paddyanne, I wasn't offered a different medication, I asked for it.
I had years of chronic heartburn with it and an upset stomach into the bargain, but as I have had so many fractures I persisted with it. I have cement holding my spine together after fracturing two vertebrae and walking about without treatment for six months.
The medication did work. My bone density had increased, so I was advised to take a holiday, as I had been on it longer than recommended.
However, when my bone density decreased again, I had to go back on it. The effects were so much worse than previously, so I made a fuss about how awful I felt on it. Then the medication was changed and changed again, but I could no longer tolerate it.
I was eventually transferred to the the new bone mineral dept at the Queen Elizabeth, instead of attending the endicronology dept there and after lots of blood tests I was eventually prescribed the infusion.
What a relief not to be taking that horrible drug. All those years ago, when I started taking it, I had to starve all night and then stay upright for an hour, after drinking lots of water. I took it on a Sunday morning, as that was the only day I knew I would not be in a rush and accidently make a cup of tea!