I started the once a month Boniva 7 days ago and have not had the horrible knee cramping that I had on the initial weekly prescription. Yay! However, my joints ache, my back aches to the point that I am taking Tylenol in small doses when I can't tolerate it. I am bloated in my face, neck, and stomach, and am having difficulty with feeling fatigued and in a fog like I had not felt in ten years at 50. I slept most of today because of it. I also am excessively thirsty. I really hate taking it and wonder if it is worth it because I felt fine before I was diagnosed at just -2.5 spinal, -2 hips. My doctor was not happy that I stopped the one week Boniva treatment after two months of nightly knee cramps. So, I am actually scared to stop this because of her. But, I am wondering if the studies are accurate for smaller women like me and if it is really necessary at my current age of 60? I was not given a hormone replacement therapy option; however, I would be open to anything that works without such side effects.