Dear Sally-Ann
Thank you so
much for your response and your advice regarding the use of
specific vitamins to improve my bone density.
It would mean a lot to me if you could post my letter on
your website, as I am eager to spread the message as far as
possible. If my experience with Fosamax could
prevent someone else from suffering the same fate as me, I’ll be
extremely happy. D
Rogers
Herewith D’s original letter:
I read the
article “Fosamax – not all it’s cracked up to be!” in one of
your newsletters. I was on Fosamax and later
Fosavance for twelve years. My gynaecologist prescribed the drug
to improve my bone density in order to prevent osteoporosis.
Over the past twelve years my bone density indeed improved a
lot.
On the 28th
of February last year I tripped in the parking garage at work
and fractured my left femur. The orthopaedic surgeon at
Milpark
Hospital
treated it as an unfortunate accident and inserted a pin in the
femur. I was on sick leave for three months and it took about
four more months to be totally mobile again.
In December 2008 I read the above article that Fosamax was
linked to unusual femur fractures. I did some research on the
internet and was appalled about the fact that Fosamax was indeed
the cause of femur fractures. I immediately stopped taking the
drug.
It was
unfortunately too late for me because on the 7th
March this year I stepped on an uneven path and my right femur
just snapped. I didn’t even fall – only held on to a wall.
Another operation and a complete bone scan followed. The scan
revealed hot spots on various bones in my body. A bone biopsy
was done, which thankfully revealed no malignancy. I was then
referred to specialist physician, who said that I was a
text book case of the side effects of Fosamax. The drug
changed the bone structure. He also said that I shouldn’t have
been on Fosamax for twelve years and that he would only treat me
once the bone has healed completely. I was
on sick leave again for three months. (read the rest of the arti
The cost
implications are tremendous: Around R70 000 for the medication
over 12 years. The medical cost just for the right femur is
nearing R90 000 and is still ongoing. Not to mention the trauma,
pain and the six months not being able to work.
I feel very
strongly that the Pharmaceutical Company should warn doctors to
monitor patients on Fosamax and not to prescribe it for such a
long time. They should also put a warning on
the insert information of the drug even though only a very small
percentage of users suffer from these side effects.
Apparently
they can only do so when quite a number of cases are recorded.
In
Europe there
are warnings on the insert information of the drug (so they told
me). In the
USA
legal firms are inviting patients to come forward with their
complaints.
I feel that
patients out there should be warned about the possible side
effects of Fosamax so that they can make an informed decision
whether they should use this drug or not. Had I known about this
side effect, I would certainly not have used it for such a long
time. There are other options.
I have
always been a very active person, but will now have to change my
lifestyle. I certainly hope that my story would prevent other
persons using Fosamax, Fosavance or the generics to suffer from
the same fate.
Thank you
for the article it helped me to empower myself.
Kind
regards, D. Rogers
Having
written in a previous newsletter about GERD or gastric
reflux, many people wrote in to say how helpful the
'formula' was. One in particular grabbed my attention, as
the gentleman concerned had a very serious problem, and is
80 years old. He has had quite a dramatic turn-around,
stopping his drugs and finding relief. Thank you Mrs F for
sending this in - it's always so encouraging to read these
reports.
"Dear Sally-Ann - Thank you for your previous
advice regarding raw ginger root for acid reflux problems.
Not having a juicer I liquidize the sliced root with double
the weight in water, strain it through a coarse sieve and
then a tea strainer and store it in a glass bottle in the
fridge. My husband, who is 80 years old, has suffered from a
hiatus hernia and acid reflux for at least 30 years and been
on many medications, 2 gastroscopies and the past 4 years on
a very expensive once daily drug, Topzole (the generic of
Omez - gastric proton pump). This medication helped but he
still relied on antacids for periodic attacks.
He started taking 4 medicinal teaspoons of
the ginger juice first thing in the morning a month ago and
2 weeks later having had no further episodes of reflux,
stopped taking Topzole in the evening. He only once had to
resort to antacids at 3am, the usual time for getting bad
attacks, and now has complete confidence in the ginger cure.
I regard this as a miracle and told our doctor who was most
interested. Bless you. "(MF 1 Sept 2006)
