Context is everything. ALL the osteoporosis meds have different reasons for being. EACH person has different needs, biologies and expectations. ALL people don't get warning when osteoporosis meds are thrust upon them. "unbearable" is relative.
Avoiding an "unbearable" breakage and surgery due to soft bones is far more "unbearable" than the side effects of the medications! I would trade my TWO cervical spine surgeries/surprise paper thin bones/and life changed forever with limited mobility, doctors, rehab this past year/forced disability and removal from my work - I'd trade THAT for little medication hangovers. If my bones weren't paper thin I would have had only a SINGLE 100% successful spine surgery and been ecstatic by increased mobility and continued success at my work! Its "unbearable."
Why would I - or should I care - how many people stay on the medication? The only reason I am here is to help others get information. Maybe that information helps them speak to their doctors to get what they need. I am an activist and an advocate. My endocrinologist absolutely left me in the lurch. He's a guy. Self-entitled and arrogant. However, he just doesn't want to be challenged because he has many others to serve. He looks haggard. He told me he "put his mother on the Tymlos." "She had no side effects." Lucky her! But reading between the lines, he obviously was trying to communicate his ultimate thoughts about the medication's efficaciousness. Had to force a meeting. The entire team was present. I had a list of questions. They were all answered.
I had the most HORRID reaction to the Reclast. I learned my body's immune system is responsible. it's not the medication - ITS THE NEED for my body to REPAIR its bone structure. I happen to have SEVERE need. The only thing is - it doesn't come in the package others (drs.) can see.
One has to look at the consequences of each medicine individually. They each have different side effects and not lump them into a ball of wax that makes one walk away. @tkdesign - it was not said how long they were on each medication. That matters. I had to stop then start again and titrate up. Two months - like they said all the headaches stopped. The body and blood pressure all adapted.
When I return to the Reclast, after completing this medication -- It will be MINUS the worst reaction i've ever had in a single moment in time. But - I have been through this with the peg-iterferon ribaviran medication for Hep C. When the medicine WORKS and does its job the reaction of the immune system subsides.
To have my surgeon and I look at an xray of my spine from last november and this august - and SEE the spine bones denser is reason enough for everything!!!
I hope this clarifies. thanks @windyshores for helping me explain.
IF I hadn't gone into menopause early things would be a lot different. If I hadn't stopped bio identical HRT 10 years ago they would be different. I think hormones stave off bone deterioration for sure. But cancer risks had to take precedence at that time of stopping. Its always a balance as we age.