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2.2 Overall Rating

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Ease of Use

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Most voted positive review

71 People found this comment helpful

I began Fosamax in 2005 with a diagnosis of severe osteoporosis of -3.8 at age 53. In 2011,my dexa scan was still-3.3, but I had no fractures. A random Vitamin D blood test showed I was severely deficient of vitamin D. I was put on 4000iu of vitamin D3 daily. My memory improved, my bone pain resolved, foot pain resolved, my vision improved, and urinary incontinence resolved, my diabetes improved! ...

Most voted negative review

9 People found this comment helpful

No problem taking this medication. It is easy to swallow and only have to wait 15 minutes before having anything to eat or drink after taking the medications

Shared reviews and ratings

Linda | 65-74 | Female | Patient
1/26/2024
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Have taken Fosamax for about 6 months and just started having debilitating muscle pain in my thighs, lower back and neck. At first I didn't think it was the drug because I thought if I were going to have side effects, they'd happen much sooner. But according to my on-line research, side effects can happen months or even years after you start using it. So, I'm stopping the drug pronto. But I'm worried about how long these muscle pains will last. I'm active and healthy and now feel like a 100-year-old woman. Hurts 24-hours a day and is especially bad when I get up in the morning. Once I get moving and do some stretching and other exercises (along with lots of ice packs), it gets a little better. But still hurts all day, every day. I'm going to go with Strontium citrate supplement and calcium/vit D/vit K-2/magnesium. Not sure how much it will help my bones, but at least no horrible side effects!Read More Read Less

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L | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/25/2024
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was given 70 mg dose to take weekly for a -2.9 DEX scan of my lower back's last two vertebrae. The first dose taken as requested with no food, some water, wait 30 minutes standing or sitting upright and I had severe abdominal pain for 15 hours and then the next day dizzyness. I think exercise weight bearing may be better option. Then I see some recommend not eating or drinking for 1 to 2 hours. Guess I will try that next week, but if the side effects are the same, this drug is not going in my body.Read More Read Less

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Dee | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/8/2024
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I took my first Fosamax on a Monday morning with 12-14 oz of water and waited. Tuesday morning my left lower jaw ached either from the medication or from jaw clenching due to the concern of taking the medication. By Wednesday, I had a persistent metallic taste in my mouth that lasted until the following Monday. I didn’t take my second dose and consulted my provider. They recommended another dose so I waited until Monday and took it again. The jaw pain was gone and then metallic taste was gone. After the second dose which was 2 weeks after the initial dose, the heartburn began. I took the next dose the next Monday as prescribed. The heartburn got worse. It has been 4 weeks since my last dose and I take 2 1000 doses of tums 3-4 times per day. I refuse to resort to prescription acid reflux meds to fix what Fosamax caused. I’m still waiting for the heartburn to subside. I’m not happy with this medication but I hope it gives someone else the desired outcome. My provider recommends reclast. I’m considering cancelling my appointment and taking a good calcium supplement with a retest in a year to see if there’s any improvement without the prescription. I am a very active 56 year old woman who does weight bearing work for a living.Read More Read Less

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Deborah | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/3/2023
Condition: Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 1.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This is the 2nd time I am trying fosamex. The first time I took one dose of Prolia. Almost immediately following the injection, I presented with mouth growths called fibromas, which I had removed. Additionally, I developed mouth sores. Doc switched me to fosamex, and the mouth sores persisted. I also developed a fairly light outbreak of Shingles and actinic Chelitis on my lower lip. Needless to say I stopped both drugs. After another density test which showed progression of the bone density loss, I am once again trying fosamex as the lesser of evils; however, right after first dose I experienced muscle and joint pain back, leg and knee. Faded a bit as the week worn on. After second dose, took my usual walk and had to stop after one mile with extreme lethargy and shortness of breath, was knocked out for the rest of the day and continued with joint pain. Don’t know if I am going to try another dose? Again this has subsided as the week continues but afraid to take another dose.Read More Read Less

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Evelyn | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/26/2023
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This is poison just 3 weeks after taking them I tough I was having a heart attack, or had an ulcer or a brain tumor my hair was falling out like I was on chemo. Never again!

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Zima | 75 or over | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
8/31/2023
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My spine doctor strongly suggested I take Fosamax due to my osteoprosis. I was on the one pill a week schedule. I took one pill and the very next day I woke up with such heartburn I thought I was having a heart attack. I immediately called my regular doctor and she told me to stop the drug immediately and go to the ER if necessary. I did not have a heart attack but it has taken over 9 months to get rid of the heartburn. I have never had GI problems in my life before. This medication should be outlawed. Read More Read Less

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Ginger | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
6/24/2023
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Diagnosed with osteopenia via dexa bone scan test. I have been taking generic version for about 2.5 years. No real side effects noticed. I take the weekly dose. The hardest thing for me is to not drink anything but water for 30 minutes after taking. I usually have coffee first thing in the morning. So it is hard to wait for that 30 minutes to go by. Also, switched bone scan places due to problems reading the scan, dr. said it had no T-score. I read somewhere you didn't need to take this longer than 3-5 years, as it would show no more improvement. But dr. said I could take it forever if I wanted to. Anyone know about this? Don't plan on taking forever though.Read More Read Less

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donovje | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
6/4/2023
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was started on Boniva. After two months I started with tingling pain. After the second does I was having severe pain in my feet, tingling in my hand and around my mouth. After I stopped the medication it took a month and half for most of those symptoms to subside. Sent to a Rheumatologist who prescribed Fosamax. The same symptoms are coming back after the second dose

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Pattie | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
3/30/2023
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I am 58 years old and was prescribed Fosamax for osteoporosis. The day after I took my second dose, I woke up with severe pain in my upper back and neck. Over the next 3 days, pain spread down my spine and into my R hip. I decided not to take a 3rd dose to see if pain would resolve. It took about 14 days to return to normal. After reevaluating the drugs side effects and reading these reviews, I have decided not to continue using Fosamax. I think the side effects are much more dangerous than the condition it treats. Read More Read Less

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Julie | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
2/25/2023
Condition: Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Been on Fossamax for 4th week. I take the once a week tablet. After the 2nd dose, I had extreme foot pain to where I was awake all night, almost in tears. Saw a doctor and he immediately diagnosed me with Gout! Couldn’t walk! Was put on steroids which immediately helped with pain. After 4 days of steroids, I was almost pain free. I just read these reviews and am badly scared, especially since I just took my 4th weekly pill. I plan on stopping immediately.

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MKS | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
1/21/2023
Condition: Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This medication was not working for me. I took it for about 6 months and then I realized why so many things were going wrong, heartburn, stomach ache, nausea but the worst was BONE PAIN, especially my upper body, upper arms, ribcage, shoulders and neck. It felt like my bones were splitting, it was extremely painful and I could not figure out what was happening until I read the side effects of this drug. I stopped immediately and now 3 weeks later my neck still hurts. I would not recommend this drug to anybody. Read More Read Less

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Lisa | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
12/13/2022
Condition: Other
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Almost two years come this February with 0 side effects! This was requested from my pcp for osteoporosis but since I’ve seen rheumatologist, she wants me to stop being I have a history of gurd, I’m on meds for that. Wants to switch to reclast. My pcp stated if I tolerated the foxomax, I should be ok with reclast

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Fern | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/26/2022
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

With a low DEXA score my doctor had me take this medication in a once-a-week pill. On 2nd day, I had bone pain in legs and teeth, poor sleep and an overall feeling of ickyness. It seemed to trigger binge eating of salty carbs and I gained 8 pounds in 2 weeks! My symptoms did not lessen or go away. My registered dietitian daughter recommended I take a calcium supplement with vitamin K2. I immediately started to feel better after taking Solgar Advanced Calcium Complex. After taking this for 1 week most of my symptoms have resolved. My teeth still feel odd but the pain is gone. I am still stunned that only one dose of this medicine made me feel so miserable. I will NOT TAKE IT EVER AGAIN.Read More Read Less

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Sheryn | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/8/2022
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I’ve been off this drug for a month after taking 3 weeks. My diarrhea is not going away

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El | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/22/2022
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

After years of my medical people urging me to take Fosamax, I have taken it once per week for eight weeks. Around the sixth week I realized that the joint on my right foot was swollen as if I had gout which I had never had before. After reading several studies, one major one done by the NIH, I have stopped taking the medication and I’m trying to normalize the swelling in my foot and bone pain in various parts of my body. I am right now on gout medication for what the NIH labeled as pseudogout caused by calcium crystallization rather than uric acid crystallization. My doctor said it is really difficult to actually diagnose pseudogout so I wonder how many others have suffered from it without it being documented.Read More Read Less

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Jeffrey | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/3/2022
Condition: Osteoporosis in Male Patient
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
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I tried this drug for 5 weeks and it made me so sick; it exacerbated my A-fib, and I couldn't walk; felt confused as if I was having another stroke. I stopped the medication, and these side effects went away. My doctor prescribed Boniva but I'm sure Boniva is probably even worse. I'm going to try vitamin alternatives.

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LMTdown | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
8/27/2022
Condition: Post-Menopausal Osteoporosis Prevention
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I am a massage therapist. After taking this one time,within 24 hours, my shoulders feel like I have torn rotator cuffs. In reading the reviews I am very afraid of what tomorrow may look like.

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ShakyBones | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
8/8/2022
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was on Fosamax 70 mg several years ago for a total of 3 months. With each once a week dose I progressively felt nauseated and the symptons progressed to head and body aches along with pressure in the chest. I stopped taking it and continued to focus on diet and exercise. A year later, my dr had me start Forteo injections. I could not tolerate the daily injections and reduced injections to every other day and then only 2 times a week...as that is all my body could tolerate. I took Forteo for 2 yrs and 2 months and finally had enough of feeling sick and stopped. I gained a little bone mass in 2020-2021 and remained level 2021-2022. Dr. now wants me to try a half dose of Fosamax 35 mg to see if I can tolerate it. My body feels so good being off Forteo I have little desire to try Fosamax 35 mg. along with the risk of necrosis. Not sure what I will do, but will update my posts in the future.Read More Read Less

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Lucinda | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/30/2022
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have a very active and full life. Normally high energy. My bone scan came back with osteosporosis My doctor wanted me to take fosamax I took my first week pill. I have had no energy at all this week. I cannot even get started. The muscles in my legs are so sore. Lower back pain. Gas, bloating, nausea. I will not be taking that. Going to increase calcium, D3, and I got turmeric there are great reports coming now on turmeric and bone mass.

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Susan | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
5/26/2022
Condition: Decreased Bone Mass Following Menopause
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Do not take this medication!! I took six doses and could not understand why I was in such severe pain. So I researched this drug and saw so many negative reviews so I quit. My in-depth research said the drug will remain in your system 5-10 years! This drug should not be in market!!! These manufacturers should be sued

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