Fosamax and Muscle Pain: What Users Say

• Tay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 31, 2014

For Osteoporosis "I was on Daily Fosamax about 5 years ago. I had severe GERD and stopped taking it. I used calcium supplements, and in those years, I didn't have much change. Recently, after a scan, it showed that I had bone loss, so I went to the weekly Fosamax. I took it in the morning, and by that evening, I had severe backache and muscle ache that got worse. Then I had horrible bloating. I could hardly walk with the pain. I called my pharmacist, and they told me that I need to contact my doctor and to stop taking the medication. They told me that the side effect symptoms might take up to 7 months to go away. I cannot function. I will contact my doctor to see what he has planned. I would like to just take calcium and vitamin D regularly."

• 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."

• Ran...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I had a bone scan. Dr. said I had mild osteoporosis and to take Fosamax once a week and some added supplements to help bone repair. I took it on a Monday. Within 24 hours, I hurt head to toe! Deep down bone and tissue pain. Tylenol didn’t touch it. I was in a recliner for 3 days, crying to get up to go to the bathroom. I have had morphine for less pain than this! I’m tough but this was ridiculous! My muscles and bones hurt so bad just to breathe even. My knee swelled up along with all other pain. After 3 days, it started to improve slightly every day. After 7 days, I went to the chiropractor. He put my right jaw, 3 or 4 ribs, my left shoulder, and knee back in place. All from taking this drug! Doctor offered to give me a shot that lasted 6 months, I said absolutely not!"

• Phi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I took Fosamax weekly for 2-1/2 years with great improvement in my DEXA scores. Suddenly had bad chest pain, spasm, and heartburn, diagnosed as GERD. After 2 months on PPI therapy, my nephrologist told me to stop Fosamax as that was to blame. My PCP, rheumatologist (who prescribed Fosamax for me), and GI doctor didn’t make the connection."

• Pen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2019

For Osteoporosis "My bone scan showed severe osteoporosis. I am sensitive to meds. Decided to try Fosamax. Followed directions, but I became so tired after taking it, I couldn't do anything. After a couple of days, it went away. I did have some muscle pain when I woke up in the mornings. The next week I took it, I wasn't tired until the next day, but that night I had sharp pain near my heart, had heart flutters, and my eye and neck hurt. I stopped taking the Fosamax but I am still tired."

• Mag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 2, 2025

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Approximately 3 years ago, my rheumatologist prescribed Fosamax for osteopenia. I took it every Sunday for approximately 9 months. I started noticing that on Mondays my muscles and joints hurt. Sometimes the pain was so bad, I just wanted to stay in bed or lie on the sofa. It finally occurred to me that the Fosamax might be the culprit. That following Sunday, I did not take Fosamax. Monday morning I woke up and the horrible muscle and bone pain was non-existent. The next Sunday I omitted taking Fosamax again. Monday morning, no debilitating pain. I stopped the Fosamax."