Zometa

[GOLFER72]

I recently received an Zometa treatment to strengthen my bones, from which the following day had serious side effects ie; joint pain, chills, fever, nausea, and nerve pain kept me in bed all day any ideas how to combat these side effects as I am scheduled for treatment every 90 days for the next year

[DLWill]

My husband experiences all the same side effects that you have described, plus a very rare one called Zoledronic Acid Infusion Orbital Inflammatory Disease. Now he receives dexamethasone IV prior to the Zometa infusion. The Zometa infusion is given at a slower rate, followed by an infusion of normal saline. This is followed by dexamethasone 4mg (3 tabs) day 1, (2 tabs) day 2 and (1 tab) day 3 this has greatly reduced the side effects that he experienced the first two times he received Zometa.

[ctarleton]

I had monthly Zometa in excess of 25 times. No such side effects. A lot of needle sticks, though.

I have met men who have had some symptoms shortly after their initial Zometa IVs, similar to those you have described, but usually mild, rather than severe.

Their treating oncologists switched them to Xgeva (denosumab) injections, after the intolerance to Zometa was well demonstrated. They usually had enough justification for insurance payment purposes, and there was also the benefit of not requiring preliminary blood testing for markers related to sufficient kidney function.

As usual, make sure to report all other medications being taken to your doctor. Ask about the delivery method alternatives DLWill mentioned, or another drug, if the Zometa continues to produce the adverse side effects.

Charles

[Scruffybut1]

Is that IV Zometa or tablet?

[DenDoc]

I have been on Zometa every 6 months for the past 8 1/2 years. I get a 12-24 period of bone aches after every injection. The first was the worst and now they are tolerable. It always feels like "the flu". No nausea or fever. For several years I requested that the infusion be given over a 1 hour period since someone reported that it might help. Now I am back to the 15 minute infusion with no difference. I have found that if I pre-load myself with Ibuprofen and take it till the reaction ends, I feel better. I also try to stay active even with the pain since it seems to get my mind off of it.

Hope your first one was just a concurrent virus or something else that made you so miserable.

[Hidden]

That's scary. And, since it's happened to others, it's more like frightening.

I draw the line when a doctor wants to infuse me with an acid. Nope. Ain't happening. I'd let the shit kill me first. Take Charles' advice, and see if you can get Xgeva. It seems to be the drug that eliminated the mets I had.

Joe

[Winston40]

I was on Zometa for about a year. Here is my experience:

Necrosis of the jaw can occur after dental work if you stay on this drug too long. This is potentially catastrophic. Your body will only tolerate so much of this drug. Once that happens, dental work becomes an extremely risky procedure.

I found that the nurses administering the drug were pretty lax in following its recommended administration. I drank as much water as I could tolerate before each infusion. A saline solution should be given prior to the Zometa infusion. INSIST that the Zometa infusion be given over the proper time period (I can't remember exactly what that was (possibly 20 minutes), but a Google search should provide this information. The infusion should be followed by additional saline solution. After completion, I resumed drinking as much water as I could tolerate.

I never experienced any side effects, but that was most likely due to my tolerance of the drug. I would go back to using Zometa if necessary, but only with extreme caution. Dentists use a blood test to determine if your Zometa level is too high.