Digestive burning

Uma
0 Recommendations

I have been on actonel 35 mg. for over 4 yrs., and the burning seems worse lately (more pronounced and more constant).

My digestive system has not been the same since I had two ulcers on Fosamax years ago. One was pretty bad due to taking a prescribed anti-inflammatory and the other, less severe from taking advil (1 pill with food and then repeat 4 hrs. later). I was told never to take anything like this ever again.

At one time I was taking the actonel for only 6 days a week to give my digestive system a rest (both my dr. and the manufacturer thought this was OK) but went back to 7 days when my bone density dropped (not sure if related but not taking any chances).

Would love to hear from anyone (on either Actonel or Fosamax) with this burning and what you are doing for it. Did you go off your medication to get relief, and if so, for how long and did this help?

Thanks as always,
Uma

13 replies

wilsonaa

I too have a history of peptic ulcers and very severe acid reflux. I take a drug called Protonix which controls my burning. I am also on Actonel 35 mg weekly dose and I am doing fine...no burning. I am a new patient and only been taking it one month. Are you taking a drug to control your stomach issue? If not, you defintely need to talk to your doctor. I could not take the Actonel without it. Also, Actonel now has a monthly dosage which may be easier on your digesitve tract. That's my plan is to move to the monthly dosage. I think it would be much easier on your digestive system and better tolerated.

Good luck!
Andrea

LindaS

I took Actonel for a very short time when the burning started. My doctor took me off immediately and had me take prilosec. Its strange I was on fosamax for a year and didn't have a problem. These drugs are the same type of drugs so I found it odd. It has been many years now and I have not taken any of these type of drugs but I still get the burning. It can last for days but I only get it once in awhile.

MotherGoose

Uma:
Have you contacted your doctor about this????
Why have you been taking Actonel daily?
It has been in a 7-day dosage for a long time. Makes sense that weekly is less "insulting" to your stomach than daily. For that matter, Actonel now comes in a monthly dose, BUT that means a comparable increase in what you are taking in at one time.
First thing to consider --- see your doctor and get this heartburn under control!
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose

nobonesaboutit

Please check thru this site. I believe I've read over and over that taking the types of drugs such a s protonix, nexium, etc inhibit your absorption of calcium. They recommend calcium citrate to give you the acid you neded to help absorb. Other than that-I agree w/Mother Goose above. When I had the constant burning increased to pain so bad I thought I was having a gallbladder attack. Turns out, it was esophageal erosions plus now I have Barrett's esophagus. See your Dr!

bdcapell

I had acid reflux in my chest cavity (brought on by stress)and thought I was having a heart attack. Off to ER for EKG to find out I was fine and given Prevacid, which did nothing. In my home remedy book, it advised drinking a glass of warm water to which is added honey & cider vinegar - worked like a charm and I head to the kitchen instead of the medicine cabinet whenever I have burning or chest pain. Even works without the honey, cider vinegar neutralizes the acid.

nkerr

I totally agree with all those above who said contact your doctor immediately. I was on Actonel for a year, heart burn got a little worse after a few months, then the last month I took it, it was horrible. Dr. took me off Actonel and would not put me on any of the other ingested ones. I'm on Miacalcin now, which is a nasal spray, so doesn't bother my digestive tract. My doctor was very worried about esphageal cancer. So, please don't let your digestive burning go on.
Naomi

Uma

Thanks all for your replies.

Andrea, you may be one of the lucky ones who do not have any adverse reaction to the monthly actonel. However, many people have had serious side effects -see the actonel link in my discussion, "Actonel and Forteo side effects." A search of this site may yield other information on monthly actonel that I am unaware of. You also may want to start a discussion explaining your situation and asking for feedback from people who have made the switch to monthly actonel.

Cher1

I use chewing gum to control my acid reflux (not caused by my Actonel). A nurse told me about it when I was pregnant and it works like a charm for me. Try it...

LindaS

Uma, I couldn't find link on actonal and forteo side effects. I would appreciate if you could post it in this discussion. Thank you.

Uma

Here you go:

1. the links:

Actonel:
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20835&name=ACTONEL

Forteo:
http://able2know.org/topic/11948-11

Here's the discussion which had 24 replies you may be interested in:

Actonel and Forteo side effects

• By Uma • Posted October 24, 2008
•In National Osteoporosis Foundation • 24 replies

Uma

LindaS

Thank you Uma, I appreciate you sending the links so quickly.

BobWallace

Uma,
A pharmacist told me that Actonel like Fosamax was Drano in pill form. I tolerated it but my osteoporosis did not improve so I have switched to strontium citrate. I was on Fosamax for over four years.

Uma

Health food store recommends aloe vera juice (not gel) for burning: 4-6 oz. a day 2-3 times daily.

Also I just realized that what I said here was not quite accurate (on the mouse without enough sleep):

Incorrect - At one time I was taking the actonel for only 6 days a week to give my digestive system a rest (both my dr. and the manufacturer thought this was OK) but went back to 7 days when my bone density dropped (not sure if related but not taking any chances).

Correct - At one time I was taking the weekly actonel, for example, on a Wednesday and then the next week on a Thursday to give my digestive system a rest (both my dr. and the manufacturer thought this was OK) but went back to taking it every 7 days instead of every 8 when my bone density dropped (not sure if related but not taking any chances).

Sorry about that!

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