Boniva Side Effects

After taking the once monthly dose of Boniva, I am on a crusade to tell women not to take this poison! An active runner, educator and healthcare worker, I experienced excruiating back spasms, back pain to the point of being unable to stand without help, extreme flu-like symptoms and joint pain. For nearly 3 weeks I felt like a 90 year old unable to do simple activities. Walking was a project. My otherwize cheerful disposition turned to depression quickly. With no other medical problems and on no other medications, the Boniva was the only change. My doctor subsequently told me not to take a 2nd dose. I'm back to my normal lifestyle, but caution anyone to take this medication. Eat well, exercise and enjoy life. Your bones will be o.k.

Take good care.

I was given a sample of Boniva at my doctor's office. It was offered very casually, as if it was a bit of a step up from taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. The results of my bone density were not in yet, and when they were completed did not show osteoporosis.
It was unlike me to take something without research, but I did. Subsequently, I felt like I had the flu, aching joints, feverish, exhausted, and after a few days it occurred to me to research this medication - initially I thought I had some kind of bug. For about three weeks I felt extremely ill and realized that this might be associated with this medication. With further research, I discovered that the half life of this drug in the body is terrifyingly long and the benefits are questionable. I cannot think of any reason to ingest this substance - there are too many other effective actions to take without so many negative consequences, and the benefits if any are outweighed by prolonged healing times in the event of a fracture, as well as the immediate unpleasant side effects. Look for other choices.

I took Boniva for 3 months. The first month I did not notice much mainly because I had just had arthroscopic knee surgery and was in pain from that... the second month I took it as prescribed. I did stood up did not sit or lay down for more than an hour. I went to sleep. In the middle of the night I woke up with such excruiating leg pains, like charley horses only way more painful. I was unable to move for quite a while. It was very scary and obviously I didn't sleep well for the rest of the night. For the rest of that month I was kind of achy..not feeling right. The third month, I took it as prescribed and I had the same reaction. Leg cramps and pain so bad that I thought I was going to be paralyzed. I stopped taking this awful drug and have not had any more pain like that. I don't care what Sally Field says Boniva is a horrible drug with way too many side effects....... women beware!!!!!!!!!! I heard that it is the same chemical used to take off carbunkles or whatever they are called on ships. (the build up of gunk) No thank you...

I am a 51 year old male with osteoparosis, unusual for a man my age. A GP prescribed Boniva as the most convenient remedy. I had seen Sally Field and felt ok about it all. I took the medicine at approximately 8 am, and by 12 noon I was feeling very nauseated. By mid-afternoon the nausea had subsided but my chest muscles and my rib cage seemed to ache. By 6 pm, I could not breathe normally without rib pain. I felt that I had broken my ribs. By midnight, I was in pain all over my body. I felt as if my bones were rubbing against one another and every joint was inflamed. The symptoms were very flu-like. I slept very little the first night and the symptoms got worse the next day. Within 36 hours I was walking like a 100 year old man, having to take tiny steps which hurt with every movement. There was not one part of my body that did not ache. This went on for about 4 days, and began to subside after that. I still had some pain in my hips and in my sternum 10 days later, but finally all the symptoms disappeared. My GP doctor was totally surprised that this had happened, and said that I was a rare case. Since then I have found out that these reactions are much more common than earlier reported. A specialist told me that this is the reaction to Boniva when a person has low blood calcium and a low vitamin D level. Testing proved that I was definately in that category. The specialist is convinced that the reason for my low calcium and Vitamin D level is because I have been on Nexium (acid blocker) for almost 5 vears. Supposedly Nexium will not allow much calcium absorption into the body at all. Now I am off of Nexium, and am taking arm loads of Vitamin D and Calcium Citrate.
Hopefully my osteo problems will get better now......without Boniva. Never again.

I took Boniva once and will not take it again. I had flu like symptoms for 4 days and felt horrible. Chill, aches and pains. I am not taking any drug for my Osteopenia now that I have done research and found that bearing weight while exercising is the key to building strong bones. I wear a 10 pound weighted vest while doing my 30 minute walk each day. Just eat healthy and exercise and stay away from Boniva!! : )

Since I have GERD and reflux, I was given an injection of Boniva . 24 hours later my hand, where a vein was used, had swollen and was throbbing. In the ER I was diagnosed with cellulitis and started on a strong antibiotic. 3 days later I was discharged from the hospital with what the doctor said was phlebitis. I heard a nurse say that so small a vein should never have been used. I don't know how much of my reaction was due to using that vein and how much to the drug, but I will never use Boniva again. I am currently on Forteo, and my bone density tests show improvement of the spine but not of the hip. Forteo is a daily injection, easy to give, but limited to a 2-year period (although I know one doctor who has prescribed a 3rd). Boniva, Fosimax, Actinel, Reclast are all in the same family of drugs, with similar side effects-- the bisphosphonates. Forteo is a synthezied hormone. Strontium ranelate is available in Europe and has not only rebuilt bone but increased cartilage; FDA has not approved it for use in the US.

I took that rottne poison pill 1 year ago. I am still getting symptoms to this day. I become tired quite often and feel lousy. I get severe jaw pain at least once a month. I have almost lost a tooth and others have chipped. I would not recommend even my worst enemy to take this pill. My doctor told me it was the flu but I broke out in a severe rash all over my body and the rash appears every time I shower. Please who ever reads this take all our words for this the stuff is a poison.

Within 24 hours had severe flu like symptoms with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach bloating. Experienced severe, deep joint pain, mostly in the hip and spine region. Also experienced muscle pain all over my body. Severe acid reflux continued unabated for the entire course of the medication.

The second month I continued to experience flu like symptoms and severe, deep joint pain in the right hip and spine and muscle spasms/pain. Most days I could barely walk. I couldn’t stoop down because I was unable to get back up. Finger joints were swollen and stiff as if I had arthritis. I walked as if I was 90 years old and I'm only 55. Pain was almost unbearable in the hip and I couldn’t find a comfortable position sleeping, standing, or sitting.

The third month the intestinal distress was most acute. I had deep intestinal pain with a lot of gas, diarrhea and nausea. Still had the severe, deep joint pain as in the prior months with muscle spasms/pain. Started having a pain just below the breastbone in the chest area that lasted most of the month.

The fourth month was more of the same acute intestinal distress and deep joint pain with muscle spasms/pain. The breastbone pain intensified and I experienced spasms in the area just below the breastbone that were excruciating.

Took the final dose in December, 2006, just to see if I had a repeat of the prior symptoms. Nothing improved and I decided to not take any additional doses. December was a miserable month when I was practically unable to get out of the bed and spent most of the month there, only getting up occasionally.

This drug seemed in intensify any weak joint in my body. Any area that had a previous break (arm and spine) was affected as was the hip. The intestinal distress took almost 3 months to finally clear up.

This drug is poison to my system and I won't take it ever again. I'll try to combat osteo the old way with calcium and exercise. At least I will have a decent quality of life in the interim.

I was prescribed Boniva for Osteopenia, and been on it six weeks when I began to have pain in my hips, back, knees, legs, and arms. My muscles, joints, and bones hurt. Getting up and down from a sitting position was aweful. I dreaded going to the bathroom. I was on it a total of three months, and it took several more months for me to get back to my old self, once I stopped taking the Boniva. This is a frightening drug, and needs to be pulled from the shelf for further research. I was not ready to be released. (Oh... and a few times It had flu-like symptoms, fever, aches, and chills)

I'll never take Boniva again.

After using fosomax for 4 years, I started having trouble swallowing so my dr. put me on boniva....After 2 doses only, I started having severe pain in my back (upper right quadrant and around and under right breast bone). It was so incapacitating, it ruined my whole summer and took 3 months to leave. Of course, not one doctor wanted to believe is was from the drug until one did check it out online amazingly so and confirmed my reality. I reported it to the drug company that manufactures this drug and also to the FDA but noone seemed to care....I even wrote a letter to Sally Field informing her that not all of us are quite so lucky to experience no horrible side effects from this drug. For those of you who are interested, biosulfinates (sic) are a cleaning solvent and are a major ingredient in all of these drugs for osteoporosis....It also takes forever due to the life of the drug, to leave the body....It may work for some but certainly not for all. I do believe those of us who are experiencing these side effects (also ulcers, severe indigestion, necrosis of the jaw, etc. are more wide-spread then the drug company wants to admit.

Density test showed bone thinning.

Let's just do the life-threatening side effects: Boniva caused the esophagus to bleed, which led to a plunge in blood pressure, and CHF, congestive heart failure.

Poison Alert: This "new" drug should not be taken unless you have researched it and come to your own informed decision, independent of your doctor’s advice. The lovable Sally Field commercials can work on your sub-conscious making you feel you should try Boniva but beware. Boniva (bisphophonate) could be dangerous, even fatal. This healthy woman who practiced a perfect life style, never caught up in the "health care system", suddenly is in a struggle for her life. One half of a Boniva pill in May 07, as a cautious approach, followed by one whole pill in June and the lights went out. If your doctor recommends any of the bisphosphonates class of drugs, Google Actonel, Fosamax or Boniva and read and study before you decide to swallow. These potentially dangerous drugs have a long half-life and accumulate in your body, increasing risk as time passes. Please warn people you love that might be frail, petite, thin-boned, sensitive to chemicals or drugs, or in poor health to avoid Boniva. In Japan Boniva is not promoted; and, it may be especially dangerous for small Asian women of slight build. If you do take Boniva, eliminate orange juice and other acid producing foods from your diet, and do not take Advil or most of the other over the counter pain relievers, as I have read they can interact negatively with Boniva. Being informed will help you stay healthy.

After taking my first dose the very next day I ran a fever and was so sick I could hardly get out of bed. Called my doctor and she said probably a virus, not the Boniva. I have taken 5 doses and since then have had bronchitus twice, aches & pains, insomnia & a severe attack of IBS. My stomach was cramping so bad that every time I took a bite of food I would cramp up. I am now on Nexium for reflux and when I lay down at night I hear gurgling in my throat. I have been off it for 10 months now and continue to have reflux problems, coughing after eating. I am walking on a treadmill and lifting light weights and will have my bone density checked again soon, but will not go back on Boniva.

jaw and tooth pain,metalic taste in mouth,abd pain,joint pain,sore tongue,facial pain with cold sores,increased heel pain. This medication made me feel as if I were having chemo.it gave me a bitter,metalic taste in my mouth,sore tongue. I had to have a root canal which got infected,the first antibiotic did no good.the pain in this tooth was the worse pain I have ever felt,I took a second antibiotic that finally took the pain away.I still have jaw and tooth pain.My md told me to stop the boniva for a few months.I'll never take this medication again. These side effects were not on the boniva printout. I am a nurse and could not find out about these side effects until I found this web site.

i took boniva for 7 mo. & was almost crippled ,the pain in my lower back ,both hips was so bad i could not walk but a few feet at a time ,also had severe diarrhea ,after several visits to my chiropractor asked what meds. i was taking ,the only thing i was taking was boniva ,he told me to stop ,this stuff is poison .i did ,have been off 1 yr.& 5 mo. still on pain meds. ,but not as much ,i am 60 yrs.old & have never had such pain .this poison needs to be taken off market .Roche the drug co. has my medical records .please call the fda medwatch 800 332 1088 & roche 800 526 6367 & report yourself if you havent already .& thanks Rachel for contacting us ,the more people hear about this the better .

I took ONE Boniva pill in the winter of 2007, due to osteopenia. Within 12 hours, I felt like I had the flu. within 24 hours, I had the most severe low back pain and sternum (chest) pain. One week later, I developed sever leg cramps. These were symptoms I had NEVER before experienced. I didn't even make the connection to Boniva until a few weeks went past and I was ready to take my second pill. Then all of a sudden, it clicked and I started doing research. To my surprise, I found that these are much more common side effects than originally thought. I felt like I aged decades over a two week period - hey, isn't this medication supposed to help you and not kill you??? After doing more research, I decided to hold off on ANY biophosphonates and keep doing what I am doing (exercise, eat right, calcium, Vitamin D etc.) I feel that younger and younger people are being prescribed these medications that were never intended for people to be on for decades! I am so happy that I discontinued this medication after one pill.

WOW! So many negative experiences with Boniva. Thought it important to post a positive one. I have been taking the drug for a year now with absolutely no side effects. I much prefer taking this pill once a month rather than the alternatives that require once a week dosing because I have a a long history of heartburn caused by a hiatial hernia. Prilosec keeps the heartburn at bay and the Boniva doesn't aggravate it in any way. The only negative I can say is that my insurance company will not pay for it.

Began taking Fosamax back in 2001. Was diagnosed with Osteopenia and Osteoporosis of the hip and lower back. Took Fosamax for 4 years and bone density increased. Am taking Boniva now on recommendation from OBGYN because it can be taken once a month. Have taken Boniva for 1 year. During the last 3 months, toward the end of July 2007, I noticed my fingers on the right hand became swollen and were painful and stiff. Especially in the a.m. I do a lot of gardening so I felt that I may have injured my hand pulling up weeds. Then I noticed the fingers of the left hand began to swell and become stiff and painful. Monitored this for about 1 month then went to an Arthropedic Specialist. He said that it would appear to him my symptoms were more like RA or Lupus because of the swelling. He gave me a blood test and the ANA part of the test came back questionable. Have now gone to an RA specialist on his recommnedation. I had my first visit and the RA specialist said that it is "not" RA but could be Lupus. I have had blood work and am waiting results. I am scheduled for nuclear scan of joints and bone some time in late October and my RA specialist said he will let me know what he feels is going on. When questioned about the possibility of this being caused by Boniva, he said "no". When asked how did Boniva know where to produce bone and where it was not need to produce bone, he said, "no" it is not Boniva but dodged the question about how the pill knows where to encourage bone growth.

Back in 2003 and 2004 I had a serious bout of burning and tendor feet. The balls of my feet hurt terribly and I could hardly walk. To the point where I had to buy $100 shoes because I felt my shoes were not supporting my feet as well as they should. Eventually the pain subsided but I went back to my old shoes again and never had any problem so if it was because of the shoes, I wonder why they no longer bother me when I wear them now?

I do have a lot of reflux and bloating and one day in the drug store waiting for a prescription to be filled, I coughed and immediately seemed to pull a muscle in my back or slipped a disc because I could hardly walk to my car. My husband had to help me out of the drug store.

I went home and barely made it to bed. Could hardly walk to the bathroom and hardly lift myself off the toilet seat. Could hardly walk so I layed on a heating pad for 3 days and the pain finally went away enough for me to walk like a normal person. Then not more than a week later, the "other" side did the same thing. Again I layed in bed for 3 or 4 days on a heating pad and the pain subsided. It felt more like muscle spasams than a slipped disc because I know I have a degenerated disc in my lower back. Or at least that's what the OBGYN told me. But this back pain kept be from standing straight and took my breath away. I felt like I was going to collapse when I first stood up in the a.m.

The spasam starts in the back on one side or another than wraps around the front below my rib cage. Also, I have pain in my hips if I lay on one side or another.

Don't know if this is all because of Boniva and/or Fosamax. I have built up quite a bit of new bone as evidenced in my last BD test and my OBGYN said I am almost out of the danger range but I am wondering if the cure is worse the the disease. What good would it do if I cure my bone problem only to destroy my muscles, back or who knows what else. I will post again when I am finally am diagnosed in late October.

Diagnosed with Osteopenia,I took 1 dose of Boniva, and started having severe lower back pain, and unusual twinges of pain in my legs. I NEVER had back pain before and was puzzled by it. I thought I pulled my back in dancing classes. I did not associate the back pain with Boniva until I reread an advertisement for Boniva in Women's Day and noticed back pain was a side effect. I am not on any other medication, and will rethink taking Boniva.

I began taking Fosamax 4 to 5 years ago because I was diagnosed with osteopenia. I have always had some back pain and arthritis so did not notice anything too unusual at the time. I then had back surgery because of a disc problem 2 years ago and about the same time, my doctor switched me to Boniva. The pains in my back and hips were sometime unbearable, but I blamed the pain on the after effects of the surgery. After a year of this, I went back to my neurosurgeon and told him of my complaints--another MRI later--and he found that altho I had some deterioration in the back, there was no reason for this discomfort. Well, I guess I am a slow learner--I took my last Boniva on 10/1/06 and could barely move the next day. I've not taken another one since. I lost parts of some back teeth--again was told this was "part" of aging. I'm very active--love to walk--play golf 3-4 times per week, play with grandkids, etc............I also had trouble with redness and swelling of the eye area, itching. I truly believe all this was the effect of the Boniva. I still have some problems, even after more than a year off this drug--but all in all, I believe I am a little better. I would not recommend this drug (nor Fosamax) to anyone.

I began taking Boniva July 2007. The first pill left me feeling that I had pulled a muscle in my chest cavity. It took approximately 5 days to subside. It felt like I had broken a bone or something every time I turned my head, my whole spine hurt. My legs feel like I have restless leg syndrome. My tongue gets sore, my teeth are loose, I feel nauseous most of the time and nothing I eat will satisfy my taste buds. I have these same reactions every month. I have taken 4 pills and seems that the side effects get worse each month when I take the pill. I will never take another Boniva regardless of the consequences. I can't believe a doctor would prescribe this medication for the prevention of bone density loss when they have to be aware of all the side effects. If you have never taken this type drug, please don't start. Exercise, diet, calcium and vitamin D may not prevent osteoporosis, but it will certainly help more than the side effects of these drugs on me.

Since I took two monthly Boniva pills in February and March 2006, my year and a half have been challenging. Before them, I was doing yoga at an intermediate level and walking a couple of miles a day.
Unfortunately, I did not realize that Boniva had caused the events until after the second pill. Both times were nightmares. I would not wish such reactions on anyone else.
By nightfall each time I suffered rolling spasms all over my body. Moving set off wracking spasms around my back and chest, and I ached everywhere. The base of my left thumb swelled to triple the size and turned blue. For several days after, I walked only with assistance.
Twenty months later, the pain still moves around. My neck has been stiff and sore ever since. I wake with a headache every day and my jaws ache. Now my knees seem back to normal, but until recently, they would swell so that I can hardly walk, first one and then the other and sometimes both looked and felt like piano legs. I still have pain at the base of my left thumb. Sometimes it hurts so much I can barely walk for joggling it. Then my lower spine and hips throbbed. And so the pain traveled from neck to back to knees to hands in a crazy round-robin.
I have been fortunate to have had PT three times a week for months. It helped so much, and it was covered by Medicare and AARP insurance. Without PT and chiropractic, I don't think I would be moving.

At the beginning I contacted Roche, which sent forms for me to fill out. But my doctor sent a letter to the FDA instead, pooh-poohing the idea of dealing with Roche. She said, "Why help them do their research?" So I didn't follow up with the lab. Since then, that family doctor and the arthritis specialist she sent me to concluded that my pain was coincidental with the Boniva--THAT ONE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER!! So, I changed doctors.
The new doctor put me on a series of hormones, vitamins, and minerals to build bone structure. I have not had a new bone density scan, so I don't know the results. But I am concerned about taking hormones, not just estrogen but a full range, including growth hormone. I just read in the latest AARP magazine that Andrew Weil says not to take growth hormone. He says the recommendation is based on one small study and that others have not borne out the results. And that it has serious side effects.

Since I took two monthly Boniva pills in February and March 2006, my year and a half have been challenging. Before them, I was doing yoga at an intermediate level and walking a couple of miles a day.
Unfortunately, I did not realize that Boniva had caused the events until after the second pill. Both times were nightmares. I would not wish such reactions on anyone else.
By nightfall each time I suffered rolling spasms all over my body. Moving set off wracking spasms around my back and chest, and I ached everywhere. The base of my left thumb swelled to triple the size and turned blue. For several days after, I walked only with assistance.
Twenty months later, the pain still moves around. My neck has been stiff and sore ever since. I wake with a headache every day and my jaws ache. Now my knees seem back to normal, but until recently, they would swell so that I can hardly walk, first one and then the other and sometimes both looked and felt like piano legs. I still have pain at the base of my left thumb. Sometimes it hurts so much I can barely walk for joggling it. Then my lower spine and hips throbbed. And so the pain traveled from neck to back to knees to hands in a crazy round-robin.
I have been fortunate to have had PT three times a week for months. It helped so much, and it was covered by Medicare and AARP insurance. Without PT and chiropractic, I don't think I would be moving.

At the beginning I contacted Roche, which sent forms for me to fill out. But my doctor sent a letter to the FDA instead, pooh-poohing the idea of dealing with Roche. She said, "Why help them do their research?" So I didn't follow up with the lab. Since then, that family doctor and the arthritis specialist she sent me to concluded that my pain was coincidental with the Boniva--THAT ONE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER!! So, I changed doctors.
The new doctor put me on a series of hormones, vitamins, and minerals to build bone structure. I have not had a new bone density scan, so I don't know the results. But I am concerned about taking hormones, not just estrogen but a full range, including growth hormone. I just read in the latest AARP magazine that Andrew Weil says not to take growth hormone. He says the recommendation is based on one small study and that others have not borne out the results. And that it has serious side effects.

Had posted a comment earlier. I have taken Fosamax and Boniva for the last 5 years. I have recently taken a joint scan and an in depth lab tests. Have found that I have 2 symtoms of Lupus but my doctor said he is not diagnosing me with Lupus. Only that I have 2 symtoms of the disease. I am now on medications for those symtoms and I have to see a kidney specialist in Dec. to make sure my kidney is functioning properly because Lupus affects vital organs.

My RA specialist told me to stay off Boniva for a few months to see if that is causing my problems so I am. He said that he did not like the Boniva reports that he is reading and there are better products out there than Boniva.

I am off of it now for 6 weeks. My hands no longer swell but I do feel stiffness and sensitivity in my knuckles and finger joints. I no longer am getting back spasms and I feel stronger.

I'll post later to let you know if I have improved since I am now off Boniva.

Dr. says maybe in January he will put me back on a better medication.

This is my second week of Boniva my joints and muscles are in constant pain, am unable to walk without assistance, cannot dress myself, have constant diarrhoea, my ribcage is so sore I am unable to breathe properly, I am having a job taking my Asthma inhaler. My fingers are swollen I have a sore throat and I feel generally very unwell, if it wasn't for my Husband I think I would have curled up and died. Please beware, do not take this awful drug until you have researched it thoroughly. When I have recovered from this terrible pain I am going to exercise regularly, eat healthily and take vitimin D, I will never touch this drug again

Does anyone have a diet for Ostoporosis that works instead of taking a drug like Boniva? I have only taken boniva for two months with only a few adverse symptoms. But after reading all the info on this site have decided not to take it. Recent bone density tests show that I have significant bone loss. I am 55 years old.
Calcium supplements?? Kind and how much.....Vit. D??? how much and what kind is best... I REALLY need some help here...I'm not trusting my Doctor's opinion on this.... Thank you...please email me at lininhim@aol.com

Has anyone developed any cancer after taking boniva?

English in not my first language and it's difficult to express myself but I want to share my experience with you. I am 49 years old and I just had a bone density test because my mother has ostheoporosis and I was worried the same could happen to me. The results showed I had osteoponia. My doctor prescribed Boniva and last week I took my first pill. I was concerned about other side effects (heartburn etc.) but I was not ready for what has been happening to me for the last week. 12 hours after taking the medication I felt like a 90 years old person. All my body hurt, I could feel the pain in every muscle of my body. The first 2 days I could hardly walk. I feel better now but not like myself. I NEVER had any kind of pain in my body and now after taking the medication I feel worse than ever. I wish I had read all your coments before taking the medication because doctors don't tell you these things.
My question is, what can I do? I know exercise and a healthy diet will help but this is not going to change the fact that I already have osteoponia and I am only 49 years old. Please tell me any information that can help. Thank you!

I am 41 and just took my first dose of Boniva Thursday Morning. By noon that day felt like I pulled something at the gym, by that night could not get off the couch without help. At 2 am Friday morning I was hurting all over felt like I had the flu. Friday could hardly walk and could not make a fist! I feel better today (Saturday) but still have pain in my legs. Called my doctor and was told had the side effects because of low Vitamin D level. After reading these entries this should be shared with patients. Boniva should be taken off of shelves till more research is done!

DO * NOT * TAKE * THIS * DRUG
I am 56 years old, not (much) overweight and in good physical condition.
DO * NOT * TAKE * THIS * DRUG
In July 2007 I took my second Boniva pill, although I am only diagnosed with osteopenia. I bought all that junk about breaking bones threatening my style of life, etc. My Dr had preached to me about it and had "pushed" actonel which I took for about 4 months prior to switching to Boniva. I learned about it, of course, from the pharma-giants commercials with sweet Sally Field pitching it.
DO * NOT * TAKE * THIS * DRUG
I took the Boniva pill first thing in the morning, as prescribed and by mid-morning I started feeling a little nauseated. But by mid-day my rib cage & sternum had started to ache and I felt as though I couldn't breathe without rib pain - just like it must feel to have a BUNCH of broken ribs. I was in pain EVERYWHERE. I had such weakness in all my muscles, I could hardly stand up and had to have my husband assist me in getting out of a chair. I felt as though I could feel every bone independently and each one hurt. It almost felt like the flu with the muscle aches, but I had no fever or other symtoms of flu. This hit me like a TON of bricks!
Amazingly, even though I was suffering so, everything was worse the next day.
I was walking like a 100 year old woman, shuffling and taking itty-bitty steps because it hurt with every movement in all parts of my being. I felt as though my skeleton could NOT support me at all. I could not bend down. I could not breathe deeply. With each breath, I gasped and whimpered in pain. There was not one part of my body that did not ache.

DO * NOT * TAKE * THIS * DRUG

I knew something bad was wrong and I was SCARED.
I was already deathly afraid I would not get back to normal ever again. Usually a very calm person, I began to freak out! I started to research about Boniva's side effects (should have done that before!) and found lots of bad side-effects. Some worse than I was having. I was away from home when this happened - in another state, but heading home 2 days later. THAT was a painful 8-hour drive. Even the seat-belt shoulder strap hurt against my chest.
From another sufferer on another website I learned about taking charcoal to abosorb POISONS in your system. It felt exactly as though I had been POISONED.
My DR was surprised at the reactions I had, telling me about all the women who were helped by Boniva and how many fewer broken hips he had seen in his practice. That didn't make me feel any better, that's for sure, but I recognize that I have taken other prescriptions in the past for other things which had no bad effects on me -and those same drugs were probably poison to others.
He prescribed some "old-fashioned" tylenol with codeine for my pain. Looked at my bone scans (again) and said maybe I didn't need to take this (or Actonel?) and should just go with calcium supplements. (duh)
Even though I felt I never wanted to fill another prescription, I took the pain pills AND the charcoal. I was able to quit the pain pills in about 3 days, but kept up with the charcoal for about 8 days. About 3 weeks after taking that dose of Boniva, most of the pain had gone away. Now, 4 months later, I occasionally feel that same muscle weakness that was one of the first symptoms, but those events are (happily) fewer and further apart.
DO * NOT * TAKE * THIS * DRUG is my advice to ANYONE reading this.
I am grateful for the support I received from other victims of this drug and at every opportunity, I am sure we ALL tell others about this poison.
DO * NOT * TAKE * THIS * DRUG

my name is Regina ,i have already posted ,just wanted to tell everyone the charcoal DOES work ,1 yr.& 11 mo. ago this all started & yesterday was my first day with NO pain meds. i still walk funny but that horrible pain all over my body is gone .i am using 1000 mgs of fish oil per day now . the drug cos. that make these kinds of poison ,are going to take another look at them next yr. it isnt our health ,its the lawsuits that is making them do this .everyone this stuff WILL wear out of your body .bestgrandma316@yahoo.com

So glad I found this site...at least there's hope...I started taking Boniva in July 07. In Oct started having knee pain (both knees) that ranges from burning to pain. IT happened relatively suddenly and is getting worse as time goes on. I took another Boniva today, but finally read the warnings. Last week my doc said it's probably a podiatric problem, but I didn't believe him. This could be it. I've never, ever had knee problems, and am a honest-to-goodness athlete (ballet, hiking, swimming). Wish me luck, since I'm headed back to the doctor. At least I know it could be something other than RA or Lupus...Prayers and good wishes to everyone.

I was asked to post a comment. I took Boniva for 3 months. I first noticed a pain in my chest. It would come and go at first and then stayed the majority of the time. Since I have reflux, I contributed it to that. I also noticed that I was having a shortness of breath. I woke up on a Saturday morning, with a sharper chest pain, extreme shortness of breath and tingling in my hands and fingers. My husband called my nephew, who is a paramedic, and was advised to call 911 and get me to a hospital. I was treated as iff I was having a heart attack and was given every test possible. My heart was fine. I, of course, got off the Boniva, which was the only new thing I had been taking, and with a couple of weeks, my symptoms had gone away. It was very scary for me and my family. I am a 57 year old woman with Osteopenia. Since then my doctor recommend a nose spray called Miacalcin. I have been on that for almost a year and my latest bone scan showed increased bone density. I have had no side effects from the nose spray.

I was prescribed Boniva after having a bone density test that showed miinimal signs of osteoporosis. I was otherwise a healthy female with no other medical or physcial conditions. The day after my first dose I noticed the bottom of my feet being tender and my knees a little sore, but didn't think much of it since I work in the garden a lot. The pain in my knees and back got progressively worse with each month that I took another dose. My fingers and knees felt stiff, swollen and as if they were full of fluid when I would bend them. My back would hurt when I tried to stand from a sitting position. I continued to take the Boniva for a period of 5 months, thinking I just needed to adjust to the meds. It got to the point I could not turn over in bed, I had to push myself up when getting up from a sitting position. If I squatted at the knees it was impossible to get up without pulling on a shelf or having a stick in your hand. I could not stand up straight for several minutes after getting out of the car after a short 15 minute ride. I would walk like a cave man for several minutes hunched over due to lower back pain and felt everyone was staring at me. I finally realized that Boniva was detrimental to my health and was not a good thing to be taking. It took about two months for me to get back about half of my normal range of motion and got progressively better as the months went by. I am now back to my old self and it has been over a year since I stopped taking the Boniva. I was 51 at the time I began Boniva, but it made me feel like a 90 year old bedridden patient. I do not recommend this to anyone. And to the person who anonymously posted a comment on askapatient.com about us whining about a little bit of pain and to just take the meds, you need a mental evaluation. I further recommend everyone who has problems with Boniva to file a complaint via the FDA website.

I took the second dose of Boniva on thursday of this week. On friday I had flu symptoms and by saturday I could barely walk. Crying is rarely my style but the pain made it impossible to stand upright. I feel as if I've aged by 20 years. I shuffle. I cannot stand without help and my lower back is killing me. I was given Boniva as part of breast cancer treatment. During the first dose I was recovering from breast surgery and wrote off the symptoms to a "normal" recovery. I also have an urge to urinate frequently; great fun when you can barely shuffle to the bathroom. As I type this my hands are swollen and I'm constantly drinking water to overcome a dry throat. I know that these side effects are related to Boniva because I've been keeping a recovery diary for the breast cancer. I agree with the rest of you--Boniva is poison. I've taken my last dose.

So many things that I am reading are the exact same things that I intended to report. Bonvia is BAD!!! How can we get the word out to other unsuspecting people who innocently take their Dr's advise and take this medicine? I was diagnosed with osteoponia and I took my 1st pill in September. The bone pain started right away but because I have Fibromyalgia my dr. said that it was probably a flare-up and I trusted him but also I knew deep down that the pain was different. I took my October pill and I became bed bound. The bottom of my feet burned and it burned all the way up to my hips and especially in my pelvic bones. I couldn't walk and I had my bouts of crying. I went to the emergency room at a local hospital and they just brushed my symptoms aside as Syatica and sent me home, I had to ask for a pain shot and pain pills but neither of those helped. My family tried to help but it is hard to get them to understand the pain. Only you, who have also taken the pill know what I am talking about. My teeth became loose and my fillings started falling out. My jaws hurt so bad that I couldn't eat. The pain went up to my ears and my eyes had sharp shooting pains. I feared that I was going blind. I shuffled to the restroom and back to the couch for weeks, I felt like I was 90 years old. My chest hurt and I thought I was getting phnemonia(sp?). Still my doctor said it wasn't Bonvia so I took my November pill like a good girl and when things got much worse I found a dr. for a2nd opinion who also said it wasn't the Bonvia. Then I finally took control of my life and told them I wasn't taking Bonvia again. My next pill is due December 2nd but it will be a cold day in h--- before I consider taking anything for my osteoponia. What kind of life is worth living if that pill comes with daily bone pain. Hasn't anyone informed the medical profession of these terrible side-effects and why don't they listen to us, we are the ones with pain. I'm feeling better now, I am on my last week of the November pill and as I said no more for me.

I have had two injections of Bovina over a period of 6 mos and I had severe head pain that even hurt when I chewed food. It came on quickly and was so bad I couldn't lay my head down, I had to sit up to sleep. The pain was bad & lasted 4 days and 4 nights. I am convinced it was Boniva. I am not taking this drug again.

It's nice to know I'm not crazy!!! Took my 1st Boniva sample pill in July 2007. Felt flu-like symptoms, took again in Aug., same symptoms, skipped Sept.(out of country on vacation) Awakened on vacation with wrist pain, no known injury, thought I had slept wrong. Took Oct.pill, same symptoms, but developed swelling in left index finger and SEVERE left shoulder pain, couldn't abduct my arm from body!! Again, no known injury. Saw an ortho doc,told me to stop Boniva. Started Medrol dose pack (steroids) with immediate relief. Got no relief from ibuprofen or Aleve. Had immediate improvement on steriods, but approx 3 weeks after they wore off, pains in left hip, right knee, both feet(metatarsal) joints became swollen, difficult to walk. Then right wrist pain returned worse, swollen, extremely painful, fingers swollen, unable to grip.Started second steroid pack with relief, but know I can't keep taking these, as they weaken the immune system and leave you susceptible to infections,not to mention bone loss which kinda defeats the purpose,huh? I was an active, exercising, hardworking R.N. and now I feel wretched. I went to a rheumatologist, who completey dismissed the Boniva issue.(guess the Boniva rep was taking them all to lunch on Friday). I was reading a pamphlet while waiting in lobby to be seen, of course, Sally Field and Boniva were right in the center advertisement. I knew this visit would not go well. Guess nobody wants to stand up to "big drug companies" and do the right thing. Rheumatologist tried to dx me with Rheumatoid Arthritis like it was nothing, and put me on all these clinical trial medications. Whatever!! As sure as I'm typing this, I know what has precipitated my pain. Please do not take this medication. I thought I was getting a jump on things, I am 44 with osteopenia. I too will stick to exercise and calcium. If I could turn back time...

I took three Boniva pills starting in March, 2007. Two days after the third pill, I woke up with an intense pain in my chest. I thought I was having a heart attack.

I went to the emergency room where the pain left after five hours, but I was admitted. They did all the heart and digestive tests and found nothing. For three months after that I would have this tight feeling in my chest at night and lots of burping and indigestion...which I never had before.

It's been six months and I'm now feeling like myself again. It's apparent that some women have a strong reaction to this drug. Because it is an intense monthly pill, once it gets in your system it's hard to get it out. I'd suggest trying weekly pills first.

Or even better...if you have just the beginnings of osteopenia, just lift free weights three times a week, eat lots of dairy products, and take calcium.

The lesson I learned? Don't let yourself be talked into taking something when you are not experiencing any symptons. Osteopennia is not a debilitating disease...it's not even really a condition until it becomes osteoperosis.
Pre-emptive drug use is not the same as preventive health care.

I was prescribed Boniva several months ago and given a free trial pill. I debated for several months about taking it because I had a bad feeling about it, I had been diagnosed with osteopenia. about 8 hours after taking the pill I started feeling nauseus and then a few hours later starting having strange stomach pains and severe diarrhea. I was having fever and chills and could barely get out of bed for the bone and muscle pain. I am a single mom with a teenage boy who was at his father's for the weekend and I started to worry that I was going to die at home alone. I am at work today on Tuesday after taking the pill Saturday morning and still feel horrible. I wish there was some way to remove this poison from my body. I feel as I imagine someone would feel after a massive dose of chemotherapy. I will not take this pill again ever. Doctors should not prescribe this so easily other methods should be used especially for a 50 year old woman with osteopenia. I just hope that I can get back to normal.

My doctor prescribed Boniva to me very casually. After taking this medication for 4 months, I began to get leg cramps each night, I had trouble stooping and getting up. I felt like a 90 year old woman. I did not realize what was happening until I researched Boniva and saw all the same symptoms on this page. I threw my last Boniva pill in the trash for this month, I agree, this is poison to your system. Women should not be taking this drug, Women pay attention to what you are puting into your body.

I took Fosamax and experienced moderate pain in my joints for two days and stopped taking it. The doc and I decided to try Boniva. Within 12 hours I began having the same pain as with Fosamax. By the next morning I was so sick with pain all over with any movement and fever and some nausea. I have missed two days of work and don't know how long this will last. The reason I was so willing to take these medicines is the xray of my bone density test. It makes my heart race when I think of it. I am a nurse for 27 years and I know what hip fractures do to a person's quality of life. I am not going to take these meds again and will now persue whatever I can to increase the integrety of my skeleton. I am only 58 years old. I am at my computer because I cannot go to work today because of the severe pain and flu-like symptoms.

I, too, have been on Boniva since July, 2007 and have been experiencing severe joint/muscle pain. Pain in wrists, (can't hardly use my hands) low back pain, difficult to raise my arms, pain in legs, feet hurt so bad I can't hardly walk. I can barely turn over in bed. I have to shuffle when I walk for the first several minutes after I get up. If I kneel down, I have to grasp something to help me get back up. I have difficulty getting up out of a chair. The pain and muscle weakness are my major complaints, but also experience fatigue and depression. I'm a 60 year old very active woman (at least I was) and now I can't even work. I've been riding and showing horses all my life, I am a sculptor, an outdoors person, and now I barely exist from day-to-day. November was my last dose. It has taken me this long to figure out that the Boniva is the culprit. My quality of life has go so far downhill that I find myself thinking suicidal thoughts and I AM NOT A SUICIDICAL PERSON! It's been 5 weeks since my last dose and I'm still not feeling much better. Don't have the flu-like symptoms, though.

I went to Dallas to the Fibromyalgia Center the end on November. At that time I was having flu-like symptoms along with everything else. I had just taken my Boniva the week before. (I haven't taken it since) After $3000 worth of extensive blood work, I'm still waiting on the results which I will get on my visit next week. It was after this, that I discovered this message board and the askapatient board. WOW!! You could have knocked me over with a feather when I read all the symptoms! Many stories sounded like I'd written them myself!

Other that discontinuing the Boniva, do any of you have suggestions for recovery?
Someone mentioned charcoal to help remove the toxins. Could you tell me more about that?
Please do not take this medication without serious research. I believe it should be taken off the market.

If I can answer anyone's questions or if you have advise for me, you may contact me at larichhall@excite.com

I am writing this about my Father a healthy, still working 73 year old, until he took his second dose of Boniva in August of 2005. He had excrutiating pain in the joints and muscles that moved throughout his body. It got so bad he couldn't even walk at times. Chest pain, heartburn, trouble swallowing, cold sores, upset stomach, and other symptoms. He was in and out of the emergency room and hospital so many times I couldn't keep track. He had all kinds of tests and nothing showed up. He was on all kinds of pain medication and nothing would help. He couldn't sleep, eat, sit or lay comfortably. He was diagnosed with multiple myloma late September. This was also the wrong diagnosis. He was then diagnosed with acute leukemia which is what he died from October 29, 2005. I don't know if the Boniva caused this or just brought the disease out. As I said my Father was healthy and working full time before he took Boniva and he also had regular check ups. I have never seen anyone in such pain! I asked the Drs. from the beginning if the Boniva could have caused all of this pain and they wouldn't even talk about it. I had done some research and found out about the side effects but no one would even talk to me about them. No one can make me believe that if my Father hadn't taken Boniva we would still have him with us! Please do not take this drug!

I just took my first Boniva on Saturday (today is Monday). I am only 42 years old and was just diagnosed with osteoporosis. Like many, it is scarey to think of what my bones will be like 20 years from now if they are already thin and weak. The dr prescribed Boniva, but the affects she warned me about were more to do with stomach upset. That was what I was expecting, however, had none of that. Sixteen hours after taking the pill, I woke up in excruciating pain in my back, chest and shoulders. I could hardly move without whincing. Went to the ER yesterday to get something for the pain. Lortab and Ibuprofen was what they gave me. Doesn't cut the pain completely, but helps. When it wears off, though, I feel like I was hit all over again. The Lortab causes me to be groggy. Can't function like this. I won't take the Boniva again. I just hope there is something out there that will help prevent further bone loss other than what I have been doing (Vit D, Calcium, exercise). After reading several postings, it upsets me to know this might continue for a few more weeks.

I will add my experience to this list. In August 2006 I took my first dose (and last) dose of Boniva. By the next morning I had what felt like the worse case of the flu that I had ever experienced. The joint stiffness and pain was debilitating. The worst of it lasted about 24 hours, but it was 3 - 4 days before I could go back to work. I have not experienced any lingering problems - but have not taken the drug again, nor will I. My doctor's view was that it might only have been a coincidence, which I do not believe as no one else in my family was sick and I never experienced the "coming down with something" feelings - it all just hit quickly the day after taking the drug. He suggested I take it another time or two and see what happened. I felt lucky that I fully recovered, and was not going to risk experiencing potential long term issues from this drug by taking again.

I am a very active, healthy 55 year old woman. I took my first Boniva tablet in October 2007. Within 24 hours I had debilitating muscle pain all over my body and thought I had the flu. It lasted for about 10 days. The next month I experienced the same thing and thought it was very unusual that I would have the flu 2 months in a row but still did not contribute it to the Boniva. After my December dose, I was in so much pain (and Ibuprofen did not even phase the pain) in my lower back and legs that I could not stand for very long. I went to my doctor and he said that he thinks it may be kidney stones since I had blood in my urine. That was 4 days ago and the muscle aches in my legs are just beginning to ease slightly. I started researching to see if anyone else had ever experienced such muscle pain after taking Boniva. I was shocked but relieved when I read this site. I am convinced that it is the Boniva and have taken my last pill. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG. I have never had a reaction to any other drug in my life. This has been a nightmare!

I had my first Boniva mthly pill Dec 1st..no problems. Jan 1st took the pill and by Jan 2nd I could hardly move and get out of bed. I felt like a mack truck had hit me as I ached all over and inside and had a stiff ache, stiff shoulders and tightness in my chest and back.

I have always done at least 1 hr of yoga and stretching and 40 min of walking and 30 min of weight lifting (age 56) but as of Jan2nd I can not do any of these let alone the simple task of bending done to go to the bathroom. Can't even raise my arms to comb my hair...

I know its that Boniva and will never take it again.

Can someone tell me about the CHARCOAL mentioned in some posts. I dont have any stomach/upset problems - just the muscle and joint pain.

I had my first Boniva mthly pill Dec 1st..no problems. Jan 1st took the pill and by Jan 2nd I could hardly move and get out of bed. I felt like a mack truck had hit me as I ached all over and inside and had a stiff ache, stiff shoulders and tightness in my chest and back.

I have always done at least 1 hr of yoga and stretching and 40 min of walking and 30 min of weight lifting (age 56) but as of Jan2nd I can not do any of these let alone the simple task of bending done to go to the bathroom. Can't even raise my arms to comb my hair...

I know its that Boniva and will never take it again.

Can someone tell me about the CHARCOAL mentioned in some posts. I dont have any stomach/upset problems - just the muscle and joint pain

I took my first and last Boniva pill on New Years Day. By the afternoon I had started feeling nausea. I couldn't sleep that night so I got up and took some Tylenol. The next morning I felt like I had the flu. I was aching all over and had chills. I finally got up around 3:30 p.m.,went into the kitchen and sat down at the table to try to eat something. I began to feel weak. I passed out and fell to the floor. Luckily my husband was at home. It has been 3 days since taking Boniva and my stomach is still cramping. I will never againg take Boniva and will tell all my friends about my experience. It's a shame the doctors do not know or say they have never heard of such side effects.

After reading all the side effects, I couldn't believe my emergency room visit was actually caused by Boniva not pulling a chest muscle. I was in such pain every time I took a breath, my husband rushed me to the Hospital. They couldn't find a thing wong. A couple of months later I was in the bathroom and my back had a spasm so bad that again my poor husband got me into bed and it was so painful, luckly, I had some knock pills from my hospital visit.

Yesterday, I ended up with acid indigestion which I notice every time I take Boniva it happens a couple of days later. Nothing can get rid of it. My yogurt or just a sip of cream just doesn't work. I do not want any dependency on anticids. Two years of this is enough, I will take a bone density test in March to find out if my border line problem is solved.

One thing for sure, I won't miss taking Boniva every month. Just opening up that stupid package at 6:00 a.m. and waiting an hour to get my morning coffee.

If my bone density test is up to standard, what is that charcoal thing and is Miacalcin through the nose any good?

Bless you all for making me realize this pill is dangerous. I can't believe I have put up with this for almost two years!!!!

Kim B.

Wow! I am so glad I found this site. I took my first Boniva pill Friday morning and by 2:00 pm felt like I was getting the flu. I had a five hour car trip that evening and expected to be a little worn out but when I reached my destination, I experienced some horrid thigh cramps unlike anything I have ever felt before. On Saturday, I felt achy and weak and by evening had to forego dinner plans, returned to the hotel and spent the night with a heating pad on my shoulders. Today, (Sunday) I still am sore though better and hope that this will be the end of my 'aftereffects'. I certainly will not be taking another Boniva pill! I am very annoyed with the nonchalance with which this pill was prescribed. It was suggested after a first visit with an internist when my bone mass test showed osteopenia.She did not give any warning of possible side effects! So thankful for all your testimonies and wish you all complete recoveries!

I have taken 3 or 4 doses Boniva. I have experiences muscle cramping in my feet and hands for about 3 months. Its getting worse. I cant even hold a doughnut in my hand long enough to eat it without my hand drawing up. Occ at night I will have leg cramps. I also have back pain, but since the pain is not significantly changed, I dont necessarily asst it w/ the Boniva. My question: Has anyone else out there experienced hand or foot cramps?

About two years ago, I was offered two free Boniva pills by my physician at that time. I took two, and when I went to pay for my first perscription of them, our tiny ss. budget could not afford them. Thank God! That is probably the only reason that I am still alive. That is, if you could call it a "life." I had symptoms immediately after taking the first pill, but my physician insisted I had internal shingles, even tho I had never had the requisite chicken pox in my life. By the second month, I was a sick person! Dying, in fact. I spent about a year lying wrapped in an electric blanket, screaming and moaning in agony. Shortly, I had realized it was the Boniva causing all this, but it was too late. Now, two years later, I live in constant, agonizing pain that never relents. Probably will die eventually, when my body just becomes too tired to fight the battle any longer. I do not even have a physician any longer. The doctors don't like patients like me; it makes their records look bad. And when my husband was operated on in July for colon cancer, stage 4, he endured a nightmare of cruelty and abuse from one nurse in the hospital. She did damage he will carry the rest of his life. The medical world closed ranks around her, and has protected her from any consequences from the crime she carried out on my husband. And we suddenly found ourselves both "lepers" as far as the medical world was concerned. I know they sense medical malpractice suits in the air, and their solution to that is to simply refuse us any treatment. I spend several hours daily on the 'phone, trying to find a doctor, ANY doctor, who will see us. I never knew about the world I now call the "world of medical politics" and the horrible ramifications it has. I barely exist now, live in pain always, terrible pain, and am crippled and so disabled I cannot live even a semblance of a normal life. My husband, at a time when he needs my help the most, instead is having to assist me in just surviving. Pray for us that we will find a doctor who is willing to see and treat us. I wish I could say this better, but I have found out that PAIN RULES. To do this posting has taken all the strength I have for this day. Boniva is POISON. There is never a valid reason for ingesting it into your body. It is simply a money maker for all involved in peddling it to the ingnorant, unsuspecting consumer. If I can prevent it from happenig to even one person, then at least my death will have served a pupose.
marty

Wow! I just got my first two sample pills from my doctor. Thank goodness for this site! I am very sensitive to all medications, but I was going to try this for a month and see what happened. I already have a lot of pain from fibromyalgia. The last thing I need is more pain. Thanks for all your comments.

I also took a free sample pill of Boneva and thought I was dying. I took it on Monday and by Tuesday afternoon I had to leave work because I felt horrible. It feels like I have the worst case of flu. Every cell in my body aches and I have no strength. When I called my doctor she said it was very rare for anyone to have these side affects and that they should clear up in 3 days. They better!! I will never take this pill again.

This is amazing. I have been on Boniva for about 9 months. I was diagnosed with Osteopenia a few years ago and started taking Actonel weekly. I saw Boniva advertised and thought that would be convenient, so I asked my doctor if I could take it instead of the Actonel. She gave me a prescription. To complicate matters, I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial pain. At first, I thought I was just having a bad flare of my FM. I have always taken the steps instead of the elevator at work. I started having such pain in my legs, I could no longer climb the steps. Just walking in general causes pain in my legs. I have pain in both my arms, my hands and my feet, knees, both hips and ankle joints, my shoulders, elbows, wrist, you name the joint, muscle, tendon, ligament, it hurts. I began to wonder after hearing someone talking about the Boniva causing these same symptoms and she did not have FM. I believe it is causing them and it will be time for my monthly dose in a few days, but I don't think I am going to take it, just to see if I feel better. Believe me, if you have FM/CMP like I do (21 years), you have enouugh pain, without taking a medication that causes more pain in the same areas as FM/CMP and like someone said seems to attack the weakest areas of your body. I am glad I found this site.

This is amazing. I have been on Boniva for about 9 months. I was diagnosed with Osteopenia a few years ago and started taking Actonel weekly. I saw Boniva advertised and thought that would be convenient, so I asked my doctor if I could take it instead of the Actonel. She gave me a prescription. To complicate matters, I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial pain. At first, I thought I was just having a bad flare of my FM. I have always taken the steps instead of the elevator at work. I started having such pain in my legs, I could no longer climb the steps. Just walking in general causes pain in my legs. I have pain in both my arms, my hands and my feet, knees, both hips and ankle joints, my shoulders, elbows, wrist, you name the joint, muscle, tendon, ligament, it hurts. I began to wonder after hearing someone talking about the Boniva causing these same symptoms and she did not have FM. I believe it is causing them and it will be time for my monthly dose in a few days, but I don't think I am going to take it, just to see if I feel better. Believe me, if you have FM/CMP like I do (21 years), you have enouugh pain, without taking a medication that causes more pain in the same areas as FM/CMP and like someone said seems to attack the weakest areas of your body. I am glad I found this site.

I'm 59, in good health, relatively active. After my last bone density scan revealed some osteoporosis/osteopenia, my GYN prescribed Boniva. I've taken it twice and felt fine...or so I thought. I recently developed dry, itchy eyes, my first ever fever blister, and a terrible dryness in my mouth. A dentist told me that I have no oral infection, but that my salivary glands don't seem to be working right. I have
an appointment to see my doc, but after reading all the comments on this site, I'm convinced that Boniva is the culprit. So, add more symptoms to the list of side effects. I'm told that chronic dry mouth leads to all sorts of dental problems, so I hope that this resolves itself. Any idea of how long it takes to get this poison out of one's body?

I am a 52 yr old female recently diagnosed with Osteopenia. I took my first Boniva pill Sunday morning, and was awakened at 4 a.m. Monday morning with severe pain in my back under my shoulder blades. I hurt all day, even above my breast. I wondered if I was having a heart attack or getting shingles. As soon as I laid down that night I began having muscle spasms across my back that took my breath away, moaned all night. The next morning when I got out of bed, I could barely breathe because of the spasms. I managed to go to work but as soon as I returned home, I laid down and immediately began again with the constant muscle spasms. I certainly am not looking forward to trying to sleep tonight. I think I will try the recliner and a heating pad. I am going to try taking Benadryl to counteract the effect of the Boniva. Tomorrow I will be seeing the physician who prescribed Boniva and I am going to tell about my symptoms and that I will never take this drug again! I do have a Vitamin D deficiency and from reading the other comments, this might have had something to do with this reaction.

I've taken Boniva for about 8 months. No joint pain, but began to notice persistent nausea that lasted for 2 months. Dr. suggested Prilosec, which resolved it. BUT Prilosec depletes the body of ... calcium! I strongly suspect this nausea is from the Boniva. The Dr. said it could be an ulcer (side effect), stomach lining issue (side effect). He suggested I do 3 doses of Prilosec, if needed -- and if I STILL had nausea, he'd order a gastrointestinal procedure.

Needless to say, I am opting out. Before 1974, 77 percent of Americans never heard of osteoporosis.

World Health Organization was looking into the incidence of osteoporosis fractures. AIDED by new bone testing technology experts at the conference SPONSORED BY TWO LARGE DRUG COMPANIES, researchers studied Rochester MN women. "In a single conference, one diseae had been expanded from an elderly person with a fracture to anyone with an (arbirarily derived ) -2.5 T score.

Merck launched a campaign to "educate" the public and their doctors. They promoted portable bone-measuring devices that Drs could use in their offices. They started with 750 machines. In 4 years, there were 10,000 machines which had tested over 3.5 million people a year.

The goal was NOT to sell the drug to the elderly who actually had osteoporosis, but to make it a PRIMARY CARE DRUG for the 40 million post-menopausal women. These drugs were the NUMBER ONE PRESCRIBED DRUG THERAPY IN AMERICA IN 2001.

Apparently Japanese women have lower bone mass than we, and fewer fractures.

By the way, red meat, carbonated beverages, and sugar leach calcium from the body. Considering the basic American diet, we may have done it to ourselves.

Anyway, worth researching... This info came from NutriNews Inquiries, 412-494-0122, nutrinews@douglaslabs.com.

Beware of free samples -- that's my new motto.

My doctor started me on Boniva on Feb. 21, 2008. I was on actonel a few years ago for three years but the bone density scan was read wrong. I was starting to have skin problems and joint problems so stopped it. The last two bone density tests I get a call from his nurse that just take calcium and vit. D. All of a sudden, I have to go in and he shows me no report. I am chemically sensitive to most meds. He didn't show me the report just talked and said I had to take this because Sally Field takes it. I got a copy of my scan and it doesn't make any sense.The lady taking the test was doing things they never did before. She couldn't get me right on the table. He was the most uncomfortable test I have ever had. She was new, just got out of school. He has never gone over any of the reports in the last five years so I am going to get copies. I have a terrible taste in my mouth, I have started itching really bad and can't stop, I am getting hives and feel so tired and sore. Can't do what I want. I suffer from depression and anxiety and both of those are getting worse. But the itching is driving me nuts. I am not going to take this anymore. My doctor won't listen. Says his way or no way. I already have tmj and jaw pain, but the last couple of weeks, the throbbing in my ear and neck pain at night and I am so congested I can't sleep. I want to go naturally. I work out in the yard, do trimming, sawing branches, painted the outside and inside of the house and am not sedentary and I have been taking more than 1,000 mgs of calcium and 400 of D. I asked him about testing me for vitamin D. He didn't listen. I asked him about magnesium and vit. k. He knew nothing. I have gerd and have had an hiatal hernia and am on prilosec. I am very scared on what the long term of this poison is. I want it out of my system and I won't take it again. Think I need to find a new doctor too.

I had a Boniva infusion on Tuesday. Mild flu-like symptoms immediately followed along with fatigue and a foggy-headed, disoriented feeling. It's now Friday and the foggy-headedness and fatigue haven't subsided. Has anyone else had this?

When I tried oral Actonel (one pill) this past summer, I had the same thing. There must be something in this class of drugs I'm reacting to.

What else are people doing to combat osteoporosis? I lift weights and exercise consistently, take calcium with D and magnesium, and lead a healthy life-style. There must be a better way to heal osteoporosis than taking drugs. Help!!

I had a Boniva infusion on Tuesday. Mild flu-like symptoms immediately followed along with fatigue and a foggy-headed, disoriented feeling. It's now Friday and the foggy-headedness and fatigue haven't subsided. Has anyone else had this?

When I tried oral Actonel (one pill) this past summer, I had the same thing. There must be something in this class of drugs I'm reacting to.

What else are people doing to combat osteoporosis? I lift weights and exercise consistently, take calcium with D and magnesium, and lead a healthy life-style. There must be a better way to heal osteoporosis than taking drugs. Help!!

I started my first dose of Boniva last Saturday 3/8/08. Within 8 hours I experienced extreme leg pain in the lower legs, Tibia. Peridoically, the pain would progress to the other extremities. Chills and fever were also present. Called the number on the flyer that encapsulates the poison. Call 1-888-MY-BONIVA, I called. Count the digits - see if you get a response. Still in pain, my doctor says it will subside in a few day. I'll let your know.

I started my first dose of Boniva last Saturday 3/8/08. Within 8 hours I experienced extreme leg pain in the lower legs, Tibia. Peridoically, the pain would progress to the other extremities. Chills and fever were also present. Called the number on the flyer that encapsulates the poison. Call 1-888-MY-BONIVA, I called. Count the digits - see if you get a response. Still in pain, my doctor says it will subside in a few day. I'll let your know.

I started Boniva on January 12, 2008 and have taken 3 doses with the last on March 12. Thursday evening March 13, I had an onset of stomach pain and tenderness along with sudden bowel emptying. I never had diarrhea or vomiting. At times I felt sick to my stomach but pain was the prominent symptom. No esophagus indigestion but when I tried to eat or drink I had pain as it reached the area below my ribs. It was hard to get to sleep and I woke up several times during the night from pain that built up in strength and then would die down. Pain was in the area surrounding the belly button (which was tender to the touch) spreading to just under the ribs. I also felt the inside of my intestines burning as if on fire, extremely irritated. I noticed pain would come and go about every 15 to 20 minutes, slowly increasing in intensity and then dying down. I also had headache everyday. On Friday, I drank water but could not eat. Pain worsened so I stayed in bed till evening. I was sick over the weekend but it got a lot better Monday morning so I went to work. I still had pain in the center on the rib bone above the belly button as well as tenderness and slight radiating pain from the belly button to the ribcage but it was much better. While I was sick I did not exercise. That night, I decided to take my dog for a walk and do my weights as I only had slight indigestion and slight same area of pain (which has persisted from the start), but I was aware that I had slight pain all over, which made me think my sickness must have been flu, even though I have never had those symptoms with flu. When I woke up Tuesday I could not get out of bed. My neck was so stiff I could not move. It felt like it was fused from my neck to just above my hip area and that I would not be able to bend at all since it was so stiff. I was sore in my joints, muscles and some bone with extreme tightness across the middle of my back, low back, right foot underneath, and intense pain in both shoulders, the pockets on each side of my neck and shoulder area. I hurt everywhere except the hip and pelvic area, legs, left arm, right lower arm and left foot. I could hardly move. I was afraid to take pain medicine due to my stomach but the pain was bad that I took Pain Aid. It helped enough that I could do my job, but still hurt. Every morning since the Monday, the 17th I wake up and can hardly get out of bed. I can’t even sneeze when I need to. I called Boniva and they connected me with Roche Lab who said that my stomach and joint/muscle pain could be side effects from Boniva and that I should see my doctor. They apologized that I had to go through this. I asked about another dosage and was told of a daily dose Boniva but that the same symptoms occurred with the daily dose in others with similar side effects and would probably persist. They said the pain would probably go away in time if I stop Boniva.

My name is Bonnie, 59 yo, live in Seattle and in good health...so I thought! It is 4 AM and I have never been commented on a site before, but I am in such pain that I can't sleep and hoped to have my comments read. I also feel like I have been poisoned.

I am a breast cancer survivor and I am scheduled for a Bone Scan on 3/24/08, as my whole body aches, which started in my right wrist a month ago, but I thought it was from working out.

Years ago, I was told I have Osteopenia and was taking FOSAMAX but it gave me "heartburn" so my doctor casually prescribed BONIVA 6 months ago. I switched doctors, and both seemed little concerned about BONIVA, but my new doctor causally commented last week there has been some "reports" that it may cause "muscle pain”, as she can’t figure out what is wrong with me after taking blood and urine tests for 2 weeks.

I am an active real person, but this pain is keeping me awake at night and ADVIL does not seem to help my joints. BEN GAY covers up the pain some, but my pain hits me with "hot spots" all over my body, from my brain and into my breasts. My right wrist, arm and shoulder are the worst!

I will report back to this site after my bone scan, but will look into "CHARCOAL" at the health food store if you ladies think it might help. Thank you!

I am a 48 year old woman who has had fibromyalgia for many years. Recently, my doctor prescribed Boniva after a bone density test showed extreme bone loss for my age. I was told that if I did not do something I would end up having to see a specialist about the problem. I took my first dose of Boniva and approximately 12 hours later all of my glands in my neck, particluarly around my jaw, were swollen and painful. 24 hours later I was running a temperature of 100 degrees, my body was racked with pain unlike I have ever experienced. Desperate for answers I found this website. When I called my doctor to report the side effects I was told by the nurse that the doctor agreed that I shouldn't take the Boniva anymore but should take Actonel which has fewer side effects. I said no thanks and am hoping that I can get over that pain soon without any lasting problems. If there is a class action suit out there count me in. I can not believe that this inflammatory drug is being prescribed to patients with inflammatory diseases. BEWARE if you are prescribed this drug. Personally, I do not feel the risk of side effects make this a reasonable solution.

Count me in for a class action suit. I have only taken one Boniva, but was due for the second when I found this site. I have been having unusual aches in my arms and legs... did not make the connection until I read this site. I have had adverse reactions to Fosamax, but it irritated my stomach -- Boniva didn't do this. But I have been aching with no cause, so I do believe it must be giving me this adverse painful symptom. I won't take it again. Thank you for all your comments, I know you have saved me additional pain.

I am a healthy woman recently diagnosed with osteopenia. I specifically asked my doctor for Boniva, as I have always been a Sally Field fan and liked the idea of a once a month pill. I took the pill yesterday morning and last night after going out to dinner with a friend, I felt like someone was pressing a knee on my chest. I couldn't sleep because of muscle and back pain and the overwhelming weight on my chest. Foolishly, I believed I had overdone my stretching and yoga yesterday, until I googled Boniva and read the comments on this site. I now understand that the monthly pill will have a long half life, resulting in many more days or weeks of pain. I will not take it again and will try other methods of rebuilding bone mass. I was looking forward to a long run on this beautiful sunny day, but instead I'll probably only be able to lie in bed. Hope the pain does not get worse.

Boniva is no worse than any other drug on the market. People, you happen to be the unlucky few who experience a side affect. Most everyone on this site complains of flu like symptoms and joint,bone, or muscle pain.If you simply read the prescribing information for Boniva, you will see that these are some of the most common side effects.Sorry you had to experience these side affects, but think of the thousands of people that are benefiting from Boniva without having to experience the side effects you had. ALL drugs on the market have side effects, but these same drugs are also helping people. Boniva is proven to have side effects in the same way it is proven to Increase bone mineral density and reduce fractures for both osteopenic and osteoporotic patients.If you happen to experience a side affect, stop taking the drug and try something else. This goes for any drug on the market.

Took 1 boniva -- threw up/and diarheea followed by worst pain in back spasms.
Dr. said "coincidence". Took second dose/second month---ache all over (dr. says "yard work")???
Who should I believe??

Regarding #71 --- You mean, No pain…no gain??????? What kind of person are you???? The only reason why this product hasn’t been pulled from the market yet is because people haven’t put two and two together. ….. It’s a moneymaker!!!!

I started taking boniva February 30th and now developed bronchitus. I have asthma so I did not think of the side effects to Boniva, but I'm having trouble getting up off the bed or couch and have had cold chills since the day after taking it, running a low grade fever and developed sores in my mouth. All this started the day after so I googled boniva side effects. I am 59 and will never take this medicine again; it is not worth it. The only reason I am posting this is to maybe help other unsuspecting women or men know about the risk.....can't wait until I get this "stuff" out of my system. Sorry, but I'm coughing up phelgm (can't spell it) what in the world causes the muscus problem. Sincerely....

I started taking boniva February 30th and now developed bronchitus. I have asthma so I did not think of the side effects to Boniva, but I'm having trouble getting up off the bed or couch and have had cold chills since the day after taking it, running a low grade fever and developed sores in my mouth. All this started the day after so I googled boniva side effects. I am 59 and will never take this medicine again; it is not worth it. The only reason I am posting this is to maybe help other unsuspecting women or men know about the risk.....can't wait until I get this "stuff" out of my system. Sorry, but I'm coughing up phelgm (can't spell it) what in the world causes the muscus problem. Sincerely....

I am a 52 yo RN for 16 years.
There are several meds out that don't have the severe side effects of this drug.
I have been on fosomax for a few months and have had no side effects at all.
The indigestion one may get from that is relieved if it is taken with food or lots of water and yuo remain in an upright position for 30 minutes.
The Vit D deficiency- in the "cloudy " parts of our country....I guess I may move to a sunny place...
Good luck everyone, as we get older and hopefully wiser.

I was on Boniva for 1 year. I had severe pain in my legs and severe gastro problems. I also had chills and cramps in my legs and feet. I told my Doctor about all these issues and she just blew them off. The reason I know she blew them off was the letter she sent me after my last bone density test. It said to continue to take my Boniva and my calcium. Before taking the Boniva I reminded her that I was prone to gastro problems. She recommended Nexium to be taken along with the Boniva. Now I have found out that Nexium can reduce the absorbtion of calcium. I feel like I just wasted my money and a year of my life taking this stuff. I still have gastro problems, flu like symptoms, chills, and leg cramps. I also know that I should have had a blood calcium test before taking Boniva which I know I never received. I feel like such a fool for not doing my homework first and just believing my Doctor's word.

I took my first boniva pill march and had some jaw pain and some pain in my joints. I was on a cruise in the caribbean and it was time for my next pill, so I took it first thing in the morning with a glass of water and waited one hour before I had my breakfast. It was time to get off the ship to explore the cayman islands, when I noticed that my back was going into spasm and started geting severe pains in my spine and I could hardly walk. I got back to the ship and went to bed and that is where is stayed for two days in severe pain. It is about 12 days after I took the pills and still have some side effects. Weakness in my arms and legs, stomach upset, heartburn, pain in my joints and mostly in my spine and jaw pain. I will never take this medication again, I felt like I took poison.

I urge all of you to contact you local news stations about this drug. It has totally destroyed the quality of my 81 year old mothers life. She was an active woman who was rendered totally disabled after the boniva injection. Like many of you, 4 different physicians told her it had nothing to do with the Boniva until she started to get better and went for her second injection. She is 10 times worse than the first time. She cannot lift arms or use hands. Constant nausea and has lost 12 lbs bringing her down to 115. Now all of those same physicians believe it was in fact the Boniva and have told her to stop all treatment. Not much help to her at this point. I wrote to all of my local news stations and one has contacted me. We are doing a story about it today with them that will air in May. The word has to get out. This drug is destroying peoples lives!!

I have been taking Protelos for over 3 years with no side effects but after a recent scan (which showed no worsening of my osteoporosis), my consultant decided to take me off the Protelos because he doesn't like it. My GP has now prescribed Bonviva but I am horrified by all the bad comments. I originally took Fosamax but could not tolerate it because of extreme joint pains in my hand & arms. I am now scared to start taking the Bonviva. Can anyone advise, please? I am aged 61 and have had breast cancer and have heart palpitations frequently.

I was recently diagnosed with osteopenia ( mild) my doctor wrote a prescription for Boniva and gave me a free sample. For some strange reason I decided to look up the side effects and came across this site. I was horrified after reading these comments and have decided not to take this medication. I looked up bisphosphonates ( the active ingredient in Boniva) and find out about the side effect of osteonecrosis of the jaw or better known as Jaw death. Check out the information on this as it is now being reported in patients taking the oral form of the bisphonates and not just from those taking the injection. Thank you all for helping others to make an informed decision before putting this poison into thier bodies. I wish you all a return to health once again after you rid this toxic substance from your bodies.

Hi-
My Mom is 80 and has osteoporosis. She is in a quandry about taking Boniva and I am trying to help her. I am 50 years old and am in the low range of normal for bone density. My sister is 57 and has osteopenia. Over the course of 5 years, I have actually had an increase in my bone density and do not use any prescription drugs.
Here's what I did:
1-Read "The Wisdom of Menopause" by Christiane Northrup, MD. Read the chapter on "Standing Tall for Life".
2-Use only the type of calcium she recommends. I use Osteosheath. You can get it at http://www.vincoinc.com/. You can't order it over their web but you call the 800 number and order by phone.It also has minerals and vit D in it.
3-Find an alternative doctor that will prescribe BIOIDENTICAL hormones. How??? OK--I searched on formulary pharmacies in my area, then called them and asked them what doctors call in prescriptions there. I started with progesterone cream. DO NOT take synthetic hormones. Dr. Northrup also has a resource section in her book with phone numbers for formulary pharmacy info.
4-Take calcium with minerals 3x a day. You can only absorb about 400mg at a time. I take it at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most menopausal women need about 1200 mg.
5-I walk but not as regularly as I should.
6-I try to get sunshine without sunblock for 20 minutes a day. Best form of vitamin D
Hope this helps.
RG

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