Hi Susan, sorry but I've never taken Boniva.  I have taken 4 other osteoporosis meds in the last 30+ years I've had this, but I have no personally experience with this particular medication.

Here's the prescribing info for Boniva  see the section on dysphagia (swallowing disorders) at paragraph 5.1 titled Upper Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions

Also, here's an explanation of dysphagia from the Institute of Health that explains it.  If your Dr. does not think this is important, then I'd try to get a second opinion because it is very important which you will see when you read the description of this type of problem.

Hopefully some of our other members will chime in here, but in case they don't please read the two links above and explain your concerns to your Dr.   You may also want to talk to your pharmacist as well.  This is a problem that needs to be addressed and I don't understand why your Dr. wouldn't take it seriously.

You shouldn't have any major side effects from stopping the medication other than hopefully the side effects will subside.  However, please notify your Dr. if you plan on discontinuing this, since you won't have the bone benefits from the drug when you stop, but these benefits do last quite a long time after discontinuation since the half life is quite long for this drug to be expelled from your body/bones.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.  To find out more about me or anyone else posting here, just click on their name or picture.