Fosamax and eye problems and phantom odours

[Blondie]

Just wondering if anyone has had a successful outcome from the surgery for macular pucker. My doctor feels I should have this surgery as my vision has detereorated in the affected eye. I have not seen much encouraging news regarding the surgery posted anywhere. Any helpful advice? Please post.

[Siri-Gian Espanola NM]

I am so grateful for the information in all your posts! I have just been diagnosed with Cellophane Maculopathy, which the doctor said is related to Retina Pucker. I have been taking Fosamax, 70 mg., 1 x per week for about a year. Before that, I took Actonel, 35 mg., 1 x per week for about 9 years. I am quitting Fosamax immediately, and will follow my naturopath's instructions on how to keep up my bone mass, rather than getting caught anymore in this medical downward spiral of my health!

[scared by big pharma]

This is sickening. My mom took it for a year and then developed pressure issues with her eyes. After all the articles I had sent her, told her it was poision--do not take..my sister (who is probably on year #5 of it) INSISTED it is a wonder drug.
Mom also had bone and joint pain. She was off for about 3 months...really feeling better. Still using meds for her eye pressure.
Then she had a heart issue and sadly didn't make it. I think the heart issue was due to this wonderful drug too! There are reports of irregular heartbeat. Also some other issues.
Why anyone would take this drug (and so many others out there---lipitor, zoloft...) is beyond me?? Why are "caring" drs. continue to prescribe it is a bigger my$tery....ooops think I an$wered my own que$tion!!
Corporate greed within BIG PHARMA is killing us...we need to wake up, band together and refuse these poisions that BIG PHARMA has convinced our "trusted" drs. are doing wonders for people.
It isn't true and innocent people are suffering.
Good luck to all.
I wouldn't give this pill to my dog.
My cousin raised her BD # substantially using supplements (calcium, magnesium, vitamin D--exercise and a great product called BIOSIL...get it at www.vitacost.com

[Joyce - Canada]

I was taking Fosamax for over 3 years from age 60, which was showing some bone density improvement but not enough, so I was then put on Actonel 35mg. one day a week.(This was recently changed to 75mg. two days a month.) Last June I discovered that I had developed macular pucker in my left eye, quite a shock but I figured it was age related. I have had a vitrectomy on Jan 24 which went well and healed well so far, although it has not shown the expected improvement yet. I believe this will happen.
I started researching Actonel and Fosamax today because I have been having tooth pain, and I was amazed at the wealth of submissions on many web forums such as this one, describing eye problems, bone pain, gastric problems, dental problems and depression. Not only amazed, but horrified! The amount of personal testimony on the Internet leads me to conclude that these drugs are dangerous and that their side effects are far worse than the osteoporosis they are intended to prevent.
I might add that I have been experiencing more than usual winter depression which puzzled me, and almost always feel tired every morning, dragging myself out of bed. Having read what others have experienced, I have little doubt that my problems have a strong connection with ingesting first Fosamax and then Actonel over a long period. There is too much of a coincidence to be ignored. So I shall not be taking any more Actonel, and I just hope that I can get this stuff out of my system.

[scared by big pharma]

I always figured all of these folks can't be making this stuff up...yet this is still one of the most widely prescribed "FDA approved (HA HA)" drugs...

It will take years for this to get out of your system. Hopefully you'll start to feel better soon. My mom started feeling less achy and tired almost right away, but the damage was done.

She lost her fosamax battle. I still feel if she had listened to me and never started this crap. I wouldn't give this to my pets!

Interesting article in this months' Readers Digest all about...can you trust the FDA. The answer is pretty plain NO! All these new drugs are rushed to market, results are falsified and who suffers? Us, not just with high prescription prices but with our well being and sometimes our lives! It is sickening.

HOW DO WE STOP THIS POISIONING?

[Joyce - Canada]

Apologies for getting slightly off topic.

BLONDIE - as you see from my March 15 post, I have had the vitrectomy for macular pucker. According to what I have read on the Internet, it does take a couple of months or more for the improvement to happen, so I am hopeful.
The actual surgery is very delicate, but one is sedated and the eye area frozen. Aftercare is very crucial, no heavy lifting, no bending over, no strenuous activity for 4 weeks. Eye shield worn while asleep for 4 weeks to prevent rubbing or scratching while drowsy. Two lots of drops 4 times a day, later lessened if all going well. It's your decision. Good luck.

[Blondie]

Joyce,
Thank you for responding. I did have the surgery in early Feb. It was the new "sutureless" and everything went well with the surgery. It was easier than I thought it would be. However now about 6 weeks post surgery, my vision has not improved and I am told I have swelling (macular edema} so I am back on drops for another few weeks to see if it resolves. The surgeon felt I should have better acuity by now. Hopefully it will improve.
Again thank you for sharing your experience.

[Mary Ann - May 2008]

I took fosamax for five years after breaking my spine and having been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
I noticed blood vessels in my eye(s) breaking - at first, with larger time intervals of weeks, but
toward the end of that time period, with increasing frequency which became alarming. I decided finally, to stop on my own, to see if things would improve. I did, and the problem stopped. My internist wasn't happy about it, but I told her my eyes were more important than my bones.

[Brenda]

I have been on Fosamax for a number of years (one 70mg tablet per week). I notice that on the day I take the Fosamax, my right eye is very sore and I have had a darting pain in it. Last week, after I had taken the tablet, I happened to touch my eye as I was applying make up and was shocked at the soreness of my eye.

I mentioned this to my eye consultant about two years ago when she was exaining my eyes and she assured me my eyes were fine.

However, this darting pain and terrible soreness in the right eye is not right and it is definitely on the day I take the Fosamax and a day or two or afterwards so as "self preservation is the first law of nature", I'm off them.

[J-L-P]

I had the phantom odor smell while on fosamax. My daughter thought I was having seizures. I had them a lot while sleeping. I quit taking fosamax and no longer have them. The smells were quite repulsive. I have been having more cavities than ever in my whole life. My teeth are falling apart. I developed lots of floaters in my eyes and experienced vitreous detachment.

G Miller Vancouver BC wrote:

Has anyone reading this forum experienced problems with their eyes since they began taking fosamax?
I have read of some people developing retinal problems while on fosamax due to a sodium component in the drug. The small vessels behind the retina can hemorrage and detach or warp the retina. There was also some mention of people being bothered by strange and strong odours that come and go but no-one else can smell them.
I am curious because eye problems could be overlooked, hence the question posed here.
My wife has been taking fosamax for 2 years and had a partial retinal detachment in her right eye and now requires surgery on her left eye (retinal problem, macular pucker). She has been experiencing these phantom odours for the last few months that are raising alarms with our Doctor. She has had her sinuses x-rayed and will be going for a CT scan next. One year ago during a routine dental check-up a cyst was discovered and she required a root-canal on a tooth that was under some bridge-work that was 10 years old.
Does anyone else have a similar history? Please reply here or email me at [e-mail]

[Andy]

I got problems in my right eye (red, a sizable scratch found on the upper retina) and have been using FosamaxPLUSD for over 6 months. I decided to stop using it for now

[Scared by Big Pharma]

I know someone who developed "early signs of glaucoma (spell?-sorry) not long after starting on this crap!

[Irene Guy]

I have been using Fosamax for the past two years. lately I've developed severe joint pain and feelings of splint shins. Me ostheopatic doctor absolutely rejects the idea that Fosamax may be the cause. he wants to operate on my knees, period.
My eye doctor told me that I have some retinal problems, but I didn't connect it with Fosamax until I found this forum.
I have these episodes of smelling something that is not present. Mostly it's vanilla or something pleasant. I was afraid I had a MS, since this is a neurological symptom mostly associated with MS. Now I found my answers, than you all!
I stopped taking it last week against my doctors advice. What are we paying them for if they don't listen?!

[Scared by Big Pharma]

Irene:

If we don't "listen" they don't get their kickbacks and aren't able to support their beach houses, swimming pools, trips to HI.
Not to mention the other freebies the drug companies give them...trips, tickets to shows, etc.
We are the 'cash cows' for the drug companies and the drs.
Now the evidence shows that these bone drugs are acutally making bones WEAKER!! that's right...
hmm, am I surprised? No, cuz they are a poision!
You have to do your own research now as apparently drs. can't be bothered to read medical journals and only follow blindly by the glossy flyers handed to them by the drug reps that are hounding them daily!
We are being pushed drugs by folks with no background in medicine...and our drs. are happy to go along $$
When there is big money involved, people will get hurt or die. It's the "BIG PHARMA MOB".
sad.
Try looking up BioSil or similar product along with vitamin D, calcium and magnesium, and exercise.

[mic]

Hi do you guys know that there were warnings from FDA and Merck about hthe side effects of this drugs that it is potentially dangerous. I am angry!!! cuz my mom has been taking this poition for almost 5 years. She has been in pain for most of those years.. Her eyes also has blurred...
there are some lawsuits agains this drugs.
why the hell is this drug still in the market!!!???

[Scared by Big Pharma]

MIC;
SIng along with me....the answer to your question is: MONEY MONEY MONEY!! MONEY!
The drug companies "pay off" the FDA with large contributions. They also have more lobbyists in congress than any other group.
I will say again..where BIG MONEY is involved, people will get hurt or killed. It is no different than the mob or drug lords. The BIG PHARMA's are the "legal" drug lords.
WE have to wake up and do our own research before we take these drugs. I wish I could of done more to pursuade my mom NOT to take this crap. It was the ONLY drug she took at age 83 and I KNOW it contributed to her heart issue and death!

[Christine]

I took self off all these medications and started my own therapy of:
One tablet of 315mg CALCIUM CITRATE with D daily
One tablet of 333mg Calcium cabonate/glutonate with MAGNESUIM & ZINC daily
I take the calciums just prior to eating breakfast
One yogurt daily
Small amount of cheese daily
Walk briskly about 2 miles most days
I HAVE GROWN A SMALL AMOUNT OF BONE IN THE SPINE AND HIP BONE DENSITY TESTS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS!!!!
Good luck.

[Pamela]

I started taking Fosamax in late 2008. I thought the drug didn't give me any side-effects. However, the vision in my left eye suddenly became blurry & distorted. I stopped taking Fosamax because I had read about possible dental/jaw side-effects. At that time, I didn't associate the drug with my eye problem.

On April 14, 2009, my eye doctor said I have 'wet macular degeneration'(the worst type of macular degeneration). I have my first appointment with a retinologist in two weeks.

Seeing the previous reports of similar problems on this site has helped me make the decision never to take this kind of drug again. Looking into natural alternatives.

[Valerie]

What an interesting forum. I'm 54 and about 5 years ago had a bone density test which indicated I had osteopenia. I also had 20/15 vision, corrected. I was put on Fosamax and took it as prescribed.

My dentist always does a small h/p and when I mentioned taking Fosamax, was told that they had seen some people presenting with holes in their jaws. I found this rather alarming. Then in Jan 07
I suddenly had a change in acuity in my left eye.

I had an eye exam and was sent to a specialist who only told me I did not have macular degeneration although the eye exam had shown changes to my retina.

My eye exam in Oct 08 was with a different eye doc and he got very excited about the changes he saw in my left eye. He advised being seen immediately with a retinologist. It took awhile, but I saw one and this past April and was diagnosed with macular pucker (scar tissue over the retina which gathers it up, distorting vision, and had a vitrectomy and membrane peel. The surgery was painless, my eye looked awful but it has healed. My vision has improved from 20/80 corrected to 20/60, not much, but some improvement. I still have double vision and waviness, but I am hopeful for a bit more improvement in time.

I stopped taking the Fosamax in '07, but because of worries about jaw trouble, not because I had any idea it could cause eye damage. It's very disappointing to think that I lost my good vision for such a dumb reason. I can still read but my handicraft pasttimes are history.

Anyway, sorry this was so long, but I really was excited to be able to share, and to say that anyone that needs to have this surgery, make sure your retinologist is good and go for it.

[Scared by Big Pharma]

Gee it seems there are more and more eye troubles related to this poision. Of course most Drs. can't seem to put 2 & 2 together.
Now I have also read a few stories about folks having seizures related to this drug.