on week three of taking risedronate delayed release. First two felt sick entire day take 35 mg once a week.
this week which is week 3 feel sick day of and still
Feel sick. Is there any hope of this getting better?
I don’t think I can handle being sick every week.
Feels like virus bloated stomach, nausea, hot, weak, diarrhea. Just need to go to bed.
this third pill do not feel well day after ??? Any thoughts ? Does your system adjust? Thank you
I had the exact same problem on the weekly risedronate 35mg EC (enteric coated). After two weeks of side effects, I just couldn't take the third tablet. So I stopped and did a bit of research as I knew I HAD to take a bisphosphonate to try to prevent Prolia rebound fractures (yes, I had side effects from Prolia too! I'm not good with medication).
I found that risedronate (Actonel) comes in a daily 5mg tablet so, with the approval of my GP, I started taking the daily tablets every second day to allow my body to get used to risedronate. After a couple of weeks of no side effects, I took it every day, again without any issues. After two months, I went back onto the weekly 35mg EC tablet without any problems apart from some ongoing digestive ones, but not GERD. I managed to take risedronate for 20 months, then swapped to alendronate (Fosamax) for 4.5 months before going back onto risedronate for six months, successfully. So 2.5 years in total on bisphosphonates. Now I'm off them 😊
So I would recommend this approach. Start with a much lower dosage and ease onto the weekly tablets that way. Presumably you can get the 5mg daily tablet in the US. I am in Australia and the pharmacist had to order it in as it isn't very popular due to the restrictions around taking the tablet i.e not eating for a couple of hours after taking the tablet, standing up for 30 minutes after taking it, etc. It becomes a bit of a nuisance doing that every day, but I was happy to do it to be able to switch back to the 35mg weekly tablet after two months. This worked for me and hopefully will work for you too.
Good luck!
Thank you. I do have trouble with medicines. Sounds like a sensible plan now to convince a doctor this makes sense. I have slowly started med on my own. But this med you cannot cut or break as you know. Do you think taking it every other week would work? To gradually get to once a week? Thank you
You definitely MUST NOT cut or break the 35mg weekly tablet. Just get a prescription from your doctor for the 5mg daily tablet. Explain that the higher dosage is just too strong for you at this stage.
It worked for me, so give it a go. I could not have carried on taking the weekly 35mg tablet without easing on to that high a dosage slowly. Start with the 5mg tablet every second day and see how you feel with that. Then take one every day and, when you feel ready, go onto the weekly 35mg tablet. If you don't feel well on it, just revert to the daily tablets. You're still getting the same amount of risedronate in the daily tablet over a week (5mg x 7 days = 35mg), just not in one hit.
I have been up all night so sick plus a weird cough. Feels like a bronchitis hard to cough anything up even though need too. If I attempt this med I will do ask suggested w 5 mg. Right now I don’t think I will ever take one of these drugs again keeps coming in waves. Yuck 🤢
I agree with dcdream below that you should be consulting with your doctor about your reaction to the risedronate. Having said that, my doctor didn’t know what to do except to tell me to stop taking the risedronate and suggest HRT or raloxifene (Evista) as an alternative. A bit of research online revealed that neither of these apparently work in preventing rebound fractures after Prolia, so it was up to me to come up with a workable solution. She didn't seem to be aware that risedronate came in the daily 5mg dosage either when I told her, but was happy to prescribe it. Doctors don't know everything, unfortunately, and certainly not regarding side effects as people react differently to medications.
Do you know your DEXA scores, i. e. how bad your osteoporosis is? I read your bio and see that you've had a compression fracture.
I don’t know dexa scan. I found out I had osteoporosis after compression fracture. I then switched oncologist and he referred me to endocrinologist. Not pleased how this is going.
Hopefully you'll start feeling better as the risedronate wears off, but do try to speak to your doctor before you're due to take the next tablet. You can’t just struggle on feeling awful. The bronchitis too is concerning and warrants medical attention. I had bronchitis twice while on risedronate - never had it previously. It's a listed side effect.
Hi Crawldad, you mention an oncologist? Are your bone problems related to cancer?
I believe partially. Did not have osteoporosis prior to breast cancer. Probably hormone blockers also family history of osteoporosis. No contact from doctor do not intend to take another dose. Since no contact will change physicians. Oncologist referred me to endocrinologist for osteoporosis. NC medical care getting worse. No sure reasons
Population increase and doctors are leaving again obviously I don’t know reasons. Doctors left are swamped and getting sloppy with care .
OK, you are correct that hormone blockers used in breast cancer treatment can cause bone problems. Bisphosphonates are often prescribed during treatment to offset these side effects.
More information on the cancer/bone health connection here: americanbonehealth.org/canc...
What does your doctor say about how your body is reacting? I would think the doctor should be weighing in on this and helping you decide how to adjust the meds so they work for you.
sent a my chart note. No answer side effects worse over night so I called office. Will see if I get an answer from office. I find very difficult to get docs to listen if you have trouble with meds. Tend not to believe you. There so busy they prefer you shut up and take med.
Maybe time to find another doctor who does listen to you. I've done that before and it always is for the best. It's your body and no one can advocate for you better, than yourself. Good luck with this. Hopefully you feel better soon.
Never heard from doc. Up again tonight. Creepy part is breathing get crackle sound and other weird noises. Still feel need to cough something up but difficult. Told office what was going on
No information. It is better then last night but not cleared up. Nurse said med can cause GERD never had that and irritate esophagus. I just don’t know does it just clear up? Was suppose to call back after discussing with doctor. Did I mention most doctors are cold hearted souls. My opinion. Never heard back from office. Definitely will find new doctor. Maybe I will get a good one.
Many of these meds do cause acid reflux, which my mom developed while on said drugs. Her acid reflux is terrible since she still is on osteoporosis meds at age 90. Also it does irritate the esophagus, so it is critical you take the meds correctly to avoid problems with that and cancer. All of this should be discussed with your new doctor to avoid future complications from the meds. Good luck finding a new doctor as you deserve better treatment and assistance with this matter.
Thank you I just started this med risedronate It was Third dose then this happened. Can this go away by itself if I stop med? Suppose to go away first time since before pandemic worried about breathing. Never heard from doctor.
Dare I say it but if your doctor is refusing to communicate with you, that you try contacting him/her again saying that you have had enough and that as you haven’t heard from him/her then you are going to stop taking the medication that is making you feel very ill - hopefully that will get you a response.
If it doesn’t then I think you really need to find a new doctor who will work with you.
I agree. Disappointing when you lose respect for a doctor.
67 year old male with severe Osteoporosis from long term use of Nexium.
Newly Diagnosed 
As I reduce my prednisone does it lessen the impact on my bones?
Alendronate/Fosamax
DEXA Results
