Starting Actonel - Scared! - Osteoporosis Message Board

playagirl · 08-23-2005, 02:52 PM

I just came from my gyn and got my first prescription for Actonel. I have osteopinia in the spine and osteo in the hip.

My doctor told me that I could have serious problems later in life if I don't do something about this now.

I have a healthy diet and exercise at least 3 times a week. I have missed most of this summer due to a really bad infection and then having my ovaries and falliopian tubes removed. My body went crazy at the start of this infection and I had serious anxiety and some panic attacks. I haven't felt normal since 6/17.

I ended up going to a kniesiologist and he told me my adrenal glands were blown and my body didn't realize the infection was gone and was acting the same as it did when the infection was there. I just got the last of the supplements and herbs I have to take today. So my heart is still racing 24/7, especially after reading some of the posts about Actonel.

For the women that did take it and had side effects, did they all go away after you stopped taking it?

I have to call the kinesiologist to let him know what I am taking, I am hoping he can tell me if this is the right choice.

I am really scared.

Anne

taape · 08-23-2005, 05:51 PM

Sorry to hear that you've been sick over the summer. It is scarey starting new medications especially when your not expecting to acquire another life long medical problem. Try not to worry though just see if the medication causes you problems are not. Some people can take it with no problem. About Actonel - the only side effect that didn't go away that my friend had was the stomach/gastric problems. Be really careful and see if the medication bothers your stomach. My friend took it for 4 years, has normal bone density now, but now these stomach/gastric problems that aren't going away. I couldnl't take Fosamax and got off of it after 3 weeks and knowing of my friends experience.

newbones · 08-25-2005, 10:24 AM

playagirl,

I certainly understand your concern. It is scary when starting on any new medication. I know some people have problems with Actonel, particularly stomach problems. However, I was on it for a year before my doctor put me on Forteo and had no problems with it. I was very careful to follow the instructions for taking it though.
Good luck to you.

winston55 · 08-25-2005, 02:49 PM

I have been taking Actonel for 3 years with no side effects. It hasn't helped me any either. but my osteoporosis hasn't gotten worse.

PatNJ · 08-26-2005, 07:52 PM

Anne, I switched over from Fosamax to Actonel about a year after starting treatment, which was four years ago. The Fosamax caused me more GI distress than the Actonel did. Unfortunately, in my case, my osteoporosis continued to get worse over the four years, which is why I am now on Forteo.

From everything I've read, Actonel is supposed to be better at preventing bone loss (or maybe it's at preventing fractures?) than Fosamax. I think most doctors prescribe Fosamax because it was the first of its kind.

With respect to your possible adrenal gland depletion, I suggest that you see your medical doctor for testing.

Are you on hormone replacement therapy following your surgery? HRT can help prevent further bone loss.

I do understand your fears about starting on a new med for a condition that seemed to come out of the blue. Pretty soon, it will become routine.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I have not had any GI problems while on Actonel. What's ironic about that is that I already suffer from GERD and IBS! I had those conditions prior to starting on Fosamax/Actonel and they never got any worse.

I hope that you, too, will tolerate it well.