Can you ever stop taking Fosamax? - Osteoporosis Message Board

tigger67 · 02-10-2009, 07:46 AM

I just started seeing a new endo and he made the comment that when my bone scans don't show osteo anymore, I can stop taking Fosamax. I'm 41 and am taking birth control because my body doesn't produce much estrogen on its own, but my obg-yn said I'd need to stop taking them when I'm 50. So once that happens and I'm in the "menopause" stage, would my bones get bad again if I wasn't taking Fosamax?

starfish81 · 02-10-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger67

would my bones get bad again if I wasn't taking Fosamax?

Tigger, something to think about: Fosamax doesn't necessarily make your bones "good". It may increase the density as seen on a DEXA scan, but that doesn't mean the resultant bone is strong. Also, I was under the impression that long-term studies had not been done regarding bisphosphonates given to pre-menopausal women.
If you feel comfortable taking this medication, don't let me dissuade you. But be aware that doctors tend to prescribe whatever the pharmaceutical reps tell them to.

taape · 02-10-2009, 07:31 PM

That issue was one of my concerns when I started Fosamax. It seemed like the doctor was telling me to take it for the rest of my life. When I questioned the information that it stays in the bones up to 10 years the doctor admitted that some of it does leave over time. I just didn't understand why the need to take a medication indefninitely if it's known to be stored in the body for up to 10 years.

I know I didn't answer your question but I think I'd be concerned about taking taking birth control so long that you don't know really when your hormone levels begin getting less and you start into menopause. I'm no expert but it seems like that happens over a span of several years and not necessarily at age 50 and would be a big shock to the body to get off birth control and already be in menopause. I can see why taking hormones longer would help the bones though.