Actonel symptoms and conditions

Metallic taste, loss of taste: A few weeks after beginning my once/month Boniva dosage, I lost my full sense of taste. I now continuously have a sort of metallic taste in my mouth, a combination of salty/bitter tastes, and have lost the 'sweet' tastebuds. Further on the back of the tongue I still have some taste, but it is not what it was before. It's a personal loss, as I used to have very sensitive taste buds, this loss handicaps my ability to cook well, and I had been a very good home cook. I still retain a full sense of smell.

I have been on Boniva for about a year and a half, my doctor says she's never heard of anyone losing taste sensations as a side effect of this medication. I'm too concerned about possible osteoporosis, as I have osteopenia, to discontinue the drug for this alone. Has anyone experienced this side effect, is it permanent, or does it disappear if the drug is discontinued?

I've been taking fosomax for 16 months. In the last 10 months I have developed a hoarse, cracking voice that has become progressively worse. An evaluation finds a blister on one vocal cord. I don't know whether it is related to fosomax or not -- but am wondering if anyone else has a similar story.

Hi! I was diagnosed with wegener's in Dec. 2007. I was hospitalized for 6 days. When I left the hospital I was taking 80mgs of pred's. After 8 weeks I am now down to 60mgs.{per day} I found it amazing how the doctors didn't inform me on the very well on the side effects of pred's. Plus bactrim,actonel,protonix,vitamin-d and cytoxin chemo once a month for six months or more.{i have had 2 four hour infusions,getting ready for my 3rd one in a few days}.
I have severe moon face,buffalo hump. My neck and throat feel full. Almost as if I was drowning.I've gained 25 lbs.,I have severe pain in my legs and knees,my back between my shoulder blades from the massive hump that I have,which by the way makes it hard to sleep. I am puffy all over,I feel like a huge sponge in the ocean!!!!! I only hope that when the med's are over I will return to normal. I cry a lot because of all the changes to my body! I don't feel like getting out, afraid people are laughing at me, my clothes look horrible,and my memory has been fading! I sometimes feel like I'm in the "o" zone.
I am grateful for the wonderful care my doctors have given me,I just wish that they would of prepared me a little better for what I was facing for possibly a year!
For every one out there that are facing all types of effects,just remember not to forget who you are and things will get better.

Severe hair breakage/loss. I've always had fairly thick hair - since starting Actonel 35 mg 1x/week, have noticed lots of hair breakage - The actonel is the only thing different in my life in the past 4 months, so I attribute the breakage to the drug - anyone else have severe breakage? This is in addition to severe left hip joint pain, jaw pain, and upset stomach. I'm not going to take any more Actonel.

Started Fosamax February, 2006. By April 2006 I had hip, back and foot pain. Hair loss became very apparent. I checked this site and saw hair loss as a side effect. I had never realized this before - these sites are a big help. Before Fosamax I had been on Actonel for a year (no pain, but mild hair loss) but was told to switch to Fosamax by my insurance company). Stopped taking Fosamax in April 2006. Pain slowly subsided but left foot was still so swollen by July 2006 that I saw a podiatrist for suggestions to ease discomfort. She suggested metatarsal pads until swelling and pain subsided (about another month). Seem to have no lasting side effects by January 2007. Will never take Fosamax again.

I was put on Fosamax in 1997 after a total hip replacement and was told that studies show it maintains the bone growth around the implants (I later discovered this is not proven) Oct. 2005 I had a spontaneous fracture of my pelvis. After doing much research on my own I have discovered that others have experienced this as well. Still no warning on Fosamax insert. Apparently Bisphosphonates (Fosamax and Actonel and Boniva) cause severe repression of bone turnover which is what actually makes the bones strong. No one should stay on this drug for more than 5 yrs. You do not lose any of the gain you have gotten when you quit as Fosamax stays in your body forever.......GREAT!

I had many of the named side effects so refused to use fosamax and actonel.

I searched the internet to find other help. was buying many minerals. Finally tired a suplement that contained most of those recommended. I buy it from independent health food stores.
It is called BONE UP .

I got tired of taking the recommended 6 capsuls each day. so took only 3 capsuls. Just had a bone density test scan. two years after last test and found that my bones had improved.!!!! the nurse that gave me my results was very impressed. Still need to let my docter know what I've been up to.

Took myself of Fosomax after 7 months of severe ankle and leg pain, neck and jaw pain. Dr was not happy with my decision, am feeling back to normal except I still have very bad lingering pain in both of my ankles. Hope that this subsides in time. Dr. is no help, just wants to give me pain pills. Have been off Fosomax about 2 months now, never will go back again. Tried Actonel some time back and had similar experiences along with headaches. Do not want to live with these problems. Will exercise and increase vitamin suppliements.

I bruise easily and have ugly marks on armsor legs where I get injured very slightly. I have none of the problems that I have read above. I understand prednisone is for inflamation and I have COPD - bronchitis last winter. Am also taking Actonel for bone strength.