Bones of contention

Noseweek Issue #132, 1st October 2010   


Bones of contention

Osteoporosis is a severe medical condition, afflicting millions – but, fortunately, there is a miracle drug, bisphosphonate, which prevents the breakdown of the bone structure that is the mark of the condition. Or so it was widely accepted until a few years back, but if medical researchers cannot agree on the interpretation of scientific data, on whom should the public rely?

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Submitted by : D L FITZGERALD on 2010-10-22 22:15:37
I suffered from osteoporosis and was on Fosamax prescribed by my physician I also have rheumatoid arthritis.

Obviously my dentists at the time that I used Fosamax were not aware of this dead jaw thing, but I must say my implants would not stay in and I now have false teeth. Strangely enough I also fractured both femurs in a fall, a clean break in the right leg and a simple fracture in the left leg Was it the drug or the disease. I don't know as I had been off the Fosamax for a number of years prior to this all taking place.

All this happened in my early fifties, I am now in my sixties, have taken some bad falls but no bones have been broken. I believe without the Fosamax and the supplements I had to take of which caltrate was one I think my bones would not be as tough as they are. My bone density now appears to be normal.

I was made aware of the consequences of not taking the drug properly and was monitored 2 weekly at first then 4 weekly. thereafter regular 6 weekly checks till I went off the drug.

Editor's Note
Prof. Robert Max, calls what you've described as "bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw”. The problem is some doctors don't seem to know what they are treating and how.
 
Submitted by : Pete Swanepoel of MONTCLAIR on 2010-10-06 15:23:30
Drug pushers and drug dealers have never cared about their clients' health or side-effects. It's just about sales. Period. "Ethical" drug companies (have you ever heard such a misnomer?) have been devoid of true ethics for decades.

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