Comments on: Fosamax side effects linked to atrial fibrillation

By: MJ

MJ — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:14:50 +0000

I stopped taking Fosmax Dec. 2009 after a number of years becaue I felt achy and had pain in y muscles, bones, and jawbone. My jawbone was starting to grind back and forth so I went to the dentist and he made a mold of my teeth so that I could wear the retainer at night. That was a waste of $200.00. Then September 26, 2010, I was admitted to the hospital with a heart rate of 174 and a heart rythmn that was so out of quake. I have never in my life had problems with my heart. I was in CCU for four days because they couldn’t get my heart back in normal rythmn. I am 60 years old, in good health (so I thought).

By: Butch

Butch — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 03:53:19 +0000

I’m a 50 year old male diagnosed with osteoporosis. I have been taking actonel/fosamax for 5 years. I didn’t think I was having any problems along this line until I had to have a cracked tooth removed, and my dentist and oral surgeon would not do anything until I had been off of the fosamx for 90 days. The oral surgery went fine, and I have not had any problems with the recovery. Talking to my Primary doctor, I told him of the side effects I have read about and was completely aggrevated about the dental side of things, and
I did not want to go back to the fosamax. My heart rate and EKG’s (at this time) have been relatively normal – with no current indications of Atrial Fibrillation. He made note also that from a
recent CT Scan that I had, I also have a hiatel hernia (I had one in 2000 which was surgically repaired) – and stated that the FOSAMAX was “probably the reason for the h. hernia.” Has anyone heard of this? He suggested an IV FORM OF FOSAMAX (ZOMETA?) that is given once a year. This is suppose to be
better than the pills. You look at the side effects and they are almost (if not) identical. One website, a Doctor stated that the IV FORM of treatment can result in “SERIOUS ATRIAL FIBRILLATION.”
Has anyone dealt with the IV FORM of treatment (apparently fairly new?). I have seen comments from three different people (different sites) that have stated staying with their treatment of calcium w/ vitamin D, magnesium (which I’m also doing along with the fosamax), salt, etc., appears to be much safer than trying to continue with the fosamax – and take their chances with that.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:27:16 +0000

As a small-framed, slight, red-headed female, my doctor appropriately prescribed Fosamax. I took it for about a year, when at my annual check-up she asked, “Has anyone ever told you you have a “kush” sound in your heart? (What?!?) I have records from Tamoxifen study participation (1994-99) and required educator annual check-up reports for years. never any heart trouble. I was hospitalized in April 2007 with wildly irregular heartbeat, that had been building for about five months. All causse were ruled out, except Fosamax use.

By: Greta

Greta — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:34:18 +0000

Before 2007 I had two episodes of Atrial Fibrillation, years apart. After beginning Fosamax my Afibs have greatly increased. I am taking myself off the Fosamax. A bone scan showed very little improvement anyway and I’m not williing to take the risk of continuning rhythm problems. I

By: Martha

Martha — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:08:27 +0000

I am a 62 year old female who took Foamax for 4 years untill my dentist asked me to stop taking it in Dec.because of the rick to the jaw. I had a bout with a-fib in june that sent me to the er at a cost of $5,345.I now take blood thiners and Toporal and worry about my health every day.

By: Karin

Karin — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:53:07 +0000

I took Fosamax for 2 months in late 2003. After 2 months I developed atrial fibrillation. I immediately connected it to the Fosamax, contacted Merck and asked if this was a known side effect. They were (or acted) oblivious. I stopped the Fosamax anyhow and my afib went away…although, since then, I have been prone to ectopic beats and irregular beat if I get upset about something. Afib has not returned. I refuse to take any meds for osteoporosism instead I take calcium/magnesium supplements, Vitamin D, salt etc. and my bones are better today than they were when my doctor put me on the Fosamax. I will stick to alternative medicine for the rest of my days.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:10:31 +0000

I have had atrial filbrillation for approximately 10 years. It was undiagnosed for 6 years but finally caught when I had a 12-hour episode. It has been controlled since that time by taking daily dosage of 240mg Diltiazem. In April 20007, my primary care physician encouraged me to start Fosamax. At that time, I was 66 years old. For 20 years I have excercised vigorously every day,changing my routine from running at the age of 60 to very fast walking 45 minutes a day. During the summer, I suffered daily and debilitating bouts of atrial fibrillation and frequent extended periods without returning to sinus rhythm. The cardiologist added Flecainide 50mg to my daily Diltiazem and the atrial fibrillation has been controlled. I would prefer not to take the Flecainide because it oftten causes nausea and heartburn. Since I quit taking Fosamax because of the expense in September, I am anxious to find out if I can discontinue Flecainide. Does anyone have any information on this?

By: Joanne

Joanne — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:08:37 +0000

My mother was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (with congestive heart failure) about 18 years ago and had only that one episode then and was controlled with medication and has not had any recurrence until she started Fosamax about 3 years ago. Since starting Fosamax she has been hospitalized about 5 times with Atrial Fibrillation and congestive heart failure. We could not understand why this kept occurring, and the doctors could not tell us why. We feel that the Fosamax may be the cause. She stop taking Fosamax last week. But the irony is that she is again in congestive heart failure at this time.

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:41:32 +0000

My mom took Fosamax for many years. In July of 2007 she was diagnosed with left mitral valve failure and atrial fibrillation. She had a valve replacement in July and still has the atrial fibrillation. In December of 2007 she ended up with a pacemaker due to slow heartbeat. Today she just had to get a procedure to get her heart back out of atrial fibrillation. This is a never ending saga – she is at her wits end due to all the hospital stays and emergencies due to this heart issue.

By: Diana

Diana — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:53:12 +0000

My mother ended up in the hospital with a-fib after trying fosamax, and my jaw is practically crumbling. Why don’t they take this crap off the market?!