oh...nevermind....

The anti bone loss drug that was prescribed originally was not covered by my insurance.

So my doctor had to change the medication, and settled on Fosamax.  I did get the prescription filled, but decided to wait until tomorrow to take my first dose, because of the specific way that you have to take this drug.

I also had to call the pharmacist and ask what I am supposed to do since both this drug and my new thyroid medication say take first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

She said DO NOT under any circumstances take Fosamax at the same time as...ANYTHING.  So, she said to wait and take the Fosamax when my stomach is empty before lunch.  So, no snacks after breakfast, etc.

Okay, I thought, I can do that on the weekends.

Then, I read the enclosure with the medication that had huge warnings about being careful to follow directions implicitly, and listed some side effects.

Being sensitive to all medications, historically, I decided to do a little research.

This drug sounds like it was created in the very pit of hell!  For crissakes!  Ironically, it causes bone loss and bone death (osteonecrosis) in the jaw and hips, and the FDA has even issued an official warning against taking it!! 

The literature all says if you're going to have ANY kind of dental work done, you should not be taking this drug, because even just going for a cleaning, so I gathered, can cause your temporal mandibular joint to basically fall apart.

Then there are the other possible and not uncommon side effects of nausea, stomach pain, esophageal pain and bleeding, vomiting up bright red blood OR coffee ground like congealed blood, extreme pains in the joints, muscles, and bones.....these are the least severe side effects listed, and it says that these symptoms can appear after 1 dose, or after taking several over the course of months.

The worst side effects are  esophageal cancer, and the aforementioned jaw and hip bone death, as well as a HIGHER, yes, I said HIGHER incidence of bone FRACTURE.  Yes.  Fractured femurs are a side effect.  It says you get some warning before they crack, though...they will likely hurt for a few days before they fall apart.

So...no.  I will NOT, under any circumstances, be taking this drug.

The thing that clinched it for me is the FDA official warning that this drug is dangerous.  Not dangerous enough, apparently, for them to say it should be taken off the market, but dangerous enough to cause broken femurs and dead jaws.

No.  Onward with my natural alternatives research, I guess.