Actonel

[Ellen58]

Hello,

I'm new to this board and I'm seeking information
about Actonel BEFORE I start taking it. My doctor pre-
scribed 30 mg. once a week. I had not even heard of
Actonel and would like to know more about its side effects throughout the country...is it causing a lot of
serious problems overall? I would appreciate any com-
ments from those of you who are taking this drug and
from those who are knowledgeable about its overall performance.
Thank you.

[bjg]

THIS IS WHAT I KNOW ABOUT ACTONEL..IT IS MADE BY PROCT OR & GAMBLE..THEIR TOLL FREE NMBR IS 800-836-0658.IF YOU CALL THEM THEY CAN TELL YOU WHAT THE DOCUMENTED SIDE EFFECTS ARE,OR YOU CAN LOOK THEM UP ON THEIR WEB SITE.I DO KNOW THAT BEFORE YOU START TAKING ACTONEL YOU SHOULD HAVE A BLOOD TEST TO CHECK FOR LOW SERUM CALCIUM..I TOOK IT BRIEFLY THIS PAST SUMMER, AND HAD TO STOP. WHEN I TOOK EITHER FOSAMAX OR ACTONEL I HAD URINARY PROBLEMS,WHICH I REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER OF BOTH DRUGS. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING THE BOARDS TO SEE IF ANY ELSE HAD URINARY PROBLEMS ON EITHER DRUG..BUT HAVE FOUND ONLY A FEW PEOPLE REPORT THAT THEY HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS...THE SIDE EFFECTS THAT I HAVE SEEN DOCUMENTED IN LITERATURE FOR ACTONEL ARE..UPSET STOMACH,ABDOMINAL PAIN,CONSTIPATION,DIARRHEA,GAS,HEADACHE. MORE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS ARE DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING,CHEST PAIN,OR SEVERE HEARTBURN..IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE YOU SHOULD STOP TAKING ACTONEL IMMEDIATELY.......GOOD LUCK

[Ellen58]

Thanks for the response from bjg the Junior Member regarding my request for info about Actonel BEFORE taking it. My doctor did NOT do any bloodwork to check for low serum calcium which does upset me. Also, when I asked him about side effects he said that there are none. Well, I knew better than that. There's always
side effects for someone. I'm disappointed in my doctor. I will postpone taking Actonel until I feel comfortable with doing so. Will also call Proctor & Gamble to get the documented results on side effects.
Isn't it a shame that we can't accept our doctor's word
for things when we are paying them for their advice!

[bjg]

GLAD I COULD HELP..I GUESS THERE ARE 2 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT ON TAKING MEDS..I LIKE TO BE INFORMED AND KNOW WHAT I AM PUTTING MYSELF AT RISK FOR SIDE EFFECT WISE.THE DOWN SIDE OF THAT OFCOURSE IS THAT IM SURE THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I DONT TAKE SOMETHING FEARING THE SIDE EFECTS THAT MITE DO ME LOTS OF GOOD....BUT I HAVE A FRIEND WHO GOES TO THE DR..AND WHEN HE TELLS HER TO TAKE A CERTAIN RX ..SHE DOES..AND SHE SAYS SHE DONT ASK AND DONT WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS...SAYS IT MITE SORT OF PSYCHE HER OUT AND SHE COULD BE WORRYING AND NOT TAKING THE DRUG FOR NOTHING..SINCE NOT EVERYONE HAS SIDE EFFECTS...HER THEORY IS WHAT YOU DONT KNOW WONT HURT YOU...GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER YOU DECIDE ABOUT THE ACTONEL

[NancyH]

I've been taking actenol for a year now and so far so good. Actually I played with it on and off as I was scared of the side effects but since I have severe bone loss I stopped playing and got down to business. My Dr said that the side effects were mild compared to the debilitating condition osteo can produce, that scared me to be more serious. I checked it out and found the side effects were sometimes bothersome and eventually fade but not always. I guess trying it is the only way to find out.