Reviewer: Sue, 65-74 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)

Comment:
for about 2 yrs I took calcitonin salmon, then my drug supplier changed and they send this Miacalin. It smells absolutely terrible. It is like shooting old garbage up your nose. Even with the stuff I started with I got daily headaches on the side of the nostril I sprayed it in. My sinuses would also complain bitterly. My doc encouraged me to keep using it and I tried but the side effects are ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
for about 2 yrs I took calcitonin salmon, then my drug supplier changed and they send this Miacalin. It smells absolutely terrible. It is like shooting old garbage up your nose. Even with the stuff I started with I got daily headaches on the side of the nostril I sprayed it in. My sinuses would also complain bitterly. My doc encouraged me to keep using it and I tried but the side effects are not worth it to me and the smell of it is horrible!!!! I no longer intend to take it.
Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: Gayle, 65-74 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)

Comment:
Be sure to read and understand the side effects. While things may only happen to less than 1%, if they happen to you, it's 100%. I took this for 3 1/2 months because I have severe osteoporosis and can't take any of the once a month or yearly injections. The problems began after about 6 weeks with pain in the muscle below my hip (felt at first like a catch in my hip) and a 'stiff' ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
Be sure to read and understand the side effects. While things may only happen to less than 1%, if they happen to you, it's 100%. I took this for 3 1/2 months because I have severe osteoporosis and can't take any of the once a month or yearly injections. The problems began after about 6 weeks with pain in the muscle below my hip (felt at first like a catch in my hip) and a 'stiff' neck. It just happened every once in a while at first. Then it began to escalate until my leg, back and neck muscles were stiff and painful. I was hobbling around on two canes barely able to walk. Standing, sitting or lying down were equally painful. I complained to my doctor about these and that I also felt like I had the flu but knew I wasn't sick. In spite of my doctor's instructions after talking to her this, I stopped taking it because there was nothing else I could find that caused these same problems. Within a few days of stopping, I was able to walk with one cane and ever so slowly things began to get a bit better - at least for the first couple of months. Now 7 months later, I still have a problem with stiff and painful muscles. I once could drive for several hours without a problem. Now just being in the car for half an hour leaves me so stiff and painful that I can barely stand when getting out of the car. I can't get up if I'm on the floor without something to hold onto with both hands - my leg muscles simply won't support me until I'm pretty much standing. I am now seeing a different doctor and so far we've found no way to reverse the side effects.
Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: 55-64 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)

Comment:
Over a period of 3 years developed significant dysphasia related to use of nasal spray - was unable to protect my airway when swallowing. I was unable to control liquids from running down my throat, choked on secretions while at the dentist, choked on my own saliva, was awakened at night choking on my secretions, was unable to swallow dense foods. Aspiration was a serious risk. Trial on & ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
Over a period of 3 years developed significant dysphasia related to use of nasal spray - was unable to protect my airway when swallowing. I was unable to control liquids from running down my throat, choked on secretions while at the dentist, choked on my own saliva, was awakened at night choking on my secretions, was unable to swallow dense foods. Aspiration was a serious risk. Trial on & off the nasal spray over the course of several months revealed the spray as the source. It took 3-4 months to regain the ability to protect my airway & swallow without difficulty. Have not seen this side effect listed I any of the literature.
Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: 65-74 Female on Treatment for 10 years or more (Patient)

Comment:
I started using this in 2001 and originally had great results where my osteoporosis didn't get worse. Then, in 2005, had to use this plus took Fosomax also, which helped prevented the osteoporosis from getting worse. In 2009 I developed jaw necrosis and had to stop using Fosomax. Now only use this along with caltrate plus and vitamin D. My osteoporosis is now slowly getting progressivly wo ... Show Full Comment

Comment:
I started using this in 2001 and originally had great results where my osteoporosis didn't get worse. Then, in 2005, had to use this plus took Fosomax also, which helped prevented the osteoporosis from getting worse. In 2009 I developed jaw necrosis and had to stop using Fosomax. Now only use this along with caltrate plus and vitamin D. My osteoporosis is now slowly getting progressivly worse, but taking the Miacalcin is the only meds I can take for Osteoporosis due to other problems. I have no side effects takoing this nasal spray, but it is no longer strong enough for me - however, better than nothing at all! I never miss a morning without using my miacalcin and I always keep track of which side of my nose to spray.
Hide Full Comment

Reviewer: oldfogy38, 65-74 Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)

Comment:
My bone loss was minimal while on Miacalcin, since the insurance company increased the price beyond my ability to pay, the bone loss has been dramatic.

Comment:
My bone loss was minimal while on Miacalcin, since the insurance company increased the price beyond my ability to pay, the bone loss has been dramatic.
Hide Full Comment