Heartburn/GERD/Actonel and Fosamax

[EllenL]

Last week for almost the entire week, I had really severe heartburn (constant
intense burning, couldn't lie down/sleep). I've really never had it before---now I can see how people can suffer with it! A few days of OTC Pepcid has helped.

I guess everyone has it once in a while, so I don't know how concerned to be. My biggest concern is that it's related to the Actonel I take weekly for osteopenia to prevent osteoporosis (it's been documented that it can cause inflammation/erosion of the esophagus).

Does anyone else take Actonel/Fosamax? Experienced any side effects?
How about taking it for years---think it's safe (there's been some documentation about it causing the jaw bone to die, even as it builds up the vertebrae and hips)?

And whether you take Actonel or not, how do you treat heartburn? See a GI specialist for it? Do you change your diet (no alcohol, spicy foods, acidic fodos like oranges and tomatoes---not great for all us foodies!)?

[donleyk]

I don't know if this will help or pertain but I'm on an antibiotic that you must drink 8 oz of water with.... maybe you need to make sure you are drinking enough when you take it? Also, you're not supposed to lay down within 30 minutes of taking it. I found that out the hard way, a lot like what you are experiencing but mine lasted 2 days. HTH.

[LakeMartinGal]

I take Fosamax, but haven't had any of the side effects you spoke of... but we were talking about this the other day, and the burning came up... make sure you take these drugs with LOTS of water, and don't lay down for at least a half hour! That said, I take a low-dose Zantac twice a day for heartburn...

[Julie O]

You need to contact the doctor who prescribed the Actonel. Attached is the link patient information about the medication. It gives a warning about contacting your doctor right away if you have GI troubles that are out of the ordinary or very painful. The doctor you normally see might refer you to a gastroenterologist for further testing.http://www.actonel.com/global/Actonel_PIL.pdf

Hope it turns out to be nothing.

[ChristineVA]

My mom takes one of those medications (not sure which) and I know that she has to stand for 30-60 minutes after taking the pill. I think there was one time where it bothered her stomach.

I *think* she said that if it did bother her, she was supposed to report it to her prescribing physician. So you may want to let them know. Stomach damage is definitely a side effect of this medication. They may decide to put you on daily proton pump inhibiters to deal with it (stuff like Prilosec, Nexium).

Christine

[momqat]

I also take Actonel and have not had any side effects/symptoms with it. I do get an occasional bout of heartburn but I never thought that it was associated with the Actonel. I would be concerned if it continued and would call my doctor.

One thing I am planning to discuss with my doctor at my next appointment is long term use of it. I've been on it a while now, maybe 3 years or so. When it was first prescribed for me, I never gave much thought to how long I would be taking it. But now my dental hygenist has told me that when it was originally developed, the thought/wisdom was that it should only be used for 5 years. And now that they are finding all these other problems with it, she says that she would not (personally) use it for more than that time frame. (Also it was not proven to have an impact on osteoporosis after that amount of time.) So besides your doctor, you might also want to check with your dentist/hygenist and see what they have to say as well.

[Brooke3]

This thread is of great interest to me. I am taking Evista for the same reason (bone strengthening). I have never had heartburn but I *think* that's what I've been experiencing for the last 4 weeks. Mylanta at bedtime has helped at night. I just feel a burning sensation around my collarbone area.

Went to the dr. and she said Evista does not list heartburn as a side effect. She did suggest I go off of it for awhile to see if that helps. I have been on it for about 3 yrs. I have another bone density test due in June

[LakeMartinGal]

I have heard that there is a nasal spray one can use if these meds cause a problem... I know someone on it, but not well enough to call her and ask what it is...:rolleyes:

[EllenL]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Donley: I do know about not lying down after taking it and drinking plenty of water (8 oz.---I try more for 12, which I don't enjoy first thing in the morning, nor does my bladder---but that's another story).

Julie: Thanks for that info. It does seem like they list pretty specifically that GI upsets can be a definite side effect.

Kay: I've heard of the nasal spray you're taking about: salmon calcintonin. I think it's been around for a while. Supposedly more natural. Can cause some side effects in the nose (ulceration). Don't know if it works as well as
Actonel/Fosamax---certainly more money has gone into the promotion of A and F recently and doctors prescribe it more! (I read that it's now being promoted for men who have bone thinning issues for various reasons and will be promoted for kids and adolescents!)

Brooke: There's a website called askapatient.com and a few people did mention experiencing heartburn with Evista.

Momqat: Yes, I wish I could find out more long term use of Actonel. I've been on it (or Fosamax) for five years. I know you can't worry every possible side effect from drugs and some of the side effects are rare, but it does seem like scientists and doctors are questioning whether it really significantly reduces fractures and whether it can impair some bone function
(that denser bones aren't necessarily healthier bones). And then there's the heartburn, which I could live with if the meds can continue to control it, but still....

I just don't know what to do! I skipped yesterday's dose and may contact my doctor tomorrow. The heartburn meds (Pepcid OTC) have given blessed relief. I wouldn't mind taking a break from it (I have really poor insurance and pay $100 a month for it) but then I think of my mom, who never took any hormones or meds like Actonel and had severe kyphosis (hunch back),
affecting her breathing and she did break a hip....

I did find a website that talks about some studies late last year that seemed to indicate it's okay to take a break from the drugs:

http://www.topix.net/drug/fosamax/page 2

[mbrogier]

I'm 29 going on 30 this year, and I'm going to have my last ovary removed very soon. (the surgery is being scheduled this week) My endochronologist mentioned me going on a drug like Actonel. I already take Protonix because I take daily aspirin, and my doctor doesn't want me to have long term stomach damage. My mom takes Fosamax, and she hasn't had any issues with heartburn. I'm glad you mentioned that these drugs may not be meant for long term use, Momquat.

Please don't forget that weird heartburn can be a symptom of heart attack, and heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the US. Here's a list of warning signs. http://www.goredforwomen.org/love_your_heart/warning_signs.html It's an outrage that this issue isn't give the press it needs. Pass it on.

[Mpenny1001]

My mother has tried both Actonel and Fosamax and ended up both times in the ER with gastric bleeding. She can't take either one. Unfortunately, since she stopped taking medication for her osteopaenia, it has developed into full blown osteoporosis. She is considering an injection, but I can't recall the name of it and it also can have some serious side effects (like bone cancer, eek!).

Anyway, that is just to confirm that, yes, these medications can have gastric side effects. I believe my mom's started as just discomfort the first few times she took it and then evolved into the more serious bleeding.

[sparrowgrass]

Actonel bothered my mother, but the fosamax did not.