Fosamax, weekly

[liz2]

Once a week Fosamax, is it an IC irritant? I've been taking weekly Fosamax for 3 months. My IC has been flaring a lot in the last 3 weeks and periodically before that during the last 3 months.

I would imagine that I now have the Fosamax level built up in my body, as my finger nails are nor longer breaking. Is it possible that the two could be linked? I am at a loss when trying to spot the cause of this on-going flare.

Is it weekly Fosamax? Would daily Fosamax be better or would another another bone rebuilder be less of an irritant. Please I need input. My doctor is at a loss here.

[Dianne]

I take weekly foxamax and just plan on hurting that day although I've had a few mondays when I didn't. My opinion is that if I'm bad already it makes me worse but doesn't necessarily start a flare. I think I've been on about 4 mos. too.

[liz2]

I am having trouble for at least 3 days afterwards. Is it possible that we might do better with the daily Fosamax nasal spray? A different delivery method would not put it as close to the bladder area.

This was an idea my uro and gastro specialists came up with, as both believe there could be some cross over and the waste products also may go to the urinary system. Another idea was to totally change me to Mia calcin, a totally different medication that does the same thing and does not cause an much of an intestinal problem. Its delivery method is via nasal spray, too.

Both of these doctors have worked with IC patients, and the gastro specialist sees many patients who DO NOT have IBS, but come to him thinking they do. He says there is no research to back him up, but he believes there is some interrationship that mimicks IBS. He ends up sending so many of these patients to a urologist. Both doctors sadly say that there is not enough research money for much of this.

[Ratchada]

I just started Actonel which is an alternative to Fosamex and have had no IC problems. My doctor said the the Fosamex spray was not as effective. Maybe you could see about switching to the Actonel to see is you are less symptomatic. Ratchada

[liz2]

How long have you been on Actonel? I didn't have problems right at first; it had to build up in my system. And it has taken a while to put the pieces together. Please keep me posted on your progress with Actonel. That is a possible alternative.

[liz2]

My flare looks more and more like it was caused by the weekly Fosamax. I am almost at the end of a week and things are starting to tone down some.

[LK/Hope]

I too was taking Fosamax Weekly and I started having all the UTI symptoms. I did this for a year and I stopped taking it. I starting working out and doing alot of muscle work. It has kept my bone density right where it needs to be. I am convinced that the Fosamax was doing something to my bladder. I even told the doctors about it then. They had not heard of this affecting the kidneys or bladder. This was almost 2 years ago. The once a day dose did not bother me as much but I had a hard time taking it and then waiting 30 minutes to have anything to eat or drink. That is when I switched to the weekly. Not a good idea!!

[Claudia]

Not widely known information.......

The optimal wait time before eating for both Fosamax and Actonel is 2 hours.

If you read the fine print in the accompanying literature, or call the company, they will tell you that the absorbancy is increased by 40% if you wait 2 hours. Their studies of effectiveness is based on the two hour wait time. Fosamax literataure tells you the difference in effectiveness for various wait times.

This may seem difficult, but isn't too bad with the once a week. I have done it also with the daily Fosamax before the once a week came out It is worth it.

Evista works differently, more like an estrogen replacement, and is another option. I take it in addition to Actonel. (I need all the help I can get.)

[Claudia]

Not widely known information.......

The optimal wait time before eating for both Fosamax and Actonel is 2 hours.

If you read the fine print in the accompanying literature, or call the company, they will tell you that the absorbancy is increased by 40% if you wait 2 hours. Their studies of effectiveness is based on the two hour wait time. Fosamax literataure tells you the difference in effectiveness for various wait times.

This may seem difficult, but isn't too bad with the once a week. I have done it also with the daily Fosamax before the once a week came out It is worth it.

Evista works differently, more like an estrogen replacement, and is another option. I take it in addition to Actonel. (I need all the help I can get.)

[Claudia]

Update - Actonel bases their research on on a 4 hour wait. I have tried to get used to hunger!