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Actonel: Anyone have input or experiences?

Posted by detc @detc, Sep 22, 2022

I’m about to start taking Actonel for osteoporosis. Does anyone have input regarding taking it weekly vs monthly? Do you know if one is tolerated better than the other? Thank you.

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bbcam | @bbcam | Sep 20 1:39am
In reply to @t1phyl61 "I had a similar experience. I stated alendronate about 3 years ago. I stopped it about..." + (show)
Profile picture for t1phyl61 @t1phyl61

I had a similar experience. I stated alendronate about 3 years ago. I stopped it about a year ago due to terrible heartburn. My doctor wanted me to take the yearly infusion because “you only have side effects once a year”. My father had a horrible reaction to it that landed him in the hospital for a week. I refused that. I started monthly risedronate nine months ago instead. It wasn’t bad for awhile. I got sick 3 months ago… not sure if it was related. 2 months ago, the day after taking it I woke with weakness, body aches, headache, dizziness that turned into chills, fever, nausea and vomiting. I assumed I had stomach flu because my husband had it a week earlier. Last month, the day after taking it I woke to weakness, headache, stomach cramps, chills, fever, weakness, nausea, dizziness, vomiting and severe body aches. I could hear my pulse pounding in my head. Mucus was running from my nose. I thought I was unlucky and got stomach flu again. I’m not sure what made me realize these symptoms came the morning after taking this med, but I had a hunch and looked up the side effects. I was experiencing 16 of them.
I’m not suggesting anyone should follow what I am doing, but I will not take it again. I will not chance taking an injection or infusion that cannot be taken back if I react to it.
I will take my chances with dietary changes and exercise.

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Im going to do the same thing

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2024tymloshelp | @2024tymloshelp | Sep 20 7:58am

I don’t think it causes hair loss I’ve read that’s not a side effect 😃
That’s all I know .

But some people have had esophageal issues from it ( as with some other bisphosphonates)

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snyf4605 | @snyf4605 | Sep 21 4:53pm

I took one actonel pill about
8 yrs ago exactly as directed
That evening I felt sick to my stomach and extremely tired so went to bed very early
Next morning I got up to get ready for work and passed out
Was in hospital for 2 days. They did all cardiac and neurological testing and all was fine. This was not a known side effect of actonel but attributed it to that as all testing was fine
I am afraid to take any meds so I am trying the supplement and exercise route
This was just my experience. I’m sure many people have had better experiences. Good luck

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dmshope | @dmshope | Sep 22 8:51am
In reply to @lnl "Hi, mrcd--I took half a pill for about a year-- normal reasons: I can't tolerate anything..." + (show)
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Hi, mrcd--I took half a pill for about a year-- normal reasons: I can't tolerate anything and was scared of full dose... Anyway, it didn't really work. I went on the full dose for about a year, and tolerated it well except for constipation. So, sample size of 1, but that's my story. Perhaps it will help you make a decision.

I have stopped the Actonel because even the full-strength wasn't doing the job. My Dr. wants me to go on Tymlos-- which I find even scarier, (But that's a different thread.)

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Actonel is a bisphospanate - inhibits bone resorption so it slows bone loss and it does not act directly as a 'bone builder' .
Tymlos is a bone builder/ anabolic.
THese are two completely different classes of medications.

I took both. Tymlos first - then a 6 week course of Actonel - and now on evenity because I need more bone building particluarliy in cortical bone.

Sequencing is important. Bisphospnates taken before , can reduce the effectiveness of bone builders but they still work to some extent and are better than nothing if you need help.

Please do not be afraid... do your homework ( read Great Bones by McCormick) and set your mind on healing. SIde effects occur and you do your best to manage them. Create a great team - that may include a naturopath and ayurvedic support for side effects , , a great PCP. I myself have 2 endocrinolgists and a great osteo PT resource ( I use MAraget Martin - she has resoruces on the internet and she is a great skilled and compassionate support. She does consults on line too)

NOthing takes the place of doing your homework - correcting diet and sleep - and making sure all your labs are being watched carefully including of course bone markers.

Be hopeful and postive that you will find your path.

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