Drug Ratings for FOSAMAXAverage Rating: 1.4 (1142 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken from shortest to longest (with no time reported listed first) 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 | 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 | 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 | 3 | osteo prevention | none - but I'm very irregular about taking it. Doctor first prescribed Actonel - and that caused ringing in my ears. Then the once a month $85 Boniva pill - and I experienced unbelievable intestinal pain for about 4 days. There were times I couldn't stand up. Thinking that perhaps it was not the Boniva, I tried it one more month. Excruciating PAIN!!! If you're looking for an alternative to Fosamax, I don't recommend either Actonel or Boniva. | F | 60 | | 2/24/2006 | 3 | osteopenia | I have been taking Fosamax for about 1 1/2 years for my osteopenia, which I was shocked to hear that I had, as I had no symptoms. At my last checkup, I was told the good news that my bone density had improved, and my spine compressions had decreased. When I first began taking Fosamax, the only side effect I noticed was that sometimes I would have slight reflux. However, for about the last six months, pain in my shoulders and arms has increased so much that, at times, I can barely raise my arms over my head without moaning. I have also noticed severe stiffness in my hips, knees, and legs in the mornings or if I sit for a long period of time. The only medications I take are Fosamax once per week and occassionally an antihistamine or ibuprofen. The only daily supplements I take are calcium and a vitamin. I'm wondering what to do; I guess I'll call my doctor and report my symptoms and see what his recommendations are. Ugh! | I've been taking Fosamax for about 1 1/2 years. | F | 49 | | 10/29/2005 | 2 | osteopenia | See next description - Note jaw pain - Research "osteonecrosis" aka "jaw death" as this is something to discuss before you have any dental work. I have taken Fosamax for 4 1/2 years and will not continue. | F | 58 | | 5/17/2006 | 2 | osteoporosis and osteopenia | Taken Fosamax 70mg for about 1 1/2 years. For the last month and a half noticed I can not sleep on my right side. My jaw starts to ache to the point where I got headaches and also my whole left side was sore (felt as if it was inflamed). Also noticed extreme tiredness and exhausted feeling. About a month ago I felt pain on my right wrist. I am planning to see my doctor and want to quit this Fosamax. Am afraid of the jaw side effects. I do not know if my bone problem has improved as I am also taking a lot of other bone supplements (vitamins). | F | 56 | | 9/13/2006 | 2 | osteopenia | Had only taken for two weeks (once a week tab) and had chronic sore throat. Stomach pain was constant and also joint pain that I had never had before. | ???Is it worth it. Do the side effects subside after taking for a while, because I don't know if I want to continue. | F | 51 | | 8/12/2004 | 2 | osteopenia | No real side effects but the result has been a flop. | I have been taking Fosomax from 2006-2009 and had a Dex scan this October that actually showed that I lost more bone density, how can that be? this does not seem right at all. Please write in if you have had the same kind of results after a long period of taking this drug. | F | 50 | | 10/22/2009 | 2 | Bone loss | I took the 70mg pill on a Monday and by Sunday I was experiencing bad back pain, shoulder, and chest pain. | I took one dose, but will not continue to take this medication and pray this pain goes away. | F | 53 | | 12/14/2009 | 1 | Ostoperoses | Jaw Pain, Jaw shrinkage, bloating | No improvement in Bone Density. Been taking it for about 10 years. | F | 74 | | 10/19/2009 | 1 | Ostioporosis | Debilitating muscle and bone pain in upper leg groin and around to lower back Iam a 74 year old health women, active,social etc.........now can only sit | This is a poison drug and should be off the market Merck should pull this drug....but to greedy | F | 74 | 70 1X W | 6/25/2016 | 1 | osteoporosis | confusion, severe pain in shoulders, back. chills headache, nausea, irritation in throat, dizziness. all this in just hours of taking I pill. shortness of breath, | I would never take this drug again. My doctor advised me to stop taking it. Where some reactions have gone the pain in my shoulders and back remain. | F | 63 | 70mg 1X W | 7/5/2017 | 1 | osteo | After taking Fosamax for approx. eight years I was prescribed Nexium and then Klacid HP7 - from that day on I have experienced daily, hoeendous pain travelling thro' every part of my body! I have been diagnosed with(since proved wrong) Rheumatoid Arthritis and Leukaemia! I've had Bone Marrow Biopsy and numerous tests - I have a phobia of needles so this has added to the horror. I want this drug taking off the market - my Dr. has finally conceded after over a year of my emphasising it was probably the original combination of drugs that triggered the above continuous pain and possibly changed my blood metabolism, & may be now slowly working it way thro' my system and perhaps healing itself - my doctor concedes at long last it MAY be - probably these drugs!!! But he said we can't prove this theory - I have news for him - it came overnight and I have and am still suffering! I think the pharaceutical company has a lot to answer for - I am worried that other people may suffer the de | I have sold a beautiful Queen sized bed because at one stage I was like a stranded whale trying to get out of bed. I tore 1 1/2 tendons in my left arm trying to get out of bed! I invested in an electric bed but until I have had pain killers and a shower I cannot move my left shoulder and arm first thing in the morning. The pain and utter exhaustion I have suffered because of these drugs is inbelievable unless one has experienced it. I am going to begin more physio with a new physio- so far physio has not helped me. The Dr. gave me a cortisone injection - it lasted overnight! Until taking these drugs - I was active and a young person for my age. Now my life is changed completely. - | F | 74 | | 1/8/2009 | 1 | severe osteopenia | three years ago was started on 70mg weekly. within the first week had severe migrain and vomited. wasn't sure if fosamax caused. quit taking. started again one year later on small dose every day. Again migrain with vomiting. quit and at the request of my doctor tried one more time on 35mg weekly. And AGAIN severe migrain. I threw the fosamax away. | F | 55 | | 7/12/2008 | 1 | osteoporosis | I have been on fosamax for three weeks. Almost instantly, my glands in my throat started to get sore, as did my glands deep behind and in my ears. Also, I find it hard to get a restful night's sleep; not a problem before I started taking fosamax. For the past three weeks I also feel as if I have a mild case of the flu; not so severe to have to be bed ridden; but I feel crummy most of the time. I would be interested to see if anyone has experienced these same syptoms. | DO NOT try Boniva! I was on it for 6mos.; experienced black outs, confusion, severe head pain and dizziness. The doc. thought I had a brain tumor! All symptoms stopped as soon as I went off it. Boniva is another name for POISON! Does anyone know of any other bone builder that works and that you can live with? | F | 55 | | 2/22/2009 | 1 | Serious Fosamax Side Effects - Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Although some of the aforementioned Fosamax side effects can potentially manifest themselves in a severe nature, the most serious Fosamax side effect is the development of a bone disease called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), or "dead jaw." Osteonecrosis is a type of bone disease that is commonly associated with large joints like the hips, knees, ankles or shoulders. The onset of ONJ is linked with the temporary or permanent loss of blood to bone tissue, leading to death of the tissue and the eventual collapse of the bone. There are approximately 10,000 to 20,000 new cases of osteonecrosis diagnosed each year in the United States, most of which occur as a result of some type of bone injury such as a fracture or dislocation. Fosamax users run the risk of developing a serious case of osteonecrosis of the jaw and suffering through the extreme pain associated with the death of jawbone tissue. The pain associated with | F | | 3/14/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | | 7/7/2008 | 1 | prescribed by dr for osteopenia | I'm not sure if it is related to fosamax but did not experience any or these symptoms before. I have tenderness in upper back of mouth close to where wisdom tooth was. Jaws ache and pain sometimes under ears. Throat gets raw feeling at times. This comes and goes. It is very annoying. | I stopped taking fosamax. After experiencing this discomfort, I did some research and learned about all the side effects of fosamax. I was on this drug for about 3 years. Anyone else have these symptoms? | F | 59 | | 5/27/2008 | 1 | My mom's taking it. | My mom's taken Fosamx since 1995. She also has RA. About a year ago she fainted, broke her shoulder and was diagnosed with A-fib. She has always complained about her heart feeling funny. Her age is 79. | I was diagnosed with osteoporosis a week ago. All the choices were trotted out for me to pick from. I'm glad I found this website. My Dexa scores seem weird to me. Hip is normal, spine is low except for bottom section which is a -3.1 and that makes my total score a -2.5. I'm trying natural ways right now since I never took calcium before (upset my stomach) | F | 56 | | 9/18/2008 | 1 | osteoporosis | Prescribed it, won't take it. | My doctor is insisting I take this drug, but I have declined, even before I found this website! The fact that it said about loose teeth on the instructions worried me, so I researched. I asked my GP for a vit D blood test, and she refused. Instead she sent me pages of a printout from NICE,(National Institute of Clinical Excellence) about recommended treatment for osteoporosis etc. She wrote on the bottom "I suggest you TAKE this drug!" NICE recommend this drug. It is NICE that we need to be challenging here, because it is their recommendations that the doctors are sticking so doggedly to. Perhaps we should send a copy of all these comments, how could they ignore that? | F | 61 | | 9/22/2009 | 1 | osteoporosis | I have been taking Fosamax and am experiencing prickling sensations all over my skin. The nerves inside my legs feel like they are trembling/twitching. I took Fosamax for 5 years, and had no problems until recently. Does anyone have this? I am now off Fosamax for one month and still have these feelings. I am not sure what to do about this. I am not sure if this is related to the Fosamax or not. How did you get help? What type of Doctor did you see and what did he or she do to help you? I am in NY. Where was your Doctor located/name? I am also taking Evista and Zocor. Any chance you are taking these, too? Fosamax did not improve my bone density until I started taking Evista and magnesium with it, but then I got these feelings. | 5 years | F | 60 | | 2/20/2005 | 1 | | 4/28/2005 | 1 | osteopenia | heartburn, bones spurs on my feet,severe joint pain | M | 61 | | 7/4/2007 | 1 | Osteoporosis | I have small pieces of bone working out of the upper gum. I am able to dislodge the pieces, but within 24-48 hours, another piece is working its way out. I have worn dentures for over 42 years. I don't know if this is caused by Fosamax. | Has anyone else had this problem and if so, please email me. | F | 70 | | 5/30/2007 | 1 | osteopenia | aching in my joints, heart burn, bone spurs on my toes | | 1/21/2008 | 1 | Osteoperosis | My best friend started on Fosamax. She developed severe side effects. Several others nearly died. Please contact me for more info. | This drug can be deadly. Please read the book, "The Myth of Osteoperosis by Gillian Sanson. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG. | F | 66 | | 3/30/2008 | 1 | Osteopenia | Pain in right shoulder, arm, left and right rib cage, left hip and back plus joint between right thumb and lst finger. Pain is mostly in muscles and nerves. | This pain has been very debilitating. I am on constant pain medication and am now using a walker or wheelchair. All x-rays and blood tests have been normal. This started soon after I had a tooth extracted by an oral surgeon on 2/1/08. I have been taking Fosamax for 9 years. | F | 79 | | 4/21/2008 | 1 | osteoprosis | Stomach ulcers that eroded and caused severe bleeding from an artery close to stomach. Also severe swelling in both legs whic turned bright red and developed massive blisters that burst and drained for two weeks. | I would never take this drug that almost killed me again. Very dangerous. I ended up in the intensive care unit at hospital from severe bleeding from stomach ulcers that eroded close to an artery. Blood prssure dropped so low that I flat-lined. Had to be given 6 pints of blood. Legs are still very painful from the huge blisters that they had on them. Unable even to stand up at the time and am still in the hospital and don't know for how long. This medicine is very dangerous and almost killed me.... | F | 69 | | 2/9/2007 | 1 | osteopenia | I started taking Fosamax 11/04 and really thought I had no problems with it. However, starting in January of 06, I began having terrible sciatica. I could not walk or drive by March. It was diagnosed by MRI as a synovial cyst of L5 pushing on the sciatic nerve and I had physical therapy, acupuncture, 2 epidural spinal injections. Nothing worked. I had a foraminectomy 4/11 and surgeon said what he removed was a combination bone spur/synovial cyst. The pain was gone almost immediately, but I almost died anyway as the night of the surgery (outpatient) I had a seizure and was rushed to the ER with hyponatremia (low sodium) If they had not recognized what it was and treated it appropriately I would be a vegetable or dead. As it is, after 2 days in the ICU plus 2 more, I feel sort of OK, except during the 2 seizures, I chewed through my tongue and cannot eat/drink without pain still, although it will supposedly eventually heal. Before I had the surgery I wondered about the Fosamax and w | One and a half years | F | 63 | | 4/22/2006 | 1 | osteoporosis | Get the latest news on Fosamax side effects and share your experiences at http://gotbones.healthdiaries.com | F | | 7/5/2006 | 1 | osteopenia | I was just diagnosed with osteopenia and prescibed to take the Fosamax but after reading all the comments on this site I dont want to even start it. I have been doing weights for about 10 years at least twice a week and running or walking every day. I already have all the joint aches and had TMJ, just fractured my ankle in Dec and took forever to heal.....so it sounds like I may just make myself worse taking this!!! I think I will pass on it | F | 55 | | 4/4/2007 | 1 | | 7/11/2006 | 1 | I stumbled across this website and was reading the comments on Fosamax. I am writing to let everyone know of an article Ingerman & Horwitz, LLP wrote about Fosamax and its link to jaw decay. The article is very informative and can be found at http://www.ihlaw.com/topics/fosamax/consequences/ . I encourage anyone interested to take a look at it. | | 1/22/2007 | 1 | osteopenea | Weight gain, depression, anxiety, sore joints, teeth/gum pain, chest pain, exhausted, mood swings. Have had many tests and all come out normal. Stopped Fosamax two weeks ago....afraid of this drug. | Bone density test improved slightly. I have never broken a bone in my life and felt much better BEFORE taking this drug. | F | 63 | | 7/26/2006 | 1 | ostepenia | stomach upset | F | 60 | | 8/2/2006 | 1 | Ostopenia | I posted back on 1/4/2010 with severe pain in legs, hips, chest pain etc. I have now been off the meds for almost a year and still am having pain in back and hips. I also now have a labrial tear that I did not have before taking this med. I know the med. didn't cause the tear but I believe that it happened while have so much pain on the med that I don't even know when it happened. | Now that I have been off of the med for a year and still having so much pain, I am wondering how many others are still having this much pain and if anyone has an idea how long this pain will last. I have to go to an Orthopedic dr that specializes in labrial tears now for this problem that probably wouldn't have happened had I not been so unsteady on my feet due to Fosamax generic. | F | 55 | 1X W | 11/14/2011 | 1 | I | F | | 3/19/2006 | 1 | 0steopenia | very tired, groggy,achey, knot on breast and near bottom I | I would like to know how fosamax is made and what it is made of. | F | 56 | | 3/22/2006 | 1 | Osteoperosis | All I can say is that everyone out there needs to wake up and realize that Fosamax is deadly. I have witnessed two of my friends go from the picture of health to the picture of death after taking Fosamax. The side effects cannot be overlooked. If you want more information you can e-mail me. | Fosamax is recommended for Osteoperosis, bone loss, etc. But what the drug company Merck does not tell you is that the side effects are severe, not only esophagus problems, but severe pain, neck problems, and many, many more problems. Please read this message board and get educated. It is your life! | F | 64 | | 9/6/2005 | 1 | osteopenia | SEvere low back pain. Difficult to get out of a car, chair or bed. Tried physical therapy and acupuncture. Nothing helped. Took for 2 1/2 years. NEVER AGAIN | From what I have read, this should be used for people with cancer in the bones, not mild osteopenia. | F | 59 | | 9/23/2006 | 1 | osteopenia | Severe headache the first day. Second day I felt like I was 100 years old. All my bones & joints ached. I had chest pain & ended up in the the emergency room the next day. I will never take this medicine again! Be warned!!! | | 8/22/2006 | 1 | osteoporosis | Started taking Fosamax in 2002 and stopped in 2004 due to side effects. My doctor recommended that I try Actonel so in July 04 I started on Actonel and stopped taking it 2 months later because of stiffness in my hands, feet and legs especially upon waking in the morning. Had several blood test done to look for clues as to what might be causing this - all test came back normal. I have been off Actonel since October of 2004 and 1 year and 5 months later I can finally say that the stiffness and pain I was experiencing has finally subsided. I hope that I have not done any permanent damage to my health by taking these two drugs. | F | 59 | | 3/24/2006 | 1 | ospeopenia in my hip | Acid reflux, heartburn, irritable bowl syndrome - alternating constipation and diahrea, loose bowels, muscle pains, worsening migraines. | Stop taking this immediately. The side effects are horrible the more you read about it. I'm still trying to work it out of my system after I stopped taking it about 2 months ago when I realized it was the cause of my symptoms. My doctor put me on this medication because of a slight loss of bone density in my hip caused by Aromasin that I have been taking for breast cancer. Now I take a full regimen of a bone building multi vitamin (containing calcium, boron, magnesium), Vitamin D3 (lots), Vitamin K, Stronthium, Iprivlavone and Black Cohosh (for menopausal symptoms). I won't know the results of this natural regimen until my next bone scan but anything has to be better than Fosamax! | F | 48 | 35 mg 1X D | 3/15/2010 History | 1 | I suffer with severe pain in my abdomen when sitting. | I've taken Fosamax for approx. 6 years. I have suffered for over 5 years with terrible pain in my abdomen. At times, I cannot even sit at all. I've been to my family physician wich the problem, who sent me to a GI doctor. Neither doctor found anything wrong after many, many tests. They finally ruled out colon cancer, stomach cancer, chrones disease, etc. but never knew what was causing my pain. The GI doctor has me taking probiotics in case it is bad bacteria in my gut (I fee this is the new "buzz word" in medicine. I've done that for 6 to 8 months and it hasn't helped at all. A friend told me about Fosamax and the possibility that it wss the source of my problem and suggested I try stopping it. It has only been 3 weeks since I stopped so it is too soon to know. I don't know how long it takes to get it out of ones system. Does anyone else know? Has anyone else had a similar problem? | F | 63 | 70 mg 1X W | 7/8/2010 | 1 | Bone density test lower then before | After reading all the comments, I still refuse to take Fosamax My Dr. has been trying to get me on this drug after two Bone density test, second test worst then first! will go with natural remedies and vit.D, calcuim, and Nonie juice. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS CONCERN THIS DRUG! | F | 67 | 1X D | 7/14/2010 | 1 | osteoporosis | I took 4 doses of Alendronate in a one month period. My last dose was 12/16/2009 and I still have severe bone and muscle pain. This drug is POISON. I have such pain that I can only get around by using a walker or cane. The people who make this CRAP should be forced to take some of their own medicine and suffer like the victims they pushed it on. They wouldn't be able to open their wallets to put all the money their making by pushing this POISON on the unsuspecting public and the doctors who only listen to the drug companies instead of their patients!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The FDA is not out to protect the public, they only protect the Drug Companies. I have reported my severe side effects to both the FDA and the criminals who manufactured this drug and all I received was an e-mail letting me know they received my complaint. Nothing will be done about this drug until the lawyers get involved which shouldn't be too far off as they're always looking for ways | F | 60 | 70 mg 1X W | 8/21/2010 | 1 | Low bone density in spine | A bone density scan after a hip fracture (due to a very bad fall) showed reduction in density in spine only so Fosamax was prescribed. After being on it for about about six years, I was diagnosed as having a complete heart block with a very slow erratic heart rate. On subsequently reading adverse reports re Fosamax and the heart, I had a bone density test, which showed an improvement so decided to stop taking the drug - a friend who had stopped taking it two years ago because of "dead jaw" experienced no subsequent deterioration in bone density. I continued to take a natural bone density supplement and after only 4 years noticed that my pulse rate was faster and steadier. I had a heart monitor check check for a week about four months later which showed that my heart was back to normal. | I will never consider taking it again | F | 71 | 1X W | 11/24/2010 | 1 | Osteopenia | In Feb. 2008 the World Health Organization (WHO) published its new Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) to identify individuals at high risk for osteoporotic fracture. This new formula takes into account 11 other clinical risk factors besides BMD to calculate your 10 yr. probability of a fracture. PLEASE complete the on-line assessment form and show a copy to your doctor. (www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX or "Google" : FRAX) Also check out "Hotline: New NOF Guidelines and the WHO Fracture Risk Assessment Tool or FRAX" for more information. | I refused to take any bisphosphonates despite the "urgings" of 3 different doctors over the past 2 yrs. According to the new WHO Fracture Risk Assessment Tool(FRAX) my 10 yr. probability of major osteoporotic or hip fracture is 0%!! I now have PROOF to show those doctors that I do not require "treatment" for my osteopenia. FRAX puts low BMD into perspective as only one of the many risk factors for fractures. This is small comfort to all those who have already suffered the horrendous side effects of unnecessarily prescribed bisphosphonates, but in the future it will spare many others the pain of unneeded treatment. | F | 59 | 0 times | 5/24/2008 | 1 | Osteopenia | Ladies (and gentlemen), PLEASE google "FRAX" and learn all you can about the new NOF (National Osteoporosis Foundation) Guidelines and the World Health Organization's Fracture Risk Assessment Tool: FRAX. Complete the on-line assessment to calculate YOUR 10 yr. probability of a major osteoporotic or hip fracture. Then (this is the IMPORTANT part) tell any and/or all of the following about FRAX: your doctor(s), health care providers, pharmacists, the pharmaceutical companies that make bisphosphonates and other medications to treat osteoporosis, the FDA, health insurance companies, the news media, your family, friends and neighbors. | P.S. Oh, and will somebody please tell Sally Field about FRAX, too! | F | 59 | 0 times | 5/24/2008 | 1 | osteopenia/severe in left arm | I only took half of the 70mg tablet just to see how I would feel after reading about the side effects...nausea, cramps joint pain, flu like symptoms ect. I also saw this web site. I didn't have any effects from 1/2 the pill, but will not continue to take it. | I was prescribed actonel but my insurance would not pay for it, I asked how much it would cost out of pocket, the pharmacy told me $111.99 for 4 pills!! I laughed so hard, I could not believe it. I would not have taken actonel either, from what I've read about it. I was prescribed the generic for fosamax which was covered by insurance at a much cheaper cost. I did my homework and I read about the lawsuits against fosamax and reading this website. I called my Dr. and told him I would not take the fosamax. He tried to convice me to take it. I'm puzzled by some of the comments and why some people say they have extreme pain and other debilitating side effects but continue to take the pill. I don't know, but it makes sense to stop taking it and not suffer or try something else. I'm much younger than most people taking pills for bone loss, I play tennis and I work a lot and I want to continue to do both. It's seems like if I take these pills I will not be able to work or play tennis because of the horrible side effects or the potential for them. | F | 32 | 1 times | 9/26/2009 | 1 | Osteoporosis | Hip, groin, and femur pain, abdominal cramping and stomach upset worse at night during sleep, painful jaw/teeth. | I'm waiting for a return call from my Dr., to discuss. | F | 58 | 1 times | 6/6/2017 | 1 | osteoporosis | I was dx w/ osteoporosis after a recent bone scan. My prior test was 2 years ago and said I was osteopenia. My PCP wanted to start me on meds then but I refused due to side effects. I exercise, my wt. is WNL, I'm 60 years young. I decided to take the medication. Four days later I developed sudden stiff neck and bil joint pain of my thumbs. I called my PCP and was instructed to d'c the med.(which I already did) I'm two weeks past the first dose and still have the neck pain. I saw my holistic provider and through muscle testing she said my body does not like the Fosamax. I've started supplements and will continue to monitor my systems. I will NOT take these medications. | F | 60 | 1 times 35 1X W | 9/1/2015 | 1 | Osteoporosis prevention | Abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, headache, itching, and the feeling of being bitten or stung by an insect. No aches or pains yet...my Prednisone must be helping out there. | I was precribed Fosamax for osteoporosis prevention due to long term Prednisone use. I took my first weekly dose on March 22, 2008. If I had researched this drug that is no more than poison...I never would have taken it. I am deeply regretting the fact that I took that pill. I know that one pill was my first and last. I'll just be sure to get all the calcium and vitamin-D I can and hope for the best. The fact that this drug will be in my system for about 10 years is depressing. | F | 33 | 1 times | 3/28/2008 | 1 | Avascular Necrosis | The first evening after taking the generic version of Fosamax, Alendronate Sodium, I began to have pain in my neck and shoulders. After a poor nights sleep I thought I had just slept wrong and had a "stiff neck" a paracetamol later the pain in my neck subsided and then I began to suffer pain in my rib cage. My chest felt crushed as if I had done a belly flop onto concrete. The pain was especially severe in my sternum. The pain spread to my arms and lower back. I went to the pharmacy to ask if it was normal, the pharmacist said that "flu like" symptoms and musculo-skeletal pains were common. Besides the pain in my bones and muscles I also have cramping in my bowels. Despite the little comfort knowing that something else wasn't really wrong with me, I felt horrified that this drug caused so much pain after a single dose. I toyed with the idea that I would take my next scheduled dose, but after a sleepless night where even prescribed opiates didn't dull the pain and a | M | 30 | 1 times 70 1X W | 10/6/2010 | 1 | osteopenia spine | I took Fosamax for the first time on Sunday morning. By afternoon my thoracic/lumbar spine was aching. By Monday I had significant upper body pain which became unbearable for about an hr. then happened again on Tuesday. I was unable to sleep Tuesday night because of the pain which is somewhat better on Wed. but I do not plan to take another dose of this med. My ribs hurt significantly in my back constantly.I just hope this pain ends soon. I keep trying to "stretch" my trunk section to relieve the pain. I don't know what osteoporosis feels like but this doesn't seem worth it to me. Reading all these comments has really helped. Otherwise I might have gone to the ER thinking I was horribly ill. Good Luck to all who took this med and are trying to get back to normal. | F | 61 | 1 times 70 1X W | 2/9/2011 | 1 | have osteoporosis | I am still experiencing side effects, pain in my back, arms, hands, legs, shoulders, chest and rib area, a day afterwords I felt weak, feverish chills | I would not recommend any one take this at all. it should be taken off doctors lists | F | 41 | 1 times 1X W | 5/28/2010 | 1 | slight bone loss | SEVERE muscle & joint pain | Within 24 hours of once-a-week dose I felt like I had been beaten with a stick! Every muscle ached and joints gave sharp snaps, crackles & pops. Within 30 hours my sternum(breastbone)ached and the penny dropped - it had to be the drug. Tops of shoulders and upper back & spine where first to be assulted, then sternum, followed by mid-spine and shoulder blades. Couldn't sleep first night due to crackling joints & pain. At 36 hours pain moved to ankles, toes & soles of feet. Dosed 6 AM Saturday, it's now 3 PM Thursday...all muscles feel like the day after a too strenuous work out, and bottom of heels are still painful & walking is agony. Per Dr. DO NOT TAKE SECOND DOSE, call next week(or when I feel normal again)and she will consider another medication. This drug is a lawsuit waiting to happen. | F | 52 | 1 times | 10/20/2005 | 2 | osteoporosis | I have begun to feel aches and pains in hips and jaws. I have also just started to experience severe pain in my upper right shoulder blade the last 2 days. Am not sure if Alendronate is the cause but would have to assume so. | F | 49 | 2 times 70mg 1X W | 6/2/2011 | 2 | osteoporosis | first two days and nights headaches, then afternoon and night time fever like aches, then turned to diarrhea. my doctor says maybe something i ate or have a flu bug. i dont think so. in between fevers and diarrhea i feel great. advil and immodium ad not helping at all. | started taking alendronate sodium 70 mg (generic fosamax) 12 days ago (2 doses). i will not take anymore. | M | 44 | 2 times | 6/6/2009 | 1 | osteopenia | First back pain then severe stomach pains,constipation, bloating, arm pain, gall bladder stones and sludge | Two days after taking Fosamax I experienced severe pains in the lower sides of my back. Later these pains turned into a dull stomach ache. I was also constipated (abnormal for me)and bloated. I took Milk of Magnesia for the constipation. I took another dose of the 70 mg pill from h#ll as scheduled. Once again the bloating and mild to moderate stomach ache occured a couple of days later and by the third day I was in bed all day with severe stomach pains (7 on the pain scale). My doctor said to stop the medicine. My pains became localized pain in my upper right abdomen. My doctor scheduled me for a CAT scan and prescribed Prevacid for the pain. I could not drive myself to the test due to severe stomach pains in my upper right abdominal area. Shortly after my CAT, I was informed I had to go back for an ultra-sound of my gall baldder. My ultra-sound revealed stones and sludge in my gall bladder. I was told to go directly to the ER at the local hospital to have a doctor evaluate me. Well after 4 hours of lying in an ER hallway, I was told I need to have my gall bladder reomoved. Presently I am on a liquid diet and will be put on the gall bladder surgery schedule. I have never had gall bladder problems before taking Fosamax. I don't know whether my continued lethargy and feeling unmotivated and old is due to my liquid diet, dread of surgery or Fosamax after effects. I fear later effects from this drug as posted on this site and hope that mine will all be over soon. | F | 61 | 2 times | 4/12/2009 |