Reviewer: Neveragain, 25-34 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)

Comment:
I took Acotonel for 2.5 years. My bone density has increased but not significantly and I started to develop Acute Uveitis and stiffening of the joints. At times I was in so much pain that I was hospitalised. Since I came off the medication 1 year ago I have had decreasing joint pain and am now virtually pain free. However I have been left with recurrent Uveitis of the eye and have attacks every co ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I took Acotonel for 2.5 years. My bone density has increased but not significantly and I started to develop Acute Uveitis and stiffening of the joints. At times I was in so much pain that I was hospitalised. Since I came off the medication 1 year ago I have had decreasing joint pain and am now virtually pain free. However I have been left with recurrent Uveitis of the eye and have attacks every couple of months. I am told that this may decrease in time but nobody is sure. The Uveitis controls my life, makes it difficult to work and confines me to the darkness during the attacks. I am 29 and sometimes wonder how much longer I will have to suffer for. If I had been made fully aware of the risks in taking this drug I would have run my risks with the Osteoporosis. Recurrent Uveitis is far worse.
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Reviewer: llcooper@cmos-co.com, 65-74 Female on Treatment for 10 years or more (Patient)

Comment:
initially bone rebuilding then no more.easy to take and no side effects so far. is there a time limit to taking this drug?

Comment:
initially bone rebuilding then no more.easy to take and no side effects so far. is there a time limit to taking this drug?
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Reviewer: Florida Girl, 55-64 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)

Comment:
GYN prescribed Actonel after a DEXASCAN (there was no vitamin D deficiency test, calcium level check or thyroid check). The nurse practitioner said every one of their patients had failed their DEXASCAN that day and were prescribed Actonel (how accurate was the DEXASCAN machine & how competent was the tech). The GYN gave me a free two-month supply of Actonel. I began taking Actonel once a week ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
GYN prescribed Actonel after a DEXASCAN (there was no vitamin D deficiency test, calcium level check or thyroid check). The nurse practitioner said every one of their patients had failed their DEXASCAN that day and were prescribed Actonel (how accurate was the DEXASCAN machine & how competent was the tech). The GYN gave me a free two-month supply of Actonel. I began taking Actonel once a week (on Sunday) in January 2005. Easy to take - I drank two full glasses of water with it just to be sure. By October 2006 my dentist referred me to a periodontist for severe unexplained gum recession. By June 2007 the gum recession was more severe. A bone/jaw scan done in 2000 was compared to a 2007 scan; periodontist stated I had severe bone loss & he could not repair the damage cause by Actonel until I stopped taking it for at least 4 years. He said Actonel stays in your body for 30+ years. I have been under periodontal care (every three months) since October 2006. His main concern: necrosis of the jaw. My other Actonel side effects: severe daily leg & foot cramps (charlie horses), atrial fibrillation (heart palpitations), severe headaches, dizziness, joint, bone & muscle pain, difficult & painful swallowing, cracking & popping of my cervical spine, hair loss & fatigue. My GYN refused to let me discontinue Actonel & maintained it was good for me. On July 1, 2011 I had an endoscopy (I have continual sore throats and LPR - reflux in my throat - and both Prilosec & Aciphex caused severe side-effects). The gastroenterologist found a gastric mucosal abnormality, erythema in the esophagus and hematin (altered blood/coffee-ground-like material) in the stomach. He also biopsied a polyp in the esophagus. If you are otherwise healthy (as I was before starting Actonel), please get a second opinion and request an alternate treatment to Actonel.
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Reviewer: pquinn@wellnessquestchiro, 45-54 Male on Treatment for 1 to less than 2 years (Patient)

Comment:

Comment:

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Reviewer: Goose, 45-54 Female on Treatment for 5 to less than 10 years (Patient)

Comment:
Excellent experience with Actonel for years. No side effects. Bone density increased. Insurance dropped Actonel so changed to Boniva. Now have muscle pain and problems with joints, feel sluggish, put on weight. Always been very active. Have to consider side effects related to new drug. Will try to get doctor to find a way to get me back on Actonel.

Comment:
Excellent experience with Actonel for years. No side effects. Bone density increased. Insurance dropped Actonel so changed to Boniva. Now have muscle pain and problems with joints, feel sluggish, put on weight. Always been very active. Have to consider side effects related to new drug. Will try to get doctor to find a way to get me back on Actonel.
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