Spatter: Health & Medical

My first bone density test was in 2004. I was 52 and the results showed some bone loss, but nothing unusual for a woman my age. Still, osteopenia was the verdict and my doctor wanted me to do something about it. I had never taken HRT and didn't want to start. Fosamax and Actinel were discussed, but ultimately I decided against them and decided I wanted to see what a few years of dedicated calcium intake would do.

Fast forward to the present and a follow up test. I confess, I didn't do so well with taking the calcium. I'm just not a pill taker. The good news is that despite that, my numbers remained stable. Actually, they had gotten a little better, but my current doctor warned me not to get too excited because bone density test results vary a lot depending on the equipment and who's doing the reading the results. Still, I remained in the osteopenia range and this doctor also said I needed to get serious about the calcium and weight bearing exercise. She went on to suggest that it might be a good idea if I start taking Fosamax, Actinel, or Boniva.

I decided it was time to comply. I've got my bottle of calcium staring at me on my bathroom sink and I got a prescription for Boniva filled. I went with Boniva...I figured once a month was my best chance...and besides, who doesn't buy into what Sally Field says!?

I got it home and put it on the counter ready to take in the morning as per instructions. Then I opened it up and read the little insert. I knew the part about it tearing up the esophagus if not taken properly, but as I read on I became a bit alarmed. I said to myself "this can't be good to put in your body".

So I decided to do a bit of on-line research. I didn't have to go past the first page of search results to find a site that convinced me that this pill was never going into my body. It just ain't gonna happen.

The depth and breadth of complaints that I found here had my jaw dropping. Over five hundred people told horror stories of what befell them after taking it...many after just one dose. Their bodies haven't been the same since. Their tone was very emotional: anger and/or depression. And most were in shock. They never expected it to affect them as it had. I was shocked too. I've never heard of anybody having problems like these.

Here's one comment by a 55 year old woman whose symptoms included "extreme bone pain:

"I had a severe reation after taking it just ONCE, and the symptoms started the very next morning!!, I could not move, The Drs. said it was NOT from the pill, I think every doctor who prescribes it, should take it themself first!! You WILL feel better, just hang in there, You were on it for 8 months so it will probably take a few months until you start to feel better.I didn't attribute my intense pain to this poison until I found this website too! No one believed me. I hope you feel better very soon."

And here's what a 47 year old woman had to say:

"Horid!! Horrible stomach pain followed by months of extreme joint and bone pain (and I do mean extreme)!!!! Never realized it could all be caused by just one dose of Boniva and last for 6 months. Finally feel better after mega doses of vitamins over the last month. Took 6 months to recoup from ONE PILL!!!"

There are many, many more. Perhaps these voices are a small minority in the vast sea of women who take Boniva, but there were enough of them to scare this girl right out of taking it.

Too bad I didn't do the research before paying for the prescription. One solitary pill that without insurance would have cost over $100 was now sitting on my counter never to be taken. It's hard to imagine paying so much for something that causes such damage. And it's hard to not be a bit annoyed that I've just wasted my money...but I'm sure as hell not going to put this poison in me. Talk about a gateway drug!!

No, I think I'll stick to calcium...now more religiously... thank you very much.