Question about Fosamax dosage...... - Osteoporosis Message Board

pbeehive · 01-30-2009, 11:00 AM

Hi, I was recently diagnosed with osteopenia and my doc gave me the option of the daily or weekly option for fosamax. Well, not knowing the details of taking the pill, I just said for him to give me the daily and I'd just take it everyday with my synthroid. Well, after having gotten the pills and seeing that you can't take them with anything else and can't lie back down etc., I am thinking that I would prefer the weekly dose. To make a long story even longer, do you think it would kill me to just take 7 of the 5mg pills one day a week since I now have 90 days worth of them? I don't want to OD but I also don't want to waste these pills. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!! Patti

rudiraven · 01-30-2009, 11:24 AM

I wouldn't take Fosamax for "osteopenia". Osteopenia is not a disease but a term for lower bone density. You may have had lower bone density your whole life. Who knows? They didn't test you when we were young

There are many serious side effects from taking Fosamax and other bishosphonates and I would suggest you do more research before you start taking this med. I'm sure others on this board can suggest some natural and safer things you can do to help your bones stay strong. Take care.

taape · 01-31-2009, 12:24 AM

If you are going to keep taking Fosamax, I'd follow the instructions on the dosage of medication your taking. The once weekly pill is time released over the 7 days and not equal to taking 7 of the daily pills all at once. I'm not a doctor but I wouldn't try it as that might cause an overdose of it. The part about not laying down is only for 30 minutes following taking it, it's sort of a hassle but try it in the middle of the day when you wouldn't be resting anyways.

I took the once weekly pill for two weeks and it killed my stomach. It was burning on fire so I quit. I don't take bisphosphonates anymore. It was prescribed because I have severe osteoporosis but I continue to look into other options.

montesflus · 01-31-2009, 08:26 PM

PBEEHIVE:

Osteopenia is not a disease. And neither is Osteoporosis (that's my opinion and the opinion of many others). Low bone density doesn't necessarily mean your bones aren't strong. There isn't a specific widely used test right now that tests for the strength of bones.

Bisphosphonate meds (of which Fosamax is one) can have MANY serious side effects. Can't post a web page, but the best way to get info is to go to a forum or discussion site, where actual patients give input on these meds and their side effects. Any search engine can take you there. Type in ''forums on bisphosphonate side effects'' and you'll probably see plenty of stuff. These meds can stay for years in your system, even when discontinued. Fosamax, in particular, has been found to stay up to a period of 10 years

Also, try reading "The Myth of Osteoporosis'' by Gillian Sanson. It's a real eye-opener and well worth the read.

Many posters on this forum use Strontium Citrate, bought online, or in ''some'' healthfood stores, depending on which state you're in.

Good Luck

Monte

KATC45 · 02-01-2009, 01:15 PM

The book is well worth the read, it was my view about the myth before I read the book,
and felt much better after reading the book. I went off of Forteo and now taking
Strontium Citrate can wait till my next bone density test. But even if the bone denisity is not changed I will not take any more drugs. Just do a lot of research and this forum
it wonderful.