fosamax Options

[Gran]

Has anyone has muscle cramps from fasamax after taking once per week dosage.  My friend is experiencing this after one week.  Pain in muscles including the face.

[Snowbird]

Gran, Hi!!Just saw your post!!  Don't know if I can help much....I don't take the med, but my Mom does!  I take Evista...which is similar!!  I have no problems with Evista.....and Mom has not complained about Fasamax.....altho....I know of a couple of gals, who say it does cause cramping of the muscles:(Maybe like most things....it affects different people in a different way!!I'd suggest to your friend, if she's really concerned to have a chat with her doctor!!Hopefully, other gals, can come on line and add to what I have said here.....as that's about all I can offer!!Sorry I couldn't help more!Take care and all the best to your friend:)((((((Hugs)))))) ~*Snowy*~

[Olivianancy]

This is my first post anywhere, but this is a subject that interests me. I took Fosamax for 3 months, had no problems with it, then, by chance, read in A Woman's Guide to Natural Hormones by Christine Conrad that the bone created by Fosamax is more brittle than normal bone and is permanent (unlike real bone which is dissolved and replaces itself). Also, of course, there are no long-term studies on this drug b/c it has only been out since 1994. All this is on pp. 158-159. Does this worry anyone else?

[Gran]

Hi Snowbird:  I also take evista - about a year now.  I'm having extreme puffy upper eye lids.  They look really bad.  Have you had any problems with this on the evista?

[gailsquarters]

There are no long term studies on any of these drugs and that does bother me.  I am 51, menopausal for one year  and my bone scan came back good but my gyn is still pushing me to take Evista and I am researching also and found one report that some doctors want it taken off the market because it causes ovarian cancer in lab rats and mice.Has anyone heard this?  The long term effects of taking these drugs (20-30 yrs.) are questions to be considered.  Of course, if I had a bad bone scan it would be different.  I have always worked out andgotten plenty of calcium and apparently that has worked for me.  I think I will continue doing what I'm doing and have another bone density test in 5 years.  By that time more research will be in on these products.

[Olivianancy]

To: gailsquarters--I like the way you think. I thought I was doing all the right things healthwise, too, and I am "only" perimenopausal, so it didn't bother me to take myself off Fossamax. I was bulimic for 5-8 yrs in my teens and early 20's, so I'm thinking that didn't help my bones any. Also, for years I continued to drink milk thru gastrointestinal symptoms until I discovered Lactaid/Dairy Ease Products. I just thought I had a weird stomach! So during that time, I don't know if the calcium "took."

[gailsquarters]

Olivianancy,Have you had a bone density test?  You don't really know where you are without one.  We have to make our decisions based on that and then do everything else we can to help ourselves.

[Olivianancy]

Gailsquarters,Actually, yes, I did have a bone density test--results inconclusive, as far as I am concerned. I first had a heel density test that I initiated b/c of pain/tenderness of both heels when I walk (yes, I've been thru the whole plantar fasciiitis thing before, more than once, and I don't think that's it). Anyway, the bone density test showed some osteopenia in the lower spine; hence, my gynecologist (who admitted that as as perimenopausal woman, I fell into an "unknown category" as far as Fossamax was concerned). He gave me the OPTION of taking it, so I took it for 3 mos. until I read something that made me wary (see previous entry). I plan to have another bone density test in another year or two.

[tinabrul]

Hi all, I am considering taking fosamax or evista. I am almost 45 and osteopenia....strong history in family for osteoporosis...any updated info on these meds or personal experience.thanks,tina

[joyous]

Hi, Tina, I don't have a reply to your post but just wanted to say I would also be very interested in what the ladies have to say about fosamax and evista.  My situation is very similar to yours:  I will be 45 in November, and have already had a dexa scan which showed osteopenia.  I am adopted so don't have the benefit of knowing my family history but  I have several risk factors, Caucasian, fair-skinned, low weight and small-boned, as well as I take thyroid supplement.  I know I'm going to be facing this someday.  I already take calcium but know that's not always enough.  Thanks for asking the question, I'll be anxious to read the replies.