Fosamax?

Hello Susan,
I am on Arimidex and it has done some numbers on my bones, too. Also have been on Fosamax for almost year. Sometimes I can't tell what side effect goes with what medications. Fosamax does not seem to do too much harm to me. I am usually senstive to meds anyway. Arimidex is my culprit for side effects.
I do not take additional calcium supplement. I do take a multivitamin which is okay by my oncologist. I stay away from soy products as much as one can. It is always good to ask the oncologist about supplements. That is where I go for this information.
I usually watch all the side effects to determine if they are getting worse,level of tolerance, and stablized at all.
They called my bone loss osteopenia. In the spring, I will find out if it worked or not by having a bone density check along with the other scans to be done.

best regards,
Roxanne53

KathiM said:

Other than inconvenience of a weekly pill, I have tolerated Actonel (Fosamax's cousin) for almost 6 months. Yes, you SHOULD keep up the supplements...the Fosamax will use this calcium to do the building with. I actually have NO sides to the Actonel. And, since starting it, I have less bone/joint pain. I was osteopenic before the cancer, and sunk to osteoporosis after all the treatment was over (who knows why? Could have been the chemo from either cancer, or the total hysterectomy, or (sigh) old age..hehehehehe).
You are smart to involve your onc in this part of the treatment, too...he/she had been with you all along. Mine actually started me on Tamoxifen even tho with no ovaries/other stuff I was eligible for the Aromatase inhibitors, such as Arimidex. We will switch in a year, after a bone density scan.

Hugs to a smart lady!

Hugs, Kathi

Another question?
So I could/should add a calcium supplement besides what is in the multi vitamin with the fosamax?
I would not want to over do it with calcium stuff. Not soo good either. Suppose this is another oncologist or at least my internist/regular doc question? the 2 clinics keep up with each other by reports. This is nice.
I think.
best regards
Roxanne53

KathiM said:

My onc said 1000 mg calcium with vit. D daily supplements. The other 500mg I get thru my normal diet. You are right, too much is not good, can cause calcium stones in VERY painful places...heheehehe!. I was scanned at -2.7 T. I think each doc is used to doing things their way, this is just what my onc wants me to do....

Hugs, Kathi

Thanks! Nice little fosamax chat:))
I will be scanned again in April. Along with the bone and CT scan. That may be good time to discuss the adding of more calcium through the supplements. Then I will have had the fosamax for about a year, I would guess.
Take care and stay well.
Roxanne53

inkblot said:

Hi Susan956,

I've not taken Fosamax but heard recently that it has caused some people to develop problems with their jawbones. It's something you definitely want to ask your doc about as he/she should be well aware of this. It supposedly is not a common side effect. I did a quick search on google by typing in: Jaw problems and Fosamax. Several hits come up. The most interesting and detailed was a newspaper article from News Argus. Check it out as it may be helpful and shed some light on what the deal seems to be with jawbone troubles. I firmly believe in researching and educating ourselves before we take anything and sadly, sometimes, doctors just don't mention some of the side effects they consider not usual or rare but it matters greatly if you're on of the "rare" ones to get a nasty side effect.

One of my good friends is on Fosamax and just recently went off it. However, her doc had advised her to only take 500mg/day Calcium w/Vitamin D, when she was taking the drug. I think how much Calcium is recommended depends upon many factors, such as the degree of bone loss, age, diet, any other meds one may be taking and whether or not one is a smoker and/or drinker. Smoking really robs the body of Calcium as well as Vitamin C. All things to consider.

Take care and let us know how it goes.

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

Breast cancer treatment is very hard on bones and hip fractures are very common among my female older relatives, so I'm very interested in how to prevent osteoporosis. Fosamax has good research to prove that it is effective. Dental work should be done to correct all dental problems BEFORE starting Fosamax, since the problems with the jawbones (though this is really rare) usually follow tooth extractions or similar dental work. No sense taking any risks, even if this is a rare condition. Your dentist may recommend a method to monitor the jaw's condition so that treatment could be stopped if a problem begins to develop. Note that Fosamax won't work except on an empty stomach. Don't take your calcium supplement at the same time as Fosamax. Ask your doctor how much calcium you should take and whether you can take it later in the day on the day you take Fosamax. Most postmenapausal women need the amount of calcium present in 4 cups of milk spaced three or more hours apart. If you don't drink that much on any given day, you need a supplement for each glass you miss. Your body will only absorb about 300 to 500 mg. of calcium in 3 hours, so don't try to get your entire day's amount all at once. Your body just excretes it. Vitamin D, exercise, and magnesium are also important in building bones. The fosamax can help slow down cancer spreading to the bones, so I've heard. I have one friend with a rare stomach problem (it twisted, requiring surgery) who could not take Fosamax. She got severe stomach pains from it the first time she took it and did not take it again. My mother-in-law began taking it after breaking her wrist. She has no problems at all with it. Good luck!