Alendronate for Osteoporosis User Reviews (Page 2)

• Ranch...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) "I had a bone scan. Dr said I had mild osteoporosis and to take Fosamax one a week and some added supplements to help bone repair . I took it on a Monday. Within 24 hrs. I hurt head to toe! Deep down bone and tissue pain. Tylenol didn’t touch it. I was in a recliner for 3 days crying to get up to go to the bathroom. I have had morphine for less pain than this! I’m tough but this was ridiculous! My muscles and bones hurt so bad just to breathe even. My knee swelled up along with all other pain. After 3 days it started to improve slightly every day. After 7 days I went to the chiropractor. He put my right jaw, 3 or 4 ribs, my left shoulder, and knee back in place. All from taking this drug! Doctor offered to give me a shot that lasted 6 months, I said absolutely not!"

• Phill...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) "I took Fosamax weekly for 2-1/2 years with great improvement in my DEXA scores. Suddenly had bad chest pain, spasm, and heartburn, diagnosed as GERD. After 2 months on PPI therapy, my nephrologist told me to stop Fosamax as that was to blame. My PCP, rheumatologist (who prescribed Fosamax for me), and GI doctor didn’t make the connection."

• ARhoHo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "I started on Fosamax in mid-July 2020 and after the third dose, two mornings later my left wrist was swollen to the size of a baseball! I discontinued the Fosamax since I believed it was the cause. My family doc didn't think so, but I saw a rheumatologist who concurred with me. He thought Fosamax caused the swelling. I'm now trying Actonel. I hope I have better luck with it."

• Barb
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 6, 2023

Fosamax (alendronate) "I’m not aware of any negative side effects that I’ve had from this Fosamax medication. I’ve taken it for about 18 months. I’ll learn if it’s improved my DEXA in 6 months. My rating of 8 is for not knowing about the benefits yet. I have to wonder if there are so many more negative than positive reviews because people who are happy with the medication are less likely to review it. My mom took it for years without any negatives either."

• Nurse
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) "Took two doses one week apart. Headache, relentless gas, moderate to severe pain in my jaw, ear, hip, shin causing sleepless nights. Don’t plan to continue making myself miserable by taking this medication. I’m glad it works to improve DEX scans on some women. Unfortunately, I can’t continue this medication."

• Shell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "First dose of the weekly today — I have had diarrhea all day cannot leave the house, my butt is so raw I am using my baby grandsons Desinex. Every time I get up to go to the bathroom I was really dizzy and my knees are a little painful can only be thankful that I started this on my day off of work hopefully this diarrhea stops by tomorrow — for one will NOT BE TAKING A SECOND DOSE OF THIS .. I am done with fosamax —"

• Shay
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) "My Dr put me on Fosamax back some years ago and it makes me wonder if that isn't the reason I've had the problems now I have. Spinal cord damage due to the point to where I not able to stand but for a short amount of time, I can no longer sit at my desk but for a short amount of time, and I have TMJ. My life has been altered forever..."

• Tess
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 30, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) "After taking Fosamax for a couple of years, I developed bizarre heart arrhythmia. Rhythm was good while exercising, but horribly uneven when sitting/resting. Stopped taking Fosamax after seeing attorney's add on TV. Heart rhythm was fine after I stopped taking Fosamax."

• Pen
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 14, 2019

Fosamax (alendronate) "My bone scan showed severe osteoporosis. I am sensitive to meds. Decided to try Fosamax. Followed directions but I became so tired after taking it, I couldn't do anything. After a couple days it went away. I did have some muscle pain when I woke up in the mornings. The next week I took it I wasn't tired until the next day, but that night I had sharp pain near my heart, had heart flutters and my eye and neck hurt. I stopped taking the Fosamax but am still tired"

• Kitkat
• January 21, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "I started taking Fosamax after I completed some dental work. My dentist refused to do implant if I was on the medication. After several weeks of taking the drug I started having achy joints and difficulty stepping up, headaches and weakness in my legs. Motrin didn't help at all. I didn't correlate the symptoms and the drug. I went to my doctor and requested PT because of returning problems with my sciatica. During this time I stopped the Fosamax for stupid reasons. Sometime later I started taking the drug again. This time it hit me like a brick wall. I was pet sitting for my son and literally had to pull myself up the stairs. Not realizing the drug was causing all these problems I asked for PT for my shoulder and hip. After 5 PT appointments my shoulder was worse and no improvement overall. Had a MRI of my shoulder and now have a torn rotator cuff. Yippee. Been through that before. I believe the Fosamax caused the tear and no clue about the hip."

• Dowanda
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2021

Fosamax (alendronate) "I took my first weekly dose of Fosamax on Monday. Eight hours later, diarrhea began, along with a lower backache. On Tuesday morning, I woke up to a severe backache, back and abdominal muscle spasms, and severe pain in my right hand. I am unable to write, pick up a glass, or do even the most minor thing. I can barely get up out of a chair. Now, I'm running a low grade fever and have chills. This is a horrible medication. I will not take a second pill. I can only pray this passes."

• Anonymous
• August 17, 2019

"I have been having the worst abdominal pain/bloating/constipation for the last week after just taking one 70mg Fosamax. Also, muscle aches, chills, and the worst headache ever. I am 66, an retired RN, and know a bit about medications. I took the pill Monday morning following all the directions and restrictions. After 24 hours and no side effects, I thought, "hey, I am one of the lucky ones", and put it out of my mind. Tuesday afternoon I started having severe bloating and nausea. That night proceeded in a nightmare. I had horrible cramping, body aches, headache, vomiting. It is now Saturday, 5 days after taking the pill and I have finally made the connection. I still am suffering from horrible bloating, stomach cramps, body aches, and severe headache. I've gone from thinking it was food poisoning, to a blockage, to a parasite, to finally putting the pieces together and realizing its this awful medication."

• Janet
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 3, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) "My mom took this for 7 years. Injection at doctors office. I begged her to stop taking it when I saw what the possible side effects were. During treatment starting after less than a year on it she fractured her back multiple times, fractured her pelvis in several places, which had her bedridden for months, broke bones in her wrist, fingers, feet, and tibia. Suffered horrible GERD from it. After all that her doctor still recommended she take it!!!!! Unbelievable!! The icing on the cake was a diagnosis of severe Barrett’s esophagus ! now we’re afraid that may turn cancerous as we cannot seem to get it under control. It wasn’t until that happened that the doctor stopped the fosamax . This drug should have been pulled from the market years ago. DO NOT TAKE IT! It causes more problems than it allegedly cures. I would give this drug a - zero if I could . Too often we trust doctors blindly, you need to do your own research and ask lots of questions."

• San
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 29, 2018

"Was on alendronate for nearly 13 years . From 2004 to April 2017 . Suffered back pain and hip pain . Had several bone density scans each time . It recommended I stay on the drug . Then in 2016 . I got out the shower , but my weight on my leg to reach the towel . My leg went from under me . I fell backwards Back into shower cubicle . Broke my right fumer and in the fall also broke left ankle . Was in hospital 3 weeks and rehab for 4 weeks . In April 2017 . I went for a check up . To be told it was most likely the drug that had caused the break . Due to being on them to long , as they can have opposite effect if taken long term . No one ever told me this ! If anyone is thinking of starting on this drug . Please please get advice first . If I knew what I know now , I would never have taken it"

• Fred
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2020

Fosamax (alendronate) "After taking Fosamax for two months I started experiencing terrible indigestion, GERD, stomach pain and intestinal swelling. It felt like I was 8 months pregnant. My doctor told me to stop. 6 months later the symptoms have eased but still present. I fear it has given me gastric ulcers."

• Fern
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) "Solgar Advanced Calcium Complex really helped with my horrible side effects of taking this drug. The side effects started on day 2 after my 1st dose. Bone pain (legs and teeth), restless sleep and an overall feeling of ickiness for 2 weeks. It seemed to trigger binge eating of salty carbohydrates. I gained 8 pounds! My registered dietitian daughter recommended I take a calcium supplement that contained vitamin K2. I immediately started to feel better. Over the 3rd week most of my symptoms have resolved. Needless to say, I will NOT TAKE ANOTHER DOSE OF THIS."

• Fosamax...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2022

Fosamax (alendronate) "Thanks for others posting in this website. I’m 59 yo and recently diagnose osteoporosis and injected 1st dose Prolia without any side effects. But after further studies of Prolia, I decide to stop Prolia and switch to Fosamax plus. Now I have taken Fosamax plus nearly six months and also have NO side effects. I wish to share my positive feedback to encourage others to try this medicine."

• Patsy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

"I took Alendronate once a week for seven weeks for osteoporosis. I discontinued taking Alendronate because I had every side effect listed on the drug interactions. I went to the doctor for severe upper back pain that radiated to my chest muscles. It felt like pleurisy. An EKG was negative. Then a few weeks later, I developed a UTI. I haven’t had one in over 20 years. For the past three weeks I have had intermittent diarrhea with bloating, heartburn and an upset stomach. I read that the half life is as long as you take the medication. I’m hoping I will start feeling better soon. Will never take this drug again."

• Anony...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 22, 2023

Fosamax (alendronate) "Had DEXA over one year ago which showed borderline osteoporosis. My GP prescribed weekly Fosamax pill and explained that it is a "light" drug with an unwarranted bad reputation. Took one dose at night and woke up at 2am with numbness in my fingers. Tried to rest until the morning and noticed upon looking in the mirror that my under eyelid was twitching. That was followed by what I can only describe as a series of twitches/tremors throughout my body and pain in my jaw and other joints. Most symptoms have gone away but I still have eye twitching after 9 months. I had my GP, cardiologist and a neurologist check out the symptoms. My GP took me off Fosamax due to the severity of symptoms. I am now doing daily weight bearing exercises, using supplements (Vitamin D, K, Calcium) and opted to try low dose hormone replacement to improve bone health. I am doing regular diagnostic tests with my cardiologist and GYN to catch any cardiovascular and other issues that come with taking hormones."

• sbchi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2020

"I'm 47, diagnosed with osteoporosis due to early menopause. After 2 doses (2 weeks) of this drug, I had hip pain that made it impossible to stand up from a sitting position or sit down from a standing position. I now have hip and back pain so bad, I can't lift my legs to dress myself. I'm terrified someone will bump into me because any muscle contraction takes my breath away. I will not take another dose. I took my pill on Mondays (as directed) and both Mondays were filled with GERD-like chest-burning for most of the day but I powered thru thinking I was saving my bones. I used to walk 2-3 miles every day in the weeks prior to starting alendronate (without pain) I feel like I've aged 40 years in 2 weeks. I pray the pain ends soon. Scary medication!"

• Oma
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2018

Fosamax (alendronate) "I took Fosamax for 5 years after having chemo and radiation for breast cancer with no problems. Now 15 years later I have brittle bone disease. My doctor prescribed Prolia but the side effects turned me off taking that and my pharmacist recommended taking Fosamax again to see if it works. I've only been on it for a month and so far no noticeable side effects that others have felt. I've always tolerated medicine well, I guess. Must be because I grew up in a drug store with the local doctor being best friends with my father!"

• Vic
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2020

"I've been taking the generic form of alendronate for 20 weeks. I could not figure out what was happening to me. I've turned into a zombie. Sure I'd have a lazy day once in a while, but nothing like this. I am going to stop taking it but will continue with calcium, D3 and add weight bearing exercises as soon as I can. The same thing happened to my father and now I'm wondering if it was the handful of prescription drugs he was prescribed. I have not seen anyone else describe these symptoms so I might be completely wrong. I'll soon know. I want to save my bones, but do not want to lose my soul."

• Ry106
• May 13, 2016

"Alendronate70mg once a wk for 5 wks. Startd feeling very sick. Bad abdominal pain..heartburn..extreme nausea..feel like vomitting. Horrible pains in left thigh. Weird feeling in throat. Headaches daily. Bloated feeling. Abdominal pains everytime I eat and hunger pains extreme. Just total overall sick feeling. Went to ER..Ultrasound fine. Gastro set up appt for upper GI. Hoping ulcer wasn't form or any other damage.Hoping this pill will get outa system soon. Can not handle feeling nauseous all the time. Will never take this pill again. Input?"

• Jo Jo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2019

"I took 70mg Alendronate weekly only twice. After the first week I woke up with severe pain in stomach. Then pain in my upper back, shoulders and neck. I took the second pill and finally made the connection. I contacted my doctor and told her what was going on. She told me to stop the pill. Now...my question is “how long do these side effects last?” I was skeptical right from the start. I should not have started this pill!"

• kdtt
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2023

"I should have gone with my gut feeling after reading the majority of these reviews. You all (most of you) were spot on. This medication is toxic! I did hold back a couple of weeks after receiving the prescription - fearful of side effects. However, my Endocrinologist convinced me that I should take it. She claims they prescribe it all the time without complaints. She advised me of possible side effects upon prolonged usage - over several years. Well, I made it through two once-weekly doses. On day eight I experienced severe throbbing in my left wrist. On day 9 the pain extended to my right wrist, hips, back, shoulders and neck. I feel worse than anything I have experienced. I am not a lightweight to pain. In 2019 I endured major spinal lumbar surgery; a lumpectomy after breast cancer diagnosis; a Pitbull attack requiring 19 1-inch staples to my upper right arm; and a pacemaker/defibrillator installation. Bottom line.. trust your gut."