Comments on: FDA Alert for Users of Osteoporosis Drugs Fosomax, Actonel and Boniva

By: Charlotte Ulmer

Charlotte Ulmer — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:46:30 +0000

I am 57 and have been on actonol since 2001. I have already fractured both wrist and am presently in rehab for a fractured hip. I have made the decision to stop the medication. What harm can it do? I feel like I have already done enough damage after doing all the recent research.

By: anne c

anne c — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:26:49 +0000

after taking fosomax for 8 years+ i discontinued taking it.i noticed i was getting an upset stomach and severe heartburn. during this time i also had three dental implants and now working on the fourth. my dental surgeon told me last week after the tooth extraction that there is a bone issue and have i ever taken “fosomax”
also, my cardiologist suspects i may have the beginnings of atrial fibrillation. sounds like a mess-right? currently, for my osteoprosis i am taking a nose spray adn viatmin d and calcium supplements. thanks for listening.
anne c

By: Lynda

Lynda — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 21:30:17 +0000

My 71 year old Mom has several Tori on the roof of her mouth. Her Dentist wants them removed for the placement of immediate dentures. Mom has taken Fosomax for about 15 years and now her MD wants her to stop. Mom’s concern is that the area of tori may not heal properly after surgical removal, due to her having been on the Fosomax.

By: J Montgomery

J Montgomery — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:08:32 +0000

Hello Peggy,
I am very sorry about the loss of your dear friend. We wish there was a definitive answer to your question but unfortunately it is an unknown and frankly it may never be answered for sure. Medicine is a messy science simply because the body is very complicated and we are far from understanding it completely.

Jennifer Montgomery

By: peggy wetherington

peggy wetherington — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 12:02:15 +0000

my dear friend died of esosogil(sp) cancer and after she died i have read over and over that fosomax may cause this. what say you? she took it for years for arthritis. pleasr respond. peggy

By: Beth

Beth — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 22:01:48 +0000

I began taking Actonel monthly in Feb of 2010. No side effects that first month, but in March and just this weekend (April), I have suffered debilitating “flu-like” symptoms–I won’t be thinking this drug again, for not only has it wasted days of my physical life, I feel that my brain was completely useless for those days. I’m 59, active, with arthritis in my cervical spine and osteoporosis in the lower. I need to remain active to stay sane, so I will consult my doctors this week and seek out a reliable nutritionist. Help!

Hi Beth, Yes, there are lots of reasons to stay active – in body and mind! – good choice to dig a bit deeper and explore other options. We have a program – offered by a veteran nutritionistist and colleague – that may be just what you are looking for. Take a look at Women Doing It for Themselves: 8 Steps to Building Strong Bones for Lifelong Vitality. The next session begins April 22.

By: deborah

deborah — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 16:00:22 +0000

I have been taking Fosomax and alendronate dating back to 2003 because of family history. I am 59 years old. A recent bone density test showed bone mineral density had decreased by 8.5% in both lumbar spine and left hip. I stopped taking the drug. I am also experiencing problems with a racing heart,shortness of breath,left jaw pain,and an ache in a tooth even though I have never had a cavity. I fear this drug has caused permanent damage to my health. Deborah, My personal belief is that no health condition need be permanent. Don't give up seeking solutions. Look at our bone health resources for tools that may help you. We'll soon be providing more tools for detox, which is always a first step toward re-establishing the body's own self-righting balance. Our Women Doing It for Themselves program is also a good place to start by balancing your foods and supplements according to your own needs. Kathleen

By: Amber C

Amber C — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 03:13:49 +0000

I am 35 and have taken Fosomax and Boniva on and off for the past 7 years. I can’t find any information about PRE-menopausal women taking these meds. Has there been any research done on this population? Any suggestions on where to find info on this age group and these medications?

Hi Amber – A good question. For someone your age, biphosphonates are not so common. We don’t have an answer for you, but we’ll keep an eye out. Perhaps someone has experiences to share for Amber? Let us know. Kathleen

By: amber cooper

amber cooper — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:43:31 +0000

I have taken Boniva and Fosomax on and off for 7 or 8 years. When I took Boniva I had problems with stomach pain. I have not had any problems with Fosomax; however I am only 35 years old so this is very scary to me! I have a significant family history of osteoporosis and after I insisted on a bone scan, I was diagnosed with osteopenia. So much for trying to be pro-active! Hi Amber - Physicians' are as proactive as they can be, with the tools they have. Because of experiences like yours, and your desire to take control of your health, we created this program, Women Doing It for Themselves: 8 Steps to Building Strong Bones for Lifelong Vitality. Dr. Judith Valentine, a nutrition educator trained in Metabolic Typing shows you how to get what you need from foods and supplements to match your own metabolic needs so that you can build new bone cells. Our other resources are here. Kathleen

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:20:20 +0000

Hi, I have been taking Actonel once a month for three months. All of a sudden I have this pain in my lower back, hip and down the right side of my leg to the foot. I am limping like my husband did before he had his hip joint replaced. I have made an appointment with the Ortho Dr to see what is going on. Then I remember reading about the joint pain from Actonel. I am due to take one tomorrow but am not taking another one until I see the Dr and see if there is anything going on with my hip or if this pain that is so uncomfortable is from this drug. I am very active. I walk two miles daily and have had no problems with this. My recent bone density test showed osteopenia in my hip but nothing else. I am very disturbed and hope this goes away once this is out of my system. I have also been very constipated. I am afraid of this drug.

Hi Barbara, As you see, your experience isn’t uncommon. One side effect of biphosphonate drugs can be obstipation – an extreme form of constipation like you seem to be experiencing. Thanks for sharing. Kathleen