Danger in osteoporosis medicines?

Dear Dr. Donohue: Lately, on television, they have been telling women about the terrible side effects to the jawbone that Fosamax and Actonel create.

[Karen]

Just diagnosed with osteoporosis. Dr. recommending Fosamax. Your comments? Thanks a lot. Take care.

[betty conklin]

I am taking boniva and I feel awful. Bones ache, seems like my food has not left my throat.

[Robin]

Does anyone know anything about the woman
who developed bone cancer while on Forteo?

[Rosie]

I think it mostly concerns cancer of the jaw bone, but there is more to the story.

I think the jaw bone cancer is rare, and the women who came down with it had other factors which contributed to it, if I remember correctly.

My doctor recommended it to me, but my sister scared me so much by telling me stories of aching bones and upset stomachs of her quilter club friends, I just decided I would hold out a couple more years, and hope they come up with something better.

[Pattie J]

I have tried to use Fosamax 3 times now over the past 2 years. After about 2 weeks of taking it i experience nausea and flu like symptoms; it took me a while to connect taking fosamax to my symptoms but it is certainly no coincicence that these symptoms reappear each time i go back on the fosamax. It is really frightening to read all of these stories. I am more inclined to adopt scientific evidence over anecdotal evidence but the stories on this board are just so similar to what I have experienced I have decided to stop the Fosamax until there is a safer alternative. I'll just keep exercising and eating right for now.....an 80 year half life! wow.

[LindaNC]

betty conklin wrote:

I am taking boniva and I feel awful. Bones ache, seems like my food has not left my throat.

I have found cell-ready minerals are the way to go for my osteoporosis, versus drugs. They are safe, 99% bioavailabe, and replace the minerals that have caused the osteoporosis in the first place. A doctors report has shown that the cell-ready minerals in 1 years time increase bone density up to 34%.The protocol I am on is the bone health protocol. See www.enivamembers.com/thesurething for more info.

[Patty]

MY GOD, where do we turn? I'm to the point where I don't trust doctors anymore. Does ANYONE know how to get help for bone loss? PLEASE.

[Earl]

Patty wrote:

MY GOD, where do we turn? I'm to the point where I don't trust doctors anymore. Does ANYONE know how to get help for bone loss? PLEASE.

It is a good for your health that you do not trust doctors anymore. Unless you have a life threatening illness, I would stay away from any medication that you have to take regularly. In my experience, they usually do more harm than good. How serious is your bone loss? Bone loss is a natural part of the aging process, so unless it is severe, I would eat a high calcium diet and exercise regularly, and forget the pills.

[Joan]

Robin wrote:

Does anyone know anything about the woman
who developed bone cancer while on Forteo?

I called Eli-Lilly 10/06. They reported one case of bone cancer out of 300,000. That was one too many for me.(I have had cancer three times, but three doctors recommended Forteo.) Stopped Forteo for 2 months, but decided to go back to it and use up my supply. After one year on Forteo, increased bone loss! After useage, must go back to Fosamax and risk jaw damage. Local dentist will not treat patients who were on Fosamax.
I spoke to a friend who personally knows two people with jaw damage. I'll take the risks of osteoporosis.

[Sue]

Joan
I agree with you completely. Took Actenol for 3 years and made my bones worse. Endocrinologist
suggested Forteo and when I asked him about the
cancer, he said time will tell and shrugged his
shoulders. I WILL NOT be an experiement for any
drug company. I tried Fosamax and it was worse.
I do have severe osteo due to an early menopause
at age 38. Will do the natural supplements and
exercise. I also have a friend who had two implants done and now they are both infected and
she has had two surgeries and is facing another one. This is all due to Fosamax. Also, my dentist
has refused to treat any patient taking Fosamax,
Actenol or Boniva. Women are sooo confused, and
it just doesnt seem fair. Good luck to you

[pattibailey]

Earl wrote:

<quoted text>It is a good for your health that you do not trust doctors anymore. Unless you have a life threatening illness, I would stay away from any medication that you have to take regularly. In my experience, they usually do more harm than good. How serious is your bone loss? Bone loss is a natural part of the aging process, so unless it is severe, I would eat a high calcium diet and exercise regularly, and forget the pills.

Hi Earl, the problem I am going thru is the usual osteo...porosis etc which has caused me 2 rib fractures so far. But with what I've heard of Fosamax and many others, I'm more scared to take them to break another bone. I think I will try to up other ways of calcium intake. As far as my doctor, when I told her about the law suits I saw popping up PLUS I needed dental work and they wouldn't do it till I was off it for at least 2-3 months, she had the nerve to tell me to keep taking it. But unfortunately, that's what alot of of guess when we have doctors that spend 10 minutes with you (if u r lucky). So until I find a better doctor or maybe consider finding an orthopedic (if that is the right name) doctor, I'm on my own, but thanks for answering. Happy New Year.

[Joanne]

I have been taking Boniva since last February. I normally have IBS, but I have been suffering terribly from constipation since then and wonder if any of you out there are experiencing the same? I also take 1200 mg of calcium. Originally, my Endo Dr. had me taking 1800 mg but lowered it after my complaining of the constipation.

[Suzanne Hamilton]

I am not sure if this is related or not but a relative after almost 2 years on Forteo has been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer stage 3. She has always been proactive about her health and did/does all of her preventive and annual exams. Again not sure if it is related but I have my concerns. Prior to this she was in great health, active although she had osteoperois

Robin wrote:

Does anyone know anything about the woman
who developed bone cancer while on Forteo?

[Bon]

Joanne wrote:

I have been taking Boniva since last February. I normally have IBS, but I have been suffering terribly from constipation since then and wonder if any of you out there are experiencing the same? I also take 1200 mg of calcium. Originally, my Endo Dr. had me taking 1800 mg but lowered it after my complaining of the constipation.

I have been taking Fosamax for a few years. I also have IBS and have had lots more problems with constipation since taking it. However, I've upped my calcium supplements,too, and calcium can cause constipation. I had a dental implant done a couple of years ago. I just recently found out about the connection with Fosamax and death of the jaw bone. It's so worrisome.

[S Rusell]

Bon wrote:

<quoted text>I have been taking Fosamax for a few years. I also have IBS and have had lots more problems with constipation since taking it. However, I've upped my calcium supplements,too, and calcium can cause constipation. I had a dental implant done a couple of years ago. I just recently found out about the connection with Fosamax and death of the jaw bone. It's so worrisome.

I too stopped the fosamax but side effects are still with me. Chronic constipation which was never a problem for me. Upper GI informed me not only of GERD but now have developed Barrett's esocphogus,Terrible bloating Feel fatigued all of the time can't sleep just miserable now with all of this added to the horrid pain in my joints and muscles.I try not yo complain, I feel that those around me can't imgaine anyone with that much pain

[becky]

betty conklin wrote:

I am taking boniva and I feel awful. Bones ache, seems like my food has not left my throat.

hi! i am an home economics student doing coursework on osteoperosis can i just ask does this condition have an effect on your life and on your eating habits please righ back
thanks

becky

[Scared by big Pharm]

This is POISION!! Plain and Simple. Think about how we all heard about this (and other "wonder") drugs?? The great marketing blitz....they bombarded us on tv, radio and in print.
We are so "conditioned" to believe it becasue we hear and see it so much. But if you study, read, etc. you see this is all crap. Just makes the greedy shareholder of BIG PHARMA happy...and drs. enjoy their kickbacks.
Side effects don't get reported as they should be our drs. Even if they think side effect is linked to the drug, they agree to switch us or take us off, but don't let the FDA and drug makers know they are MAKING people sick.
The key component to this drug was used as a fertilizer, corrisive preventor and soap.
Wake up people...just say NO!!
Plus it doesn't grow any new bone..just "glues" the dead stuff that is supposed to be taken out of our bodies back on. That is why bone density tests show improvement. Yes, you have thicker bones but they aren't any healthier and they are MORE likely to fracture..

[Anne]

I am 53 and have a DEXA T Score of -3.3 in left hip and L1 - L4 total is -2.8 Last DEXA scan was in Sept 2005 and everything was in the -1.9 osteopenic range. Does anyone know where I can find out more about weight bearing exercises on the Internet? I don't want to take these meds either? Thanks.

[Quality of life]

I would take a calcitonin spray (e.g. www.fortical.com )

- 30 years of safety
- helps pain
- no serious side effects
- natural ingredient
- reduces fracture rate up to 50%

here is a link of a newer study:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/w6451654w...
there are more studies out there if you are interested just let me know.

[Tham]

I think it would be far safer to take
one of those good bone formulas from
health food stores.