Had my first zolendronic acid infusion yesterday. Guess I’ve reacted badly to it. Shivers, temperature, swelling, aching etc. All the classic PMR symptoms.
Anybody else reacted like this?
I called the hospital and was initially told I must have picked up a virus at the hospital and to call my gp.
Then the dr called me back and said it could be from the infusion as it was my first one. He said it should pass in 3-7 days.
Should I up my prednisolone? On 8 mg a day at the moment.
Hi Mimma. I had my first one last year and was jus t like you, I felt awful. It passed in a couple of days though, without increasing Pred. I am pleased to tell you, I had second one in June with no ill effects at all. Hope you will be the same! Take care, Jenny x
Hi Mimma
I had had a full course of Zolendronic Acid (Post Chemo) every six months for 3 years with no side effects at all.
What annoys me is the hospitals attitude, it is well known that it can cause bone pain & flu like symptoms. Personally l would treat it as such, rest, take a simple pain killer but not necessarily increase your Pred.
Hope you feel better soon 🌷
MrsN
I'm so sorry , it's horrible when the drug you take to feel better begins by making you feel worse.
It definitely sounds like the side effects as your body adjusts to the new drug entering your system and reality the hospital should have prepared for this possibility by talking to you and giving you the required paperwork.
I'm surprised their instant reaction was to blame a bug rather than a more knowledgeable answer.
As your GP said , these side effects should die down in a few days as your body rebalances to the new drug. The same level of side effects shouldn't happen again , or at least not to the same level.
If these symptoms get worse though , or you begin to suffer trouble breathing or swallowing , itching and swelling skin or mouth , dizziness or fainting contact a doctor again or go to an out of hours service before increasing the Pred. These are signs of a severe intolerance or an allergy and you need to get it checked and get advice before increasing the Pred.
If you get the familiar symptoms of PMR on top of your current symptoms the side effects might have triggered a mini flare and then it may be necessary to increase your dose for a few days. Again , it might be worth waiting and checking this with the GP first.
Take care and I hope things improve soon
Thank you Blearyeyed for your advice. I will wait till Monday and then reassess.
No, not unless the GP suggested it. It's a reaction rather than an infection and in fact I have never raised my pred dose even with infections.
Like MrsN I'm not impressed by the hospital's response - it is a listed effect.
Good to know. Thank you. I actually did ask the rheumy who checked my bloods before the infusion if I would experience any side effects. She said 'you may feel a bit warm but thats it'.
I was given a leaflet that explained possible side effects and that would have covered what you felt.
Like MrsNails I felt nothing, but I am pretty sure it caused the horrible mouth I was left with for at least a year afterwards. Horrible taste and peeling skin lining the mouth.
Hope all goes well for you.
Post Move in one month GCA back
Back pain on one side
One week later, Pred back up. 
Back on Prednisolone 
