Fosamax and leg pain

I have SEVERE leg pain, behind the knee, kneecap and just above my ankle, Also my hip. This is concentrated on my right side although I do have occasional pain on the left side. My primary care doctor said it was arthritis. When I told my GYN Dr. about this, her head snapped around very quickly. She said to stop the Fosamax and start on vitamin D, calcium and vitamin E. It has been 2 weeks, and the pain is still severe. I'd like to know when it will stop. Does anyone know?

My pain started within a few days of a switch from Fosamax to a generic form. I had been on the med for about ten months and hadn't had anything significant as far as side effects are concerned. First my shoulder blew up with very painful tendinitis and bursitis - doctors said it was likely a strain. Then I had jaw pain a few weeks later and that was supposed to be because of a crown I had done. The latest and worst has been my right hip and right leg to the knee - very sharp and burning pain - really made it impossible to walk. The doctors did not make the connection to fosamax and I think they probably still think I am crazy - but I KNOW that it where it is coming from. I am being treated for the pain with the usual stuff - it has been about two weeks. I think I have a long haul ahead before I feel really great again. The biggest problem with these drugs is that the side effects can present so long after you start the drug that most people don't make the connection. I figure people have been living with osteoporosis forever - so I will risk my osteopenie without any more of this toxic stuff. How many people are out there suffering without a notion that this is the cause - still taking that magic pill once a week?

Thank-you for this site! After reading all the testimonials I was greatly helped in realizing I was not alone in the terrible side-effects I was having since being on Fosamax for the past 5 months. A week ago the pain got so crippling I could barely walk,---left hip was awful, pain going right down the leg. It was hard to even sit without pain... X-Rays ordered by our internist revealed no new fracture or injury. I was on 70 mg tablets once weekly. Fortunately a lobotomist lady told me while taking my blood that the pain she had when on a Biphosphate medication (Boniva) crippled her with such pain she had to stop working! My internist is unable to accept the fact that Fosamax is the culprit causing the horrible pain...and although he has asked me to continue it, and use acupuncture to alleviate my pain, I HAVE TAKEN THE LAST DOSE Of IT AND HAVE INFORMED THEIR OFFICE...Many of the postings reiterated what I have suffered the last few months. The capstone came yesterday when an adult doctor-student of mine told me he would not take any Biphosphate drug and feels that like Vioxx the FDA in time will HAVE TO TAKE IT off the market. In the meantime, you folks are doing a wonderful service in helping your fellow-beings make wise decisions! I feel doctors prescribe these drugs in good faith,---after all their training is drug-oriented...I am thankful there are also Natural Alternatives and this is the route I plan to take! Blessings on all you dear folks out there who are victims of drug-reactions....The good news is that I understand most symptoms will be relieved when we stop taking the drug....Also, aural surgeons will not do surgery on any patient until they have been off Fosamax or any Biphosphate drugs FOR SIX MONTHS.....THANKS AGAIN FOR THIS SITE AND ALL OF YOU WHO POSTED ON IT....You have all helped me make a wise decision...Thanks again and God bless!

Limping after one month on Fosamax. After two months pain was so severe in left hip and leg that I could not climb up stairs leading with left leg. Pain upon getting into minivan,had to pull my leg up by my pant leg. Also upon getting into bed I had to pull my leg up with my pajama leg and then when attempting to lay down to sleep had worse pain in my left hip. Went off Fosamax and after three months am getting considerably more mobile with less pain. Told my doctor about it and refused to take it for osteopenia.

Upon taking fosamax I started getting shoulder pain. Approx. 2 weeks after 1st pill. Second, I started to develop leg pain. Lots of muscle ache in lower legs. After reading posts I will discontinue fosamax. Thank you for your postings.

I have developed upper left leg pain at night while sleeping.This started about 2 years ago.I do not have any pain during the day & an xray showed no fracture.I have been taking fosamax about this length of time & i,m beginning to wonder if this may be related.I haven,t taken any for the past 2 weeks & I haven,t had any pain in the last 4 days.

I had a bone density test that revealed that I had major bone loss, so my doctor put me on fosamax. I have been taking fosamax once weekly 70mg for about a year. About 6 months ago I started noticing bruises on my legs and I know I didn't do anything to cause them, like bump into anything. I also started having really bad leg pain below my knee on the tops of my legs, shin area to my feet. They were aching, and any pressure on them, such as crossing your legs laying down was painful also. I started having pain in my lower chest. The doctor said to stop taking the fosamax for 2 weeks. I have stopped for a month now and the bruises have subsided a bit, but no more leg pain (which was my main concern) and the chest pain is gone too. I will NEVER take fosamax again.

Have taken Fosomax for almost 2 years due to "some thinning" in hip and family history (mother has osteoporosis and is on Fosomax). In past 6 months to a year, have started experiencing unexplained bruising on hips and thighs and buttocks (when I know I haven't bumped into anything), pain in my knees, hips, right wrist, hand and elbow (the most severe), right shoulder, and the bottom of my feet, difficulty and pain standing and walking after getting out of bed or out of a chair, very stiff and painful knees after bending or squatting, sleep disturbance, acid reflux, occasional sudden dizzy spells for no apparent reason, ongoing weight gain especially in upper and lower abdomen, fatigue, shortness of breath (which I thought was due to the extra fat around my middle, but who knows?). I am only 53 and take no other prescription medicines, and am otherwise healthy. I have my annual physical in a few days and am stopping the Fosomax to see if the pain and other symptoms subside.

Took myself of Fosomax after 7 months of severe ankle and leg pain, neck and jaw pain. Dr was not happy with my decision, am feeling back to normal except I still have very bad lingering pain in both of my ankles. Hope that this subsides in time. Dr. is no help, just wants to give me pain pills. Have been off Fosomax about 2 months now, never will go back again. Tried Actonel some time back and had similar experiences along with headaches. Do not want to live with these problems. Will exercise and increase vitamin suppliements.

Severe leg pain in my left leg below the knee. Also fatigue
and depression. I have taken fosamax once a week for
3 years. The doctors have taken 2 MRI's, Ultra Sound,
Physical Therapy, and Exrays. I am to have a test EMG
October 13,2005 to find out how much muscle and nerve
damage has occured. My Creatine Kinase Serum is elevated.
The doctors keep telling me to keep taking the Fosamax.
I just read the side affects from others--I plan to quit taking
this medicine .....