Guest guest Posted December 17, 2000 Report Share Posted December 17, 2000 All of my docs have been aware I have been on estrogen for past 3 years ... not one has said anything about stopping it. Guess I need to add that to the list of questions for the doc. > In a message dated 12/17/00 11:11:54 AM Pacific Standard Time, > emcdona@b... writes: > > > > Regarding Fosamax for Prednisone related boneloss, both my GI and > > Endocrinologist strongly recommended against it because of side effects. > > Instead, they put me on added calcium, vitamin D and Miacalcin spray. > > > > Also, they put me on hormone therapy which also aids in boneloss. Again, > > they recommended against oral medication, which can tax the liver, in > > favor of a patch. I started on Climara estrogen patches and then, at the > > urging on my Endo to my GYN, swithed to Combi-patch > > estrogen/progestigen. > > > > You might want to discuss this with your doctors. I did have to fight > > with the insurance company on the miacalcin and both patches, and the > > doctors had to write letters affirming the need instead of first line > > oral medications. > > > > Regards, > > Mc > > > > Thanks -- very much. I'll try to get in touch with my doctor -- not easy to > do. What are the side effects of Fosamax that worried them? Was it > esophagal bleeding or liver damage? I'll look up micalcin, as I'm not yet > familiar with it. Lots to learn fast. > > Oddly, I was told to stop estrogen therapy immediately when I was diagnosed > AIH, and told that I probably could never return to it, because of its > effects on the liver! > > (I began estrogen therapy maybe three years ago, before AIH, on the basis of > one symptom only -- brain fog. My memory wasn't too great, and I felt > verbally immobilized because I couldn't think of words on cue. Within a week > of beginning estrogen, I was fine again.) I've never been sure whether my > current brain fog is due to AIH, prednisone, or lack of estrogen. > > Harper (AIH 5/00, female, 57, San Francisco) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 8, 2001 Report Share Posted August 8, 2001 In a message dated 8/8/01 4:01:45 PM Pacific Daylight Time, susant@... writes: Harper, I didn't know that you were already on the Fosomax. For how long? The doctor is going to give me a blood test in 4 weeks to check to see if I am still "leaking calcium" . When do you take your Fosomax and when do you take the Pred.? The doctor and the pharmacist told me different time allowances for no food for the Fosomax. I have to work out a schedule. I began taking Prednisone (80 mg at first) in May, 2000. I began taking Fosamax in August, 2000. I switched to the once-a-week version a couple of months ago. I take the Fosamax the minute I get up. That way I can be sure of having an hour before taking Prednisone, which is most effective taken before 9 a.m. Remember, Fosamax must be taken on an empty stomach with at least six ounces of water -- not tea, not coffee, and not water with lemon juice or anything else in it. Just plain water. My doctor told me that two hours without eating is long enough to meet the "empty stomach" requirement. You can eat half an hour after taking Fosamax, but it will be more effective if you wait an hour. Harper Harper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2001 Report Share Posted August 10, 2001 OOPS! I don't know much about Calcitonin -- I'll scout it out too. It is a nostril spray that is sprayed in only one nostril per day, alternating nostrils. I'll talk it over with her doctor next Wednesday at her appointment. I was diagnosed, by liver biopsy, in Dec. 1996, and went through a prednisone course for quite some time. I was able to get clear off prednisone and didn't ever start on imuran. I didn't understand AIH as well as I do now ( and I am still needing to learn lots more.) I think I was in complete denial that AIH would ever return. I took on a stressful job -moving from a classroom teacher to an elementary school principal (not all principals may think their jobs are stressful -- mine was!) I wasn't having panels done, kept up a false front util I just couldn't any more. My panels and the biopsy in late January put me back on prednisone. The effects of prednisone also forced the issue with my job. I've been off work since early Feb., aprroved for 6 month disability, taken a medical leave for this coming school year. Maybe my story will help someone who is able to get clear off prednisone. I wish I would have had been more knowledgeable and kept up on what was really happening. This support group has been wonderful for me. I am learning so much! Thanks for asking, Harper. You're great. Sue (Oregon) --down to 15mg yesterday, 50 Imuran -----Original Message-----From: flatcat9@... [mailto:flatcat9@...]Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2001 9:34 AM Subject: Re: [ ] Fosamax In a message dated 8/9/01 9:24:56 AM Pacific Daylight Time, suerivoire@... writes: now I need to think about my 25 year old daughter........... Sue (Oregon) AIH 12/96, Remission, Recurrence 1/01 Never too soon to start! We're so lucky in knowing about bone loss and that measures can be taken to prevent bone loss. I remember back in the 1980's my mother's horror when she heard for the first time about osteoporosis, an unknown word to her and her friends before then. I'm sorry to hear about your mother's problems and pleased to hear that she's getting such attentive care. I don't know about calcitonin; I'll look it up. Do you know what groups of people should take it, under what circumstances it's prescribed? Regarding your recurrence of AIH -- were you still taking Prednisone at the time of the recurrence? Harper (AIH 5/00 -- doing well) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2002 Report Share Posted December 6, 2002 In a message dated 12/6/02 4:45:50 AM Pacific Standard Time, writes: Hi Randi, I'm 45 and have started on Fosamax every day. So far, I am not having any problems. I take it first thing in the morning with a big glass of plain water, then do not lay down again, but get up and get ready for work. Then one hour later, I am ready to take the prednisone and Imuran as well as the asthma meds. I am doing great! Good luck! Are all of you aware that Fosamax is available in a once-a-week version? Harper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2002 Report Share Posted December 6, 2002 In a message dated 12/6/02 9:08:38 AM Pacific Standard Time, writes: Hi Randi, I have been on fosomax for a little over a year. There has been a slight improvement in my bone density test . So I guess it is doing it's job. Just be sure to drink a lot of water when you take the pill. I found that at first I got terrible heartburn even with the recommended amount of water. I drink at least 3 glasses! And that seems to do the trick for me. Take care, Sylvia Drinking water with Fosamax is important, as is staying upright for about an hour after you take it. If you experience real pain, let your doctor know immediately. A serious esophageal disorder can result from Fosamax. My doctor said I would know if it happened, that it wasn't a mild pain that I might mistake for indigestion. Harper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2002 Report Share Posted December 6, 2002 Harper, Yes! Once a week is how I take the Fosomax. It is a lot more convenient ! By the way, I believe I must be the Grandma of this group. I am 63! Sylvia flatcat9@... wrote: In a message dated 12/6/02 4:45:50 AM Pacific Standard Time, writes: Hi Randi, I'm 45 and have started on Fosamax every day. So far, I am not having any problems. I take it first thing in the morning with a big glass of plain water, then do not lay down again, but get up and get ready for work. Then one hour later, I am ready to take the prednisone and Imuran as well as the asthma meds. I am doing great! Good luck! Are all of you aware that Fosamax is available in a once-a-week version? Harper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 6, 2002 Report Share Posted December 6, 2002 Hi Harper, No I didn’t know that. But is it better to take meds in smaller doses? Not to overload the system all at one time? Re: [ ] Fosamax In a message dated 12/6/02 4:45:50 AM Pacific Standard Time, writes: Hi Randi, I'm 45 and have started on Fosamax every day. So far, I am not having any problems. I take it first thing in the morning with a big glass of plain water, then do not lay down again, but get up and get ready for work. Then one hour later, I am ready to take the prednisone and Imuran as well as the asthma meds. I am doing great! Good luck! Are all of you aware that Fosamax is available in a once-a-week version? Harper Group Rules 1. Please no religious, political, race or sexual preference discussions. 2. NO slamming of other members, advertising or vulgarity. Thank you! To UNsubscribe send a blank e-mail to -unsubscribeegroups Your use of is subject to the Terms of Service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2005 Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 Hi Clyde, I used to take fosamax, but found it to be a problem to take due to the restrictions on when/how to take it. I have switched to Evista which does not have restrictions on when or how to take it. Before talking to your doctor about it, I suggest you read about it at: http://www.evista.com NOTE: Evista is only for post-menopausal women, I did not see any info regarding men on the web site. Sandy C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2005 Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 ----- Original Message ----- From: silkybfp > I have switched to Evista which does not have restrictionson when or how to take it.Before talking to your doctor about it, I suggest you read about it at:http://www.evista.com Thanks! I haven't started the Actonel yet simply because I don't want to deal with the restrictions. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2005 Report Share Posted February 3, 2005 ----- Original Message ----- From: silkybfp > Before talking to your doctor about it, I suggest you read about it at: http://www.evista.com I just checked it out and it says not to take it if you have severe liver disease. Bummer! Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 In a message dated 2/4/2005 8:55:26 AM Eastern Standard Time, silkybfp@... writes: Nina,Almost every medication warns against taking with liver disease. Sandy, That was an excellent response and so true. In fact even azathiaprine has a warning about liver disease! Regards Elaine Long Island NY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 In a message dated 2/4/2005 11:14:02 AM Eastern Standard Time, flatcat9@... writes: Re annoyance of taking Fosamax, etc: really, it just becomes part of your routine. Sure, I'd rather not deal with the timing, but it is a very small problem when you think of the potential benefits. Until very recently, there was NOTHING you could do to repair bone loss. I had an MRI on Wednesday and just learned that the severe pain I've been having in my back and chest are from collapsed vertebra in my thoracic spine due to osteoporosis--no doubt prednisone played a part in that. I'll be seeing my doctor today and expect he'll put me on Fosamax or something similar. Compared to the pain I've had the past several weeks, the inconvenience of taking the pills is a minor consideration. Regards Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 Nina, Almost every medication warns against taking with liver disease. It is up to your doctor to weigh the benefits versus the risks. Mine felt there was no problem taking it as the benefits far outweigh the risks. I have PBC which causes osteoporosis (last bone scan showed hips of 60 year old and spine of 70 year old - I'm 47). The same is said for statins, yet my hep insists on Lipitor for my cholesterol, as well as allowing Darvocet or Vicodin for my knee bone pain. Sandy C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 ----- Original Message ----- From: silkybfp > Nina,Almost every medication warns against taking with liver disease. It is up to your doctor to weigh the benefits versus the risks. I just checked the handouts from all my meds and few say anything about the liver. What some say is that if you have liver disease, you should check with your doctor before you take that med. What the website said was if you have severe liver problems, you should NOT take it. (I think it was Evista we were talking about, not Fosomax). > The same is said for statins, yet my hep insists on Lipitor for my cholesterol, as well as allowing Darvocet or Vicodin for my knee bone pain.My liver doc doesn't want me taking Darvocet because of the Tylenol. Darvon is okay. I can't take anything with codeine (such as Vicodin) because it makes me throw up constantly so I don't have to worry about that one. Lipitor is one of those that says to talk your doctor about taking it if you have liver disease. My cholesterol isn't bad enough yet to take meds for it. So what struck me as different about the Evista is that it said you should NOT take it if you have severe liver problems, not that you should consult with your doctor before taking it. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 Elaine, it's like other consumer products that have stupid warnings on them...these are just to avoid the frivolous lawsuits that clog our court system. I always leave the decision to my hep whether it's prescription or over-the-counter. Sandy C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 4, 2005 Report Share Posted February 4, 2005 My hep feels it's fine to take the Evista. I have my labs done every month, so if something is up it will be caught quickly. There is too much going on in my life to have to worry about if I took the Fosamax correctly. What may be a minor inconvenience to one person is not necessarily true of myself. I express my opinion regarding myself and my situation. If someone disagrees, I really don't care - that's their opinion (this is not addressed to you Nina). It is an inconvenience to me that I do not want nor have to deal with. I've got too many other problems (medical and otherwise) to add another source of stress. I especially have to be sure I'm taking something regularly as I have avascular necrosis in my knee from prednisone. I'm having surgery on it to try to restore the blood flow and if I get extremely lucky, the bone will regrow and I won't need a knee replacement for some time. Sandy C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2005 Report Share Posted February 5, 2005 Since I'm a male, evista would be too good for me. Clyde > ----- Original Message ----- > From: silkybfp > > > > Before talking to your doctor about it, I suggest you read about it > at: http://www.evista.com > > I just checked it out and it says not to take it if you have severe liver disease. Bummer! > > Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2005 Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 Tony, Your "thank you" for the angel you received with the good wishes of the group, was wonderful and your very heart warming. YOu are quite talented both on the computer and with your words. Keep up your positive and hopeful attitude, we are all learning from you! Clara from OR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2005 Report Share Posted February 6, 2005 My choice is to take Evista instead of Fosamax. I would never advocate not treating it. I have had osteoporosis for many, many years and know the seriousness. I have fractured many bones over the years because of it. I actually fractured my wrist while sleeping. The doctor said I must have hit the headboard during the night. Mine was first caused by early menopause (hysterectomy at 23), and PBC also contributes to it. PBC can cause malabsorption of vitamins A, D, E and K. Along with the Evista I take calcium with vitamin D. Anyone who has PBC should have a bone scan to check for osteoporosis. My posting was that I find Fosamax too restrictive in how it must be taken. Due to AVN and fibromyalgia I wake up every morning stiff and in pain. It is much more a priority for me to take Ultram first thing, even before I get out of bed. Also, calcium can be taken at the same time as Evista, which is important to me. Since I take 14 different medications every day, it is difficult to juggle when they should be taken, how they should be taken, etc. So one less restriction is a big deal for me. Sandy C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 16, 2006 Report Share Posted April 16, 2006 Hi... Since many of you are on this drug, I thought you might be interested in this: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2006/apr/15/lawsuit_claims_fosamax_caused_tissue_\ disease/?local_news It seems to me that not using fosamax for awhile after an invasive dental procedure might be a good idea, so be sure to check with your physician if you get into that situation. Regards, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 17, 2006 Report Share Posted December 17, 2006 I took Fosomax for quite a while, a couple of years maybe? It didn't help as much as needed and now I'm taking (injecting) Forteo. I've included a couple of links to info about this drug. I haven't been on it long enough to know it's success in my case. http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/drugs/dru812.html http://imaginis.com/osteoporosis/news/news8.10.2001.asp If you have any questions, please feel free to write me. Hillary Fosamax > >I took Fosamax for a few months about a year ago but got a little distracted >and never really refilled. My doctor wants me to try and schedule a bone >density scan before we start it again so that we can track whether or not it >s improving my bone density or not. My last fracture was a couple months ago >and that was the first time that I was officially diagnosed with pretty >serious osteoperotic bone so I am more motivated to find a treatment for >this now than I was before when it was more of a preventative thing...I didn >t have any trouble with the drug and I have a really sensitive stomach...as >long as you stay in a non-laying/lounging position the acidic quality of the >drug shouldn't be at risk for coming back up to potentially burn the >esophagus. So, I just took it in the morning before heading off to work at >school and it wasn't a problem I'd be interested in hearing any alternatives >that you've found though so please share:-) >~Kara > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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