Osteoporosis Support Group

All the same side effects. :(

I'm much older than you, but Fosamax wasn't working for me any longer, and I am now on IV Reclast once yearly. I have had no problems with it, though many talk about jaw osteonecrosis, etc. I'm a retired RN, and was thorough checking on both Fosamax & Reclast. Other than heartburn, Fosamax was OK to take, a bit inconvenient waiting to eat, maintaining an upright position. When I first took it, I took it daily in a smaller dose, so was happy with the once weekly dose. Both my endocrinologist & primary care doctor tell me that in reality the press has blown the side effects out of proportion. I will now go with my Reclast on their advice to reduce the very high chance of disabling fracture.

What were your Fosamax symptoms, Natty? I'm on Fosamax and was expecting the symptoms to be severe, but it's been two years now and the've been pretty minor.

I have some pain in my thumb joints for a day or two. No idea why. And I was getting episodes of what I can only politely call the runs, but that's gone now.

Maybe if you stick with it a little longer? If that's impossible, then perhaps you could try to IV or injectible drugs? You said your osteoporosis was severe.

Hugs! I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time.

Lets start with Fosamax approx. 4 hrours after taking my 1st dose I had nausea vomiting. Later that evening I developed a migraine. I could sleep due to body ache, joint, back that was 10 times worse than it usually is. This persisted for 5 day. Needless to say fosamax wasn't for me. And yes, I followed the instructions on how to take the medication.
And unfortunately I had the same reaction with actonel. minus the migraine. Since I am only taking actonel monthly I am going to stick this one out. I have to.
So are yu saying that the press is causing people to imagine the side effects their having? I can assure you mine are 100% real.Sad to say but, I didn't know anything about side effects of fosamax until they hit me like ton of bricks. Its wasn't until then that I research the medication I had taken.
I am very happy for the people that can take these medication with little to no side effects. They are the lucky ones.
Thanks for the feedback.

I hope you are ok on the Actonel, I dare'nt take it because its from the same 'family' as fosomax and I cant take that.
I know that the side effects are real and not imagined, I know of other people who cant take it either, so its not you.
My dentist has said that he wont treat me if I am taking bisophosphates!
Keep in touch and let us know how you are.

Thanks for your positive response. I'm really frustrated with my diagnosis. Still very new to me, and I am trying to cope and educate myself as much as possible. I do however get a little irritated when some say "that IN REALITY the press has blown the side effects out of proportion". Excuse me,..........Maybe I'm taking it personal, and I shouldn't, but deep down it really bothers me. I have a compressed fracture @ L1 so I'm not feeling so hot. Anyway,...
I'm going to try one more dose of actonel and take it from there.
Thanks so much. ;)

I had heartburn at night with Fosamax, so doc switched to Actonel. My symptoms are much more subtle than yours, but I found the Actonel was worse. I did some experimenting by not taking it one week and then taking it the next to see if those same symptoms came back. Now I'm on Evista and not tolerating that. My doc says insurance will require that I fail on all of these meds before I can get to the Reclast or anything injectable.

So that means you have to go through the whole family of bisphosphonates before you can try something different? Bet they wouldnt do that if it were happening to them, they would be on the one with the least side effects to start off with!