Fosamax Blamed for Fractured Femur and Three Surgeries

Baltimore, MD"When my doctor told me that Fosamax likely caused my fractured femur, I was surprised and angry," says Beth. "I didn't understand how a product that is supposed to help does the complete opposite…I welcome this opportunity to warn others about Fosamax."

Beth, 62, says she was in good shape until she started taking Fosamax in July 2006, when the results of a DEXA scan—a bone density test—showed that she was in the beginning stage of osteoporosis. She stayed on Fosamax until her femur injury in 2008.

"When you are home alone, carry a cell phone—at all times," Beth advises. "On Sunday evening I was watching TV in my bedroom and walked into the kitchen for a snack. My only warning was that I just had a feeling I was going to fall and then I went straight down. It took me 90 minutes, crawling on my elbows, to get to a phone. I called my neighbor and asked her to come over with the key and then call the ambulance. (If I called 911 they would have broken down the door.)

"I don't remember details after I got to the hospital because I was out of it on painkillers, but I had x-rays and I had surgery the following evening. Post-op, the first thing my surgeon asked me was if I was on Fosamax. 'Stop taking it immediately,' he said. I couldn't believe that this medication put me in hospital!

"Since my first surgery, I have heard a lot about Fosamax adverse events. What I don't understand is why doctors—particularly orthopedic surgeons--are aware of Fosamax causing bone fractures and 'dead jaw,' but still prescribe it. How many people have to suffer these fractures before it is taken off the market?

"My orthopedist put an 11" rod into my leg, starting at the top of my femur, and another piece going toward my hip. Unfortunately, the bone didn't heal. I went back to the doctor every six weeks and used a bone stimulator every day. After eight months he recommended two other specialists that deal with more complicated cases.

"So I had another surgery but had to wait until August 2009 My second surgeon took bone from my right hip into my left hip to help stimulate the growth. Apparently the bone has healed but I still have constant soreness and sometimes a sharp pain; she thinks the rod and/or the screw is leaning on soft tissue. Now I need to have the rod removed but I don't want to go through a third surgery unless I know for certain this is what is causing the pain. She suggested I have another opinion.

"So I saw yet another surgeon. He agreed the bone is healed but it isn't strong enough to remove the rod. Usually they wait 18 months post-op to give the bone more time to strengthen, which means I will have surgery next February. Meanwhile my endocrinologist thinks something weird is going on, so I am having a bone biopsy tomorrow.

"I have a disability policy from my employer, but it has a maximum of two years, so time is running out. I want this to be over. I want to be able to get down on my hands and knees and wash my kitchen floor. I want to stoop down to get something from the kitchen cupboard.

"Now I am self-injecting a medication to build the bone, and it appears to be working—almost a nine percent increase. I don't know how much the Fosamax decreased the bone density, but I might find out more after tomorrow's biopsy.

"My doctor told me to stop taking Fosamax immediately, so why don't the Fosamax manufacturers warn of these adverse events?"