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pmwatts13 · 03-31-2012, 01:14 PM

I have been on Fosamax for 8 years - everything I read says not to take it for more than 5 years as after that point it causes brittle bones. I broke a rib from sneezing and severely broke my tibia/fibula above the ankle in October, which required 3 hrs of surgery, bone grafts, pins/screws, plates. My Primary Care Doctor says to keep taking the Fosamax - don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

turtlelady · 04-02-2012, 06:03 PM

There are other treatments available. Given the toxicity of the bisphosphonates and your history of fractures, I would surely want another opinion on that.
Good luck!

mabent · 04-02-2012, 06:43 PM

I agree wholeheartedly with turtlelady!!! I took Fosamax for 15 years. It did improve my bone density the first year (I have severe osteoporosis but have not broken a bone (yet!)) However, after I read the reports about Fosamax I stopped taking it - which was 3 years ago. I now take Calcium citrate with Vitamin D. Last October my bone density test showed that my levels have not changed since I first had improvement. I also have taken Evista for 15 years, which is supposed to help bone density but I don't know whether or not that has been proven.
If I were in your position, I would stop taking Fosamax if I felt that it was doing me more harm than good. My doctor also couldn't understand why I would want to stop taking it but later changed his mind. When I started taking it, it was a new drug, and they didn't know what long-term results would be with continuous use. Now they seem to know!
I have had friends who have chosen to try other bone-density drugs, but I will not do that. Good luck!

Mabent

Ngoc · 04-17-2012, 11:42 PM

I had taken Fosamax for 12 years prior to breaking my right femur while walking in the garage. I spent two hours in surgery while they placed a rod inside my right femur. My doctor took me off of Fosamax and put me on Forteo injections. I have been taking the injections since Nov 2011. I'm back up and walking again after lots of physical therapy. I used a walker for a short period and now use a cane at times. I'm 74 years old and have always been very active so this was pretty depressing for me at first.

mabent · 04-18-2012, 06:52 AM

Hello Ngoc - It's so sad that that happened to you after you had so diligently taken that fosamax pill for 12 years, thinking that it was making your bones stronger! You must be a strong and determined person. I'm glad for you that you were able to heal well and are now walking again. I have heard good things about Forteo but am still not going to try another osteoporosis drug for a while. I have read that drugs like Fosamax stay in your system for a few years after it is discontinued; but, again, I am hesitant to believe anything I read now!!!

Mabent

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