Last year I suffered a nontraumatic femur fracture of my left femur. In July, 2008 I read an article that described femur fractures identical to mine and a possible link to long term use of Fosamax. Since then I have had a bone scan which shows increased activity in my right femur which could very possibly be a stress fracture. I am very worried about the risk of a fracture occurring in my right femur. I would love to communicate with others who have had this experience. I am also interested in learning about how I can protect myself from this happening again.
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There is help available through this web site and others. The main thing is to learn as much as you can to protect yourself, both now and in the future. Prescription drugs can save lives but we cannot simply turn our lives over to them and expect everything will always turn out perfectly. We have to be good stewards of our own bodies and sometimes that is learned through hard lessons, such as two broken bones and a broken back. These breaks were non-traumatic--at least until the aftermath!
The Internet is a vast community of information, but do not simply take the word of a site or two or a person or two. Even many good doctors are just learning the ill effects of taking drugs that are intended to help the bone loss problem. Fosamax being one of those drugs. Also, any of the other osteoporosis drugs can have the same effect over time. The only solid thing, by my choice mind you, is Calcium supplements (1200 mg per day) and Vitamin D3--at least 1,000 mg per day. The other wonder drug, Forteo, which is administered by daily injection to build bones, has a bone cancer warning that I chose to adhere to given my weak-bone condition. It does not make sense to me to subject my porous bones to a cancer-causing element. I know there will be other drugs available, some perhaps soon, but we can only hope there will truly be something that is effective to turn this dramatic bone loss phenomenon around.
I encourage anyone who has suffered a bone break to get a nuclear bone scan to check for stress fractures--a sure sign of an impending larger break. Also seek a urine NTX test along with other bloodwork to check calcium and vitamin D levels. Be proactive--and be patient with yourself--which is MUCH easier said than done!
Vicki
January 20, 2010 - 6:45pmThis Comment
Thanks, Vicki. I especially agree with your statements that we need to be proactive and learn as much as we can to protect ourselves. Great advice! Take care, Pat
January 20, 2010 - 6:51pmThis Comment
Hello John,
I am a femur fracture survivor--both legs and lumbar one all within a five-month time frame. I was a long-term Fosamax user. Through this page I also got connected to another support group that is amazing and overflowing with a wealth of experience and knowledge. The lady who has been our core supporter is Dr. Jennifer Schneider, who also suffered a fractured femur following long-term Fosamax usage. We welcome anyone--albeit you would be the first male, I'm sure you could give us even more insight into to some issues and vice versa. If you would like to be included in our group, e-mail Dr. Jennifer Schneider at: [email protected]. We welcome anyone struggling with this issue to join us.
Vicki
January 20, 2010 - 5:29pmThis Comment
Thanks Vicki for reaching out to John, that's what this site is all about. How are you doing today? Any advice you'd like to share with others? Pat
January 20, 2010 - 5:57pmThis Comment
Hi John, and welcome to EmpowHer! While our main focus is on women's health, we do have many male members and experts, and everyone is welcome.
We have a number of posts about osteoporosis and bone density that you may find of interest.
Our osteoporosis page includes broad information as well as recommendations on supplements for those who aren't able to consume enough calcium from food:
https://www.empowher.com/media/reference/osteoporosis
The following article discusses resistance exercise and calcium for building bone strength:
https://www.empowher.com/media/article/best-study%E2%80%94resistance-exercise-and-calcium-improve-bone-density
Here's an in-depth look at the use of calcium supplements, with information on adding calcium naturally to your diet.
https://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2009/10/21/how-calcium-supplement-working-you?page=0,0
Vitamin K is being investigated for value in building bone density:
https://www.empowher.com/media/article/vitamin-k%E2%80%94good-blood-and-now-bones-too
https://www.empowher.com/media/reference/vitamin-k
Will you let us know if you find these helpful? We'd also be happy to address any other questions you may have.
January 19, 2010 - 6:49pmTake care, Pat
This Comment
HI Pat,
Thanks for the warm welcome and all the links to good info....I see I have a lot of reading to do.
I'll post the results of the bone scan when I have them. Seems I am not alone in dealing with the possible down sides to long term biphosphonate use. Best wishes to all for a good outcome.
Cheers,
John
January 19, 2010 - 8:39pmThis Comment
You're very welcome! Look forward to hearing from you again, and your active participation.
January 20, 2010 - 5:19pmThis Comment
Hi folks, I am not a "her", but came across this site researching Fosamax and femur fractures. I have been taking Fosamax since 1999 for osteoporosis and on Dec 28 I slipped and fell on ice resulting in a fracture of my left femur about 6 inches below the hip joint. I had an IM rod implant and am healing (I hope). The ortho doc is aware of the link between biphosfonates (sp?) and femur fractures and just did a nuclear gamma bone scan of the other lower extremities to look for emerging stress fractures and I will have the results later this week....keeping my fingers crossed! I also had a stress fracture of the 5th metatarsal of my right foot about 2 years ago...... just walking across a smooth carpeted floor and "snap". I'm not sure if the two are related or not..??
Do any of you or your docs have recommendations for rebuilding bone strength other than the usual Vit D & calcium supps?
Thanks for listening,
John
January 19, 2010 - 1:45pmThis Comment
Also DEXA scans are a fallacy of Fosamax...they show bone density but not quality. My DEXA showed osteopenia at worst.
December 20, 2009 - 12:35pmThis Comment
This information is all first hand!!!! Personal experience!!!! I have had two broken femurs and a broken back--this year within a five month period! Put "Fosamax Femur Fractures" in your browser search line and you will get plenty of information. My advice....get off of Fosamax and any of the osteoporosis drugs actually, as they all contain bisophosphonate sodium or are a high cancer risk for bone cancer. AND get a nuclear bone scan ASAP to check for stress fractures. Anyone who has taken such drugs for more than four years are at a high risk--even with a "vacation" from them.
December 20, 2009 - 12:33pmThis Comment