I was on Fosamax years ago for Osteopenia. Bone density exams showed improvement. After being on the drug for over five years studies came out suggesting that taking Fosamax for over five years was not a good idea. My GYN and I decided to take a break. A couple years after that I was struck with a nasty case of Sciatica. NOTHING helped. shots. pills. acupuncture. physical therapy. homeopathy (that demonstrates my desperation). For over a year and a half I was bedridden on powerful pain medication trying to keep up with raising my twins who are both neurologically and developmentally "disabled" (most of the work is navigating the system and fighting bureaucracies. These two people are amazingly bright, talented and have wonderful hearts. The problem is not they; it's... don't get me started). The fifth cortisone shot put me in the hospital--must have hit a nerve or done some other damage. No more cortisone shots for me! I found a different acupuncturist, excellent! She succeeded in eliminating the Sciatica. Somewhere during all this horrendous ordeal, another bone density exam showed deterioration resulting in osteoporosis, mostly the right femur neck. Went back on the Fosamax a bit before the acupuncturist vanquished the Sciatica. When the Sciatica was gone, I was ecstatic for a minute but realized I was still in horrible pain. Different pain. Lower back, hips, waist, spine... honestly I couldn't figure out what kind of pain it was. Bone? Muscle? Joint? All three? Unbearable. We were all stumped. Staggering around with a limp (more like Igor's drag step) screaming with pain when I changed positions in bed. Then there was a new page of information in the refill of my Fosamax. This one with print large enough to read without electron microscope. I doubt if the makers of Fosamax put that page in there voluntarily. It listed common side effects of Fosamax, and right there, #3 was muscle, joint and bone pain, no mention of severity. Further investigation revealed that the pain could indeed be severe. I dropped the Fosamax immediately and I am hoping, hoping that it's this vile drug that knocked me down, exhausted me and nearly wiped out my sense of humour (that would be the last thing to go). It's been a bit over a week now and I'm wondering how long it will take before some effect or lack of effect will make itself obvious. Does anyone know of similar circumstances and the results? Am I fooling myself to hope this might work? I can't live this way any more, but I'm scared to death of surgery. Any comments? Anyone? Please?
Can muscle, joint and bone pain with Fosamax be severe enough to be debilitating?
Question posted by Tobeleh on 22 Sep 2012
Last updated on 13 June 2022 by Dj1260
4 Answers
First of all,you are an excellent writer!!
Ok,pain... I'm being treated by a rheumatologist for mod. to severe RA. Found this diagnosis out after experiencing endless bouts of pain in my hands and major joints. Major fatigue. Over the last four years I have had steroid shots in hips, knees and elbows. I am on daily prednisone and lafludimide which lowers white blood cells.not good. I'm a candidate for a third spinal fusion, a lumbar disc above the last one I had five years ago. I am battling pain on these two fronts, going into my emergency pain killers from past surgeries, but they're dwindling. Tramadol helps,but there are nights I need something more powerful. So a few months ago I was put on Fosamax for osteopenia... I hate taking this pill because of the glass of water, the waiting to eat etc. but at least it's not daily. However,I forget to take the thing.anyway,I'm getting back on a schedule and will be curious to see if it increases my pain.
Then the question will be pain or potential breaks which at 68 can be problematic. A friend of mine has very bad osteoarthritis and her thinking is who cares if we take tramadol twice a day! Also, your family physician should know a lot more about this. I'm going in to have an infectious diseases panel done because I want to know if my extreme fatigue is do to Epstein Barr or Lyme disease.all these things cause pain and fatigue. We have to be very proactive.
Tobeleh... Did you ever determine if Fosamax was the culprit for your sciatic pain? I'm interested since I believe Fosamax may have contributed to my sciatic attack after taking only two doses (weekly).
I started taking Fosamax on 9/30/2020 and on 10/09/2020 developed a severe case of sciatica. The pain was excruciating and my husband called 911 when I was about to pass out from the pain. I never associated Fosamax as a potential contributor until today when I read the RX side effects paper.
I'm 8 weeks into extremely rough nights (walking on treadmill, stretching exercises, hot baths, hot and cold packs, LED heat therapy, TENS muscle stimulation therapy... lots of tears and prayers... all during the wee hours of the morning). Routinely I see a chiropractor, acupuncture (dry needling therapy), and massage. I'm desperate for my restored health.
I'd love to hear an update to your story to learn from it.
Thanks
I just took my first pill and my last... Pain in my back so bad I can't get up..Very depressing choosing between broken bones or being too I'll to function
I, too, took my second Fosamax n I wanted to go to hospital because of the pain! My hips felt like they where trying to push together through my pelvis, headache, jaw ache on drank through straw and all over feeling of MAJOR flu. Took two days to fin ally be able to drink, eat and walk without holding on to walls.
I go to doctor tomorrow, hope there's something else to help me cause I am done with Fosamax.
Hello. Sounds very difficult for you. I have a few questions for you.
When was that last bone density test? Did they do the spine as well? Have you seen a rheumatologist for this condition? Is it possible that you have something completely different going on in your back? Osteoarthritis or such?
Surgery is scary for just about anyone. I do know people who have had this surgery done when things had become unbearable. They always say later that they ought not to have waited so long. What are the doctors saying for a time table for you?
Whether the Fosamax is the culprit or not doesn't really change what you are experiencing. There are side effects for this drug and any of the drugs that help maintain bone density. These should be carefully monitored by your doctor and periodic bone density tests done to watch for problems. Your GYN may not be as on top of this as a rheumatologist or Osteo doc.
I assume you are taking daily calcium supplements with Vit D3, etc.?
Your story is well heeded and I really hope you will get some good help now. Do you have more questions? Karen
Thanks so much for making it through my hypergraphic post. Your questions are good ones and helped me to focus my flailing for answers. I can't answer all your questions, but most of them, yes. The last bone density test was done about a year ago, at the same time as my mammogram. I'd been off the Fosamax for about a year, as well. My first thought was that oh OF COURSE: I've been inert, lying in bed and crawling around the house for so long, the very worst time to be off Fosamax. That must have been what caused the deterioration. Then I suspected that the pain I was experiencing (after the Sciatica was banished) might even have a lot to do with atrophy. Yes, the density test DID examine the spine as well. My spine was, "perfect," according to my ob-gyn. The only real problem was the neck of the right femur. I have seen rheumatologists about the condition and it's generally suggested that there is indeed degenerative disk disease going on.
Especially in my neck. There are three bulging disks in my back in the lumbar region. And Of course I've entertained the thought that whatever is going on in my back is another story altogether. The curiosity is that I never had trouble with my back before the Sciatica which was out of the blue -- no injury -- no fall, no twist, no sneezing while putting my underwear on, etc. Everything started piling on as if the Sciatica were a heralding sign. The doctors are not talking about time tables, and it has been suggested several times that 1) I'm not a good candidate for surgery, and, 2) Anything other than surgery is just . . . "waiting around" . . . I think that it is indeed of primary importance whether or not the Fosamax is the culprit. If it is the culprit, stopping that mode of therapy ought to be able to release me from bed, from the pain, the pain pills, the exhaustion, and leave me free to pursue non pharmaceutical therapies for the osteopenia/porosis. My OBGYN may NOT be as on top of this as a rheumatologist or osteo doc., but as in many many cases, it was my own amateur research that noticed the possible relationship between Fosamax and this debilitating mess I'm in. Joining this site is part of my research. It would be so helpful to find others in similar situations. Those with personal experience know so much more than I could possibly find out in a book, or even perhaps by asking a physician, as specialists can be victims of tunnel vision. I don't expect my family physician to know everything, but more curiosity about my curious situation could have unearthed a lot of this a lot earlier. What I'd like to know is if anyone has similar experiences with the side effects of Fosamax, and how long it took after cessation of Fosamax therapy for the symptoms to go away. I truly appreciate your comments (oh. yes, I am taking vitamin D3 and calcium) You obviously have a broad view of all this and not just a little medical knowledge. Thank you so much. I'm still seeking answers to the persistence of symptoms after stopping Fosamax, and any other relevant information anyone might have to share.
One thing that will help you tremendously is to start working on regular exercise to improve your core strength. When your muscles holding your spine in place are strong, there is less pain as the discs do not compress so much. I suggest you see the rheumatologist and get some PT to increase your general strength. Also, if you needs to lose some weight, (who doesn't these days? ) get going on that as well. Less the spine supports, less pain you experience.
My disease has me unable to do much of anything. Muscles that atrophy can be built up and will give you a better feeling over all. endorphins are released and even ones out look improves. Who doesn't feel better just looking better? Being released from being at home also helps and reduces the depression that occurs with an inactive body dealing with pain.
When I see my rheumatologist again I will ask her about the Fosamax. Our current agreement is that not taking it puts me at greater risk for more problems than taking it. Like many diseases you have to choose what you want to deal with. Crumbling bones and excruciating pain or potential side effects. It is a tough decision. One thing to know is that over time the crumbling bones is a for sure once the process gets going.
Keep researching and move past your family doctor. This is the land of specialists and you want the best you can find. Until you check it out, you won't know. I hope you have access to someone who can really help. That one can make a huge difference for you. Karen
Related topics
fosamax, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, pain, prevention of osteoporosis, osteopenia, muscle, bones
Further information
- Fosamax uses and safety info
- Fosamax prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Fosamax (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
