Lindsay, the way I interpret that article is the ineffectiveness of fosomax for osteoporosis in patients being treated for hyperparathyroid makes it questionable for persons who are taking it who have experienced their bone density loss due to their hyperparathyroidism. Not the general population who may have lost bone due to genetics, diet, other reasons.

"Yeh (Dr. Michael Yeh) said more research is needed to see if bisphosphonates also increase the risk for fractures for people with underlying causes of osteoporosis other than hyperparathyroidism"

Encourage CAUTION interpreting the study, it was specifically about the less common cause of osteoporosis.

"While most cases of osteoporosis are caused by normal aging, ANOTHER leading CAUSE of the bone-loss disease is... HYPERPARATHYROIDISM .....The research also revealed that patients who have surgery to remove the overactive parathyroid glands have fewer subsequent bone fractures."

When I fell and broke my hip back in 2009, the Dr told me not to take that stuff or calcium, but to eat protein and do weight-bearing exercise: walking. My x-rays showed calcium deposits in my veins. I had taken calcium supplements years ago. Never liked milk. Now I try to eat sardines or canned salmon with bones in and try to remember to mix collagen powder into my tea. I hate shrinking and always did have small bones. I haven not seen a Dr in years and I will avoid the prescriptions. The side effects are worse than any possible benefits.

I have taken evista for years to prevent breast cancer and osteoporosis. Has worked great. I have a huge breast cancer history, been in ostesopenia for many years.

I do have hyperparathyroidism.

I blame my bone loss on the steroids I've had to take for 40 years for asthma. Gotta breathe to stay alive, right? I've also had kidney stones, so none of these products for me.

Tried Fosamax - couldn't tolerate it due to GERD. Take nothing now - no problems.

Another problem with them, if you have a lot of dental work....they can be very bad for your jaw bones. I recall my dentist who did my implants saying they can adversely affect the bones in your feet, as well as your jaw bones. A friend of mine who has been on one of them for years....I don't recall which one...the one that you take once a year by infusion...was recently told that she is going to have to have all of her remaining teeth pulled and get dentures. When my dentist told me a few years ago about the problems they could cause with your jaw bones....including necrosis...she said she wasn't worried about it. I wonder if her dental problems now are the result of it. Her dentist told her she didn't have a tooth that was worth saving. She didn't have implants but did have crowns and a partial.

Good point Marilyn. I was ordered Fosamax just because of menopause. I balked. I talked to my doctor friends and the opinions were mixed. I decided to take the advice of the doctor I trusted the most and not take it. Fast forward a few years and I developed a tumor in my jaw. Right in the front. I had to have three front teeth removed. The most important teeth when you smile. I was able to get bone grafts and implants. If I had taken Fosomax this may not have been an option. I think before any doctor orders Fosamax or any bio-phosphates for menopause they should make sure their patient has had a recent dental X-Ray to determine if there are any issues.

I was given infusions of Zometa which is very close to the same thing as Fosamax but maybe even worse. I have had serious jam bone problems and have lost three bottom teeth. All of them are back teeth so they don't show but leave me little to chew with. I just came off four months of antibiotics and will probably have more problems come up in the future. I am very upset that something that was given to me for breast cancer is causing all these problems. I also have spend about seven thousand dollars in the last two years treating this. Also the pain and swelling I've lived with several different times. I am now being treated at a university hospital that takes medicare. My sister had breast cancer two years before me and was never on Zometa but her cancer has now returned for the third time. I don't know what the answer is. Was it worth it?

As I said, I have hyperparathyroidism. I was also thrown into an early menopause (age 42) when I had a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Two and a half years ago my DEXA scan showed osteopenia. I have a family history of breast cancer. And less than four months ago X-rays of my left ankle showed a "previous fracture" that I am totally unaware of having.

So, there is no way that I will ever take any of these drugs.

And, yes, I am going to have a parathyroidectomy.

Every year when you go for your annual physical, make sure your doctor orders lab tests that include testing your calcium level.