Fosamax and Osteo Necrosis of the Mandible

[Guest guest]

I am a 54 year old woman from Boston who has been in braces for over three

years in preparation for upper/lower/genio on Dec. 8 in Santa Barbara. I

have taken Fosamax for osteopinea for 27 months. I was sent home because my

doctor has recently learned that Fosamax (alendronate sodium) can cause

osteo necrosis of the mandible (death of the jaw bone) which would prevent

healing from orthognathic surgery if I am one of the patients affected. My

doctor knows of no test to tell if a patient has the condition, nor do he

know the rate of incidence, or if the effects of Fosamax are reversible if

the patient stops taking the medication. At this point my surgeon is

planning to remove my braces and put me into heavy retention in hope that

research will be done and we can know if I am a candidate for the surgery.

Unfortunately, this could take years.

I am aware that research is being done at the Univ. of Miami, Long Island

Jewish Medical Center, and the National University of Singapore, but I know

that some of you know something about this. I am grateful for any thoughts

or information you can provide me with during this unsettling time. Hope

you are all well and enjoying a joyous holiday season.

in a Holding Pattern in New England

[Guest guest]

I am a 54 year old woman from Boston who has been in braces for over three

years in preparation for upper/lower/genio on Dec. 8 in Santa Barbara. I

have taken Fosamax for osteopinea for 27 months. I was sent home because my

doctor has recently learned that Fosamax (alendronate sodium) can cause

osteo necrosis of the mandible (death of the jaw bone) which would prevent

healing from orthognathic surgery if I am one of the patients affected. My

doctor knows of no test to tell if a patient has the condition, nor do he

know the rate of incidence, or if the effects of Fosamax are reversible if

the patient stops taking the medication. At this point my surgeon is

planning to remove my braces and put me into heavy retention in hope that

research will be done and we can know if I am a candidate for the surgery.

Unfortunately, this could take years.

I am aware that research is being done at the Univ. of Miami, Long Island

Jewish Medical Center, and the National University of Singapore, but I know

that some of you know something about this. I am grateful for any thoughts

or information you can provide me with during this unsettling time. Hope

you are all well and enjoying a joyous holiday season.

in a Holding Pattern in New England