Ibandronate and Muscle Pain: What Users Say

• Dis...
• September 29, 2015

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I just took my first Boniva pill on September 14, 2015. It is now 2 weeks later, and I literally feel like I was hit by a truck. My back muscle pain started almost after about the fifth day. Now my upper back, knees, and arm muscles are all hurting. I also have pressure and discomfort in the groin area. I really do not care whether it improves bone density or not. I have already decided to discontinue use!!! I have never in my life felt this terrible."

• che...
• May 30, 2015

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "This is the second round of taking Boniva tablets. I had significant improvement, such that I could quit taking it after 8 months. Two years later, my bone density results indicated that I was again starting to lose bone density so am on Boniva again. I responded well and quickly, but I think I quit taking it too soon. I am taking the once-monthly tablet, and the first three months, each time, I had really bad muscle pain in my back for two days after taking the pill, but since I knew that was one of the possible side effects, I weighed the benefits against the muscle pain and chose to continue taking it. I have been on Boniva this round for nine months now, and I no longer have the muscle pain or any other side effects."

• 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."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2019

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "My hair is getting very thin. Does Boniva cause your hair to come out or thin out? And the pain in my muscles is excruciating! I have nosebleeds too! Is this all side effects from Boniva? I took this medicine for only 2 months. I have osteoporosis in my left hip, and this is why my Dr. gave me Boniva. I have psoriatic arthritis, and the pain is so bad. When I drive or sit for a long period of time and get up, I can't walk. Would this be the cause of this drug? The pain is unbearable! The muscle pain keeps me from doing my housework, going out to dinner, etc. I just lay in bed."

• Pip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2019

Ibandronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "I'm 39 years old and have been on calcium supplements for 2 years. I took my 1st Boniva 4 days ago. Was okay for 8 hours, then the muscle pain began, then neck pain on the 2nd day, then pain in my ribcage on the 3rd day. Have been feeling this for 4 days now. I couldn't believe this was the side effect of what I took. I'm hesitant to continue with this drug."

• AZG...
• August 14, 2021

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "I took Boniva (Ibandronate Sodium) for 4 times. Feb, March, April, May 2021. It is now the 14th of August 2021, and I am still not feeling well. This drug feels like a poison. The first month, I just had a tummy ache for the first hour or so and a headache. Then the next month, I got a headache and feelings of unease. The third time, it affected my eyes like a cloud was coming over me and made my eyes blurry, increased my anxiety. Also, my heart rate increased, and so did my blood pressure. The fourth and final month, everything just got worse. Severe anxiety, shaky, heart rate, BP, headache, blurry eyes... it is taking a very long time to get it out of my body. I have lost weight. I'm praying I will be healed. NEVER again will I take any osteoporosis drugs. I also tried Evista, which made my legs hurt horribly. Don't take it. Just don't take it. Eat a healthy diet, exercise, and do some weights and walking, jumping, etc."

• hat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2016

For Osteoporosis "I've been on Boniva for 3 months so far. Took the 4th pill yesterday and thought nothing of it, then the flu-like symptoms started the next day: headache, severe fatigue, chills, muscle and bone pain, especially in my hips. Thought I had the flu or some awful virus, then thought that it was strange to have pain in my hips. Then the light bulb in my head went off and I researched the side effects of Boniva. Very enlightening. I will call my doctor on Monday for sure and discuss other options."

• TLC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 20, 2022

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "My gynecologist prescribed Boniva following a recent dexa scan, which revealed my osteopenia has worsened and I now am osteoporotic. 1st month taking Boniva - diarrhea within an hour but subsided the next day. 2nd month - no problems. 3rd month - loose stools 1st day. 4th month - arm, muscle, bone pain started about 4 days after taking the pill. Both arms. Wakes me up at night and it is worse at night. Left arm is much better now (1 week after taking the 4th pill), but the pain in my right arm is still present. It's a dull ache and appears in different parts of my right arm - lower arm, elbow area, upper arm. Have had some loose stools this week but wouldn't call it diarrhea. I do not believe gynecologists fully understand this medication. I asked her about the diarrhea month 1, and she went to the internet to research it. I'm going to my family doctor next month for my yearly visit and I'm going to quiz him on Boniva vs. other options."

• kim...
• April 3, 2013

Ibandronate for Osteoporosis "Have had severe muscle pain in my upper thighs that lasts for three or four days after taking my monthly dose. Also have heartburn."