor should also have prescribed you calcium tablets to take every day whilst you are using Fosamax. What you need to make sure of, as with all medications, is that there is no interaction or adverse side effects from mixing other drugs. Sorry this bit is my message to everyone whatever medication they use hee hee !!

It states clearly on the information sheet given with Fosamax that you must make sure that you adhere to the instuctions for taking them too. The leaflet states quite clearly the reasons for not taking them, some of which I give below:-

Sensitivity to any of the ingredients - check this thoroughly

Oesophagal disorders

Low blood calcium levels

If you can't stand/sit upright for 30 minutes after taking them. Never take them at go and lie down, this can cause problemns with the gullet over time

Problems swallowing

Inflammation of the stomach lining or duodenum

Stomach ulcers

Kidney problems

Don't take any of your other medications at the same time as taking Fosamax - leave at least 30 minutes before taking other oral doctor
prescribed or OTC medications

Take them on an empty stomach

Always take them with a 'full glass of water', never juice, coffee or tea

These are the most important points to look into before taking this drug. There is more information on the data sheet tht comes with them. It gives the side effects that "might" occur also. The data sheet with this medication is very informative. If it is possible, ask your doctor for a sheet before he prescribes it for you. If he can't do this, then do your own research into it before you put your prescription into the pharmacy. Then you can do your own research and decide if it affects you personally.

I hope this helps. As I said this is only from my own personal perspective of taking it and the research I did for myself.

Take care.

goldenwings

Jenetti · 03-08-2006, 08:19 AM

yes to fosomax, have never taken the other one. my mom also couldnt take it, she has fibro as well. the flareups on me seemed to have doubled in intensity while on it, i was on it for a year, and suffered the entire time. i thought the fibro was just getting worse. I never even thought it would be the fosomax because hey its suppose to help build bone which is a good thing right? well one day while at the docs office in the waiting room waiting to be seen due to highpain, i overheard two other women, discussing how they had not been able to take fosomax, well of course i jumped in on the conversation and asked, they didnt have fibro, either one but had osteoponia (?) . they said they had noticed a high increase in pain that they had never had before and how they had asked my doctor about fosomax and my doctor had told them that yea, alot of people would complain about pain they never had before.
i discussed this with my doctor, she explained the same and i got off of it. I still suffer badly from fibro, but not to the intensity of crying for hours and hours on end due to the pain in my spine and other areas. Now that im off of it, my spine pain is back to what it ws before the fosomax. Im sure the pain was due to the bone being built up. I mean if its being built quickly it will probably hurt in some way. Its a good med for building bone and those that can take it without the pain should do so, i wish with all my heart i could take it, i wouldnt have to worry about future breakage in the spine, right now im without any protection there, but i just couldnt handle the intensity of the pain.

Glojer · 03-08-2006, 11:11 AM

I know fosomax is a drug for osteoporosis and can't be replaced with simple vitamins but I just wanted to relay a little personal info that may help someone. I have never had to take fosomax or anything like that (at least not yet) so this is strictly just me 'butting' in here and relaying personal experience so I hope no one minds.

Anyway I was on my way to osteoporosis, I think my first bone density test had me at osteopenic, anyway I had lower than normal scores ( or is that higher than normal). The doc told me to take vitamin A and D and Calcium. I said ok and did my best to remember to take it. I was diagnosed with fibro and I started going to an independently owned ladies 30 min workout place. They started offering low impact aerobics classes and I started taking them. When my bone density was done again two years later, I was normal.

I have been taking prednisone for 8mo. now and I will have another bone density done I believe this Dec.. I will see how well vitamins and exercise can combat the effects of steroids on bone loss.

My point is if you don't already, try adding some vitamins A and D and Calcium and if you can (I can't always) get in some exercise, walking or whatever you can do. Maybe we can combat osteoporosis and stay off the hard drugs longer, I hope so.

Glojer