Question:There seems to be some confusion about what Fosomax can or cannot
achieve. I began from a poor bone density level and after 5 and a
half years have seen a 14% improvement in my spinal density and 12% in
the hip region.
The endocrinologist recommends my remaining on the medicine, but I am
inclined to think that there will be no further improvement. The
continuation is simply a maintenance regime.
I am 72 years old.
I don't know how long Fosomax has been around but I would be really
interested to hear from anyone who has been on this drug (or one of
its close relations) for over 8 years with regular scans, and to know
about when the density stabilised.
Answer:my endocrinologist tells me that it is reasonable for you to
get some initial significant improvement in bone density (as you have)
and then it levels off (as it has for you). I would also be interested
in hearing from anyone who has achieved significant improvements after
the first 3-5 years and what those improvements were.
There may be a certain logic to continuing the drug for
maintenance reasons. If you have an overactive bone resorption process
going on in your body ... and you discontinue the drug ... you may begin
to lose that improvement in bone density. Bone resorption can be
measured by several different tests. The one my endo uses is called
Urinary NTx.
