Sternum Pain - Osteoporosis Message Board

yef · 04-14-2007, 05:37 AM

Hi There:

I am new to the group

. I have had multiple DEXA scans over the years, all which have my T-Score decreasing. Even though I am not in the osteopenia category YET, my doctor decided to be proactive and started me on Boniva 150 mg monthly. Unfortunately, I did not tolerate this at all (severe sternum pain, low back and rib pain, flu-like symptoms). Therefore, we discontinued the Boniva (I only took one dose) and started on Fosamax 70 mg weekly about 7 weeks ago. The only side effect that is occurring now is a mild sternum pain within 24 hours of taking the Fosamax, but it does subside within a day or two. It most certainly is tolerable, but was wondering if this diminishes with continued usage? Also, I do have a history of periodontal disease (lot of connective tissue grafting). Should I be concerned about the osteonecrosis?

Thanks for the input. I am so happy to have found this site. Many other sites that I visited was all about bashing/trashing ALL medications!

taape · 04-14-2007, 03:56 PM

Hello,
Nice to meet you. I wonder if this sternum pain might be stomach pain/pressure instead rather than actual bone pain because of the location?

DesertBloom · 04-14-2007, 04:07 PM

Hi yef: Welcome

The symptoms you are having are common for some on fosamax, and the other bisphosphonates as well. I took actonel for a little over a year, and it caused bone pain, but it only lasted for 10 seconds or so, but it happened many times during the day, so in my case it was tolerable. I went off of it because my t-score didn't improve and switched to forteo with no probs.

Back, joint, bone and muscle pain are all listed in the insert on fosamax so it's not uncommon. If you get a chance read the clinical trials on this because it lists all the side effects and precentages of occurence in both the drug and placebo group.

Back, joint, bone and muscle pain were listed as the following %'s:

US/Multinational trial: fosamax group 4.1% (back, joint and muscle pain) placebo group 2.5%

Fit trial numbers: fosamax group 0.4% (back, joint and muscle pain)
placebo group 0.3%

It's interesting that the numbers are so close, but I think you symptoms are normal.

If you are concerned about the jaw probs I would talk to your oral surgeon, and ask what they think. I also have periodontal disease, but haven't had any invasive surgery for it. I was told that if I were considering surgery/extraction that it should be done prior to starting the med, or after I'd stopped it. I'm not sure what you're suppose to do if you need surgery during the course of taking it, but the percentage of people with this prob (osteonecrosis) is low on the oral med. The iv form is the one causing most of the trouble, but that doesn't mean you should ignore the warnings either. Since there is no real clear cut answer, I would talk to your dentist or oral surgeon.

Good luck with this, and I hope you do real well.