Fosamax

I had breast cancer in 1998 and after a lumpectomy and lymph node dissection, I was prescribed with Fosamax. My 1st tooth broke off at the gum about 5 months after I started taking Fosamax. I have since lost quite a few teeth from either loosening or breaking off. I consider that I had good teeth up til this point. I thought for many years maybe radiation I took caused it until I heard that those are some of the problems associated with Fosamax.

It has been almost 14 years and I have very few teeth, some are broke off at the gum but still there. My husband was on Social Security almost from then and I never had insurance or money to pay to have my teeth fixed or dentures. My husband passed away March 2010 and just got on SSDI for me, so I still do not have the means to get them fixed. I am sure that this problem affects my whole health, the way I eat, the things I have to eat.

Please let me know if you think Fosamax has had anything to do with this problem. A whole lot of years of suffering health wise and emotional from self consciousness from not being able to smile. Thank you.

I have initially reduced symptoms of osteoporosis in hip and back. I have muscle spasms in shoulder and back, reflux, and tightening of esophagus. I have infection of lungs that I cannot eradicate. All things are consistent with problems others have had with Fosamax.

I have been taking Alendronate Sodium 70 MG (Fosamax generic) for 6 weeks and have had a great experience. I felt wonderful and energized. Before I began taking it, I felt lethargic and had sinus infections all the time. But now, the infection is gone and I am full of energy. My asthma is under control too. Maybe all the other medications I am taking (Allegra, Topamax, Advair, Paxil, Singular, Sudafed and Prevacid) and their side effects are counteracted by Fosamax generic ingredients! I don't know the reason, all I know is I feel great now and I am glad I am taking it. I am taking it for osteopina.

I was prescribed Fosamax for osteopenia/osteoporosis and had taken it for 5 years. When having a routine x-ray with new dentist, I was advised there was an active infection in my upper right jaw and lost 3 teeth without warning. The shock was devastating. I went to a specialist for osteoporosis who advised that I did not need to take Fosamaxely. To stop Fosamax and that there was actually no improvement over the years. I obtained an orthodontist who said that I had major bone loss and did bone grafting for implants and slowly they all failed.

I have spent thousands of dollars for these implants and again am attempting to redo implants. The specialist I am seeing has prescribed daily forteo injections to treat my bone loss and hopefully this will help regenerate my bone including my jaw. I am taking daily injections of Forteo and it's about two years and thousands of dollars (not covered) I have spent trying to get implants again. I had to undergo 2 sinus lifts in addition to bone grafting to be sure the implants are secured. I cannot chew on my right side and am putting pressure on my left side jaws to compensate. This ordeal is extremely depressing and this coming July will be 2 years since this ordeal starting. I have had to have emergency surgery twice on the jaw with the periodontist.

I have been taking Fosamax or its generic every Saturday since late 1994. I have broken both femurs and had titanium rods installed in both thighs. Tonight, ABC World news broadcast a story about this exact situation of which I appear to be a "classic" case.

I can't begin to tell you of what this has done to both my mental and physical health. My Dr. has said that I have "significant" osteoporosis and I cannot even do Yoga or Tai Chi, let alone exercise. Can you help me?

After taking Merck's Fosamax for eight years, my femur broke in July 2009. A titanium rod was inserted in that femur, from which I am still recovering. Merck denies that Fosamax is the cause, but I belong to a support group of many women and one man who have all experienced the same trauma after taking Fosamax for (too) many years. Many of these have unfortunately had to have rods inserted in both femurs. So far, I've only had a fracture in my right femur, but since Fosamax stays in the body for 10-12 years, I may ultimately have to have my other femur "rodded."

I am 68 years old and until this, I had never had a broken bone or any health problems. I am totally convinced that Fosamax taken for so long is the culprit! While my recovery is going to be a long one, many of my other "femur friends" have had a much more difficult recovery than me. Suffice to say, our quality of life is substantially diminished and will never be the same again!

For four (4) months I had constant pain in my right thigh. My doctor treated me for a pulled muscle. Not getting any releif, he gave me a nerve blocker, thinking I had a nerve problem. After no releif again, he referred me to a bone specialist and after a period of time, realized I had a tumor on my right femur. The only remedy was to due surgery. Before I could get a second opinion, I was outside decorating for Christmas, on November 25, 2008, and while lifting a heavy object over my head, I felt my thigh bone giving away and I fell down. I was stranded in my yard for over an hour before help came. I was transported to the hospital and the following day, I was operated on. The doctor put a rod and pins in my femur. As of this day, January 16, 2009, I am using a cane to walk.

My mother was prescribed Fosamax for Osteoporsis. She has cancer, so it probably shouldn't have been prescribed in the first place. Right from the beginning she's had problems with diahrea. For the past two weeks she has had severe muscle cramps in her shoulder and her lower back. For the past 4 days she has had very severe muscle spasms in her back that have left her totally in pain and incompasitated. I advised her to stop the Fosamax immediately and hope the muscle pains will subside.

Severe pain and emotional distress. This medication should be taken off the market.

I was recently prescribed Fosomax for Osteopoenia by my doctor. I took one dose, followed the directions to stay on my feet and not eat anything for 30 minutes. I was fine throughout the entire day, but as soon as I sat down at 9:30 p.m., I felt a mushrooming feeling at the base of my skull then a dull, painful headache developed there from ear to ear. The next day I had an inexplicable pain in my left arm that felt like I had pulled a muscle. It mysteriously went away a day later. I never took another dose of the Fosomax, yet I still have this dull throbbing headache at the base of my skull after three and a half weeks.

In explaining this to my Yoga instructor, she told me about a recent study at Florida State University that demonstrated that Prunes (yes, prunes) can restore bone density. Mother always did know best. Google it.

I have been using Fosamax for over 2-years almost 3-years and My Jaw is in such pain I have had an MRI and X-Rays and it shows damage done to My Jaw. It is always sore I am using Percocets and Antibiotics. I have headaches and Acid Reflux and Back Pain and other awful pains in My body I am 80-years old and I live on Social Security.

My physician prescribed Fosamax for my Osteoporosis. After taking this medication for about two years, I began to lose several teeth for no apparent reason. I had two implants placed - one failed.

It cost me several thousand dollars. I have only one bottom tooth to chew with and do not have enough bone to have any more implants.

The first root canal was just 9 months after first taking the medicine.

The cost has been unreal...so far approx $4800.

Fortunately I found out about a dental discount card I could purchase before the last 2 procedures. This cut the cost of each root canal from $1400.00 to $850.00. The dental discount plan is called DentaQuest. It costs approx. 100.00 per year for my husband and I.

There are many other dental discount plans that you can buy but essential to make sure that an endodontist/dentist in your area will take the plan.

I have lost 2 teeth and have more loose ones, have had tooth decay, numbness, ect - was told a year ago I am looking at around $28,000 or more for dental work. This is due to various teeth having bone loss.

Have become more or less a recluse due to embarrament. Haven't been able to have my teeth fixed due to not having this kind of money.

My mother, Wilma McFall of Newberg, Oregon, used Fosamax for years. Two years ago her leg just collapsed under her and broke in the upper thigh. This was repaired (a pin was put in her leg), but then the leg just broke straight across above the pin again while she was recuperating. This caused her a lot of pain, and she had to spend a year and a half in a nursing home. Now she is in assisted living, and could no longer live on her own which she had been doing prior to the leg breaking. Now she is wheel chair bound. I believe that Fosamax caused all of this because of the leg just breaking so easily and while she was just standing on it the first time it broke causing her to fall.

I have been taking Fosamax for approximately 9 years. In May, 2008, I had general anaesthesia for a surgical procedure. The endotracheal tube caused a pressure sore on my gum which did not heal. After 6 weeks I went to an ENT physician and he gave me antibiotics. This did not help. He noticed that there was dead bone at the site and referred me to an oral surgeon who confirmed that I had osteonecrosis of my jaw.

I also went to a periodontist who also had the same diagnsosis. They told me that there was nothing I could do about it. The oral surgeon just told me that it may heal or may NEVER heal. The only advise that was given to me was to make sure I clean my teeth regularly because heaven forbid if I ever have to have any teeth extracted or any oral surgery for that matter.

I have exposed jaw bone on my gum. I also have a doctors referral letter to explain details.

suffered from dead jaw after taking fosamax for 10 years. Just recently had surgery of the jaw and found I had dead bone. Had artifical bone installed.

Have problems with other areas of jaaw and surgery has been recommended as dead jaw is suspected.

I took fosamax for bone density for 13 months and have acid reflux that refluxs into my nose,and throat.

i have trouble swallowing and have food caught in my throat and bubbles with acid.nose always runs and stuffness.chest pains like I am getting a heart attack. I also have back pains and burning sensation in my chest and stomach.

All of my teeth have become lose, and I have to have them pulled and dentures to replace them.

#1 I can't afford the cost of having my teeth pulled and replaced by dentures, I live on Social Security.

Several months ago, I discovered there was something strange happening to my lower front teeth. They are bending outward toward my chin and sinking into my gums. At my age (74) I still have all my teeth and haven't had a problem until now. I haven't seen a dentist regarding this as my insurance allows only one dental visit per year. I no longer take Fosamax, but I did take it for years.

first dose, experienced severe stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, overall muscle weakness, vision problems, low blood pressure and heart palpitations. I was unable to function normally for two and a half weeks after first dose-felt like I was dying. Contacted my doctor and on his advice quit taking immediately. It has been four weeks since taking dose, most stomache and intestinal problems are easing somewhat. However, lowered blood pressure, heart palpitations, and eye problems still exist.

My blood pressure, heart pounding and eyesight have not improved. Very concerned that these problems will not improve!

Two dentists have recently told me that my jaw bones are deteriorating. My siblings and I have never had this problem, which has been a mystery to me until today when I read that one of the side effects of Fosamax is jaw bone deterioration. I have been taking Fosamax for 1 1/2 years.

I have to have some expensive dental work done immediately. Do I have a claim against Fosamax makers?

LESIONS ON THE BRAIN

I have been taking FOSOMAX and started burping which is now chronic. I can't stop and it is annoying and embarrassing. My doctor just performed an upper GI and I learned today that I have what he termed Massive Acid Reflux. He said my duodenym (sp?) is virtually destroyed. There is no tissue left to block the gastric acid from rising into my esophegus. The Doctor put me on a double dose of acid reflux meds and basically said there is nothing that can be done. I'm devastated.

I still burp continuously. I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. I lie awake and can't get to sleep or stay asleep. My doctor called my condition the silent killer. I can't stop burping. I have irrepairable physical and mental damage.

I want to sue the maker of FOSOMAX and my doctor for dismissing my symptoms as being in my head or related to stress. Months ago when I asked if FOSOMAX could be causing my problem he told me to keep taking FOSOMAX. The maker of the drug has permanently damaged me for the rest of my life and my doctor ignored my symptoms and concerns and said it was in my head which of course it isn't.

I've been taking it over 5 years when I developed this condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw. I have had this infection for awhile and am in extreme pain with this swelling. Now the dentist said it was from taking fosomax and this can be a serious condition.

It's not over yet. Parts of the bone around my upper teeth are decaying. I might loose part of these bones due to death of parts of the jawbone. I'm 76 and don't need another problem from taking a medicine that is suppose to help your bones not destroy them!

Having taken Fosomax for 8 years of Osteoporosis, I began to have extreme pain in my left leg. The specialists (neurologist) prescribed meds, physical, therapy, and accupuncture. Pain clinics gave steroid shots in the groin, and later my spine. The othopedic felt that even though there was a slight bulge on a lower disc in my spine, this wasn't enough to cause the extreme pain. A friend recently cautioned me about Fosomax. I stopped the Fosomax on Sept. 1, 2007. By October, I could sleep at night without pain. by November, I could go up and down stairs without pain. Nothing else has changed in my life to account for the disappearance of the pain.

In discussing this with my doctor, last week, she said that the FDA has recently notified the doctors of this adverse side effect from Fosomax. I want to check and see if others have sought legal action because of the muscle and joint pain caused by Fosomax.


I took early retirement from my teaching position, because of the pain going up and down stairs at my school. We sold our beautiful 2 story home, because the master bedroom was upstairs, and I was in too much pain to go up the stairs. I paid out of pocket for help at a Pain Clinic that was not covered by our insurance. This involved 5 visits to receive steroid shots, which resulted in a bill of over $5000. I did 3 months of physical therapy, and had to pay for the majority until I had met my deductable.

My Osteoporosis has gotten worse, rather than better.

I took Fosamax for about 10 years and recently developed heart burn, slowed swallowing, pain in my lower jaw and a feeling that someone was sticking me in the back. The sensation in my back made me wonder if I had a cracked rib. I stopped the Fosamax about a month ago and the symptoms just described eased significantly. BUT, I received a letter from the drug company stating that I was overdue for a refill. I had received at least 3 other letters like that during the time I had that prescription. I now am strongly suspecting that the drug has a rebound effect and that it could have caused the abnormal bone density test that I had last year and also the year before. This year my doctor did not want to authorize the test for me, said it was too soon. I was much relieved when he prescribed Evista (which I may or may not take) instead of suggesting an infusion of Fosamax, which I had read about being a way to avoid the heartburn and digestive problems. I would never want to sue my doctor. The fault lies with the drug company.

It is unknown how this will affect me in the future.

After having a 3rd molar removed, I experienced a large growth in the socket of the removed molar. The growth appeared to have a blood supply as it had visible capillary content . The pain was excruciating in the specific area as well as intense headaches. One week after the extraction, the growth appeared to be enlarging and the pain intensifying. On the return trip to my dentist, he referred me to a specialist. Since I do not have dental insurance, but am seen by the VA, I set an appointment with the VA dental clinic to ascertain why I had a tumor in the socket of my jawbone. Due to the time delays within the VA system, it was several months before I was seen. At that (elapsed) time, the on-call interns found no problems and in fact even doubted that I'd even had a tooth extracted. Prior to that time, I had the time to research on my own and take myself off Fosamax.

The stress created by the tumor found in the socket area was traumatic, but to endure weeks of intense pain and headaches was unbearable. Though I've always made a concerted effort to stay away from pain meds, this was a period in my life when I had to rely on those meds just to survive.

I am a victim of ONJ (jaw death) due to taking the drug Fosamax for the past 10 years. I have lost all my teeth and part of my jawbone. I have an oral surgeon, an infectious disease doctor, and went daily to a hyperbaric chamber. Still, in pain and have to eat soft foods with no teeth.

The biopsy returned a diagnosis of lupus like uticaria, but not lupus, most probably from a medication.I have never taken it since and will not take Actonel, as they are similar.I am allergic to sulfa and wondered if there was a connection. I am also allergic to tetnus (both types).

I used Fosamax from June '04 and upon a recommendation of my oral surgeon I stopped taking it in October'06. I have a severe progressive jaw bone loss and lost my teeth except bottom 4. My surgeon refused to do the implants (to keep my overdenture in place) due to taking Fosamax. Due to a loss of bone my denture would not stay in place.

My periodontist said that safer would be to use my own 4 teeth as anchors for a overdenture, but he has to do the root canal on them. He is still concerned about the Fosamax I had taken before.

This procedure will cost rpughly $11,000.00 (no insurance). I'm afraid that having this dental condition, I may develop more serious consequences after the dental procedure I'm expecting to start at the end of the month.I also do not have a guarantee the my 'investment' would last.

I've been taking this drug over four years and have had alot of trouble with my gums and teeth. I informed my dentist that I was taking this drug over four years ago. Since then I've lost seven teeth and have had much jaw and gum pain. Recently I had a panoramic view of my mouth by an oral surgeon and he informed me that I had more loose teeth and would need some teeth pulled. He said I would have to be off of the Fosamax at least three months before this work can be done. My dentist also scheduled my next appointment for at least three months from now. He said they didn't know four years ago the problems patients on Fosamax would face after gum surgery and extracting teeth.

I am in constant pain. My gums are very swollen and several teeth are loose. I stopped the Fosamax because I need to get my gums healthy before all my teeth become loose.