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Q. My doctor recently put me on Fosamax for osteoporosis once a week. A few days later I was in terrible pain with my arthritic thumbs. They hurt so much I wanted to cut them off.I called my doctor and he put me on Actonel once a day instead. The pain in my thumbs has subsided but now I have pain in my lower back and hip that I never had before.
I am 67 years old and in good health. Is the pain I'm getting caused by either of these drugs? If it does not stop soon, I am just going to quit taking the Actonel and take my chances. Strengthening my bones is not worth this pain.
A. The FDA recently issued an alert about side effects associated with bisphosphonate osteoporosis drugs like Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax and Reclast. The agency says there is a “possibility of severe and sometimes incapacitating bone, joint and/or muscle pain in patients taking bisphosphonates.” Perhaps you are susceptible to this complication.
Not everyone can tolerate this type of osteoporosis medication, but there are other ways to reduce the risk of weak bones or fractures. We discuss several different sorts of medicines and non-drug approaches to osteoporosis prevention in our book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. It is available in libraries, bookstores and online at this Web site.
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I have been taking Fosamax for eight yrs. and my thumbs hurt and was told that it was arthritis. Now I just wonder if that is all it is.
My mother suffers from severe back pain. Could it be from the fosamax she is taking? It is so bad she can hardly walk.
Several years ago I was prescribed Fosomax, and I too ran into problems with aches and pains. I seemed to have muscle achiness, especially through the shoulders and upper arms, and to a lesser degree my back and leg muscles. I didn't mention it to my doctor, but did stop taking Fosomax. Over a period of some months, most of the achiness and soreness went away, and after maybe a year I felt that I was back to normal. I only take calcium now and go for longer walks twice a day with my dog.
Rita O.
I started Fosamax in 1998; was on it for about a week and one evening muscle spasms were so bad I had to go to the hospital. I stopped the medicine and now have osteoporosis. For the last two years I had been on Forteo. I have now been put on once a week Actonel for the last three months and have had no problem.
My doctor started me on Fosamax D a few weeks ago. I followed the directions without incident. I happen to be unusually sensitive to drugs. Several hours later I began to experience the most awful pain thoughout my entire body. All of my bones, muscles and joints were screaming in pain. I cannot fathom experiencing pain to this degree. I did some quick checks on the drug and found that in a small segment of patients severe reactions such as this can occur. The only relief I could obtain was with a narcotic drug I had been given sometime earlier for post-operative pain relief. I spent two days in bed, taking narcotics, crying, curled up in a fetal position trying to ride it out. Hell can come in a bubble pack.
Are the ingredients different in Fosamax once-a-week dose and Fosamax one-a-day dose? After going to once-a-week, my bone density tests worsened and severe hip pain developed. I wonder if they are the same or, in some way, different...
I am 70, and although my bone density test came out surprisingly well, according to my doctor, he put me on Fosamax for what he called "Maintenance. After a month I was having terrible heartburn, so stopped taking it. Then my doctor put me on Boniva. By the third once a month dose, I was having so much pain in my legs and hip, that I had to use a cane. I quit taking it, and now after three months, the pain is finally gone. These products are not for all women. BN
After breast cancer at 43 and hysterectomy at 44, I was unable to take hormone replacement therapy. In time, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. I began Actonel for 3 years with no improvement. Fosamax followed and on the second month, I experienced a severe esophageal reaction. The endocrinologist suggested Boniva in the IV form, so I had two, each lasting 3 months.
In September of this year, I moved to the once-a-year infusion of Reclast. I noticed nothing really until about 2 weeks ago with the most incredible thumb/hand/wrist pain and just basically feeling old and pitiful and almost like I had a mild virus or flu ... slow, achy, tired. I remembered this evening while standing in my kitchen that the nurse administering the infusion said to let them know -- feedback -- on any symptoms I had and when they occurred.
I also recalled her telling me about a patient that had reported that these same symptoms visited her a good 3 months after her treatment. I'm thinking that's what this is ... just an FYI for anyone out there experiencing something similar.
These old bones couldn't be as old as they feel right now ... I've been walking and don't have trouble there; it's mainly aching thumbs, wrist and forearm. Really makes you feel terrible ...
I started taking Actonel once a month in Nov. I had severe neck, back and thumb pain and felt awful for a wk or so. Had my doctor switch me to the generic for Fosamax, which I take once a wk. After first dose I had severe neck pain the next day as well as thumb pain. After reading that others have the same kind of problems I am not taking any more. Also had gas with the Fosamax generic.
Have been on Boniva for approximately 8 months and have back, hip, and leg aches which I am now attributing to the drug since I walk regularly at least a mile a day and bike. I am 72 and thought I was falling apart until I read on the web that others are also having this aching problem. If I sit in a chair five minutes or more, my hips, knees and legs are stiff.
I plan to discontinuing this drug despite osteoporosis in my left hip and will continue with calcium, D and magnesium and weight bearing exercises.