Zoledronate infusions yearly for 3 years

[Metalmich]

Hi ,i am 73 years old and am looking for reassurance that what i have been advised by my rheumatologist is right for me. Zoledronate infusions

I had a full hysterectomy aged 34. One fracture of ankle,foot and fibular. One chipped ankle and one hairline fracture of wrist.

Did fracture my patella aged 10years..

Also had a hip replaced seven years ago due to walking badly after ankle and leg fracture.

having had rheumatology appointment for several years, i have been trying everything possible to stay healthy and fit and not on AA. Diet, vitamins ,minerals, exercise with small weights , resistance bands, walking..

But still told my bone density is dropping. dexa scans can only do hip on one side and lower spine. Now moved from osteopenia to osteoporosis - 2.4 on femur.

I get a lot of stomach and digestion problems so was told infusion bypasses stomach as it goes straight into blood stream. Spoke to nurse at R.O.S. Who said the side effects only last for about a week..?..??

But what are others experiences. Really terrified.

any advice

[CallMeSunny]

You might like to check out the website of The Royal Osteoporosis Society as they have many useful publications, also an excellent phone helpline.

[Metalmich in reply to CallMeSunny]

Thanks i have had a conversation with a specialist nurse at ROS..thanks for taking time to reply

[MoUtOrWaNc]

Hi there, sounds like you have done everything you can for your bone health. I can not advise you regarding your choice to get the infusions, but can tell you about my own experience with them. I received these infusions about 12-15 years ago (5 of them, 6 months apart) due to osteoporosis caused by the cancer drug I was taking. My bone health returned after I stopped the cancer drug. Now, 20 years after my first cancer diagnosis, I have metastasis that is being treated with the same drug that caused my osteoporosis so many years ago. Just yesterday I received my second Zoledronate infusion this time around. I have had ZERO side effects from these infusions. I wanted to share this because I think most people report the bad about a drug and those of us who have had no negatives remain silent. Best of luck to you in your quest for the best life. It’s a roller coaster ride, for sure. You’ll make the right decision for yourself. Trust your gut.

[Metalmich in reply to MoUtOrWaNc]

Thank you for your reply. Interesting that you havent had any side effects. Most people who said they had problems, said started a while after the infusions, not immediately after. So hope you still avoid any side effects😀.. good luck on your journey. Again many thanks for reply

[MoUtOrWaNc in reply to Metalmich]

Thank you, I hope I continue with no side effects as well. I expect the best since after 7 or 8 of them I have been fine. I don’t know if I am the norm and no body talks about not having adverse effects or if I’m one of the lucky few.

My endocrinologist has said she will stop at 2 or 3 infusions, depending on my bone response, because the mandibular necrosis that sometimes happens doesn’t occur until the later infusions. She says we’ll avoid that problem by keeping it to fewer infusions.

[Knip in reply to MoUtOrWaNc]

Hope all goes well with your treatment, Mo. Too right, it is a roller coaster, and as you say, we are all different, with different needs, so we have to do what we feel is right for us. I hope that you get good results from your current drug regime. Take care, Knip.

[Errp82]

hi, like you, I was terrified of having the zoledronate infusion, but had to proceed as the Alendronic acid gave me some horrid problems with my hiatus hernia.

I have had ZERO side effects from my July infusion apart from a bit of a headache the first day. Like a previous response, the OPS were so helpful.

Hope this helps

[Metalmich in reply to Errp82]

Thank you for your response. I am still thinking about it. As i get lots of side effects from most meds i am prescribed, i am still being cautious. When i mention the side effects i have had from omeprazole for example, the doctors doubt me because they are rare side effects. Why would i make it up?.. thanks again

[Knip]

I know what you mean, in your post above M. We are all different and the best doctors understand that just because a reaction isn't listed, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. K. This year I had to report a reaction after my Covid Jab, including four hours of really violent shaking (I couldn't get the water bottle on my bedside table to my mouth, it was so bad, and extreme all over pain. I had a similar reaction following my second Shingrix vaccination too, earlir this year, only that only lasted for two hours. That makes me wonder if it is the solution that it is mixed in rather than the vaccines themselves.