BONIVA - will someone tell me about it?

[snapppyd]

My doctor has prescribed Boniva for osteoporasis. I'm only 52 and hesitant about starting a drug I will have to take forever.

Will someone here reassure me that they have had a good experience with it? If not, what were the problems.

All opinions/answers are welcome! TIA

 

[Carl]

My mother (92) takes it and has had no problems. You DO have to not lay down for an hour after taking it.

 

[LindaR]

Well, I do not like to take medications. Four years ago (and I am only 47 now) I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, too. Of course, the first thing they want to do is give you drugs! I decided to make some changes and give myself one year (until my follow-up bone density test) to see if they worked. If not, then I would VERY reluctantly take medication. I changed my diet. I have never liked milk and barely eat dairy products at all. I started eating yogurt, taking calcium supplements, and eating alot of foods that are naturally high in calcium.

The following year, I was told that I had NOT gotten worse (that was my goal) and then the year after that I was able to actually reverse a little of the damage.......not drastic.....but enough to continue and NOT take medication!

 

[JessicaR]

Well, I do not like to take medications. Four years ago (and I am only 47 now) I was diagnosed with osteoporosis, too. Of course, the first thing they want to do is give you drugs! I decided to make some changes and give myself one year (until my follow-up bone density test) to see if they worked. If not, then I would VERY reluctantly take medication. I changed my diet. I have never liked milk and barely eat dairy products at all. I started eating yogurt, taking calcium supplements, and eating alot of foods that are naturally high in calcium.

The following year, I was told that I had NOT gotten worse (that was my goal) and then the year after that I was able to actually reverse a little of the damage.......not drastic.....but enough to continue and NOT take medication!

That is very encouraging! When should you first be tested for bone density? I realize I never have.

 

[snapppyd]

What if you are post-menopausal? I don't know if diet will work for me, I've always taken supplements and it wasn't enough.

 

[LindaR]

I AM post-menopausal!!! Some issues (spinal surgery) when I was 37 threw me into an early onset. All done! Quickly (thank goodness). I guess you and your doctor need to discuss your "numbers" and your other risk factors and then YOU can make the best decision for YOU!


JessicaR, you need to do a little reading/research. If you have risk factors then you need to talk to your doctor about getting tested.

I have several risk factors and was tested in my early forties.

 

[JessicaR]

I AM post-menopausal!!! Some issues (spinal surgery) when I was 37 threw me into an early onset. All done! Quickly (thank goodness). I guess you and your doctor need to discuss your "numbers" and your other risk factors and then YOU can make the best decision for YOU!


JessicaR, you need to do a little reading/research. If you have risk factors then you need to talk to your doctor about getting tested.

I have several risk factors and was tested in my early forties.

OK, noted!

Who should have a bone density test?*
all postmenopausal women under age 65 who have one or more additional risk factors for osteoporosis (in addition to being postmenopausal and female)
all women age 65 and older regardless of additional risk factors
postmenopausal women who sustain a fracture
women who are considering therapy for osteoporosis if bone density testing would facilitate the decision
women who have been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT/ERT) for prolonged periods

 

[Chris2597]

I started taking Fosomax after my hysterectomy as the baseline bone density test I had showed a slight loss. I tried it and it made my legs, knees and hips hurt so bad. I felt like I had the flu. By the 5th day I was fine but it started all over again after the next weeks dose....So the gyn put me on Boniva as it was just once a month...Again, it gave me pain. I have stopped the drug and decided to take calcium, vit d and a few other life changes to help with bone density. I will probably have to go back on it at some point.