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Can Fosomax Cause Ankle Discomfort And What Medicine Other Than Calcium Be Used For Osteoporosis?
I have been on Fosomax for about 3months. 1 pill weekly. Been very consistent. Last March 3, 2013 had a fractured femur from a fall (before taking Fosomax). Spent 1 wk. in hospital and 1 week in rehab with 3 hrs. daily of therapy. Had Home Care with couple more days a week for 3 wks. of therapy. Had to re-learn how to put weight on my right leg. Went from Walker to cane to nothing by Easter Sunday, March 31. Am 74, in excellent health except for Cholesterol, which is genetic. Since I've been on Fosomax have noticed irritation in both my ankles, waking me from sleep, kind of cramp-like, and just recently irritation in ankle making me almost limp, blaming on my femur break or the cold weather. But went without soreness all summer long and now am questioning whether it could be the Foxomax. Do have Osteoporosis for about 1 year, but Surgeon told me no sign in my hip area where the Femur cracked just missing that area. Could Fosomax be the cause of my ankle discomfort and other than Calcium is there any SAFE medication out there for Osteoporosis? Thanks!
Thu, 16 Jan 2014
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.
Personally, I don't think that Fosamax has anything to do with your ankle problem. It may be a totally due to a different pathology, for which a direct clinical examination is needed to establish a correct diagnosis.
Basically, the treatment of osteoporosis falls into 3 categories
* LIFE STYLE MODIFICATIONS -Regular walking can provide benefits to the frail osteoporotic patient beyond positive changes in BMD. Alcohol and smoking are to be discontinued as both of them are detrimental to bone health.
* NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTION - Calcium and Vitamin D supplements -Nutritional interventions for osteoporosis should assure that the diet plus supplements provide at least 1200 mg of elemental calcium per day and up to 1500 mg in high-risk patients over the age of 70 with established disease.
* PHARMACOLOGIC THERAPIES - Agents that are effective for treating osteoporosis and approved are
- Bisphosphonates like Alendronate, Risedronate, Ibandronic acid, Zolendronic acid etc
- Calcitonin
- Teriparatide (para thyroid hormone)
- Hormone replacement therapy
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
Personally, I don't think that Fosamax has anything to do with your ankle problem. It may be a totally due to a different pathology, for which a direct clinical examination is needed to establish a correct diagnosis.
Basically, the treatment of osteoporosis falls into 3 categories
* LIFE STYLE MODIFICATIONS -Regular walking can provide benefits to the frail osteoporotic patient beyond positive changes in BMD. Alcohol and smoking are to be discontinued as both of them are detrimental to bone health.
* NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTION - Calcium and Vitamin D supplements -Nutritional interventions for osteoporosis should assure that the diet plus supplements provide at least 1200 mg of elemental calcium per day and up to 1500 mg in high-risk patients over the age of 70 with established disease.
* PHARMACOLOGIC THERAPIES - Agents that are effective for treating osteoporosis and approved are
- Bisphosphonates like Alendronate, Risedronate, Ibandronic acid, Zolendronic acid etc
- Calcitonin
- Teriparatide (para thyroid hormone)
- Hormone replacement therapy
Hope this information is helpful. Good day
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