Do bone drugs cause fractures?

Q. I began taking Actonel in December 2004. In October 2008, I was walking down the hall in my home. I heard a loud pop in my right femur, and down I went. I was rushed to the hospital and went into surgery the next day. A long rod was inserted.

In February 2010, I began to have pain in my left femur every step I took. The doctor had it X-rayed, and I have a hairline fracture in my left femur. I’ve had to stay off my leg or use a walker until the fracture heals.

On March 6, 2010, a CT scan showed it is healing, but it has not completely healed yet. My doctor has said I shouldn’t take Actonel or Reclast.

A. Your experience is not unique. Other readers report problems like yours: “I am a victim of Fosamax, having had two broken femurs this past year. I am no longer taking this drug.”

A task force of experts recently reported in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (online Sept. 14, 2010) that such unusual thighbone fractures are associated with drugs such as Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax and Reclast.

These atypical femur fractures appear to be rare. Nevertheless, the experts concluded that “the risk rises with increasing duration of exposure and there is concern that lack of awareness and under-reporting may mask the true incidence of the problem.”

People who experience unusual thigh or groin pain while taking one of these osteoporosis medicines are urged to check with a doctor promptly.

Q. My 13-year-old daughter suffers from migraines, sometimes lasting for five days. The neurologist has controlled them up to now with ibuprofen and a caffeinated soda, but that is no longer working.

They want to put her on an anti-epilepsy drug, but that makes me uncomfortable. Is there anything more natural?

I have a hard time with pharmaceuticals that I think are being tested on the public, but as a mother I would do just about anything to stop her pain.

A. We appreciate your concerns, since there can be side effects with anti-epilepsy medications. Your daughter should see a headache specialist, preferably one with experience treating teens.

Biofeedback is a safe and potentially helpful approach (Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine Supplement 3, July 2010).

Other ways to prevent migraines without drugs include acupuncture, magnesium, Coenzyme Q10, riboflavin and herbs such as feverfew and butterbur.

To facilitate a discussion with her doctor, we are sending you our Guide to Headaches and Migraines. It contains information on the pros and cons of drugs and details about other treatments. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. M-98, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our website: www.- peoplespharmacy.com.

Write to the Graedons in care of The Vindicator or e-mail them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

2010 King Features Syndicate Inc.