posted 03-03-2001 05:14 PM            

She wears a stint with her ostomy that must be replaced every six weeks. One of her kidneys was pretty much burned out from the cancer radiation some years ago. Her kidneys have been operated on because of the problems. That was several years
ago.

About three months ago she started the 10 mg per day dosage of Fosamax. No significant side effects, but this program was
changed to taking one 70 mg tablet once per week. Since taking the second 70 mg tablet about five weeks ago [she stopped
taking them then] she has gone from 93 pounds to 83, all of the bad side effects of Fasamax, per the brochure, gagging, can't hold down food or drink, blood in stool and urine and finally hospitalization. Now after five days in the hospital, she is told that she must be discharged as they can find nothing treatable. The doctors ecommendation is for her to be put into a nursing home as she is so week after the five weeks of suffering which she feels started with the weekly dose of fosamax.The doctors really don't say much about the fosamax other than it should be out of her system since she has not taken the drug for five weeks. Any comments would be appreciated. My email address is

posted 06-01-2001 09:43 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by prisa:
I have been on fosamax for 4months. Last week I became ill and was sent to the hospital with stomach pain and bloody stools. I did some research on the web, and found it could be a side effect from the fosamax. I am scheduled for a berium enema to find the cause. My doctor doesn't believe it could be the fosamax. I have stopped taking it and after reading this message board I don't think I will resume it.

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posted 07-05-2001 12:49 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by rosarobin:
I have been diagnosed with osteopenia (I'm 63) and am agonizing over this very issue - whether or not to start taking Fosamax and continue for the rest of my life. Should I risk the side effects in the hope of preventing bone-loss or go the natural route by consuming more calcium-rich foods and daily physical activity? I lean toward the natural approach but appreciate everyone's comments! (Rosalee)

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I am also 63 and also have osteopenia. I am not on Fosamax, and from what I have read and heard about the side effects, I don't ever want to be! I agree with you that the natural approach is the way to go...more calcium, more daily physical activity. Good luck!

posted 11-03-2001 10:00 AM            

I found your old Health Boards sites on, Fosamax side effect & impaired vision , and Fosamax and eye damage .
It seems Joan (October 16, 2000.) Erica et al ( replies on October 20, 2000.) and others ,have "made things happen". The Fosamax patient leaflet now says---
" Some patients may experience eye pain, diminished or hazy vision, and/ or see black floating spots."
I have experienced the following ---
I took Fosamax for 6 months. I stopped taking it 2 months ago , because it was badly affecting my recovery from symptomatic hyperparathyroid disease.
I then developed conjunctivitis , in first one eye then the other eye. Dr prescribed chloramphenicol which cleared infection. At this time I became aware of strained, blurred vision in my right eye.
My optician prescribed new glasses because vision in my right eye had become inadequate for driving When I collected my new glasses, 2 weeks later , the vision in my right eye had changed again, and the new glasses were not right .
On further careful examination my optician found that my cornea had changed shape since the first test . The eye was otherwise healthy. He could not explain this rapid change in my eye. I have not had any problems of this kind before. He will repeat measurements on my cornea in 2 weeks time, to see whether there are further changes.
He says I need to see an eye specialist.
I have only needed a small, simple prescription for reading glasses previously.
I wonder if this sudden, unexplained eye damage is related to Fosamax?

Interestingly , neither my optician or my Doctor ,were aware of the link between eye damage and Fosamax.
Is this link a be a bit farfetched? I am beginning to think not!

What happened to Joan and the other peoples eye problems after stopping the Fosamax??
Which strength tablets were they taking?
How does Fosamax cause these eye problems? Are they reversible , and if so, how long does recovery take?
Can doctors help the patient once this eye damage has occurred?
I am now somewhat concerned since it seems likely this drug may have affected me in two quite separate ways.
I wait , with interest, to see the specialist.
Linda.

Fosamax and primary hyperparathyroid disease. My experience so far.

I have had symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) .This is an endocrine disorder, involving calcium metabolism. The resulting raised parathyroid hormone levels and raised serum calcium levels can cause many problems. I had an operation to remove one enlarged, overactive parathyroid gland, and a thyroid nodule, 14 months ago.
After 6 months my many symptoms of pHPT were beginning to improve quite well. These symptoms included anxiety, fatigue , sleeplessness, lethargy, joint pain, bone pain and neuromuscular weakness. They make everyday living pretty trying!
At this time, due to severe osteoporosis ,resulting from pHPT, I was prescribed Fosamax . I took 10mg each day for 4 months, then 70mg once weekly for 2 months.
I was anxious about taking this drug since it would be interfering with the metabolic pathway which had , by malfunctioning, caused my original problems. My Drs didn’t seem concerned about this.
I took the Fosamax, but, after a few months, I began to suspect my recovery was slowing down
Then, on changing to 70mg, I knew my symptoms were actually deteriorating. I felt really bad 24 hours after taking the once weekly tablet.
Finally , 2 months ago ,I decided to stop the Fosamax after checking with my GP.

To my relief, I now find all my symptoms improving again.
My serum calcium levels have remained normal since my operation. Parathyroid hormone levels have not been checked.
I have discovered that Fosamax 5mg. causes a significant increase in nocturnal secretion of parathyroid hormone - 20% above that of placebo! ( Thought to be one of the reasons for it’s continued efficacy with time.) Could this explain the slowdown in my recovery? I think so!! My doctors didn’t really comment when I drew attention to this article.
In fact, my consultant now wants me to take Actonel , which is again, like Fosamax , a bisphosphonate . I have checked the manufacturers data. Again serum parathyroid hormone levels are increased, so I am not prepared to risk a repeat of my last experience.
Are these treatments (bisphosphonates) inappropriate for patients who have not recovered from the physical and mental symptoms of hyperparathyriod disease?
Since I have no fractures to date, and am now more mobile, I think a policy of " wait and see " to find out if my bone density ( post parathyroidectomy )begins to recover, is my best short term bet!
I find these experiences have undermined my confidence in the post operative management of my disease. I feel very lucky to have managed to work out what was going on !!!
The Internet has been so useful in providing access to GOOD information on pHPT disease.
Has anyone else out there had similar experiences with hyperparathyroid disease and Fosamax??

I would be most interested to hear!

Linda .

posted 11-03-2001 11:36 AM            

A nurse for an anti-aging physician told me that boron helps calcium get into the bones.
Magnesium does too.
In fact, we don't need more than 50 mg or so of calcium a day, with twice as much magnesium.
Back off both calcium and magnesium if your stools become too loose.
If constipated, take more of each, proportionately.

Magnesium makes the calcium go into the bones, instead of going in the soft tissue causing calcium deposits such as joint and/or foot pain. My husband had painful calcium deposits in the soles of his feet, and they went away in just a couple of weeks when he took magnesium (they had not been there for very long).

Here is an interesting website with lots of info about magnesium: http://www.execpc.com/~magnesum/

From Dr. Mercola's website: http://www.mercola.com/2001/apr/4/ipriflavone.htm
"Building bones is far more complex than just taking calcium or any other supplement. Many minerals are required, such as magnesium, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, phosphorus and others. However, if you are consuming large quantities of high quality organic vegetables it is highly likely you will obtain most all of the mineral base you will need to build your bones.

Exercise and eating plenty of whole vegetables are the most profound ways to build bones.

Don't forget that vitamin D is essential to absorb the minerals and unless you have good sun exposure, particularly in the winter, you will need a supplement to prevent bone loss. Even if the warmer months, if you are indoors all day long you will likely be vitamin D deficient as well."

In light of the damage the drugs for osteo cause, it sure would not hurt to try this. I hope it helps someone.

posted 11-25-2001 05:47 AM            

Like Joan, I have written to Merck about my problems with Fosamax.
Joan, did your doctors ever explain the underlying reasons for your eye problems ?
What has happened to your bone density ? Did the Fosamax make any difference in the time you took it? Did you have any fractures? Are you tempted to try another osteoporosis treatment?
Like you I take calcium . I get a bone density reading early next year so will find out about any improvements then. I am considering HRT, if I must take something. This seems to have a safer and longer track record of use in treating osteoporosis. My doctors have also suggested Evista but I’m not inspired by the info in the pamphlet so far!

Like … "scary at times"…… I’m finding, at 55, I’m in a great dilemma over osteoporosis…….One option is - no treatment , risking potential short, or long term problems of fractures, which cannot be predicted or quantified, but which could be potentially and permanently debilitating . The alternative is - take an osteoporosis treatment, some of which have not been tested in the long term, and risk side effects, some possibly permanent, unpleasant, and unknown, and get, as I see it, an unpredictable and sometimes small reduction in fracture risk in the future. My doctors have not been forthcoming with convincing information for me to really make a sensible decision -- so far. Maybe I have just lost faith in the system ?? Maybe I expect too much?? I shall be checking on the Internet again!
Hope others have had more luck than me with their treatments!!!

posted 01-10-2002 03:05 PM            

Rosalee,

My name is Debbie Blais and I have used natural methods to go from 40% bone loss to 20% bone loss in one year. I saw an applied kinesiologist -- Dr. Scott Einhorn in South Miami (I live in Hollywood) and he made sure my intestines were absorbing and then he gave me bone supplements and suggested I avoid dairy and get my calcium from green leafy vegetables and do weight bearing exercises. I did all of this with the amazing above results. His phone number is 305-666-8881. Insurance covered most everything and he was very knowledgeable and reasonably priced.

posted 01-14-2002 03:01 AM            

My frustration is that my doctor took tests, and gave me a month supply based on those results, yet still doesn't follow thru with the insurance co. to cover medication. Thanks, 12828rabbit

posted 08-12-2002 08:47 PM            

: I have Oseopinea and Osteoporosis and my doctor started me on Fosomax. I am afraid to take it, or any
: other meds because of all the side effects. He told me that there are a lot of women who are refusing to
: take them also and they are going the "natural" route. This includes soy supplements and food, exercise
: and I do not know what else. Has anyone tried to go the "soy" way? The only things I can find on the web
: about using soy make it sound as though it is the answer, however, everything I read is also coming from
: the people who are selling it. I would like to find an unbiased opinion. Thanks!

posted 08-16-2002 05:08 PM            

Also, I am wondering how long it might take for the body to rid itself of Fosamax. I would suppose that the shorter the duration of taking it, the less amount of time it would take to be free of it???

Thanks!