Acid infusion

[SuziCutie]

I am due to have a zolendronic acid infusion in few weeks. Can’t tolerate the tablets. Bit nervous about it .

Anyone else had this treatment.?

Hope no horror stories 😱😱

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

No can help - sorry, but sure others will be along soon.

[scats]

Have you had dexa scan? I asked for 3 years before I got one only to be told all the numbers were positive and I didn't need to have taken ZA in the first place.

I couldn't swallow AA whole so was suggested ZA infusion instead. They had caught me at a low point so I said yes, I didn't have the strength to argue. The whole process was painless, just had to sit in a chair for 20 mins while it happened. I didn't feel any immediate after effects, but I was coping with my mothers death and funeral at the time so wasn't feeling 100% any way.

I had had a hip replacement earlier that year ( not one of my best !) and was having a lot of pain in the femur involved. Dr very unsympathic, it will go. It didn't for a year. I think this may have been down to the ZA as one of the side effects is bone paln. I also had a very unplesant feeling and taste in my mouth for the next year. When the appointment came for the next infusion I cancelled it.

I have no proof that either of these symptems was caused by ZA but they have since disappeared.

I now need extensive dental work and my dentist is nervous because I had the infusion, even though it was 18 months ago. Dentists are weary of doing anything that may expose bone after ZA fearing osteonecrosis. He wants me to go to hospital for the work! They do advise to get a dental check before the infusion which I did but pred had been at work all that time!

I can't advise I can only share my experience. Hope this helps and all goes well for you.

[Pat9442]

I had it annually for three years. No side effects. My latest dexa scan results were the same as they were three years ago. So I guess it did the job! Please don’t be nervous, it will be fine

[scats in reply to Pat9442]

just goes to show we are all different!

[SuziCutie]

Thank you Ladies. I had osteoporosis about 10 years ago and was treated with the tablets then and got the all clear 6 years later.

Then 2 years ago managed to break 2 metatarsals!! One after the other. So bone scan and vitamin checks were done and all was ok.

One year later I was diagnosed with GCA/PMR and started on 60mg pred. And the bone tabs and omeprazole !! Couldn’t cope with all the side effects. Had to take the pred but stopped the bone tabs and reduced greatly the omeprazole. All my decisions.... then the rheumatologist found out!!! Hence this acid infusion.

Fortunately I had a dental appointment last week and they always ask about my meds. He told me any extractions would have to be done at the hospital!!

I believe this infusion is a one off. Could be wrong. He also said I should have been told by hospital to have dental check up first. Sadly I have not been told much. Been checking on web site though 😳😳

[Longtimer in reply to SuziCutie]

Hospital has put me down for infusion...after reading about it ....no way, not for me anyway........once in, not like stopping a tablet. Can you not take the tablet a again that worked for you once before?

[SuziCutie in reply to Longtimer]

Got to admit I am thinking of the tablets. But will request a bone scan first. After all I might not need them. That’s my thinking anyway

[Longtimer in reply to SuziCutie]

Good idea...good luck....

[Hidden]

Hi

I’ve had 6 Zolendronic Acid Infusions 2x3years but it was for a different reason & it actually improved my bones from my last Dexa Scan.

It was totally painless & no side effects at all, so much so l wondered if they actually added it to the drip? But it was the same at each session.

MrsN

[Marijo1951]

There are two types of bisphosphonate that can be taken by mouth. One is Allendronic Acid which caused me a lot of pain and burning sensations. The other is Risendronate Sodium which I took twice and didn't have any of the horrible side effects. However I've just decided that I want to avoid them completely. If you feel that you should take them and have only tried one type of tablet, maybe you could ask to be prescribed the other type to see if they suit you better, rather than have the infusion.