Boniva Pro’s and Con’s

osteop60yay, can I assume that you are not seeing an endocrinologist.
Most of our endocrinologists are advising that we take a bone building medication before taking the medications that slow down bone loss.
Your numbers are definitely lower on Dexa if you are small boned. But, you do likely have osteopenia and at at an opportune moment to increase your bone strength and density. More than half of all frailty fractures happen to women who have osteopenia.
I don't have a medical background but I don't think someone should take a medication that makes them sick, if there is a better medication that might not make them sick. Forteo might be a much better medication for you. It certainly builds more fracture resistant bones. Your doctor shouldn't be unhappy, but they make me laugh.
Maybe you should be mad at the doctor for prescribing a drug that makes you ache, makes you fatigued bloated, foggy and thirsty. Demand a better drug, maybe.
Osteoporosis is tricky, though. We all feel fine until we fracture, then we're miserable forever.

Medication sequencing is very important when starting these drugs.
Here is a paper that might assist you.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10118820/
Of course every patient is unique. What research have you already done? May I ask your age and dexa scores?
Do you take bhrt/hrt with testosterone? Have you been tested for secondary causes of bone loss or has it been determined that loss of hormones is the culprit (most cases are menopause related).

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.

@gravity3

@osteop60yay I am growing to believe that there are many women feeling the same way. I also felt the frustration of my rheumatologist when I told her I discontinued the once a week osteoporosis med because it too caused serious muscle cramping and bone pain. My numbers are relatively low, yet my doc is adamant about my starting Boniva now. I say this because she also told me, after stating I was very unsure about needing the medication now (no change in over 2 years), she said “you don’t have to take anything” It’s up to you.
It’’s just extremely difficult to intentionally take medication that causes you to feel unwell.

I’d like to look into that actually. Good idea. I take thyroid meds and I’m sure there’s more than a small connection.

@pgn , I too have taken thyroid meds for over 20 years, and yes, they cause bone loss. 🙁

@boneoptimist
What type of thyroid meds? Prescription or Armour or NP which are natural?