I'd like to hear from anyone who has experience with Boniva. My doctor wants me to start taking it but I alwys worry about side effects. So if you take this drug has it helped you ? How long did you have to wait till you knew if it was doing you any good? I took Evista for seven years before finding, in spite of yearly bone denisty tests, it was not helping me. Also did anyone have negative side effects? Thanks
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Hi Milly, While input from the community comes in, you may want to check out the side effects for the drug by visiting this link.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601795
According to our founder, Michelle King Robson, an injection for osteoporosis is scheduled for release next year. She said it's pending FDA approval.
July 24, 2008 - 3:33pmThis Comment
I first tried actonel and went off after about a year. I felt tired and nauseaus. The longer I took it, the longer I felt bad after taking a dose.
A year later I went on Boniva and tried for 6 months. Some days I could barely get out of bad, lost weight, was nauseaus and terrible muscle fatigue. I have been off for 2 months and feel better. I am a tennis player and the longer I took boniva, the tireder I got on the court. I was exhausted after 30 minutes. I can now play about and hour and a half and hope to get back to 3 hours.
I am looking for an alternative to the ibandronate dugs. Any suggestions besides more calcium and vitamin D?
jarmakac@bellsouth.net
August 3, 2008 - 12:02pmOne more possible alternative to ibandronate (Boniva) and risedronate (Actonel) drugs are phytoestrogens. Please talk with your doctor before taking any supplements, even increasing (significantly) Calcium or Vitamin D intake, as possible drug interactions may occur.
"Some symptoms of menopause can be eased with phytoestrogens, substances found in plant-based foods. Epidemiologic studies have shown that soy, a phytoestrogen, can lower the prevalence of menopausal symptoms, lower LDL cholesterol, decrease hot flashes, and increase bone density. The recommended dose is 25 to 50 grams/day."
[Source: Cleveland Clinic] http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/alternative_medicine/hic_integrat...
August 3, 2008 - 2:50pmI know all of this was posted in 2008...don't know if anyone is out there
November 30, 2011 - 6:44pmin 2011. I had breast cancer last year. Was on HRT for 4 1/2 years. Had lumpectomy. Now one Ca meds for 5 years to block estrogen which my Ca fed off of. The Ca med makes you gain wt, increase joint pain and deplete your bones of calcium. Have been taking Boniva a little over a year. Can't say what Boniva could be responsible for as I have gained 45lbs. can't seem to get a handle on that. Was approved for knee replacement a yr ago and put it on back burner till Ca was under control.
It is true that I limp around now, am extremely tired but can't necessarily blame this on the boniva. I would like to think it has been escalated because of the boniva and am going to stop now. But one thing that did stick out was the TMJ issue. Been on Boniva 1 yr and every morning I wake up with my jaw clicking as if out of place. I have to hold the side of my jaws and open/close many time before it is right. I am planning to have the knee replacmt. in 2012 if the Breast Ca is at bay still. I am 57 years old, work full time..pretty active. I cannot take anything that would bring on estrogen...Homeopathic is what I am looking at. One sight said Vit.C,Calcium,Magnesium,Vit. K2 and Boron. arrows UltraBone Formula was thrown out there. What do you think. i really need to have the knee replaced as my tibia has already bowed......Getting old is so much work. Thanks, Nancy C.
I am looking up information for you, regarding your question for alternatives to drugs (like Boniva and Actonel).
So far, I have found what you did not want to hear (because you already know this information), and that is to increase your intake of calcium and Vitamin D, either by supplements, eating those nutrient-rich foods and decreasing foods that cause calcium to be excreted through the kidneys (foods high in protein and sodium are the culprits). For a list of nutrient-rich foods and supplement dosage requirements, visit this website:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/Nutrition/default.asp
Exercise is another benefit to bone health, and as you already play tennis, you are on the right track!
I will continue searching for alternatives, and we also have a few EmpowHer experts and other professionals in the "alternative and complementary medicine" field who may be able to answer your questions. Stay tuned!
August 3, 2008 - 2:29pmAccording to MedlinePlus, there is an FDA reporting site that you can go to, if you have severe side effects from medicines.
Side effects from Ibandronate (Boniva) are below. "Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
* nausea
* stomach pain
* diarrhea
* constipation
* weakness
* dizziness
* headache
* fever, sore throat, chills, cough, and other signs of infection
* frequent or urgent need to urinate
* painful urination
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately before you take any more ibandronate:
* new or worsening heartburn
* difficulty swallowing
* pain on swallowing
* upper chest pain
* rash
* painful or swollen gums
* loosening of the teeth
* numbness or heavy feeling in the jaw
* poor healing of the jaw
Ibandronate may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html] or by phone [1-800-332-1088]."
August 3, 2008 - 2:38pmDear Milly,
I have not had to take a drug like Boniva, or Evista. After having my complete hysterectomy, I did have some bone loss. I was shocked when at 43 year of old I had what they called the onset of osteopenia. That was quite shocking to discover. In fact, you can go read my story about that if you want to, and see what happened to me:
August 3, 2008 - 10:02pmhttp://empowher.com/share/bones-joints/joint-conditions/osteoporosis/mor...
I was able to grow my bone back without taking one of those drugs. I just needed to be balanced hormonally. And I swear, that in my case it had to do with the teeny tiny amount of compounded testosterone cream that I am still taking--I'm sure that it helped with my bone health, and it certainly worked for me. Granted, everyone is different and I'm not a physician, but I do want you to know what worked for me. That doesn't mean it will work for everyone, but it did grow my bones back, to the surprise of the radiologist and my doctors! Best in health, Michelle
I have taken Boniva for two months. The side effects I am experiencing are nausea,bloating, weight gain,(my stomach looks as though it is 3 mos. pregnant), heavy pain in chest, backache, exhaustion, difficulty breathing, and an overall feeling of being ill and weak. The last pill I took was on July 29, 2008. I wish I knew of some way to get this horrible drug out of my system sooner.
August 10, 2008 - 4:48pmI'm sorry you experienced such awful side effects. Did you discuss them with your doctor? If so, what other alternatives where you told about (to help other readers as well!). Are you looking into other treatment options currently?
As far as the medication "staying in your system", I would be interested in hearing from a medical doctor or pharmacist, as I believe (merely an educated guess), that medication does not "stay in your system" for more than a few days, depending on the type of drug...I'm not referring to flashbacks from hallucinogens (!!), as far as you feeling the effects of the actual drug. Sure, there are drug tests that can check hair follicles, one month after taking it...but as far as still feeling any effects from the drug itself...I question if it is the drug, it's after-effects, or something else? Have you had your symptoms evaluated by your health care provider?
August 10, 2008 - 7:18pmI was on monthly Boniva for 6 months but had to quit when stomach pain, esophgeal pain, joint pain and feeling ill with flu-like symptoms just kept getting worse. Actually, Boniva has a long half-life and does stay in your system for several weeks. I'm now just taking 1000 units of Vitamin D and 1000+mgs of calcium (calcium fortified milk) every day. I also eat cottage cheese and yogurt and hope it's enough to heal my bones.
July 25, 2009 - 2:39pmSara b