Actonel - Osteoporosis Message Board

Crystalclear · 11-18-2000, 02:58 PM

I have osteoporosis in the lumbar spine. I have tried Fosamax and had stomach pain, Miacalcin (nasal spray) and had strange emotional side effects such as depression, anxiety so stopped both of those drugs. My Doctor has now prescribed Actonel 5mg. I am to take two pills one day per week. I have not taken it long enough as yet to know the outcome, but I'm hoping I can continue with the Actonel as it is one dose per week and seems like the best drug I've tried as yet. I wonder if anyone else had tried this drug and what results they have had.

karenj62 · 01-18-2001, 05:52 AM

To CrystalClear,
I have been taking Actonel for about 2 months, but am thinking of discontinuing. The heartburn is relatively mild, especially if you take as directed, but I just don't like the idea of pills & drugs when there are more natural options out there to build bone strength. Also, on the Actonel packet info, it states the woman should be postmenopausal. Don't know why, but I'm sure that's stated for a reason. I'm not in that category yet, so another reason for discontinuing. Good Luck with your experience.

Crystalclear · 01-18-2001, 10:35 AM

Hi KarenJ62,
I am still doing fine with the Actonel after 2 months of use one day per week. I, too, do not like to take any unnecessary medications, but I am postmenopausal, take estrogen, have been taking calcium supplements,magnesium and zinc for years and still found that I have Osteoporosis. I lead a healthy life and eat properly on a good diet. I would not want to become crippled with spinal fractures so will continue to take the Actonel unless I have some sort of adverse effects. If I were a young woman I may feel differently about the idea of taking a prescription mediction for the rest of my life, but at age 68 I want to live the remainder of my years as physically able and healthy as possible. I now walk 2 miles per day, garden, hike in the local mountains, work part-time and feel great. My main complaint abut prescription drugs is the burden of the high prices. I no longer have prescription coverage for the medications I take and it is a struggle to pay for the Actonel as it is very expensive. Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do to protect your bones. Post again with any new information you may have about alternative treatments.

audxmike · 10-15-2006, 03:10 AM

I have just started on Actonel. I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis
with a compressed fracture in my vertebrae, I'm 51 yrs old and a Fitness Instructor. I was not told that you had to be post menopause in order to take Actenol, as I am not yet post menopause.
I hope truly that it works. I'll do anything I can to prevent further damage to my body. We are fortunate
to be able to have these new drugs - I know nothing is perfect - but perhaps in time it will work. Remember, as you read too probably, these drugs take time to work. I'm not prodrug but in this case of possibly more
fractures - we need to try these medications and give it a chance to work!

Audrey

Misty800 · 10-15-2006, 05:38 PM

I wish you ladies luck. I took Actonel once a week for 6 weeks and ended up literally being poisoned. Never had so much pain in bones, muscles and rest of body. Caused Plantar Fasciitis in both feet and in sitting bone area. Inflammation all over my body. It has been 1 1/2 years and I am still suffering from side effects from the Actonel. I still have to take Prevacid as a result of taking Actonel. Actonel can affect ligaments in your body. Actonel can stay in the body 10-20 years. I am hoping it does not stay in mine that long.

If you start having pains of any sort, think about the Actonel, don't brush it off as maybe being something else.

If you search other posts on Actonel you will learn of others experience.

Misty