Sorry for late reply - You need to have good doc support and also educate yourself so that you and your doctors are a team. I recommend reading 'Great BOnes' by Dr Keith McCOrmick. This is an excellent book with a hopeful tone. It is comprehensive and covers bone health, bone turnover markers and the various causes of OP and needed support to regain health, and covers medications, diet and excersie. . Dont hestiate - just get it and read it.
Fear does not help. Once you feel you have some control. and educate yourself then you can focus on solutions. There are side effects to drugs - dental issues are a concern so keep up with good dental care/ oral health and whatever is needed to aim to reduce risk.
My expereince with actonel was unusual. I am very sentitive and very respsnive to medications. Before I started actonel, I prepared my digestive system with herbs to protect the mucus lining becasue this is a common side effect. My stomach was fine, but Actonel gave me 'acute phase reaction' that is normally seen with the more powerful bisphosphantes ( reclast) I had a terrific sinus infections, sinus inflammation, eye irration, swollen glands for a week. Then dry moth and pervasive abdominal itching all around my midsection. I took Actonel for a short time becsues I needed to take something after tymlos to stablize- and Actonel did what it needed to do reduce the Osteoclast activity. So it worked, but it was not a medication that I tolerated well. We are each different and our reactions are different depending on our constitution and vulnerabilities. Sending psotive energy for your healing path and for you to find the support you need. Blessinss