New to Zometa

[GentleBreeze]

Breast tumor removed in 2016 followed by radiology & drugs (Arimidex). Fractured wrist Thanksgiving. 2019, then foot last month. Bone scan diagnosed Osteopenia so started Zometa infusion today. Not getting too much information from doctor group - hoping to learn more regarding side effects (prevention of or treatment of). I’m an older gal (72 in April) and really want to avoid any further fractures - have lots of traveling & projects to get done!!

[bannar]

I am also 71 only diagnosed with MBC last October. First hit of Zometa left me listless on the couch the next day, such fatigue it was like a throw-back to the after-effects of radiation. Oncologist changed the dosage, and now I'm doing fine on it. No side effects. I am also as active as possible--you go, girl!

[GentleBreeze in reply to bannar]

Thanks! No problems this morning so looks like my dosage was good. Here’s to keeping active!

[8576]

I found Zometa easy to take. No problems at all. I have been having Zometa for many years. Started out going every month and now every 3 months. I haven't heard that it causes problems. I am 80 yrs. old. (the old gal on here).

Cheers, June S.

[GentleBreeze in reply to 8576]

So far, so good! No issues after first infusion yesterday so hopefully Zometa will be easy for me as well! Thanks for the encouragement!

[MaryCos]

I've been on Zometa since July 2020. (I was diagnosed de novo, and my first oncologist started me on chemo, and added Zometa into the mix because of bone mets. Have stayed on the Zometa (infusions every 90 days), although I have been on hormonal treatment (thanks to a new oncologist) since late September.) I have read that some gals from this forum have had some side effects from Zometa, but I have had none whatsoever.

56 here.

[Dragonfly2 in reply to MaryCos]

You are a lucky gal to have avoided Zometa pain...but the Claritin is a good work around if you ever get it. 🙏🥰

[MaryCos in reply to Dragonfly2]

So much I have learned from this forum!

[Garnet131]

I've been having Zometa infusions approximately every 3 months for 3 1/2 years (last one yesterday). The first one really knocked me out, but then I read on here that it should be infused slowly, and the next time I asked them to change it from 15 minutes to 30 minutes. That made all the difference and I haven't had a bad reaction since. At first I would ask each time to do the half hour, and eventually they changed my chart. Being hydrated may also help--I am a big water drinker. (I've been on Letrozole and Ibrance for that same period of time--recently turned 74.)

[bannar]

Found out today it was my creatine level. Silly me. But I'm new to this. I get the infusion every 28 days.

[Dragonfly2]

Hello! Zometa can be a game changer ...I was in danger of having a catastrophic fracture in my pelvis where the tumor had destroyed a lot of the ilium. But 5 months of monthly infusions saved the bone and I can walk without a limp...or crutches. That said, I realized in January how badly I ached after an infusion...and after reading about Claritin to help with the pain, I am delighted to say that IT WORKS!

I am taking gabapentin for sciatic pain but the difference between January and February is astonishing. The recommendation from the Onc was to take a pill the day of the infusion and for 5 days after.

If you’re suffering after Zometa, ask your doctor if this is appropriate for you..good luck!