Zoledronate: Lowered immunity?Constipation? Nausea? Bone and muscle pain? Side effects.

[Sunseaandsand]

Hi, I have been looking into Zoledronate and have found it can lower the immune system, I have heard things that contradict this so would like to hear others opinions.

Also has anyone had any of the following side effects whilst on the treatment.

Constipation, nausea? and bone and muscle pain which is listed as a main side effect.

Thank you in advance.

[Sunseaandsand]

Thank you for your reply and forwarding the link to me.

It makes interesting reading and has been a help to me.

In the past when being treated with Bisphosponates I have had repeated chest infections and 2 bouts of pneumonia, and low counts of white blood cells.

I now have 5 fractures in my spine and after all other treatments Zoledronate is the only option left for me.

Given my past problems and the current situation I think it could result in more problems for me.

[Megams in reply to Sunseaandsand]

~I have been interested to see what response you would get with your question.

This is a drug which has been recommended to me as showing signs of bone thinning despite my best efforts of diet, supplements, exercise.

My Rheumie who has been treating me for 6 years (5 years PMR dx) has suggested for me to take 10,000 IU Vit D for 3 to 4 days after the infusion.

I'm still very apprehensive to know what to do about these powerful drugs that usually make me ill - please keep me posted with what you decide to do. Thinking of you with your current dilema ~

[Sunseaandsand in reply to Megams]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your reply.

Have not received the response I hoped for.

Having a quick look at your posts I notice you have to take steroids, this of course will reduce bone density, but I understand the need for the steroid medications.

This will put you also in a difficult position.

I have been faced with these dilemas on and off for years now.

I do not know if you have read through any of my posts but I have over the years been on many of the different treatments for Osteoporosis.

Despite all the side effects I do still keep trying out what is offered to me.

My fractures are without trauma and are now coming too often for my liking.

I have to question how long it would actually take on any of the treatments before it would make any significant improvment to my future bone density.

The medications will not stop my having further fractures, at the very best slow them down but by how much and in how long is the question??

Yesterday I lost a filling (not as straightforward as it sounds) the tooth really needs a crown but this work has to be avoided. I was told last year by a maxi oral facial surgeon that the very least is best.

His advice was to keep having the filling reaplied not easy when there is hardly any tooth there.

If it was not for being on the Bisphosponates followed by a shot of Prolia,I would not be faced with a problem regarding my teeth.

It has to be left as well for the time being as I have been sheilding since March of this year.

I have appointment in place for September to have a Dexa scan and xray, so I will wait to see what those results show.

Keep us posted as to which way forward you will go with treatments.

Remember we are all different and do have to try things for ourselves, one man's medicine can be another man's poison.

Take care and stay safe.

[Megams in reply to Sunseaandsand]

~Thank you for your response - its my 1st post on this forum as I belong on PMR site but have looked with interest on this site as its an issue that I have been carefully watching over the years with my long term steroid use.

Rheumie has suggested steroid intake likely life long.

I will read through your posts and really hope and pray that a suitable answer will be found for you - you are juggling many balls.

Thinking of you ~

[Sunseaandsand]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply.

I am fully aware of the things you have pointed out.

Owing to the multiple fractures, Osteoarthritis, bulging discs and other conditions of the spine, I am now mostly reliant on a power chair.

I can not and do not lift or carry anything.

As the fractures have increased in number so has my pain and disabilities.

I have not been able to do any excercise other than core muscle excercises since 2017. (Even these are a struggle )

My bone density was extremely low on my last dexa which was last November.

I will be having my next one in September this year.

One orthapedic surgeon described my bones as being full of holes.

The excersise you mention, would I imagine be beneficial to anyone with Osteopenia, but for people like myself with such low bone density and multiple fractures would not even be possible to acheieve.

And to attempt it would be very dangerous.