zoledronic acid infusion

[Radars]

has anyone had any good results after having the infusion for severe osteoporosis, I have had 1infusion and don't feel that it's done anygood, and after reading about how many people have had fractures even though they have been on zoledronic acid, my scores are -2.5 -4.1 lumbar spine, bmd at femoral neck is 0.593, vfa shows superior end-plate deformity at t12,I can't see what good zoledronic acid will do with these scores, any thoughts please.

[Met00]

Unfortunately you won't be able to tell whether it's making a difference or not until you have another DEXA scan. I assume they'll do that after you've had your 3 annual infusions.

[Karana81]

My numbers are quite similar to yours. My hip improved marginally a year after the infusion and my doctor thinks my spine score, which was worse, was inaccurate and I agree. I just had my second infusion and I have added magnesium glycinate and walking with a weighted vest to my protocol. I feel the infusion is just one piece of the program to improve my bone density.

[MyStar86]

After my first infusion I had a dexa scan 10 months later and that showed my spine had gone from -2.7 to -2.3 and that made me very happy as I was worried most about the spine. My hips stayed the same at -3.3 however I have previously broken my left hip so I know that’s a tricky area. I had also broken all my ribs prior to the infusion and a year later I still had all the same breaks in multiple places on all the ribs but after the infusion my breaks healed so to me that’s got to be the infusion that helped.

You won’t feel any physical difference as most people don’t even know they have osteoporosis till they have a break but a dexa scan will show this and the nhs offer one every two years so it depends when your last dexa scan was. You can also pay to have one privately and I don’t think they are very expensive under £200 via the Nuffield to find out but I would wait at least 10 to 12 months as the infusion doesn’t work that quickly given it’s trying to rebuild your bones.

Hope you are doing ok

[Mavary]

it should help the -4.2 spinal one. Mine started at -5.5 and is now -4.3.. I’m on Denosumab. All the bone meds should work to reduce a bad bone score.

[Radars in reply to Mavary]

thanks, denosumab will be the next after zoledronic acid infusion ,I will be going to the races at the weekend take my mind off things and a couple of drinks.

[Bluebell999]

The effects do take a while and may be subtle so you don't really notice. I have not suffered any further fractures, (touch wood) since I started having them, which is a real bonus.

I have now had three infusions and I feel my bones are so much stronger and I am able to do more, including walking further albeit still with a frame, and light housework. I am standing straighter too.

Considering I could not even stand up properly for weeks after my spinal collapse, I think I am doing very well.

Be careful about the denosumab, you can still fracture whilst on it and you have to have a plan for when you come off, as you may get rebound fractures.