My last bone scan indicated some new mets My oncologist wants me on Zometa which I get my first infusion tomorrow.
Is there anyone who can share their experience with zometa and the side effects and the outcome of the treatment.? Replies very much appreciated.
Thanks
Yer ole Slugger 61
My husband felt pretty grotty for around 48 hours after the first two infusions with flu like symptoms.
He had no issues at all for the next eighteen months but then stared to get a lot of pain for the three days following infusions. His doctor said he normally likes men to be on it for two or more years but felt he had got most of the benefit from eighteen months and took him off it.
Hope you get on okay.
Thank you
I will be getting my 3rd infusion (every 6 months) on May 15th. It really has not bothered me at all. My latest Dexa Scan showed some improvement in osteoporosis. Best of luck!
My husband has been getting monthly infusions of Zometa since July 2024. He had flu like reactions/symptoms after the first one and did not feel well for 48 hours or so. He had them slow down the infusions to one hour from 30 minutes and has had a much better time of it since. I make sure to bring some cheese and homemade sourdough bread for him to eat while there so he has good solid food in his stomach. Occasional very slight reactions to the infusions but mostly all fine. Good luck.
I got an infusion. I little achy for 24 hours. The main side effect is that a part of your jaw can die. It is rare especially in the first year. The benefit is an inhibition of the cancers growth in the bone. This promises a more comfortable end to life. Bone cancer is painful. I think denosumab might be better. Might be worth looking into that. Both have similar side effects.
I’ve been on Zometa since Jan 2021 getting an infusion every 3 months. I went to the dentist before starting to have any major dental work done before starting. I’ve been fortunate to not have any side effects from the treatment. I have a DEXA scan every 2 years once I started treatment. In January of this year it’s been 4 years which my MO said is usually the most you’ll take but since I had bone Mets I’ll continue once every 6 months. There has been some improvement in my DEXA score shown below.
May 2020: lumbar spine -3.1, left hip -2.3
Jan 2023: lumbar spine -2.9, right femoral neck -2.1
Jan 2025 : lumbar spine - 2.8
Thank you for the reply. I appreciate you.
i have been receiving an infusion of Zometa every 90 days for about the last 4 years. It was initially prescribed after I had 2 collapsed vertebrae due to SBRT to 3 vertebrae tumors.
I count myself as fortunate that I have had no discernible side effects from this therapy.
When I was a young handsome dude...... my cousin and her girl friends wanted to fix me up with one of her girl friends....zometa and boy was I sorry.
Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.
j-o-h-n
boy, we’ve talked a lot about zometa here on the group, you could do a search ( at the top of the page ) and see a whopping lot about it.
I’ve had over 60 zometa infusions and , seen here on the group, most guys have mild to medium side effects with it. There are such variations with it, you’ll have to see what transpires.
The initial side effects are often very flu- like for many guys. Speaking from my experience…. About an hour and a half before the infusion I took a OTC decongestant. I used chlorine-tabs ( chlorpheniramine ) . Take one of those grape sports drinks ( Gatorade ) with you , and immediately after exiting the infusion clinic start guzzling those. This helps vacate the chemical out of your body for a faster recovery. The quicker the better to keep those S.E.s under control.
This is just from my experience, other guys here may have other suggestions.
❤️❤️❤️
Hi - I’m a little confused by this - wouldn’t it be counterproductive to flush out Zometa as fast as possible? Don’t you want it in there for however long it takes to do its job? Thanks!
hi Prelki….
You will be instructed to use the sports drinks by both your oncologist and your infusion clinic nurses. This , below, is the brief explanation from Google. Type in “ why do you drink sports drinks after a Zometa infusion ? “ for a lengthy, more detailed explanation.
“ Drinking sports drinks after a Zometa (zoledronic acid) infusion is primarily recommended to help prevent potential kidney problems and manage electrolyte imbalances that can occur as a side effect of the infusion. Zometa can decrease calcium levels in the blood (hypocalcemia), and sports drinks can help replenish electrolytes lost through increased urination, which is encouraged to flush out the drug. “
Hope this answers your question. Like with all things in this aPCa world, it’s “ always “ best to discuss anything / everything related to your disease with your prescribing oncologist / team of doctors.
I suspect that after any Zometa infusion, You will soon know why you’ll want to get to guzzling . Zometa infusions , for some people , like me ( I’m a super responder ) , has the nickname of “ Zometa pain train “ . I’ve ridden the train over 60 times. This is probably a rare side effect, but for most guys , a Zometa infusion feels like a hefty case of the flu.
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for the reply. I am in 3 days after zometa and feel bone pain in pelvis moreso than day and day after zometa. Will try sports drink with my 2nd rodeo coming up in 26 days from now
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