Ibandronate and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I took one dose. Two days later the knife in the stomach started, then the low grade fever started. I called the advice nurse only to be told it was the Boniva. On day 8, the stiff neck, nausea, and joint pain hit. I am talking 7-8 on the pain scale. I couldn't turn my head or pick up anything. My hands swelled to the point of my fingers not moving. I got a really itchy rash on my neck, chest, and stomach. My husband had to help me walk and get into bed. Went to the ER. They loaded me up on prednisone, pain meds, and nausea meds, then sent me home. 'It will stop'. I am on day 18. I shuffle from room to room now, but that is it. The pain ranges from 3 - 8 now. If I sit still, it is a 3, but how long can I just sit still? There is no way I could have worked during this time. There should have been a warning before my deciding to take this med. If you are having a reaction, please add your story to the list."

• Non...
• August 12, 2018

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I took Fosamax, then Boniva, then Reclast for osteopenia about ten years ago. (Docs changed each drug to the next due to potential side effects). I am a bone cancer survivor, and when I had a DEXA scan in July, the good leg’s femur ball (right leg) has osteoporosis, so the doctor again put me on Boniva. I took the first dose on 7/12/18 with 2000 mg of calcium with vit D daily. By July 29, the pain and muscle spasms in my affected post-cancer left leg started hurting so badly, I couldn’t walk. I called the OB, and she said add 500 milligrams of magnesium for muscle spasms. Advil did nothing. I called my surgeon because I was afraid my cancer was back. He advised tonic water with quinine, which helped a bit, but is going to follow up with an X-ray to be sure. In the Boniva literature, it says, “Stop using ibandronate and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: ******severe joint, bone, or muscle pain; ******new or unusual pain in your thigh or hip. No more for me."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2019

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I took one Boniva pill and suffered severe joint pain. At first, I could hardly walk, but as time passed, the pain has settled into my right knee, which hurts most of the time. I took the drug 22 days ago, and the pain is still there. I do not know how long it will last."

• Liz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2019

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Reading so many negative reviews made me want to respond. I took my first dose of Boniva for osteoporosis 2 days ago. The first day I felt completely fine. That night I suffered from mild joint pain and chills. I slept most of the day yesterday, which worried me and made me consider not taking the second dose, because how does one work all day feeling like that? (Luckily I teach and am off for the summer...) Today I feel back to normal, so please know that symptoms do seem to go away quickly. Hope it stays this way for the 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?"

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2018

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I've only taken one pill (150 mg) monthly dose. That was 2 days ago. Have had a little more heartburn than usual (I already have reflux) and take meds for it. I've had a little more joint pain and stiffness than usual (but am used to it): am 61 yrs young, after all. Just a little headache this morning. Some dizziness the first day. I was just diagnosed with osteopenia last month. The side effects aren't that bad. I consider it so worth it (considering the alternative - ending up hunched over; unable to stand up straight like the women I sometimes see in public). Note: since taking this drug, I've noticed I can stand upright more. I was beginning to be hunched over. I have a slight degree of scoliosis also. Perhaps if I had taken more calcium and vitamin D when younger, this might not have happened to me. Stopped drinking milk when I was in my 40s. Big mistake."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2023

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I was prescribed Boniva in June 2022 and had bad diarrhea the next morning and joint pain the next several days. So then my doctor put me on Fosamax, and I had diarrhea and developed burping for several months. I had never burped in my life that I can recall, but would burp 30-40 times a day. My doctor said she had never heard of that, but I found a study being done on the internet. So then, she put me on Actonel, and I had diarrhea for 2 days and an overall bad feeling. Then she put me back on Boniva to try again, and I had bad diarrhea and joint pain. I don't like any of it - I just might take my chances and not take any meds for osteoporosis - sigh."

• DTh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 12, 2023

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I was prescribed Boniva after breast cancer surgery. I took one pill a month for 9 months. When I took the Boniva on 8/8/2022, I immediately started having severe joint pains, especially hips, knees, and feet. I reported to my internal medicine doctor and had blood work done. I reported to my knee surgeon because of the pain. Both replaced knees were x-rayed, and the doctor sees no problem. From December 2022 to January 2023, I suddenly developed neuropathy in both feet. I was diagnosed by a neurologist. I am still in pain in my knees and especially my feet. Neuropathy is a debilitating condition. If I am on my feet at all, I have pain. The neuropathy pain will awaken me at night. I had all of the tests ordered from the neurologist to find the cause of the neuropathy. My test results were all within the normal range. I feel Boniva is causing this problem."

• Lca...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 5, 2020

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Took Boniva for 5+ years. Had flu-like symptoms, joint and bone pain, and my teeth would feel loose. Did not associate it with the Boniva. I then developed thigh pain and wound up with two fractured femurs requiring surgery. The orthopedic surgeon confirmed it was due to Boniva. Bone density tests measure quantity, not quality of bone, so are not accurate. This drug is poison, and I do not understand why it is still on the market."

• Gar...
• September 8, 2021

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Sunday morning, I took one Boniva generic pill with 8 ounces of water and went out to work in my garden. Did not sit down or lay down for 4 hours. So far, so good, in fact, felt smug about no reaction. Monday morning, I woke with an excruciating headache and totally dried out. Violent vomiting. Pain all over continued through Tuesday night (now). Feel very weak, cannot eat anything. Subsisting on protein drinks. Stomach cramps and joint pain. Feel like I’ve been whipsawed! Nothing could be worth these side effects."

• sni...
• December 29, 2009

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I have experienced flu symptoms within the first 48 hours, and severe joint and bone pain. I feel much worse than before I started taking Boniva."