Alendronate and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Kid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I started this drug, alendronate, two weeks ago. I have taken 2 doses, I am taking myself off this drug. The first dose, I noticed that my lower spine was aching and sore to the touch, it went away after 2 to 3 days. The next time I took it, a week apart, I noticed pain in my hips, butt, and down one side on my right side. By day 2 of taking it, the pain was lighting up. I am calling my doctor come Monday, I shouldn't be feeling this bad. I was fine before I started taking this drug (alendronate)."

• Kid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I started this drug, alendronate, two weeks ago. I have taken 2 doses, I am taking myself off this drug. The first dose, I noticed that my lower spine was aching and sore to the touch, it went away after 2 to 3 days. The next time I took it, a week apart, I noticed pain in my hips, butt, and down one side on my right side. By day 2 of taking it, the pain was lighting up. I am calling my doctor come Monday, I shouldn't be feeling this bad. I was fine before I started taking this drug (alendronate)."

• DEE...
• June 6, 2019

For Osteoporosis "My wife started taking alendronate 70 mg tablet once a week for four weeks. After one week, she started having stomach pain. Saw her doctor after the fourth week with back pain, stomach pain, leg pain, and discomfort in one eye. She is no longer on this drug, and I don't think it should be prescribed. There are other products on the market for osteoporosis, and I will not have her take those either. My wife now uses a walker and was very active before. I wish I had researched this drug prior to her taking it. Lesson learned. Stay away from this drug."

• Bir...
• March 18, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I'm speaking for my mother, she took 3 pills, 1 per week of 70 mg Fosamax, and now she is experiencing severe hip and groin pain, along with some pressure in one of her eyes. She stopped it cold turkey, and we are hopeful that there are no long-term effects. She wasn't even in this severe pain to begin with! My mother is 80 years old and felt way better 3 weeks ago before she started. Now we have to wait to see if things get better!"

• Bir...
• March 18, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I'm speaking for my mother, she took 3 pills, 1 per week of 70 mg Fosamax, and now she is experiencing severe hip and groin pain, along with some pressure in one of her eyes. She stopped it cold turkey, and we are hopeful that there are no long-term effects. She wasn't even in this severe pain to begin with! My mother is 80 years old and felt way better 3 weeks ago before she started. Now we have to wait to see if things get better!"

• Mka...
• September 25, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I started using these pills 3 months ago. Ever since, I have unbearable body pain, my neck, arms, hips, legs, and lower back hurt so much. I can’t move around, sit, or stand up. I wish I’d read these reviews before. I will stop taking them."

• Ms...
• February 12, 2018

For Osteoporosis "I was prescribed this medication by my rheumatologist for osteoporosis. (I have RA.) During the first few months, I noticed bloating and some random aches, but it was minor. Now, 4 months in, I have gained 16 lbs, I get random jolts of pain in my head, knees, and hands. Sometimes light-sensitive and have a thickness in my throat. My fingernails keep splitting and peeling, and I feel dizzy (vertigo symptoms) and tired. I will not be continuing this and will speak to my PCP about increasing calcium and vitamin D instead."

• Rub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 27, 2018

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I was in pretty good shape, working out 3 to 4 days a week, never really having any bone problems. My doctor prescribed alendronate sodium for me, supposedly to prevent osteoporosis because I am taking prednisone. I took it twice as instructed. By that night, I felt some pains. Through the night, it got worse, but I figured it would settle down. OMG!! The next day, I felt like a can that was being crushed. I felt like I was going to be paralyzed from my right arm, through my hip, in my groin area, and my right shin and leg were numb and still are. My right side still hurts after 5 months or more. I spent a whole day in the emergency room where the same doctor was on duty. The doctor tried to say it seemed like it was my back nerve. Barely gave me anything for the pain. I stay in pain. I need an attorney about this because my insurance will not pay for an MRI. And though it's not as bad, I believe it has caused permanent damage."

• Shi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2017

For Osteoporosis "I have osteoporosis in my left hip. My doctor prescribed alendronate. I took it for 4 weeks, the 2nd day I started having and continue to have hip, back, arm, and leg pains. I did not have any pain before the meds. I went back to the doctor, he said my side effects were not normal and to keep trying for 4 more weeks. I have not continued it, I see no reason to continue something that has only caused me intense pain. I have a very high tolerance for pain, but I hurt all the time now. I exercise by walking 2+ miles every day, it is helping, but if I miss a day, the pain is twice as bad again. I do not want to see or even think about what another 4 weeks would do to my body."

• Shi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2017

For Osteoporosis "I have osteoporosis in my left hip. My doctor prescribed alendronate. I took it for 4 weeks, the 2nd day I started having and continue to have hip, back, arm, and leg pains. I did not have any pain before the meds. I went back to the doctor, he said my side effects were not normal and to keep trying for 4 more weeks. I have not continued it, I see no reason to continue something that has only caused me intense pain. I have a very high tolerance for pain, but I hurt all the time now. I exercise by walking 2+ miles every day, it is helping, but if I miss a day, the pain is twice as bad again. I do not want to see or even think about what another 4 weeks would do to my body."

• Shi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2017

For Osteoporosis "I have osteoporosis in my left hip. My doctor prescribed alendronate. I took it for 4 weeks, the 2nd day I started having and continue to have hip, back, arm, and leg pains. I did not have any pain before the meds. I went back to the doctor, he said my side effects were not normal and to keep trying for 4 more weeks. I have not continued it, I see no reason to continue something that has only caused me intense pain. I have a very high tolerance for pain, but I hurt all the time now. I exercise by walking 2+ miles every day, it is helping, but if I miss a day, the pain is twice as bad again. I do not want to see or even think about what another 4 weeks would do to my body."

• Cha...
• August 22, 2017

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I started taking Alendronate 70 mg pill as prescribed. The next morning, I woke up with severe heartburn and belching. Then I started feeling the urge to vomit. All I could bring up was phlegm and a foamy liquid. I had a very bad, acidic taste in my mouth. I finally called my doctor and was told to stop taking the Alendronate and stay on a clear liquid diet. My joints hurt, my jawbone and teeth hurt, back pain, and severe indigestion. After 6 hours, I was still vomiting. My doctor prescribed Zofran to calm my stomach. I started feeling better, so I tried eating. It's been 5 days, and I'm still having indigestion after eating and pain in my feet and hands. I hope this nasty medicine is out of my system soon!"

• Jmi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 13, 2018

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I too took this drug to help strengthen my bones for just a little over a year. I thought it was great, it was gonna help. Well, it was just the opposite. I suffered a spontaneous fracture of my left femur. Never felt pain like that in my life. After inserting the 18-inch or more rod in the femur, I had to miss work to go to rehab for 3 weeks. This is one drug I will never recommend to anyone..."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took my first dose yesterday, and my shoulders, rib cage, and teeth hurt all night long and still this morning. This prompted me to read reviews, and I don’t understand why this is prescribed after reading these reviews. My teeth felt so sensitive! I’m calling my doctor and not taking this again."

• Qua...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I have been on alendronate for 3 months for osteopenia. I take 70 mg once a week. The first two weeks were fine, then the side effects came with a vengeance! Severe back pain that lasts for days, ever-present thigh pain, ear pain, dry mouth, eye pain, headaches, and an annoying fatigue. I plan on finishing up the third month, then calling my doctor. Though right now I don't think there's anything she can say that would convince me to continue taking this."

• Wag...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2020

For Osteoporosis "Take 70 mg once weekly, but have bloating and acid reflux, which I didn't make the connection to until reading the reviews. Recently have knee pain and stiffness and extremely tender bumps on my lower extremities. Not sure if I should continue taking this medication, but would like to see if my next bone scan improves."

• Mal...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 12, 2016

For Osteoporosis "My husband is on alendronate (Fosamax), expensive. Severe low back pain, bloating and gas, and ankle pain did not connect the dots. Pain goes on since last April, now I have asked him to stop. Since today, I have to wait and see. I myself have severe jaw pain, took Fosamax in those days. Heartburn continues, though I stopped a long time ago. I take chondroitin sodium. My bone reading is from osteoporosis to osteopenia now."

• mks...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I was taking this medication once a week for about 6 months and started experiencing nausea, heartburn, loss of energy, and immense pain in my upper body, neck, shoulders, upper arms, and ribcage. I stopped taking this medication. It has been 3 weeks since I took the last dose, and my neck and shoulders still hurt."

• JLB...
• June 3, 2013

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Caused severe chest pain, jaw pain, difficulty swallowing still after one year, eye pain, severe constipation, rash under my arms and anal area that persist to this day. The chest pains sent me to the emergency."

• Cha...
• December 19, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I have been using alendronate (generic for Fosamax) for 1 year and 6 months. I have now stopped using it because I've been having severe lower back pain, also in my hips, legs, and knees. The pain was so bad it woke me up out of a dead sleep. I will tell my doctor on my next appointment. I am hoping that after a while the pain will stop."

• Cha...
• December 19, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I have been using alendronate (generic for Fosamax) for 1 year and 6 months. I have now stopped using it because I've been having severe lower back pain, also in my hips, legs, and knees. The pain was so bad it woke me up out of a dead sleep. I will tell my doctor on my next appointment. I am hoping that after a while the pain will stop."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I am so glad I looked this up on the Internet. I have been on Fosamax for six weeks, and suddenly I am getting terrible indigestion and pain in my ears. I’ve never had these problems before, so when I read all these reviews, I realized I have to get off this drug immediately."

• Ell...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 28, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Two seniors in the same house taking Alendronate Sodium tablets 70 mg once a week. Feeling stiff and sore at night, the next morning had a hard time getting up because of the pain. The next few weeks, one went from pain so bad, has to use a walker to get around. Had x-rays and MRI to make sure of no broken bones. I cannot help but think we got a bad dose, seeing it was a renewed prescription. The one thing they don't put in the patient’s guide is how to stop the pain."

• Ell...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 28, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Two seniors in the same house taking Alendronate Sodium tablets 70 mg once a week. Feeling stiff and sore at night, the next morning had a hard time getting up because of the pain. The next few weeks, one went from pain so bad, has to use a walker to get around. Had x-rays and MRI to make sure of no broken bones. I cannot help but think we got a bad dose, seeing it was a renewed prescription. The one thing they don't put in the patient’s guide is how to stop the pain."

• Per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I am 76 years old and have had 3 bone scans in the last ten to twelve years, which have shown that I have osteopenia. It was suggested that I add more calcium to my diet. After my last scan, I was prescribed alendronate 70 mg once a week. Been taking it for 6 months and have no problems taking it except for feeling thirsty first thing in the morning. I am now having weak and painful legs, and my hands and forearms ache. I have read this may not be a suitable treatment for osteopenia. Will be seeing my doctor to discuss this."