Fosamax and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• pai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 22, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "After a freak accident where I slipped on a waxed floor and broke my hip, I was put on Fosamax for two years. However, my doctor eventually advised me to discontinue using it due to severe joint pain in my shoulders, neck, legs, feet, and back, as well as the development of TMJ and cramps in my feet. I also experienced tingling in my feet, hands, and arms, increased blood pressure, and three days of diarrhea every time I took the pill as prescribed once a week. I was always in pain and unable to sleep. Despite being an avid walker, I was unable to walk without pain. After being off the medication for two weeks, I am finally starting to get back to walking my 5 miles a day. I am hopeful that I will completely recover from the effects of the medication. In my opinion, the makers of this drug should provide compensation to everyone who has taken it."

• Tro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2020

For Osteoporosis "Used it twice. Stopped taking it. I can't recommend it. My doctor prescribed it because I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. First dose was very bad. Diarrhea, stomach pain like ulcers, very tired. Second dose was even worse. Diarrhea, SEVERE stomach cramps, I thought of going to the hospital. Joint pains in my ankle and knee. Do NOT use if you have any stomach problems. It feels like it is damaging, eating the stomach lining. Very scary experience."

• Cil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2020

For Osteoporosis "First dose I felt achy and joint pain but it went away in a few days. Second dose my joints hurt so bad I could hardly move. I stopped taking them after the second dose. It has been two weeks and my bones and joints hurt so bad. Why is this still prescribed? It is horrible. I had no joint pain before taking this."

• Not...
• March 13, 2019

For Osteoporosis "Took Fosamax for 4 months and got terrible side effects such as pain in my knees, hips, shin, and foot. The pain is not always in the same place. Could not sleep anymore. Painkillers did not help. It got so bad that I could hardly walk. Stopped taking Fosamax, and slowly I am feeling better."

• Nit...
• June 10, 2015

For Osteoporosis "MD prescribed Fosamax. Took first dose and two days later woke up with a severe headache, bloating, gas, and terrible nausea. By the time I got home from work, I had severe back pain, joint pain, and a headache. The bloating was almost intolerable. The next day, nausea was worse and the headache continued with no relief even after OTC pain meds. I will take Calcium and Vitamin D instead."

• Sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I’ve been on Fosamax for 3 weeks, taking it once a week, on a Sunday. The first week I was constipated and bloated. That lasted most of the week. I started my second round on Sunday. By Monday afternoon, I started having joint and muscle pain. By late in the afternoon, my knees were swollen, and I had difficulty walking and climbing stairs. By Thursday, I was feeling back to normal. This past Sunday, I took my third pill. The next day, I had joint and muscle pain, flu-like symptoms, headache, nausea, fever, and chills. I’ve decided to stop the medication and take coral calcium and a vitamin D supplement."

• Kit...
• January 21, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I started taking Fosamax after I completed some dental work. My dentist refused to do implant if I was on the medication. After several weeks of taking the drug, I started having achy joints and difficulty stepping up, headaches, and weakness in my legs. Motrin didn't help at all. I didn't correlate the symptoms with the drug. I went to my doctor and requested physical therapy because of returning problems with my sciatica. During this time, I stopped the Fosamax for silly reasons. Sometime later, I started taking the drug again. This time it hit me like a brick wall. I was pet sitting for my son and literally had to pull myself up the stairs. Not realizing the drug was causing all these problems, I asked for physical therapy for my shoulder and hip. After 5 physical therapy appointments, my shoulder was worse and no improvement overall. Had an MRI of my shoulder and now have a torn rotator cuff. Yippee. Been through that before. I believe the Fosamax caused the tear and no clue about the hip."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 19, 2020

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Fosamax gave me absolutely shocking joint pain and diarrhea all the time."