Risedronate and Pain: What Users Say

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I took my very first weekly prescription yesterday as prescribed. At 2:00, I began feeling severe back and jaw pain. I could not move without excruciating pain. I could not walk alone. I developed a horrible headache and began shaking in a seizure-like manner, violently. I began vomiting and could not take a deep breath. I thought I was going to die. My husband was going to call an ambulance, but he found a Phenergan. I took it, and 20 minutes later, I fell asleep. The pain in my entire back, spine, and muscles is unbearable today. I have not been out of bed except for bathroom privileges, but I need assistance. If I am not better tomorrow, I will not be able to work. This was just horrible! The worst night of my life!!"

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I was prescribed this medication, risedronate, several years ago but took it for only a few months. The side effects left me unable to be any distance away from a toilet due to sudden attacks of diarrhea. This lasted for the first 2 days after taking the drug. Also, the pain increased, and I felt like an old man despite being only 40. Overall, it interfered with my fairly active life that I enjoyed, so I stopped taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2023

Risedronate for Osteoporosis "I took Actonel for one month and experienced severe hip, back, and neck pain. I have gone from being fit and active to not being able to move around without pain. I am unable to go to work. I will definitely seek out an alternative."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2018

For Osteoporosis "This drug has caused me so much back and leg pain. I actually have pain throughout my body. My mouth is painful. Lots of tremors. I am so very nauseous, my feet and ankles are numb. I have no energy and just want to sleep all the time. I am extremely depressed. I took the 150 mg in July and again last week. It scares me to think I will have to wait another three weeks to get it out of my system, if it does go away and hopefully I will feel better. It sure has put a dampener on my life at the moment and brought my happy lifestyle to a halt. I will never take this medication again."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2018

For Osteoporosis "This drug has caused me so much back and leg pain. I actually have pain throughout my body. My mouth is painful. Lots of tremors. I am so very nauseous, my feet and ankles are numb. I have no energy and just want to sleep all the time. I am extremely depressed. I took the 150 mg in July and again last week. It scares me to think I will have to wait another three weeks to get it out of my system, if it does go away and hopefully I will feel better. It sure has put a dampener on my life at the moment and brought my happy lifestyle to a halt. I will never take this medication again."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2018

For Osteoporosis "This drug has caused me so much back and leg pain. I actually have pain throughout my body. My mouth is painful. Lots of tremors. I am so very nauseous, my feet and ankles are numb. I have no energy and just want to sleep all the time. I am extremely depressed. I took the 150 mg in July and again last week. It scares me to think I will have to wait another three weeks to get it out of my system, if it does go away and hopefully I will feel better. It sure has put a dampener on my life at the moment and brought my happy lifestyle to a halt. I will never take this medication again."

• Taf...
• August 6, 2021

Risedronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "My pain started approximately 6 weeks into taking the Actonel 1 a week. I had read side effects and was careful of taking this drug the proper way. After approximately 4 weeks, I started having pain in my upper left leg muscle or bone (so bad I couldn't walk on that leg). Two weeks later, always taking the drug, my pain was unbearable. My doctor scheduled me for an MRI, ultrasound, etc., and nothing was found as per the results, but my pain was still there. My doctor probably thought it was all in my head, but she continued to try anything such as pain medicine (which didn't help). I decided finally that the only drug that I was taking different than my prednisone was Actonel, so I decided to stop it. I will see what will happen. Within 1 week, my pain was reducing, within 1 month of not taking Actonel, my pain was completely gone. I love sports, so I am active-back to golf, pickleball, walk daily 3-5 miles. My age, 72! I get a monthly blood test, so far so good!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 18, 2018

For Osteoporosis "I was only able to take 2 doses of risedronate. The side effects were horrible. The 2nd and last dose was 7 weeks ago. I had extremely painful legs. Both lower legs and feet were, and still are, swollen. I had bloating in my abdomen. The longer I'm off, the side effects are getting better, but it's slow. I've decided to go with supplements and diet changes instead of the prescription medications. The treatment is worse than the benefits for me."

• STA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2022

Risedronate for Prevention of Osteoporosis "Was a 49-year-old with osteopenia. Took 1 pill Mon am. Woke up in the middle of the night, could barely walk, I was in so much pain. Tired, I didn't put it together yet. Woke up in the morning, and I was in excruciating pain. I've had Fibro for 25 years and never had pain like this. I had pain in every bone in my body. Could literally feel every inch of every rib. Felt like I'd been in a car crash. Had to call for help to get out of bed. As my husband pulled me out, he felt like he was going to break me. The noises that came out of me that day were awful. Bearing weight felt like my skeleton would collapse. Dr. said it's an allergic reaction. Took Benadryl and Tylenol/Advil to help, but by day 4, I still hurt, but now my stomach was so big, it looked like it could pop. All I could do was groan in pain. Dr. said to go to ER. I was admitted. The pain was so intense, my system shut down and my bowels stopped. I had a bowel obstruction from Actonel! No doctor had heard of these reactions. I've never been the same since."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2022

For Osteoporosis "Tried risedronate for the 2nd time a month ago - one 35 mg per week. Made my previous occasional dry eye so much worse and extremely sore. GP gave me anti-bacterial drops in case of infection, but no change. Have awful pain in both groins and headaches. Has anyone else had bad groin pain? I was diagnosed with osteoporosis of the spine and right hip but cannot take these meds. I stopped this week and hope the pain level improves. Also, dreadful jaw pain. Going to try a natural way of diet and chair yoga, etc., to try to prevent things from getting worse. Fearful of fractures, etc., but better than feeling ill all day, every day. 71 years old and deserve a reasonable quality of life now!"

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2022

For Osteoporosis "Tried risedronate for the 2nd time a month ago - one 35 mg per week. Made my previous occasional dry eye so much worse and extremely sore. GP gave me anti-bacterial drops in case of infection, but no change. Have awful pain in both groins and headaches. Has anyone else had bad groin pain? I was diagnosed with osteoporosis of the spine and right hip but cannot take these meds. I stopped this week and hope the pain level improves. Also, dreadful jaw pain. Going to try a natural way of diet and chair yoga, etc., to try to prevent things from getting worse. Fearful of fractures, etc., but better than feeling ill all day, every day. 71 years old and deserve a reasonable quality of life now!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 30, 2022

For Osteoporosis "My doctor pushed risedronate on me without telling me the risks. After 4 months of hesitation on my part, I finally gave in and took it for over a year. I became very ill, my energy was drained, and I lost an incredible amount of weight I can't put back on. I was thin to begin with. My jaw was painful, and a perfectly good tooth fell out. My other teeth became loose. I went off it on my own, but I still can't gain any weight back. I am very angry with myself for giving in to the doctor and taking this dangerous pill."

• anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2017

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I was prescribed risedronate sodium 35 mg. On April 17, I have suffered with osteoarthritis of my knees for 10 years. Despite this, I have remained very active, leading a nice life. However, these past 6 weeks, my arthritis and mobility have deteriorated. I am finding walking very difficult. I am in a lot of pain and stiffness. I am using a walking stick and not wanting to go out. Taking this medication is ruining my life."

• mik...
• November 22, 2009

Risedronate for Paget's Disease "Thank God for this drug. Busted my leg and ankle, diagnosed Paget's, tried Myacalcin and FOSAMAX. Leg pain minimal now. I do take 30 mg daily! It has been over 12 months of treatment now. I ran out once for 5 days and pain was intolerable... resumed Actonel and pain gone in 2 days."

• Nev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I was on 150 mg monthly. After the first pill, I began hurting so bad moving was a challenge. Dry eyes were unbearable. Swollen, depressed, fatigue continuously got worse. After 6 months, I was done—acid reflux is horrid, jaw pain, chest pain, thighs felt like they were breaking, wrists and elbows to the point I was unable to work out like I always have. Less than 2 months off and no more dry eyes, wrists and elbows are now pain-free. Acid reflux is still bad, as is chest pain. Never, ever again!"

• Tam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2020

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "As of today, I am one week past my first monthly dose of risedronate for the prevention of osteoporosis. I’m 58 years old, active, healthy female. I took my first dose on Monday, 6/1/2020, in the early AM before work, with lots of water. By Monday evening, I began to feel ill, my temperature rose to 101.9, and I had chills and sweats intermittently all night. I took Tylenol for the fever and it responded. I was so weak and achy I could barely dress myself for work. I felt horrible and flu-ish all day. By the afternoon, I developed hip and groin pain so severe I could barely sit, kept taking Tylenol with limited results. This pain has continued all week. This morning, I was awakened by such severe knee pain that I couldn’t bear to sleep. As I’ve tried to walk, I find my legs are weak and extremely painful. The muscles above my knees are swollen and weak. I plan to call my gynecologist tomorrow, but will never take this drug again."

• Tam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2020

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "As of today, I am one week past my first monthly dose of risedronate for the prevention of osteoporosis. I’m 58 years old, active, healthy female. I took my first dose on Monday, 6/1/2020, in the early AM before work, with lots of water. By Monday evening, I began to feel ill, my temperature rose to 101.9, and I had chills and sweats intermittently all night. I took Tylenol for the fever and it responded. I was so weak and achy I could barely dress myself for work. I felt horrible and flu-ish all day. By the afternoon, I developed hip and groin pain so severe I could barely sit, kept taking Tylenol with limited results. This pain has continued all week. This morning, I was awakened by such severe knee pain that I couldn’t bear to sleep. As I’ve tried to walk, I find my legs are weak and extremely painful. The muscles above my knees are swollen and weak. I plan to call my gynecologist tomorrow, but will never take this drug again."

• Tam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2020

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "As of today, I am one week past my first monthly dose of risedronate for the prevention of osteoporosis. I’m 58 years old, active, healthy female. I took my first dose on Monday, 6/1/2020, in the early AM before work, with lots of water. By Monday evening, I began to feel ill, my temperature rose to 101.9, and I had chills and sweats intermittently all night. I took Tylenol for the fever and it responded. I was so weak and achy I could barely dress myself for work. I felt horrible and flu-ish all day. By the afternoon, I developed hip and groin pain so severe I could barely sit, kept taking Tylenol with limited results. This pain has continued all week. This morning, I was awakened by such severe knee pain that I couldn’t bear to sleep. As I’ve tried to walk, I find my legs are weak and extremely painful. The muscles above my knees are swollen and weak. I plan to call my gynecologist tomorrow, but will never take this drug again."

• DMN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I was prescribed 35 mg once weekly. First dose: extreme fatigue and nausea. Second dose: body pain, severe stomach pain, debilitating nausea, horrible headaches, and still in bed after 4 days. I would rather suffer a fracture than ever take this medication again. I’m 66 and in great physical condition, have not been able to do a single activity since starting this drug."

• CLS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I started risedronate 1x a week. The first week, I thought my arthritis was getting bad in my hands and feet. After the second dosage, I snapped a tendon in my wrist by simply straightening a tablecloth. A few days later, a 3-year-old fracture in a finger erupted and re-fractured for no reason. I felt like my Achilles tendon was going to rupture, any previous fractures were suddenly hurting. I could not use my wrists to use doorknobs, couldn't turn keys, and felt I had become quite disabled. The doctor 'never heard of this reaction.' I have a connective tissue condition, and this is DANGEROUS. Had I not taken myself off, I would be totally incapacitated. Three weeks later, I am improving."

• Una...
• June 10, 2016

For Osteoporosis "Was on risedronate for 15 years. My bone density improved. I have been off it for about 2 years, and now I am going to go on it again, as I have developed stiffness and pain in my hips. I am 75."