Alendronate and Bone Pain: What Users Say

• Sij...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2013

Alendronate for Osteoporosis "When I first started this, there were little small side effects. I figured over time I would get used to the side effects and thus deal with them. Instead, the side effects became intolerable. I would test the med by taking it while I was feeling well. I still had several side effects. Finally, the last time I took this, the side effects made me sick for two full days. Terrible upset stomach, extreme gas and bloating. Worse aches and pains, unable to sleep even with sleep medication. On the verge of vomiting at any moment, very dizzy. Extreme bone pain. Several other situations happened with the last dose."

• Tis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2019

Alendronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I was prescribed Fosamax for osteopenia. I have taken a total of 6 doses. I had no side effects for the first 2 weeks. By the 3rd week, extreme fatigue and headaches. I continued for another 3 weeks hoping symptoms would go away. When they didn't, I discontinued taking it. But a week AFTER I quit, I developed severe bone pain, unbearable pain which is worse at night. I am taking arthritis drug to make the days bearable. SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME THIS PAIN EVENTUALLY GOES AWAY!! I will be calling my Dr. on Monday."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 8, 2020

Alendronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took Fosamax for several months back in 2010. My scan showed osteopenia. After those months, I started to have severe bone pain in both legs. A large amount of my hair also fell out. I stopped the Fosamax. The pain took about 6 months to stop. The hair stopped falling out and after a year returned to normal. Terrible experience."

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

Alendronate for Osteoporosis "I had a bone scan. Dr. said I had mild osteoporosis and to take Fosamax once a week and some added supplements to help bone repair. I took it on a Monday. Within 24 hours, 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!"

• red...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2021

Alendronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "Prescribed Fosamax and took only ONE weekly pill and after 2 days I felt deep bone pain in my thigh, like drop-you-in-your-tracks pain. For 3 days after, I truly thought I would have a thigh fracture - so I quit. Going the supplement route so we will see. If it works for you, great - not for me."

• Fer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2022

Alendronate for Osteoporosis "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2025

Alendronate for Osteoporosis "After just one dose, seven hours later, I had a fever, chills, nausea, fatigue, and stomach issues. The second day, I was tired and chilled in the evening with bone pain in my back and also the third morning. Very achy. I am considering not taking any more doses."

• GEB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I had horrible side effects with Fosamax as well. Shortly after I started taking it, I was having a lot of back pain. Then I started feeling sick to my stomach and dead tired, had no energy at all, I could barely get off the couch. I followed the instructions to a T as prescribed by my physician and pharmacy. I was tired for almost a month, and after which time I spoke to my pharmacist about my side effects, and she recommended I talk to my doctor about switching to Risedronate, which I did. He wrote a script for it, so I started it, and by the afternoon my thighs hurt so bad I could hardly walk. It was almost like it attacked my muscles or something. I spoke to my pharmacist again and told her what was happening, and she said that I was having side effects that may or may not go away. So between myself, my husband, and my pharmacist, we decided it was not worth what I was going through. This was two years ago, and to this day I still have muscle/bone pain in my thighs!! Worst drug ever!!!"

• Can...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2018

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Took the once-weekly pill for eight weeks. My quality of life is still suffering three months later. After eating, I become nauseous and vomit at least twice a day. Bone pain, jaw pain, dental issues (never had before), excruciating heartburn and indigestion, and an overall sickly feeling rounds out my symptoms. Stay away from this toxic medicine!!"

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2023

For Osteoporosis "This is the worst medication I have ever taken! One dose of this medication and I feel like I have been in a major automobile accident (this is the only way I know to describe this pain). I took the medication in the morning, and by the time I was ready to go to bed that night, my entire body (joints) were sore. By the middle of the night, I woke up with such pain in the right side of my chest (bone pain) that it hurt to take a deep breath. I am seriously hoping that this is short-lived! I have never had a reaction to a medication like this. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION!!!"

• Jea...
• March 6, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I have been taking alendronate for 13 weeks. My bones have started hurting so bad I can’t stand it. I started wondering if it was this medication, read the side effects and sure enough, that’s the problem. I won’t be taking another one, and hopefully this pain will go away. I would not recommend this drug."

• Ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 17, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took my first 70 mg yesterday morning. I didn't want to start this medicine, but I got scared when I woke up, and my neck felt like it shattered like a branch breaking off, I could hear it and feel it. I already had a neck plate at C5 and C6. Since taking just one pill yesterday morning, I am miserable. I have had severe nausea since, and I'm so bloated even at 106 pounds. I'm so fatigued and have always had severe bone pain because I was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. I'm not going to take it anymore after reading all the reviews. I'm scared that more side effects will show up after taking one pill. I'm going to start back at the gym, using the treadmill and light weights. I'm 63, and I'm pretty mobile considering all my health issues. Also, I think I have long COVID. During my second COVID, I could barely walk because of severe joint pain from it, or it's possible I'm doomed from one Moderna vaccine. I never finished my vaccines and won't."