Art and I both went to see the dentist for our 6 month teeth cleaning. When my new dentist saw my records she said, "I see you take Fosamax. I just want to warn you that it does make tooth extractions very complicated so you want to really take good care of your teeth." That really scared me so I researched it a little on the web.Here's a great link about Fosamax and Tooth Extractions that I found.
I've been taking Fosamax (for osteoporosis) for about seven and a half years. When I mentioned it to my nurse practitioner she said I had nothing to worry about. Then she consulted her computer and said I could give it a rest for a year and take another bone scan.
I've heard that there is also the possibility that long term use of Fosamax can cause brittle bones.
Sigh... what to think. What to do...
Well... on the positive side, the dental hygienist smiled and said, "You must be flossing and taking care of your teeth because your teeth show good dental hygiene."
I can smile to that.
Scary stuff, Kay! I take the '50 jumps a day keep osteoporosis away' route;-)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, your teeth certainly look good so it doesn't seem as if you'll be facing extractions any time soon:-)
there's always some health issue to worry about or study with concerns to consider...
ReplyDeleteFortunately for me, we don't have any osteoporosis in our family history, and now that I've read this, nothing would make me take it! Thanks for this information, Kay.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay
ReplyDeleteI go see the the dentist every 6 months for cleaning, too.
because I don't want to have a cavity.
by the way which is comfortable kay or kay-san when I call you?
for me, please call me aya.
usually I call japanese people XXsan but when I use english, I call people just their name even if they're elder people except japanese.
because it's natural:)
how about you?
do you usually use san?
About once a week, I take a drug holiday, during which I don't take vitamins, calcium and certain meds. It's good to flush out my system at least once a week.
ReplyDeleteIt's time for me to take a bone density test -- every 5 years -- so I'll call my doctor for a referral. So far, my numbers have been excellent, but you never know.
Good to know!
ReplyDeleteso this Fosamax is for osteoporosis but can cause brittle bones? This is complicated.
ReplyDeletePatty heard this story too.
ReplyDeleteShe takes actonel instead prescribed by her doctor.
If you want to see my second movie I just put on You Tube here is the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeyWtY4pqdQ
I guess all meds have some good sides and also a bad side to them. You´ll have see which outweighs the other. It sure gets complicated when you get older, right?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. For some reason I do not have osteoporosis and have no idea why as I have a strong family history for it. That said, I do not take anything for it. I would certainly pause now before agreeing to take Fosamax if it were ever to be recommended. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteHmmm....very interesting and something I will take note of. Good on you for taking good care of your dental hygiene Kay.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the Fosamax would strengthen the jaw bone along with other bones.
ReplyDeleteBut cause brittle bones? Good grief!
I take it once a week, and some weeks I forget, so I'm certainly not overdoing it.
I was on another medication in the early 90s that caused osteoporosis (the doctors didn't warn me) and I broke one of the vertebrae in my back. It still hurts, but I'm glad I didn't have any other fractures.
I have an appointment to see my doctor on Friday to discuss the number of meds I'm on. I'm sure I rattle when I walk.
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Always seems to be a trade off. :)
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me - I have never had a bone density test. Hmmm. I wonder why? I guess I should check into it.
ReplyDeleteI take calcium suppliments as well as vitamin and mineral suppliments, but that's all. I heard recently about new findings concerning osteoporosis drugs. It seems that with ongoing testing, just about anything we were told five years ago is now being negated.
I was surprised to find out three years ago that I had ostopenia (one step away from osteoperosis). The doctor sent me home with a prescription for drugs, but I decided to try other things first. I got better about remembering to take my calcium, and started doing weight-bearing exercises. Two years later, I had another bone scan and things had improved!
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that every time there is a promising new drug that actually seems to be helping you, you find out that it is probably hurting you, too? Very annoying!
ReplyDeleteThis is an important question. I have discussed this before with friends. I have no answer.
ReplyDeleteI need to get a bone density test. I just keep putting it off. Not sure why. I also tend to not remember to take my calcium. I guess I better get on both - take the calcium and get a new test.
A friend of mine who took Fosamax got osteonecrosis. I don't believe in taking any of that stuff. I didn't take hormones either. And I find that friends who did are having all kinds of strange health problems.
ReplyDeleteI take no medications.
I also don't believe in taking things like that. But on the other hand you had good news.
ReplyDeleteI am so opposed to any extra medications of any kind, and fosamax has always sounded scary to me. My friend's jawbone started to deteriorate while she was on it. Stopping the pill seemed to reverse the damage.
ReplyDelete