switch from fosamax?

[dberg]

I'm not a compliant patient when it comes to fosamax...terrible constipation and a pain in the butt to take before I even get my morning coffee.

I'm seeing my onc next month and want to know what my options are for osteopenia. I've been on Arimidex since November and know I HAVE to be on some type of bisphosphonates. I could surf the net but you all are much more efficient and thorough. Any suggestions?

[Becky]

The oral medications you can explore on the net (as I don't know all that much about them) include Boniva (once a month) and Actonel.

However, you can get one yearly Zometa infusion at your cancer center. If you are seeing your onc next week, you might want to discuss that. The first one makes you feel flu like for a day (for some) - see Flori's recent post called Zometa - 36 hrs later. I get Zometa and felt flu like and achy but after the first one, it never happened again. After that first day, I felt fine and you don't have to worry about it for a year.

[sassy]

I concur. After being on Zometa for a year, my bone density test indicated an increase in density in lumbar spine and neck. Much easier tolerated than weekly or monthly bisphosphonates. I have recently started seeing ads on TV for Zometa, so its usage must be gaining insurance approval and increase of use.