Based on how the bald doctor was evasive and danced around the question pertaining to unusual fractures associated with fosamax, and tried to blame it on a variety of other things; and then the female doctor used language such as “limited data” and “inconclusive evidence”, this panel of experts were anything but reassuring about the efficacy and safety of fosamax! They should just honestly admit that not enough is really known about the drug, and people are simply Guinea pigs when using it. Of course, you can say this about many, if not most, drugs. I took fosamax once a week for 1 and a half years, exactly as directed, and eventually developed an annoying sensation of a lump in my throat, as if the food did not go all the way down. After several specialists and procedures, the only thing doctors found was mild gastritis, causing silent acid reflux with inflammation in upper GI tract, hence the lump sensation. The doctors would not conclusively say that the Fosamax was the direct cause, in fact the gastroenterologist said it probably had nothing to do with fosamax. However, I never had gastritis or any symptoms related to it, before, and was in otherwise excellent health. So I believe it was no coincidence that these symptoms developed after I had been on this drug for some time. I stopped the fosamax on my own, and it took almost 6 months for the lump sensation in my throat to gradually disappear. My dexa scan numbers are not terrible, so for now I am managing my bone health with a clean, healthy diet, New Chapter brand of algae calcium, exercise (brisk walking 3-4 miles several times a week, and weight machines at the gym). Hoping this approach will stabilize my bone density, even if it doesn’t actually improve it.
Don't take algae It's loaded with mercury and anaerobic bacteria. It just about killed me. I never told a doctor about the spirulina because they don't like supplements usually. Also there are tons of algae blooms in the waters. There is a "do not touch the water" alert from the EPA regarding the river where my drinking water comes from. It is a cyanobacteria algae bloom and there is methane in the water and my RO system can't remove it.
So basically you just have to be willing to be a guinea pig and hope that nothing bad happens from any of these drugs. I tried Fosamax for a little over a year but even though I followed the instructions to the letter it started causing me stomach problems. So then I did the daily injection of Forteo for two years. Now I do the Prolia injection every six months. I'm fracture free and living an active lifestyle. BTW, Forteo and Prolia are super expensive.
I would seriously like to know if one single person has had a good experience with Fosamax. I have done extensive searches for positive experiences and have yet to find one. One website had over 1200 reviews, and not one had a good experience. Doctors who aren't using the drug seem to be the only ones who praise it. Patients are having absolutely horrible side effects.
