annmg
05-09-2007, 09:23 AM
I've been on actonel for 1 month now, and my hip joints hurt. It's not stopping me from doing any of my exercises..mostly walking 2-3 miles daily. I'm just wondering if anyone out there knows if this joint pain goes away in time. I'm hoping this does, cause this is the only side effect I'm having. I did research on the other medication out there and it seems like this is the best one. I'd appreciate your help. thanks
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yef
05-09-2007, 11:34 AM
I am not sure about actonel, but I can tell you that my experience with BOTH Boniva and Fosamax was joint pain. I felt as though I aged over 20 years in a very short time period (hey, I thought this medication was supposed to HELP you and not age you :confused:) I believe that all three medications (Actonel, Boniva and Fosamax) are under the classification of Biophosphonates and one of the side effects can be joint pain. I decided, due to the long half-life of Fosamax to discontinue this medication since I was experiencing side effects. For right now, I am not on any medication. I am contemplating going on Actonel, although I am not sure since both other medications had side effects for me. Does anyone know how long Actonel remains in your system? I am very interested in hearing how others respond to this question too.
glowing4
05-09-2007, 02:28 PM
You can read what other patients are experiencing with any drug at askapatient.com. It is a very good site, easy to use, and many patients write in concerning a drug - pro and con.
From what I have read, Actonel, Fosamax, etc. stay in your stystem for 10 years!
glowing4
From what I have read, Actonel, Fosamax, etc. stay in your stystem for 10 years!
glowing4
annmg
05-09-2007, 03:14 PM
Thanks for sharing that site with me. It is very interesting. I quess everyone reacts different to the actonel. My only side effect in hip joint pain. (I'm 56 and very active) On a scale from 1-10 ...10 being the worst...mine is about a 4. I'm hoping that this will go away in due time. My doctor said to try it for another month and see what happens. Hopefully the pain will go away. I have heard actonel is one of the best out there. Not sure how true that is. I hate to try another because I could possibly have different side effects that are worse than what I have. Thanks for that web site, I appreciate it..
DesertBloom
05-09-2007, 04:32 PM
Hi: Proctor and Gambel say's that the half life of Actonel is 480 hours; I personally don't know the answer, or if that statement is accurate, but that is what they state in their clinical studies. Merck claims that Fosamax is around 10+ years. What we don't know for sure, is if the testing used by each company was the same to determine half life. :wave:
newbones
05-09-2007, 04:56 PM
annmg,
Sorry to hear that you are having joint pain. I have just started back on Actonel after the two years on Forteo. I had taken Actonel previously for a year before starting Forteo and fortunately had no problems with it, so I am hoping it will be the same this time.
Everything I have read and heard about the half-life of Actonel agrees with what DesertBloom has said.
Sorry to hear that you are having joint pain. I have just started back on Actonel after the two years on Forteo. I had taken Actonel previously for a year before starting Forteo and fortunately had no problems with it, so I am hoping it will be the same this time.
Everything I have read and heard about the half-life of Actonel agrees with what DesertBloom has said.
annmg
05-09-2007, 06:14 PM
If you don't mind me asking what does half life mean? This is all new to me since I only found out a month ago that osteopenia. Thanks again for everyone's help..
DesertBloom
05-09-2007, 06:33 PM
Hi annmg: The amount of time that it takes to eliminate or metabolize 1/2 of the drug or substance you're referring to.:wave:
spinewhine
05-09-2007, 08:07 PM
My doctor put me on Actonel (after 2 years on Forteo). He said it was the best of the bisphosphonates and that it had a shorter half life. So far, I haven't had side effects, but I've only taken it 6 times.
spinewhine
05-09-2007, 08:09 PM
I had some twinges in my hips when I was on Forteo. The doctor acknowledged that it could have come from the drug. I think he said something about bone growth. Maybe we actually feel something from the bone that's growing. Of course, I got very little gains in my hips, so I guess there wasn't all that much growing going on there.
greentree
05-09-2007, 08:18 PM
I took Actonel for about 8 months and had some joint pain for the first month or two. It did go away but I also ended up with blurry vision in one eye and a burning pain in my stomach so I stopped the Actonel. I'm going to ask my doctor about strontium when I go for my next visit.
Mel52
05-17-2007, 12:10 AM
I was diagnosed with moderate osteroporosis and prescribed Actonel. I experienced some hip pain, some headache at first but I felt I could live with it. Starting my 3rd month of taking it, I developed a burning pain in my side, a cough, post nasal drip, heart irregularities, and chills. As the day wore on the pain intensified in my side and then into my back. I was awake all night because of the pain. In the morning, I went to ER thinking my appendix were going to burst, or I had a kidney infection. 9 hours later, everything was considered normal. I came home, got on the internet and ******d Actonel side effects and found epinions. My symptoms were listed there by other people. I have not taken Actonel since and will never take it again. I have increased my calcium and vitamin D until I see my former internist before I moved. I trust him and want to see what he suggests. He knows I wont take any of those drugs again.
annmg
06-19-2007, 08:48 AM
I've been on actonel for 1 month now, and my hip joints hurt. It's not stopping me from doing any of my exercises..mostly walking 2-3 miles daily. I'm just wondering if anyone out there knows if this joint pain goes away in time. I'm hoping this does, cause this is the only side effect I'm having. I did research on the other medication out there and it seems like this is the best one. I'd appreciate your help. thanks
This is a follow up on my original question about joint pain that I had in my hips when I started taking Actonel. Well...I'm in my 10th week of taking Actonel, and my hip pain went away. I'm so thankful for that!! When I read on this board all the side effects that everyone has, I'm really grateful that mine went away. When I first starting taking Actonel and this pain appeared, I thought I would stick it out for a few more weeks, and I'm glad I did.
Does anyone know how often you get a "Bone Density Test?. Someone told me every 2 years...it that right? That seems long to me. I "HATE taking medicine, and hopefully with taking Actonel, exercise, and vitamins, eating healthy, will get me off this medicine quickly. I'm also wondering how long anyone out there has been on Actonel or a drug like that? Thanks for all your help and support. This message board is great, since I know no one who has osteopenia who can help me like this board can..Thanks :)
This is a follow up on my original question about joint pain that I had in my hips when I started taking Actonel. Well...I'm in my 10th week of taking Actonel, and my hip pain went away. I'm so thankful for that!! When I read on this board all the side effects that everyone has, I'm really grateful that mine went away. When I first starting taking Actonel and this pain appeared, I thought I would stick it out for a few more weeks, and I'm glad I did.
Does anyone know how often you get a "Bone Density Test?. Someone told me every 2 years...it that right? That seems long to me. I "HATE taking medicine, and hopefully with taking Actonel, exercise, and vitamins, eating healthy, will get me off this medicine quickly. I'm also wondering how long anyone out there has been on Actonel or a drug like that? Thanks for all your help and support. This message board is great, since I know no one who has osteopenia who can help me like this board can..Thanks :)
sc400
06-20-2007, 12:54 PM
Hi everyone this is my first time here. I have osteopenia and I have tried almost every drug to slow this down but nothing is helping, my internist just took me off the actenol last week, I was having the heartburn side effect, been on it for about 4 months. My internist mentioned an IV infusion, just wondering if anyone knows what this is and are there bad side effects?
DesertBloom
06-20-2007, 03:30 PM
Hi SC~~Welcome!!! I'm sure your Dr is referring to an infusion of boniva or one of the bisphosphonates that are available as a once every 3 months treatment. Usually people that are on this don't have the g.i. problems because the medication isn't metabolised in the stomach. I believe it's a 15 minute infusion, so you may want to do some reading on it to see if it's something you want to do. Do you know what your t-score is? This info could help you to make a decision on what treatment to choose.
Here's some info on boniva:
http://www.rocheusa.com/newsroom/current/2006/pr2006010601.html
Osteopenia info:
http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/index.html (click on links to osteopenia)
Good Luck...:wave:
Here's some info on boniva:
http://www.rocheusa.com/newsroom/current/2006/pr2006010601.html
Osteopenia info:
http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/index.html (click on links to osteopenia)
Good Luck...:wave:
sc400
06-21-2007, 03:04 PM
Hi SC~~Welcome!!! I'm sure your Dr is referring to an infusion of boniva or one of the bisphosphonates that are available as a once every 3 months treatment. Usually people that are on this don't have the g.i. problems because the medication isn't metabolised in the stomach. I believe it's a 15 minute infusion, so you may want to do some reading on it to see if it's something you want to do. Do you know what your t-score is? This info could help you to make a decision on what treatment to choose.
Here's some info on boniva:
http://www.rocheusa.com/newsroom/current/2006/pr2006010601.html
Osteopenia info:
http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/index.html (click on links to osteopenia)
Good Luck...:wave:
Thanks DB, not sure about the T-score, and I have been on boniva but it didn't work either (not iv, pill form) dr mentioned name of IV but can't remember. Wants me to stay off Actonel for month and see if heartburn goes away after prolosec otc usage. Dr says my insurance won't pay for iv treatment now because I am only in osteopenia stage. Oh well back up and punt I guess :)
Here's some info on boniva:
http://www.rocheusa.com/newsroom/current/2006/pr2006010601.html
Osteopenia info:
http://courses.washington.edu/bonephys/index.html (click on links to osteopenia)
Good Luck...:wave:
Thanks DB, not sure about the T-score, and I have been on boniva but it didn't work either (not iv, pill form) dr mentioned name of IV but can't remember. Wants me to stay off Actonel for month and see if heartburn goes away after prolosec otc usage. Dr says my insurance won't pay for iv treatment now because I am only in osteopenia stage. Oh well back up and punt I guess :)
paxton99
07-09-2007, 01:06 PM
to bad you had to go through all that pain too, I was on actonel too. the pain started right after I took the first pill, in the afternon my neck got sore, with the 2nd. the same thing only a litte more pain. the 3d. pill all my joints and wrists were so sore I couldn't pick up anything. I went off actonel and now after about 2 months later Im feeling "nomal" again. no more pills for me, paxton.
Mel52
07-10-2007, 01:43 AM
I will NEVER take actonel again. I was able to deal with the bone pain (I never believed in bone pain until then) and the headaches. The cough at night was kind of annoying but 3 months into taking the drug, I developed chills and incredible pain in my back and side. I was awake all night and finally ended up going to ER. 9 hours later they found nothing. I searched on some opinion boards and found many other people experienced what I did. I now am doing the nasal spray Fortical. It isn't the first choice by doctors but I need to take something and so far no problems.
glowing4
07-10-2007, 08:20 AM
I have always had teeth problems and am in the midst of them again requiring two extractions. I refused to take any of the drugs such as Actonel and Fosamax and am so glad that I did. I would be in quite a mess right now as many dentists are refusing to treat patients who have been on these drugs, especially those requiring dental surgery. It has been posted on this board before, but I feel it needs to be said and said again. As we age, so do our teeth, often requiring work. The pain of infected teeth is horrific and the thought of not being able to get these fixed is a scary one.
I am so sorry that so many have experienced such awful symptoms related to these drugs. One has to wonder that if they are causing these what they are actually doing to our bones and our bodies! The scariest part for me is that they actually stop the formation of new bone. Is that not our body's natural process? Why would we want to interfere with that? A coating around old bone that never regenerates itself just does not seem right to me. I am glad to hear that so many of you are feeling better now that you have stopped taking them. It is every woman's personal choice, but how hard it is to feel so badly and not know what is causing it. I am so sorry you went through all of that.
glowing4
I am so sorry that so many have experienced such awful symptoms related to these drugs. One has to wonder that if they are causing these what they are actually doing to our bones and our bodies! The scariest part for me is that they actually stop the formation of new bone. Is that not our body's natural process? Why would we want to interfere with that? A coating around old bone that never regenerates itself just does not seem right to me. I am glad to hear that so many of you are feeling better now that you have stopped taking them. It is every woman's personal choice, but how hard it is to feel so badly and not know what is causing it. I am so sorry you went through all of that.
glowing4
plc
07-10-2007, 09:03 AM
I could not agree with you more about teeth, I am losing a tooth on friday,plus other dental surgery with that. My dentist should me many an article related to tooth loss and osteo medications. I'm just thankful I did not stay on them long. However my mom,(age 80) was just instructed by her doctor to take osteo meds. She told her about dental nightmares with these drugs. The doctors relpy was "anyone younger then 60 that is a real concern,however at your age I would not worry about it" After a long discussion with the doc,the final answer was it's up to you. My mom,god love her,said all my sisters have suffer with this diease,all of them have taken meds, and now have more problems from the side effects then the diease. At my age I will take my chances.
annmg
07-10-2007, 09:09 AM
I agree with you Glowing4. I feel sorry for all the people out there that are having problems with actonel, or like medicine. When I read posts from this board, I'm so thankful that this isn't the case with me. I have been on actonel for 3 months now, and feel great. It was rough going from the start with hip joint ache (I felt like I aged many years in such a few days), and had to make a decision..stay with it, or get off. Well I thought I would give it another month. The pain went away gradually. Now nothing!! This is the 1st time I ever "had" to take medicine, and I don't like it. I always think "what is this doing inside of me". As long as I have no side effects now, I'll keep taking it and hopefully my next dexa will be fine, and get off this medicine.
My Doctor called me up yesterday and asked how I was doing. I said great. He said that a new Actonel came out on the market. You can take it 2x a month. He said he knew I was having problems from the beginning, and thought about me. I asked him if this is stronger, and he said yes it is. I decided to stick with 1x a week, since my joint ache went away. I hate to try anything new, might have different side effects, and don't want that. So I thought I would tell everyone that there is a new Actonel 2x a month, instead of 1x every week. I do feel for all the people out there who have so many problems with this medicine. I'm just so thankful that isn't the case with me now.
My Doctor called me up yesterday and asked how I was doing. I said great. He said that a new Actonel came out on the market. You can take it 2x a month. He said he knew I was having problems from the beginning, and thought about me. I asked him if this is stronger, and he said yes it is. I decided to stick with 1x a week, since my joint ache went away. I hate to try anything new, might have different side effects, and don't want that. So I thought I would tell everyone that there is a new Actonel 2x a month, instead of 1x every week. I do feel for all the people out there who have so many problems with this medicine. I'm just so thankful that isn't the case with me now.
montesflus
07-10-2007, 11:43 PM
ANNMG :
You're certainly VERY lucky to be doing so well with the Actonel. Just remember, though, that if you need dental work at some time in the future, be sure to tell the dentist that you're on it.;)
You're certainly VERY lucky to be doing so well with the Actonel. Just remember, though, that if you need dental work at some time in the future, be sure to tell the dentist that you're on it.;)