Drug Ratings for FOSAMAXAverage Rating: 1.4 (1142 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Satisfaction from highest to lowest Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Charts & graphs: Reviews Summary for FOSAMAX | Top 10 Adverse Effects (reported to FDA)
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR FOSAMAX | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 5 | To prevent further bone loss | I did not notice any side effects whilst taking this drug. | After 2 years my bone density INCREASED by 11% and my doctor has suggested I can come off Fosamax now. I am thrilled. | F | 55 | 2 years 70 mg 1X W | 4/21/2011 | 5 | ostopenia and very low Vitamin D | No side effects. | I have been taking this exactly as prescribed and do not deviate. It has not bothered me at all. I also take a multivitamin and calcium with D3. My vitamin D levels have now increased to normal but I'm not due for a Dexascan until 2 years have passed. | F | 51 | 6 months 70 mg 1X W | 11/23/2010 | 5 | osteopenia | None, except my bone scans show improvement every year. | I take the Alendronate Sodium with eight 8 ounces of water every Monday. I have never had any adverse side effects. Last year I had to have a wisdom tooth pulled which required a blood test to determine my calcium count. It was normal. Any aches and pains I have I consider them normal signs of aging! | F | 67 | 8 years 70 1X W | 11/9/2010 | 5 | diagnosed with osteoporosis | no side effects | Within 2 years of taking Fosamax, I was upgraded to osteopenia in my hip. Within 3 years of taking Fosamax, I was upgraded to osteopenia in both my hip and spine. For the last year, I have been taking the generic for Fosamax with no apparent difference. I also have taken 1000-1200 mg of calcium citrate for 10 years. | F | 56 | 6 years 1X W | 9/10/2010 | 5 | osteoporosis | occasional mild flu like symptoms | Normal bone scan after 2 years. I'm a retired RN. I find most doctors are knowledgeable and well intentioned. The key is to find a doctor you trust. After 40+ years of nursing I depend on the extensive knowledge of a good M.D. to point me in the right direction and to interpret the copious studies out there for me.I find the frequent mistrust of doctors to be very sad as it does get in the way of good medical care for people. I know the many years of study they put in and I would only trust my very valuable health(and life) to a good doctor-not to my own opinion or that of friends or family. After all we have only one life so let us have the most expert person care for us -and that is a competent doctor. Others may (and will) disagree but as I say this is speaking from 40+ years working as a critical care nurse in many large teaching and private hospitals. You owe it to yourself to get the most accurate advice possible. | F | 69 | 4 years 70mg 1X W | 7/11/2010 | 5 | diagnosis of osteopenia | None | Thrilled with results. When I began, I had hoped, at the least, to prevent more bone loss. My spine has gone from borderline osteoporosis to being in the normal range; there has been annual improvement in my hip. The numbers for the femoral neck bone, though, have not been as consistent. I do weight bearing exercises daily and continue to take daily calcium and Vitamin D supplements, in addition to fish oil. | F | 62 | 5 years 70 + D 1X W | 4/26/2010 | 5 | Osteopenia | No side effects | I started taking Foxomax(first once a day and then once a week) more than 5 yrs ago due to the diagnosis of osteopenia. My first scan, after taking, it showed increased bone mass and it has pretty much remained consistent. I am now off the drug, per my doctor, as you are only supposed to take it for so many years. I had no side effects, whatsoever and it worked for me. | F | 60 | 1X O | 4/14/2010 | 5 | osteoporosis | no side effects. I went from osteoprosis to osteopenia. I have fallen, but have never broken any bones. I have not had any ill-effects and started the drug in an experimental program when it first came out. I have been extremely pleased with the effect of the drug. | see above | M | 81 | 30 years 70g 1X W | 3/13/2010 | 5 | osteopina at age 50 | NONE, yet. | Supposed to make bone marrow inhospitable to breast cancer cells. | F | 66 | 16 years 75 1X W | 3/9/2010 | 5 | osteopenia | Recently I am getting gastric side effects and am considering stopping and continuing on with calcium, vit d, vit k, boron, managanese, copper, zinc, magnesium, and silicon because they build bone. I recommend doing these while taking fosamax too. | However, this medication has helped me tremendously. I had so much spine pain I was unable to do many things for years and I was getting worse. I now can go to the gym twice a week and can actually use the upper body weights and machines - something I could not do even though I'd try. If you are having chronic pain without taking it and find out you have low bone density, I would recommend trying it. I had to sleep sitting up -couldn't lay down- and the bones in the back of my head hurt to even talk before taking fosamax. The pain gradually lessened over time. I now sleep flat in my bed-couldn't do that for 7 years! I am much more active than I was the 10 years prior to taking it. | F | 46 | 1 years | 12/10/2009 | 5 | mild to moderate bone loss | None, unless I forget and eat something in the half-hour after I take it. | When I had my first bone scan at age 48, my bones were fine. At 50, I had mild to moderate bone loss in both hips. Started Fosamax. At 53, I had very mild bone loss in one hip. I am still taking it and plan to take it forever--my mother and both grandmothers had terrible osteoporosis, both grandmothers broke hips. I ride horses and have no desire to see my bones shatter. I think it's a great drug for people who can tolerate it. I don't know where I'd be today without it. | F | 55 | 5 years | 11/7/2009 | 5 | osteopenia from aging and predisone | None during the 7 years of taking once /week- I always drink a full glass of water with pill and walk around during the 30 mins before eating | has resulted in "significant" improvement in osteopenia also take 1,000 mg of calcium and Vit D other days of week | F | 66 | 7 years | 7/15/2009 | 5 | Low Bone Density Results/Osteopenia | I have not had any side effects. | Fosamax has stopped my bone loss, it did not progress any further until I took Arimidex (after-cancer treatment) for 6 months, which resulted in lower bone density results after my last Dexascan recently. Have since stopped the Arimidex and will discuss how to proceed with my doctor. | F | 68 | 6 years | 6/28/2009 | 5 | Osteoporosis | No bad side effects to date. | Very pleased with how the 70-mg once-a-week dose temporarily helps my constant low back pain and shooting leg pain from herniated disk. Was diagnosed with osteopenia at about age 48, then several years later on subsequent bone mineral density test was diagnosed with osteoporosis. It was at that point that I was prescribed Fosamax and have been on it for about 2-1/2 years. Don't know yet how effective it has been at reversing bone disease, and hope that next BMD will show improvement as there is a family history of osteoporosis and related problems, but the relief I get from my chronic back pain is wonderful! Too bad it doesn't last longer. I take omeprazole daily for GERD and hiatal hernia so possibly this is helping to prevent esophageal problems on this medication. | F | 57 | 2.5 years | 2/21/2009 | 5 | osteopenia | None | With 18 months of starting Fosamax my bone density had improved almost into the normal range. At this time, my doctor is considering a Fosamax 'holiday' due to side effects of long-term use involving the stomach and esophagus. | F | 59 | 11 years | 1/27/2009 | 5 | bone loss | None | I'm very good at following the directions for Fosamax. I drink at least 2 1/2 cups of water with it and wait a good 30 minutes before doing anything or taking anything else. I am surprised though that the doctor hasn't recommended another bone density test since I started taking it to see if it is working. | F | 61 | 4 days | 1/5/2009 | 5 | osteopenia | none | F | 53 | 8 months | 12/1/2008 | 5 | Osteoporosis | None | I have taken the daily for 14 years and I am in good health and look much younger than my age. I am on tennis teams, swim every day, walk, and ride my bike several times a week. My teeth are excellent. My bone density tests each time have shown improvement to the extent I was able to stop Fosamax two weeks ago. I will get another bone density in two years and if I back track I will start it up again. | F | 69 | 14 years | 11/9/2008 | 5 | Severe Osteoporosis | I have mild joint pain, but it is impossible to say that is from the Fosamax. I attribute it to the aging process and my strenuous exercise. I do need annual upper endoscopy because of a family history of cancer and it does show mild esophogeal erosions, so now I take Prilosec as a protectant. | I was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in my forties, after ovarian cancer surgery (and, thus, instant menopause, with loss of hormones) and chemotherapy. The Fosamax has made an unbelievable improvement in my bones and I no longer have osteoporosis, but only some osteopenia. I wonder if there could be other reasons all these women experience such problems? I am afraid NOT to continue taking it! | F | 56 | 13 years | 11/5/2008 | 5 | oestoeporosi | nauseated always feeling tired, joint pain everywhere ao much so it was hard to get up in the mornings. Told my doctor for years she kept saying no bad side effects known | F | 47 | 10 years | 7/25/2008 | 5 | osteoporosis | Great improvement!! | I can't say enough good about Fosamax. I had serious osteoporosis about 10 years ago when I started taking it (due to very early hysterectomy and medications)and the bone loss has slowly but completely been replaced. I love the stuff!! | F | 63 | 10 years | 2/3/2008 | 5 | osteopoena | None. Because my mother's spine had literally crumbled in her late eighties my doctor sent me to a university program where the treating physician did nothing but treat and research bone loss. | My initial DEXA T-score was -2.5 after 2 years and 3 measurements on the same machine, by the same technician, read by the same doctor, my T-score was -0.4, a staggering improvement. If you are lucky enough to have no side effects this is an effective drug. If you can't take it and have osteoporosis I urge you to seek another solution. My mother suffered excruciating pain, she was on morphine for 8 years and this was her only relief. | M | 70 | 6 years | 4/17/2007 | 5 | osteopenia | None | A little over two years ago, I saw my doctor because of horrible back and neck pain. An X-Ray allowed my doctor to identify an unexplained compression fracture at C6. That lead to a DEXA scan and the diagnosis of osteopenia. My doctor prescribed 35 mg of FOSAMAX once a week. I must confess that I find FOSAMAX very expensive for my budget, so I have skipped some weeks as other medications have a higher priority for me. Today I learned that a November 6, 2006 DEXA scan was normal. I'm very happy to learn this. I have had no side effects that I could idenitify or otherwise attribute to FOSAMAX. I'm very satisfied with the results I have obtained from FOSOMAX. Thanks. | M | 67 | 2 years | 11/13/2006 | 5 | osteopena | I have been taking Fosamax for 1 year. The 1st pill I took I had severe vertigo for about 2hrs. The 2nd pill I took I had severe stomach cramps, especially at night, after the 6th day they stopped & I have not had any stomach cramps since. occasionaly I will have heartburn. No other symptoms. I have had problems with both of my hips for years (think it's arthritis), however, have had no pain in my hips since taking Fosamax. | although I have not had any major side effects, I am willing to put-up with the side effects, unless they are life threating. My sister at the age of 56, got into her bathtub one day, and her hip completely collapsed into itself. After having her hip replaced it was determined that she has severe osteoporosis. She had no idea she had osteo. She took Fosamax for a year, her hip had improved, but her spine was worse, so her doctor switched her to actinel. She has not had any side effects from either one. My mother who is 82 has bone loss and has been taking Fosamax for 2yrs. and has had no side effects. I talked to my doctor & my sister talked to her doctor about the jaw problems & they both said there was a problem there before these people started using fosamax. My doctor said there has been very few cases of the jaw problem. Much rather put up with the minor side effects than not be able to walk. | F | 60 | 1 years | 11/2/2006 | 5 | osteopenia | none that I can ascribe to Foxamax | Took this for almost 5 years. My bone density stayed about the same at first, but in this last test it is now up quite a bit and in the NORMAL range - hooray - I also excercise a lot and take calcium (citrate and carbonate, plus a regulated amount of vitamin D in winter and a regulated amount of magnesium and a stool softener, no caffeine). I've worked hard at this and am very conscientious (consciencious??). My Dr. believes there is no reduction in bone breakage past the five year mark on this drug. I am going off and happy. | F | 57 | 4.9 years | 10/30/2006 | 5 | osteoporosis | I used the 5 rating so you all will see this. My first rating is buried somewhere - it was a 2. See an endocrinologist and have your parathyroid checked. Go to www.parathyroid.com. You will learn so much and posiblly find the cure, not a band aid for the problem of osteoporosis. I did. | F | 51 | 10 years | 10/2/2006 | 5 | Signs of osteopenia | None. Fosamax was prescribed because my bone density showed a weakness in one area and was considered osteopenic. | My bone density has improved and shows all areas to be in the normal range now. My doctor recommended that I go off the drug for a year because of the possible side effects and then reevaluate a year from now. | F | 66 | 4 years | 9/14/2006 | 5 | Osteoporosis | When I first started talking the pills I had Flu like symptoms and joint pain. I would take the pill on Sundays so that I had the whole day to relax at home to deal with the symptoms. After several months those symptoms went away. Now it have been three years and I am having stomach issues. I take Protonix 40mg to help deal with the upset stomachs. | While this pill does have some bad side effects I would not stop taking it. When I was 19 years old the doctors found sever osteoporosis. My Bone density was at -2.51. For years my doctors tested me for every strange diease and tried several drugs to increase my bone density. Nothing worked. After just two year on Fosamax weekly my bones went from -2.51 to -1.9. I am due for another yearly bone density scan in a month and I can't wait. There is a good change that by now my osteoprosis is gone. The effects are worth being cured from osteoprosis. | F | 28 | 3 years | 9/11/2006 | 5 | I have osteoporisus | I have experienced no side effects. I take it on Sunday morning before I start getting ready for church and by the time we get to buy coffee it has been at least an hour. One time I drank coffee within 30 minutes and had a little indigestion. | I have been taking fosamax for over 5 years and I am real particular that I do not drink coffee for at least an hour, maybe a little more. It has taken my hip pain away and I have no other pain. I am very active and have no other medical problems, so I feel very fortunate. I think if you are very careful to take it exactly like it says with plenty of water and not eat or drink or lay back down for 30 minutes, you will do fine taking it. I recommend it for all these reasons above. If they change, then I will stop taking it. | F | 71 | 5 days | 8/17/2006 | 5 | Osteoporosis | Heart Attack Symptoms/Hospitalized | STOP TAKING FOSAMAX OR ACTONEL & READ THE #1 RATINGS BEFORE YOU READ THE #5 RATINGS...I WOULD BET MERCK WROTE THE 5'S - SEE FOR YOURSELF & SCROLL DOWN TO THE #1'S | F | 62 | 6 weeks | 7/29/2006 | 5 | to increase bone density | None! I have had no side effects from taking this medication. | I am not due for retesting for a year or two, so won't know how well it "worked" until then. I have confidence that it will work, however. | F | 64 | 2 years | 4/4/2006 | 5 | Osteoporosis of the hip and spine | Slight heartburn at times,occasional loose stools,some itching at times. Bone density has increased, side effects very low. | Been taking for 6 years. Mother has extreme oteoporosis. Has been wonderful for me | F | 6 years | 1/16/2006 | 5 | Fibrous Dysplasia | Occcasional heartburn and acid reflux - related to Fosamax?? | This medication was the best thing that happened to me since I was diagnosed with this rare disease at age 18. The pain is GONE and I can have a normal active life. I have some of the problems mentioned in other posts, but don't we all? I can't really lay the blame on Fosamax. And I take 40 mg daily!! My insurance company has a fit but my doctor makes a personal appeal on my behalf. He is worried how long-term use at this high dosage may affect my liver. I go for annual check-ups and things are good after 7+ years at this dosage. | F | 42 | 7 years | 9/7/2005 | 5 | Seen people with osteoporosis | Please listen to what your doctor says about your health condition before reading these comments as everyone is different and therefore respond differently to the same medication. Fosamax is a great drug and I've seen heaps of people whose bones were kept strong and healthy because of it. If it weren't for Fosamax, they wouldn't be able to walk around and do that sort of things as they do so now. If you do find you have any complaints or feel that you experience any side effects, it's always best to tell the doctor and he'll help you figure out an alternative. Booklet instructions are always a great helping tool, and it's good to follow the guidelines on Fosamax, e.g. take half an hour before breakfast and a big glass of water, etc. Please don't just stop taking it just because you hear other people do so, they could be causing alot of problems to their health because of it .. don't make the same mistake! | F | | 7/30/2005 | 5 | extreme bone density | A lot of leg cramping and stiffness, especially hips and legs. | I was told 8 years ago by gyn that if I didn't take Foxamax I would end up in wheelchair. I had a very bad car accident and all bones were broken 15 years ago. I did everything I was told, I exercise and eat right but think I will stop taking the drug after reading the comments. I never thought the drug was causing the other pains. | F | 60 | 8 years | 4/8/2005 | 5 | extreme osteoporosis | This is the easiest drug to take--I've experienced no side effects at all. Just have to take a full glass of water and delay breakfast for 1/2 hour once a week. My sister, however, had heartburn from her first dosing and discontinued. This is a well known possible side effect that affects some people. | Unfortunately, my extreme genetic osteoporosis is not improving very much--but it's also not getting worse. I'll keep taking for a few more years to see if things improve or switch to another drug for better efficacy. | M | 42 | 2 years | 2/5/2005 | 5 | Bone loss | None | Bone loss has been abated. Have excellent growth...75%. Will soon be done. | F | 71 | 1.5 years | 10/30/2004 | 4 | osteopenia | none | My bone density plummeted. After taking Fosamax for 3 years it was back to the baseline | F | 68 | 3 years 70mg 1X W | 8/26/2016 | 4 | Osteoporosis from cancer drugs | I have not had anything that I could put down to side effects. | I have been prescribed this drug to help the restoring of my bones. Osteoporosis due to cancer drugs. In a year I will be able to see if this drug has done its job through a bone density scan. At the moment my bones are like a 70yr old. | F | 52 | 4 months 70mg 1X W | 2/25/2015 | 4 | osteopenia | no side effects | F | 57 | 5 years 35 mg 1X W | 8/18/2014 | 4 | Osteoporosis/hyperparathyroidism | No side affects. Feel good on it. | I hope everyone with osteoporosis asks their doc to do a calcium and parathyroid blood test (done at the same time) to determine whether their osteoporosis is caused by hyperparathyroidism. This is usually caused by ae small not cancerous growth on the parathyroid (not thyroid) gland. When removed , the osteoporosis is usually reversed. | F | 73 | 4 months 70 1X W | 6/20/2013 | 4 | Osteoporosis | none to my knowledge. | I never felt any different, other than general aches and pains of growing old, and I believe all the many complaints of the people who responded with opinions of what they THINK resulted by taking Fosamax could be results of many, many other problems. I recently had a bone density exam and while it showed more deterioation than my test 10 years ago, my doctor said it did not show as much as is normal for that number of years, so it must be doing some amount of good. | F | 86 | 15 years 70mg 1X W | 5/15/2011 | 4 | Osteopenia | After bone density test at age 51 indicated osteopenia, my GYN prescribed weekly Foxamax, After 2 years, my bone density improved. I did not experience any negative side effects until recently, I have had severe itching around waist, back, elbows and back of knees. I don't know if this is related to Fosamax. I hadn't been aware of this site but after reading so many negative side effects, I am stopping Fosamax. I will continue Calcium, Vitamin D, Fish Oil and exercise. | F | 55 | 5 years 70 MG 1X W | 3/6/2011 | 4 | osteoporosis/broke hip | No side effects but have decided to take myself off the medication because of the all negative findings. I also take calcium, D, etc. and HOPE that this will suffice along with exercise. I am worried because I haven't gone thru menopause yet when I know bone loss is more rapid. I hope I am doing the right thing. | F | 49 | 5 years 1X W | 1/1/2011 | 4 | on threshold for osteoporosis | Nothing serious, possibly increased intestinal gas but not sure if that is related. | After 2 years on fosamax (only 35 mg/week) my bone density increased about 3%, whereas density had been rapidly decreasing previously despite taking calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D and doing weight bearing exercise. I will continue for another year and will then consider a 6 month to 1 year "holiday" from the drug. After retest of bone density will decide whether to return to fosamax. | F | 64 | 2 years 35 mg 1X W | 3/3/2010 | 4 | dr.recommendation | I had been very satisfied with fosamex and had no side effects until this past Monday, when I was hospitalized with Atrial Fibrillation | This past Monday I was hospitalized with Atrial Fibrillation which took 24 hours to flip back to normal. My cardiac Dr. told me in no uncertain terms that this is one of the side effects of Fosamex and I needed to stop immediately. If you have any kind of cardiac problems, stay away from Fosamex. The cure is worse than the problem. | F | 63 | 10 years 70 mg 1X W | 2/25/2010 | 4 | Osteopenia | Luckily I have no reaction once-weekly when taking Fosamax 70MG. Take pill then work out one hour on recumbent & incline-treadmill. Not sure if Fosamax (and/or Zocor 20MG) contributed to below: 1) Root canal (R bottom) possibly fr Fosamax OR due to large filling~. Slow healing then pain in area persisted for four years 2) Gums seem more recessed in last few years. Always had great gums & took good care of teeth. Floss at bedtime, brush 2x day 3) Bilateral Chronic Achilles Tendonitis for 2+ years 4) Tender all over to the touch past four years | At first 2 year Bone Density check, Fosamax had moved range from Osteopenia into low-normal. At every 2 year density check, I slightly gain bone mass or remain unchanged. I have taken NO BREAK from Fosamax. Should I? Drank lots of milk during younger years, took plenty of Calcium during my 30-40s. Age 34 ovarian cancer - right fallopian and ovary removed. Age 38 periods stopped. I was prime to get osteoporosis. Not sure whether to stop Fosamax. I was told by prominent doctor in Jan2010 that Fosamax is now CAUSING fractures. What have you all heard on that front? | F | 59 | 7 years 70 MG 1X W | 2/21/2010 | 4 | osteoporosis | No side effects. Have been on it about 8 years now. Did switch from pill to liquid form, thinking that it might be easier on my stomach overall (never had stomach problems, tho). Bone mass has not changed much, but hasn't gotten worse, so maybe it did help. | M | 56 | 8 years | 9/30/2009 | 4 | osteopenia/mild | None | have taken fosamax for two years now and no noticeable symptoms but am aware of the potential side effects | F | 50 | 2 years | 9/14/2009 | 4 | severe osteoporosis | extreme muscle pain all over /put on Viox/then mobic /gastro problems/gall bladder out/HAVE BEEN ON FOSAMAX FOR 3 YEARS AFTER GETTING UTERINE CANCER FROM TOO MUCH ESTROGEN/TESTOSTERONE IMPLANTS/BONES WERE SATISFACTORY FOR MY AGE SO WAS TOLD TO CEASE TAKING IT ..WAS TOLD BY MY ENOCRINOLOGIST IT WILL STAY IN MY SYSTEM FOR 11 YEARS | HAVE WEEKLY MASSAGE /GO TO A NATUROPATH FOR MAGNESIUM AND OTHER MINERALS ..TRY TO HOLIDAY IN THE HEAT TO LOOSEN MUSCLES /COLD WEATHER KILLS/ TOO MANY COMPLAINTS /TOO MANY PAINS /STUFF STILL IN MY SYSTEM | F | 66 | 3 years | 8/18/2009 | 4 | osteoporosis | I started on the once a week dose and had severe pains in all my muscles. I switched to the once a day dose and have not had trouble for about 9 years. | It stopped my bone deterioration. I had reflux surgery before I went on the drug so perhaps that is why I do not have gastric problems. | M | 64 | 9 times | 8/18/2009 | 4 | Osteopenic and taking femara | Hardly any gastric effect. Some jaw pain on one side that my dentist does not associate with Fosamax - I have had a lot of work on that side too and have a history of TMJ - but I am watching this closely. | I am on the once-weekly dose of the generic form of this drug along with a daily Femara. After a year, my bone density had gone from osteopenic to normal. I drink a 16-oz glass of water and am careful about sitting upright and not eating for 30-45 minutes. The dentist did suggest that I might not need to take Fosamax continuously for the entire five years I am on Femara and I will discuss this with the oncologist. | F | 67 | 19 months | 8/14/2009 | 4 | osteopenia | None that I can recall. I was on it about 6 months, then my insurance deductible allowed Evista, so I switched only because Evista is said to help prevent breast cancer. | F | 58 | 6 months | 7/30/2009 | 4 | osteoporosis | None | Upper spine density improved but hip density continues to decline but at a much slower rate. | F | 58 | 5 years | 6/16/2009 | 4 | Osteopenia | A little extra gassiness | Of course the published side effects worried me, but Mayo Clinic reports that osteonecrosis is quite rare, and usually occurs in cancer patients and people who have had dental procedures like extractions. My dexascan after 2 years showed considerable improvement. I also exercise, lift weights, eat greens and yogurt | F | 63 | 3 years | 2/7/2008 | 4 | osteoporosis | none | Can't blame my occasional acid reflux on it since I had that before too. I have hypothyroid (medication for that helped contribute to the low bone density) and now am having problems with high platlet count. Was checking in here if it could be related but don't see anyone else with this problem. It does sound like the aching in my left pelvis could be a combo of fossamax & the doctor drilling there for bone marrow recently. | F | 46 | 22 months | 11/26/2007 | 4 | osteoporosis | None, been taking weekly for 6 yrs, have improved bone density. Does the FDA monitor this web site? | M | 68 | 6 years | 7/23/2007 | 4 | osteoporosis | none | F | 53 | 90 days | 2/25/2007 | 4 | osteoporosis | Bloating, constipation, pelvic pain after bowel movement, mild short term memory loss, increased muscle stiffness. (I have fibromyalgia). Fosamax increased my bladder's sensitivity to diet ( I have interstitial cystitis which I control with diet, a heparinoid (Elmiron), and Tofranil (a tricyclic antidepressant). | Fosamax caused colon cramping, gas, and pain every day for 2 yrs I've taken it. However, it did improve my bone density in femur about 2% and hip 33% in that time period (lumbar vert. L4 and L5 showed no improvement). Finally, at long last, I've found what ameliorates or eliminates the side effects: 1) Levsin, extended release. Take 1/2 dose in morn when I get up, half dose later in day. (Enablex works too). 2) Another approach is even better and enables me to avoid the Levsin too, on most days. I avoid eating anything with wheat. (Now this is strange considering I've been allergy tested and have no wheat allergy, nor do I have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. I also never had any intestinal or other problems with wheat before I took the Fosamax.) Avoiding wheat is hard to do in America. So, I tried quitting the Fosamax and waiting to see how long it was before the daily pelvic pain was completely gone. It took 5 weeks off the drug for the pelvic symptoms to subside. During th | F | 54 | 2 years | 12/26/2006 | 4 | DEXA Scan -2.5 | I had heartburn/reflux for a few years before starting Fosamax. I quit coffee all together for the GIRD. I was on 70mg Fosamax for a year and complained about 2 days of GIRD with every dose, despite changing my diet and a proton pump inhibitor (acid pump plugger)Now I'm on Actonel, 35mg. Same molecule, but 50% lower dose, Less GIRD. No new DEXA yet and its two years. | I had to find a female GYN before I could get a DEXA scan. I challenged my doc about why take this heartburn provolker, then he showed me the graph about just what -2.5 means. I started periods when I was 10 and stopped when I was 45. The early start and early stop is a bone loss risk factor. | F | 50 | 2 years | 12/5/2006 |