Seeking Moms Familiar with Fosomax or Other Meds for Osteopenia

Hi S.! It was recommended that my mom take Fosomax so we did the research...DO NOT TAKE IT...yes, after being on it for a while you might get a higher bone density test, but what they don't tell you, is that the mass is filled in with brittle bones...I would love to send you the article. What was then recommended by a nutrionist is a liquid calcium mineral supplement...after just 3 months on it, my mom had no calcium in her blood (a sign she was not absorbing the pill form), a higher bone density test and her parathyroid looked great, according to her doctor. Let me know if you want more inform...yes, it can be scary..the side effects alone launched us into the research mode...would love to get you more info...let me know! Thanks! C.

There are more natural ways to increase your bone mineral density (BMD), through both homeopathy & whole food concentrates. The side-effects do look scary....do consider your options!
In health,
Liz
Homeopath

I apologise for not responding to your request, I was actually wondering if you needed any help with your home based internet business or if you could direct me how to get started?

Sincerely
L.

My elderly aunt took Fosamax for several years and had none of the side effects you listed. She actually had osteoporosis. She never broke a bone tho she fell on the sidewalk several times.

I took a similar medication only temporarily while I was on a high dose of prednisone. I didn't experience any side affects. I think I took it for 1 year.

Do your research. I know someone who was on one of those and now has liver issues. A Chiropractor that I work for always recommends a liquid Calcium/Magnesium supplement. That form gets into your system better than Tums or Calcium pills.

Hi S.
Using thing natural like Horsetail and other hi mineral herbs is better than pharmicudicals....... The one thing that I did not see talked about is the one thing that has been proven to build bone. That is exersize using weights and load bearing activities like gardining using a spade insted of a power tool. Using weights (pumping iron) has been found to work the best. Along with eating balanced meals including red meet, fish, chicken. It is best to use wild game rather than cow. Elk, Dear, Buffalo, etc. If you can not get those than organic. Canned salmon is great if you eat the bone that is in the can, it is soft and easy to chew and digest.
If you go for a walk use a back pack with 10 to 30 lbs of weight in it. What I use to do to help loose weight was to start with 10 lbs and for every lbs I lost I added it to the backpack, that way it tricked the body into burning more callaries and the lbs came off faster and it built muscle and dencer bone.

Happy done building and better health.

Hi S.,
My mother in law has taken this sence it first came out on the market, she has had none of these side effects. So far I have been lucky, I have had to only increase my calcium.
Everything we take right down to the old fashion asburn has side effects, unless you have had a series of side effects from different meds you have taken in the past, I don't think you have much to really worry about.
I have gotten where I do not read the side effect part on meds unless I start haveing a problem, otherwise I would just worry myself sick.
Give the meds a try, first sign of a side effect, call your doctor and try something else. Good Luck

My dentist asked me to stop using Fosomax as it causes problems with your teeth...also my doctor said he was not sure that the medication was that effective. Research more...

I will add my voice to the others saying use nutrition not drugs. I use, recommend, and distribute the Reliv products and have known many women to get wonderful results with increase in bone density especially with the women's product soy essentials! I am in that menapausal stage myself and very glad to have found these products when I did as I am breezing through this stage compared to what I hear it is like for others. One of the many things I like about Reliv is that it is simple to take, in shake form, and completely safe and balanced thus very well absorbed. If you want more information let me know and check out Reliv.com website. ____@____.com

My mom has taken fosomax and had terrible, cronic stomach problems because of it. this is much, much older and she was taking a daily dose as opposed to the newer monthly doeses, but. I think it still does a number on your esopogaus (sp?) and stomach. She eventually went off the drug (she is 80 so she decided quaility of life was more important) GOod luck with your treatment.

My doctor didn't want to do that scan or consider medication until after I went through menopause. He felt it was too early.
My mom, who is 78 has been on it for over 10 years. I would find out if it's too early to consider it.
I personally avoid taking medications and would look into a nature method if possible just because most meds have side effects.

Hi S.,
I am also in the same situation and luckily I have an amazingly informed doctor, Kris Knox, MD. She feels strongly that I should not take any of the medications you listed and has recommended Fortical. It is a salmon based calcium supplement that is administered through a nasal spray once daily. She feels that there is minimal side effects and that is has good absorption as I do not have my colon. I have just started with Fortical so have not had sufficient time to know if it works. Some of the other heavily advertised drugs have a half life of nine years. That in and of itself is frightening. They also are under heavy scrutiny to see if indeed they are as effective as touted. Hope this helps. L.

Dear S.,

About six years ago, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis via a DEXA bone scan. I began taking fosomax, which did not agree with me, so was switched to actonel which was a bit better. Soon however, I had actual bone and joint pain. When boniva came out I tried that too. I had more pain as time went on. After about three years, I was unable to walk nearly as much as I had been, due to various severe pain. I have gone through a series of several doctors for aid with pain; most of whom did not believe it could be caused by the bone medications. Since so much new research on vitamin D has been shown to be helpful for improved bone density, I decided to give it a try. My doctor tested me for vitamin D, I was found low, even though I had taken the recommended amount for years. I am now taking more than I ever thought I needed. My last blood test showed I was taking the correct amount for me. I am doing everything currently known to increase bone density. I eat a good diet high in calcium, take the current recommended amount of calcium supplements, walk daily outside in sunshine for at least 30 minutes, lift small weights three times a week, and do specific exercises in a book recommended to me by a physical therapist specializing in osteopenia and osteoporosis. I would highly recommend the book WALK TALL (an exercise program for the prevention & treatment of Osteoporosis) by Sara Meeks, P.T. G.C.S. Since doing the above, I have gained back slightly in height and am looking forward to another DEXA scan which I anticipate will show I've also gained in bone density. I also have less pain in my bones and joints. Through talking with other women and research, I have learned of other women's bone density increase... without the use of bone density medications. It gave me the confidence and determination to try the above mentioned remedies. It can be scary, so hang in there. Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do. I hope this will be of some help to you.

Jan S. (I'm 58, wife, mom, grandma and work part-time outside the home)

Hi S., I understand your fear of taking a bunch of different meds, because I am a 23 year old mother of 2 boys diagnosed in 07 with Adult Still's Disease. This disease attacks my muscles, joints, and breaks down my immune system. My doctors did a DEXA SCAN on me this pass May to get a baseline and decided to put me on Fosomax to slow down the detroation of my bones. So in plain english my body and bones are breaking down well before there time. I have an appt in Oct. which they will check my bones again to see if the Fosomax has slowed down the process and I'd be gad to up date you. I take so many medications to get me through a general day and know what it's like to have to add on another one. FRUSTRATING!!!