I’m due for my second ZOMETA treatment on Friday. They told me to expect flu like symptoms for a few days last time. However I was so sick I was unable to get out of bed for 2 days and wasn’t myself for almost 2 weeks. Chills, nausea, dizziness, etc.
I’ve read a few things about hydration, taking Claritin, slowing the drip, ibuprofen, etc. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
All those things you mentioned are all very helpful to lessening the side effects of Zometa. Hydrate well during the 24 hours before your treatment and continue for the next day…this helps your kidneys remove the medicine from your body. Claritin also helped…and now I just add Claritin to my routine daily supplements because it works to subdue the antihistamine reaction in your body from the cancer cells in the bones. Another key help is to ask for the Zometa infusion to be done slowly…at the minimum 15 minutes. The speed of infusion can be a game changer. Lastly, the really good news is that subsequent infusions are less impactful as pertains to side effects…it will affect you less. I hope this helps you look forward to the Zometa…this med can help you rebuild cancer ravaged bone…it has allowed me to walk again, play golf…it’s a magical help! Best of luck! 🥰
Hi There, my onc said that if The side effect of Zometa are extreme, she would switch me Xgeva. You may want to check. I does wipe me out for 24 hours but I will stick with it for now. Good luck and take care of yourself!
Perhaps I’m an exception, but I’ve never had any side effects in the two years I’ve been having zometa i fusions.
I ask to have the infusions over a 1/2 hr period as my NP told me this would help prevent any discomfort. I drink a lot before and after and that’s all. Interesting to hear the suggestion Re taking Claritin. Hope you too are symptom- free. All best!
Really sorry to hear that. I've been on Zometa for a year and never have experienced such side effects -- poor you. I hope it's better this time. X
I didn't have any side effects from the infusion. Can they reduce it? I am not sure. Mabye you have to get it every 2 wks. instead of once a month to start.
Cheers, June S.
I had flu like symptoms after my first infusion but have not had that again. I am due for my 6th Zometa infusion on Monday Hopefully you may experience the same thing. Best wishes ❤️
I had flu like symptoms after my first infusion & my Dr lowered the dose. No problems after that. Hope this helps.
The infusions definitely get better over time. I recall that I had the symptoms you described in my first few infusions too. Claritin and water really help with the achiness.
I had Zometa infusions monthly for the first year of MBC treatment. I now have the infusions quarterly and have had little discomfort. I have added a daily Claritin and have seen a big difference.
I also had flu like symptoms on Zometa for 24 hours, I told my Oncologist and she switched me to Xgeva. OMG so much better no side effects. My Oncologist said that Zometa has more side effects with fever and bone pain than Xgeva. I would check with your Oncologist if you can change to Xgeva. Also instead of the infusion it’s an injection so much better.
Goodmorning I had my first Round of Zometa in July had flu like symptoms for two days. Now im wondering if this is causing fatigue and pain in my hip joints. I have been told the same thing about the drink water and taking Claritin advil or Tylenol before you get the infusion. Prayers you don't have anymore problems.
I think you have received all great advice on Zometa. I read about most of the suggestions and first tried asking for a slower drip. My amazing treatment nurse slowed it to 45 minutes and that helped enough that I didn’t try anything else except hydrating which I do daily anyway. I think you will find something to help here! Good luck!
I am sensitive to medications. My onc added IV fluids to my Zometa treatment. The nurse starts the fluids while she is waiting on the Zometa to be delivered to her. Then she switches to the Zometa and finishes with the rest of the IV fluids. It takes time for all that, but it is worth it. It did get a little better when I started Claritin 5 days before treatment.
Cowgirl1951, our treatments are pretty much the same, IV saline fluid & a Claritin & Tylenol about 15 minutes prior to the Zometa drip which takes 45 minutes & then another 15 minute saline flush. Then I will take a Claritin the next morning. This works for me, no feelings of the flu after. I get the Zometa quarterly now.
Aunt C, My IV fluids are over a couple of hours. I get a large bag of fluids. I don't feel bad the day of but the next day I feel bad for a week. I have started the Claritin which does help some.❤
I'm glad the Claritin helps. It seems we all react differently to the meds.
l had that only with the first treatment. I now take 2 Tylenol and make sure I am well hydrated and they slowed the drip. No side effects now. Theresa
We are all so different. I didn't know about hydration, Claritin, slowing the drip. I had flu symptoms for a full month after the first injection, so she switched me to Xgeva, was on it two years. Wiped out all the bone mets (if it was the Xgeva, not the Ibrance + fulvestrant), but then I got ONJ. Not worth it.
Hello
What did you do for your ONJ and how is that working now?
Mike B
Had to have surgery to cut out the dead bone (necrotic). Along with the jaw bone came 3 teeth on upper right and one on upper left, and the bottom of the sinus. Periodontist stitched soft tissue over the bottom of the sinus, instead of the jaw bone. I am getting a removable denture. They can't attach anything to the bone because...well, it isn't there.
This did not work out well.
Make sure they use saline prior and after and that it is slow. Your treatment should not be less than 45 mins. 400 mg. I dirnk lemon water after too to cleanse my liver and kidneys. I try to stay away from Ibuprofen or other pharma drugs as our treatments are bad enough on our kidneys and liver. I use a lot of eseential oils that really help and are not toxic. Pepperment for the feet and hands and headaches. Lavender for clam, ginger for heart and nausa, etc. Hope that helps!
I've had Zometa infusions for 2 yrs now. When I first took it I would get flu like symptoms. I dont rememberwhen they stopped. But the bone pain is very painful. My whole spine would ache. I would be out of commission for a week. I got a new Oncologist who told me to take Claritin the day of and at least 5 days afterwards and it would help with the pain. Doesn't work for my allergies, but does help with my pain. I'm good after2 days but I continue the 5 days after the infusion. I also have Granix injections , 3, right before my infusion that cause similar pain. So I take Claritin 2 days before the injections and take it for a total of 10 days. It took me a yr and half before I tried it. I'm glad it works for me.
Thanks everyone.
It went much better this time. Per my ONC I took Benadryl instead of Claritin. Started taking the Benadryl the day before. I took ibuprofen before and after the infusion. Did 15 min of saline drip then 30 min of Zometa and another 15 of saline. Drank lots of water before, during and after. Was wiped out and slept for 15+ hours but felt pretty good after that. Significantly better than the 1st treatment.
Thanks again for all of your advice!
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