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Actonel - side effects

By Someone who cares Thursday, February 05, 2009

My doctor ordered me a bone density screening test and the result came back abnormal.

I am 53 years old and I have just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. My doctor recommended my daily calcium with vitaminD of 1200 mg and also gave a sample pill of

Actonel which is supposed to be a once a month oral dose. I have experienced all the

side effects written on the pamphlet and so much more. I would never wish for anyone

to experience what I went through. The pain on my spine, shoullders and neck have been

lingering for 48 hours now causing me to miss work. I'm taking pain medicine to help ease

the pain but it seems that only time will heal this pain and suffering. Not sure if I'll be

healthy enough to go back to work tomorrow which really sucks if I can't.

There should be a way of testing if someone can handle the side effects of this

pill before it's taken. For all of you out there hoping for a remedy for your osteoporosis,

be very careful what you take in in your body and good luck.

Pam Flores, Health Guide
2/ 5/09 6:01pm

Hi:  Thanks for sharing your story, and I'm so sorry you are having such a hard time.

 

Unfortunately some people have bad reactions to some of these meds, but there's no way of knowing ahead of time if you'll be one of those.

 

I took Actonel and didn't have the troubles you are having so it just depends on how your system reacts to it.  It would be nice if we could know ahead of time if these drugs will cause problems, but we are all so very different.

 

Have you looked into Fosteum, as an alternative?  Only you and your Dr can decide this, but you could read about it if you want to at this link.  Fosteum has soy (genistein), vitamin D and zinc, so it's a different type of osteo med than the bisphosphonates.  Some people can't take soy, if they've had cancer or some thyroid problems, but it's another option for treatment that's approved by the FDA.

 

I hope the symptoms go away soon and your able to return to work.  Hang in there!!!

 

Good luck...

 

Pam

Anonymous
Anonymous
3/13/09 11:59am

I developed severe muscle pain with actonel in the right upper quadrant of my back.  I thought that by having a fusion of my c5-6 on my spine would help, since a bone spur was also removed but it has not.  I tried taking the actonel again and the muscle pain seems to increase and not go away for over about 2 months.  I am now trying to find out what else to take for my osteoporosis that will not cause muscle pain.  Any suggestions?  You may report side effects of a drug to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

4/18/09 8:45pm

So sorry to hear about your pain

I was put on actonel last week

And i still have pain and muscle tenderness

such a shame there has to be something that will help

with out killing us at the same time

Innocent Naomi

Anonymous
Anonymous
5/15/09 7:20pm

I took forteo injections for two years. Had no side effects and increased bone in my spine and had no other bone loss over 2 years. I just took a monthly dose of boniva and have been having indigestion. I recommend forteo.

Anonymous
Anonymous
4/ 6/09 10:28am

I have been diagnosed with osteopenia. 70 years old. My doctor also gave me a sample pill of Actonel. Took it exactly as told. During that night I woke up with shakes and spasms, I could not hold a glass of water to my mouth. That was one week ago. I have pain in my spine, hips and hands that keeps coming and going since I took the drug. Also in other bones. I keep getting a low grade fever also. At times my wrist or thumbs feel like they are sprained. I keep asking myself if this could all be from the Actonel. Did not have any of this before I took it.  

Anonymous
caroljean19
8/22/09 11:30am

This is the second month that i have exactly the same thing. the shakes and chills and pain is debilitating to the extent of my having to work from home for a few days.  I don't think that the benefits are worth the strain on the body.

Anonymous
Anonymous
6/ 1/09 4:37pm

Nikken has produced a breakthrough line of products designed to deal with bone by establishing a relationship with Dr. Narain Naidu, Ph.D. (medicine). Dr. Naidu brings an impeccable resume as one of the world's top scientists but more importantly a solution to the problem. These products include Osteodenx and LactoFerrin, as well as Calcium Plus.

 

In its role as a bone health supplement, OsteoDenx helps support a range of physical and systemic activities that are necessary to sustain life. The skeleton is a structural framework that provides flexibility and enables motion.

 

It serves as protective armor for major organs including the heart, lungs, liver and brain. Yet our bone chemistry also contributes to a variety of internal functions.

Bony tissue is a chemical storehouse, serving as a repository for essential minerals. It contains 99% of the body's calcium and releases amounts of this element as needed to assist in heart, muscle and nerve action.

 

Bone marrow is a blood generator. Its produces red blood cells, necessary for transforming oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. Marrow synthesizes white blood cells that help fight off infection and platelets which enable blood to clot and assist in healing.

 

Healthy bones are also a factor in preserving healthy joints, promoting the retention of cartilage and synovial fluid that keep the joint lubricated and cushioned against shock.

Dr.Narian Naidu,Ph.D. (Medicine)

Published ‘OsteoDenx (active ingredient: R-ELF)' clinical study in the "Osteoporosis International', which is the leading medical journal in the field of bone health. It is also an official publication of the International Osteoporosis Foundation & the National Osteoporosis Foundation (United States). More clinical studies are continually being performed to further establish the unique health features of OsteoDenx.

 

Here is the posting on Unbound MEDLINE - Milk ribonuclease enriched lactoferrin induces positive effects on bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women

Anonymous
Anonymous
7/22/09 6:10pm

I was diagnosed almost anywhere with osteoporosis or bad osteopenia. My doctor prescribed Forteo, that is a daily injection. It is very expensive, about $900 per month. I measured my bone density before and after one year. I failed miserable with Fosamax and Boniva. From -1.4 when I started Fosamax, became -2.5 or -2.8 when I strted Forteo.

 

First of all, my bone density incresed considerable, almost anywere now I have low ospeopenia, or entered in normal, no more osteoporosis. But most importantly all of my pain almost disipeared. I couldn't sleep before, I could not turn from one side to another and so on. Now I am back on almost normal life except I need a total hip replacement since I have ostheoartritis. But, I really feel well, unbelievable well. My insurance did not pay for about 6 month, saying that they pay only for bad osteoporoosis,  starting with -3. Now even I have proof that it did work my doctor discontinued Forteo, because of the safety (usually it's for 12-19 month treatment, more tahn that it is not recommanded). He wants to put me back on Fosamax or Boniva and I refused both. I experienced pain and other sides effects and no increase in bone density at all, but decrease. I said to him that I would like to try Actonel and this is how I started reading about it. Of course I'm still taking 1200 mg Ca and Vit D, OsCal.

 

Thank you to all of you for your comments.

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By Someone who cares— Last Modified: 12/20/10, First Published: 02/05/09