I tried taking some over-the-counter calcium supplements at one time, but they tasted so dreadful that I quit them after just a few days. Never have taken any prescription meds for calcium.
I am lucky, I guess, in that I can still consume a lot of dairy products without any problems or issues. I even still go through about a gallon of (low fat) milk per week, I'm trusting that this takes care of my bone density issues,
I have never had a broken bone except the time (in my early 20's) when my horse that I was riding fell on me and broke my arm. Someone in a passing car honked and revved their engine, my horse shied, his hooves slipped out from under him (we were crossing the street on pavement, almost at the entrance to the stables) and down he went, fracturing my elbow when my elbow hit the ground. Lucky for me, he rolled away from me as he struggled to get to his feet, had he rolled the other way I would not now be here typing this.
I try to avoid most medications. Since I am a Certified Old Fart I have been around long enough to see medications "du jour" come - and go. They come with great fanfare, trumpeting their ability to totally remedy problem "x", only to be removed from the market, or their distribution seriously curtailed, a few years later when they are shown to cause unpleasant - and often permanent - side effects.
I am not a health food practitioner, by any means - I consume way too much junk that isn't good for me - but I do try to stay away from medications, unless or until I am seriously in need.
Beth, would be interested to know what kind of problems you put down to Fosamax?
Thanks.
Anne