Ibandronate and Back Pain: What Users Say

• Chi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2020

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Started Boniva 150mg monthly after having a DEXA with t-score of -3.5. The first month, I had some slight side effects: sleepiness, aches, and diarrhea on the second and third day. After that, I felt okay, except maybe some shortness of breath but nothing too alarming. I did notice one positive thing, though, my back pain that I would get while lying flat had gone away. So, I decided to keep taking it. When I took the second dose, I had side effects starting again about the second day. I had slight chest pain on and off. About the second week, we went out shopping and I wanted to go home because of terrible cramping in my right ankle. What made me call the doctor and tell her I’m not going to continue Boniva was the constant light headache and lightheaded feeling I had every day, constantly. I started feeling like myself again a few days before the third dose was supposed to be. I really wish there weren’t all these side effects and worries with it. I'm going to try something else on my own."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2018

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in my lumbar vertebrae. I took the first doses of the monthly pill Boniva 10 days ago. The first 2 days, I had headaches, sternum and back pain, and throat pain. My doctor didn’t think it was a side effect of the medication, but it's exactly what it says in the medicine's literature. After 5 days, I started to have horrible back and lumbar pain. I took Ibuprofen 800 mg, Diclofenac, and Flexeril, but nothing worked. It's been 10 days already, and I continue laying in bed because I can barely move due to the horrible pain. My doctor still says it's not a side effect. I decided not to take any medicine for osteoporosis because they all have the same side effects. For me, it's not worth it."

• GMP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "The day before I took Boniva 150 mg generic brand. The first day I felt normal. The next morning I felt really bad pain in my right rib, at first, I asked my husband if he saw a bruise, and he said no. Later that day, I felt pain in my right hip and lower back. My walking was not easy, it felt as if my flexibility was gone. I walked like an old lady. Today is the 3rd day, and I will see how I feel tomorrow. I am hoping for a pain-free day. I will post after a few days to let people like me know how I am doing. I never had this type of side effect with any other medication."

• Kym...
• January 25, 2013

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Have been taking Boniva for about 8 months. I thought all was well but twice since starting a monthly dose, I have had 2 episodes of severe rash and swelling on my face. The second time it happened, I had 2 days of fever and back pain. As soon as the fever broke, the rash appeared. I went to the ER, and the next day to a specialist, it was that bad. Will have to discontinue use."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "The side effect of severe back pain started four days after taking the Boniva. I’m on day five and can’t get out of bed this morning. Pain medicine and a heating pad are the only things that provide some relief, but it’s worse today than yesterday. I don’t know what to do."

• sir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2020

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took my 1st dose of Boniva on a Sunday in case I had any side effects I would be home. On Wednesday morning (2:00 am) I woke up with severe heartburn, which felt like a heart attack. The pressure on my chest was real. I took an alkaline seltzer, but it didn't help. At 5:00 am I started vomiting, had a fever of 101 degrees, stomach pain, back pain, and a severe headache. Tried drinking flat Coca-Cola for the stomach, which was better, but the achiness was horrible. My pharmacy gave me a sheet with side effects but didn’t state it would happen 3 days later. Glad I don’t work and didn’t have plans that week. I will never take it again. I will double up on my natural remedy first. Horrible medicine. Shouldn’t even be allowed on the market! Only my opinion of the drug. Good luck to others that use this."

• Arl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2019

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "Took my first Boniva pill 1-1-2019. I have no energy. Just getting out of bed is a chore. Have a mild headache that goes away when I take 1000 mg of Tylenol. Back pain comes and goes. I'm going to keep a journal of how I feel day to day to help me decide if I will take a second dose."

• Kan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2018

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I can’t say how effective it is. I've just taken my first pill yesterday. Started with lack of appetite, then a day later, back pain, joint pain, chills, and a temp of 100 with flu-like symptoms. Been in bed most of the day. I don’t think it’s worth feeling this bad. The other meds for osteoporosis all have the same side effects. For anyone that has experienced these side effects, how long does it last?"

• Mir...
• February 2, 2018

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I started my first pill last Friday morning. All day Friday I felt good. Saturday morning I woke up with severe sternum pain and pain around my lower ribs. I hurt so bad I called the clinic. They said it was one of the side effects and just alternate between Tylenol and Motrin for the rest of the day. My hips hurt, my knee hurt, and from 9 am to 1 pm (4 hours) I had horrible chills and my hands felt ice cold. By nighttime my arm bones hurt. Sunday my lower back started to hurt. Motrin again. Monday arms ached all day. Tuesday felt better. I never had the diarrhea. I'm surprised how many women said the same thing about the horrible sternum pain. My doctor says the next dose won't be so bad...wondering if I should even do a next dose. My mother is badly stooped over and I want to avoid that but am having second thoughts about this medication."

• Ann...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 22, 2019

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "After breast cancer surgery, my OB/GYN prescribed Boniva for what was diagnosed as 'osteopenia.' I took the drug for 7 years and discontinued it in June of 2015. I realized that my aches and pains, including groin and hip pain, might be related to Boniva, based on other reviews that I had read. I also had lower back pain for at least 3 years at that point. The groin pain went away, but the lower back pain grew worse. I saw 2 rheumatologists and an orthopedic specialist. I was told by one rheumatologist that I had 'borderline' lupus. The other said I had a combination of lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The orthopedic specialist diagnosed a disc pressing on the nerve (lower lumbar) based on an MRI. By 2017, my back condition was unbearable, and I had to undergo spinal fusion surgery for spinal stenosis (lower lumbar, L4 & L5). I strongly suspect that Boniva was responsible for these conditions."

• Rqt...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2019

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I took the once-a-month pill, and within 2 hours, I was having severe headaches, diarrhea, back pain, and weakness. 36 hours later, and I'm still suffering. Be very careful and consider all the side effects before you take this medicine."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2017

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "Just took my first monthly dose yesterday. After about 5 hours, severe diarrhea started, and I still have it a day later. Back pain with chest heaviness, too. I feel like I have been run over by a Mack truck. Don't know if I will continue the medication."

• Din...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2022

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Having DEXA scans once a year for the past 5 years (age 57). The first scan showed osteopenia. Took a calcium supplement but developed calcification in the shoulder bone. Next year, the DEXA scan shows improvement. The year after that, and following the first two doses of the COVID vaccine, the DEXA shows osteoporosis! Dr. prescribed Boniva and said I need to start it right away. Took my first pill in the morning following all the directions (on an empty stomach, can't lie down for at least an hour after taking it). Feeling fine all day until late in the evening when I started feeling a little lightheaded, so I went to bed. Woke up in the middle of the night feeling absolutely horrible. Cold sweat, diarrhea, vomiting, uncontrollable chills, and back pain that felt like an electric current was passing through me when I tried to walk. This lasted for a few hours. The next day, I was absolutely drained and just wanted to sleep. Never took the drug again."

• mot...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 30, 2022

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "One year of taking it. First, loss of appetite. Then, a few months later, back pain at night. Leg cramps. Then, some throat/esophagus pain. Feeling of food getting stuck. Worsening insomnia. 24.09 Gastroscope for diagnosis. 04.10 Boniva. A few days later, 0 appetite, trouble swallowing. Everything is worsening with each day. Ar. 20.10 flu-like symptoms. Fever. 30.10 still horrible pain swallowing and vomiting, only blended food goes through. On fluid IV now. We might end up in the hospital."

• Bon...
• January 9, 2022

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "After diagnosis of osteoporosis at 2.9 in my lower spine, I took ONE 150 mg Boniva pill on August 1, 2021. The next day I started having lower back pain while sitting at my desk. The pain continued to get worse and left me unable to get up from my desk or bend over without severe pain. Pain relievers did not help much, patches at night helped some, and a heating pad at my desk helped some, but I had a bad month of pain. I also experienced numbness in my feet and toes and teeth sensitivity for the first time. After 5 months of being off of Boniva, the lower back pain and teeth sensitivity are almost all gone. There is still some numbness in my feet, but I am taking alpha-lipoic acid, and that is much better also. I am not currently taking anything for the osteoporosis or for pain, and trying to control with improved diet, exercise, and calcium, D3, and K2 supplements. Doctors said my back pain was not from Boniva. I say doctors should only prescribe for severe osteo due to the potential bad side effects."

• DeB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Took the first ibandronate on Mon. Had no problems all day, but woke up that night with horrible stomach pains and nausea. It was so bad. Then on Tue I threw up. Pain and nausea have continued now for 3 days. Today I developed really bad diarrhea, and I have terrible gas from the top of my stomach to the other end. I feel awful all over, and my back hurts mildly. Won't be taking pill two for sure next month, and I can only hope it doesn't last much longer."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I took Boniva 150 mg on July 27, 2019, and I am so sick. I have never felt anything like this: back pain, chest pains, headache, no appetite, diarrhea, weakness, pain in arms and legs! I can’t lift my arms, and I am dizzy. I am going to my doctor. I am waiting for his call, but I know he’s going to want to see me because these are very severe and serious effects. I am scared! I will never take this or any other bone medication."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2023

For Osteoporosis "Never taking this pill again. I took it almost a month ago, still feel numb in places and my hands/feet tingle. I had silent migraines for seven days, back hurts, I feel strange. I even had an MRI done."

• UK ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2023

For Osteoporosis "On my second Ibandronate tablet and experiencing dreadful back pain. I’ve had back pain since I started on this tablet, but it’s gotten worse after taking the second. Will be seeing my doctor and most likely coming off it. I’m just crawling around and taking painkillers. Not good."

• 972...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2023

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "One pill caused severe back, neck, hand pain, and stomach pain. Only took one, will not take again."