IBS and Osteoporosis drugs.

[jimister]

Has anyone had Zoledronic acid infusion for Osteoporosis,and developed IBS symptoms afterwards. I never had it before, and it started a few months after that. I don't get constipation or diarrhoea it's just lots of cramping abdominal pain made worse after I eat.

[MyStar86]

the infusion contains mannitol which can upset some people hopefully it will wear off for you after a couple of months as I have a long history of bowel issues so the infusion destroyed my guts. I don’t think it effects everyone but it’s usually the mannitol if it does.

Hope it eases you could try antispasmodic meds like buscopan or Mebeverine to see if they help as they are available over the counter and maybe try and blander diet for a while. Good luck

[jimister in reply to MyStar86]

I had the infusion 9 months ago. My whole digestive system seems much worse since I had this drug. Even though they say the infusion should not cause the problems the oral medication causes. I think it does, especially if you already have digestive issues. It seems to provoke it more.

[MyStar86 in reply to jimister]

I hate to say it but I have to agree the first one I had was awful it did improve but then it was time for my second infusion and the impact was 100x worse than the first one on my guts it’s been awful I have to take antisickness meds daily ever since my first infusion as well. There isn’t much we can do about it either because once the infusion is in there it’s in there……I think it’s less bad than the pills but still not good for people with digestive issues sorry I can’t give positive news on it but you can decide if you want the next infusion I guess. I only had the second infusion because my dexa scores had improved a lot and my rib fractures had healed whilst on the infusion so I decided to carry on with it thinking the side effects would be less second time round but I was very wrong however I’ve had a lot of breaks and only 36 so the pain of breaking all my ribs in multiple places from falling out of a hospital bed is enough to keep me on the infusions but I will be paying for a private dexa at the end of this year to see if the 3rd infusion is worth it based on my y scores xx

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

Hi I noticed your post regarding zoledrolic acid and stomach issues. I had the infusion recently and ibs symptoms started up straight after. How long did it take for your symptoms to resolve?

[MyStar86 in reply to Calmlake]

Mine took about 6-8months if not more unfortunately but I have massive bowel issues just waiting for surgery to have my colon removed but that’s nothing to do with the osteoporosis meds the infusion just made my symptoms much worse.

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

Thanks for your reply. Did the infusion ibs symptoms go away completely?

[MyStar86 in reply to Calmlake]

No not completely I was stuck with bowel issues I found it was the mannitol that’s in the infusion that affected me as it gave me really bad loose bowel issues

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

Ok thanks for replying. Did you have ibs before the infusion? Ive been told once it goes into the bones it will resolve. Ive had ibs for a long time so this feeling is not new for me but I was expecting this infusion to bypass my stomach.

[MyStar86 in reply to Calmlake]

Yes I’ve got longterm bowel issues I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2015 so I’ve always had bowel issues but I opted for the infusion in the hope it wouldn’t impact my guts but it definitely did. I didn’t have my 3rd infusion this year as I didn’t want the side effects again as I felt they made me worse longterm

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

Thanks for your reply. My issue is constipation with ibs which is why I didn't want to take the tablets. All the best.

[MyStar86 in reply to Calmlake]

I used to take a capful of milk of magnesia at bedtime and then I would always go like clockwork in the morning. You can buy it over the counter in any chemist or pharmacy and I found it really effective it’s worth a try to see if it helps you might need more than a cap but the instructions are on the bottle. Take care

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

Thank you. I'm using fibrogel but think i need to just use half a packet intead of a whole one. I used to go really well before this infusion.

[MyStar86 in reply to Calmlake]

Are you taking calcium tablets? Certain tyres of calcium can cause constipation…..it’s worth looking into as I never needed to supplement whilst on the infusions and calcium is awful for the guts. You could try a magnesium supplement they help a lot of people xx

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

No I am not because when I did they did make me constipated. I get my calcium from diet and take vitamin d.I have really been settled with my ibs recently and so this has brought it all back. I am encouraged by you saying things improved for you as time went on. I really want to be back in my regular pattern again re bowels.

Thank you again

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

Hi Just wondered if you could share how you got your required calcium levels with diet? With ibs c the calcium supplements cause griping bloating and constipation for me.

Thank you

[MyStar86 in reply to Calmlake]

Hi, I drink a litre of unsweetened almond milk a day which gives me 150% of my needed calcium and vitamin D and that’s always been enough to keep my blood levels well within the healthy range. I know everyone is different but I’ve never needed to supplement and when I did I found it just upset my system xx

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

Thank you. I use dairy and sardines.I am just under 2 weeks from the infusion and taking fibogel for the constipation bloating and griping.

It has been a rough past week and just want things to go back to normal now.

Thanks again

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

I am.also wondering if the mannitol has affected me

[MyStar86 in reply to Calmlake]

Mannitol is a laxative so I don’t think that it’s affecting you if you have constipation but hopefully the symptoms will ease it just does take months not weeks unfortunately sorry I can’t give better news but it will improve it will just take time xx

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

Thank you. I appreciate that. You take care too.

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

I'm also thinking about trying buscopan. Used colpermin in the past but that sets off indigestion.

[MyStar86 in reply to Calmlake]

Buscopan will slow down your guts as it makes constipation worse so I would be careful using those as you need the waves to go to the loo if you stop them it will block you up more xx

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

What would be an alternative to buscopan?

[MyStar86 in reply to Calmlake]

It’s difficult with constipation it would be best to talk to your gp as all the anti spasmodic drugs like Buscopan are not helpful to constipation so I don’t know what they would recommend. Do you have a really high fibre diet? There is a user on here that knows a lot about constipation I’ll try and find the name so you can message them as they are writting a research piece on it it xx

[MyStar86 in reply to MyStar86]

The name is xjrs

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

Thanks for your reply. I try to not over do fibre with my ibs. Thanks again for your help.

[MyStar86 in reply to Calmlake]

The only thing is fibre is what you need to help the constipation you could try basic things like wheetabix or porridge, figs always used to help me go as well but you really do need fibre to help with your guts along with loads of fluids. Definitely try your gp, have you seen a gastro to have tests done as it sounds like you need some investigations done to find out what’s actually wrong xx

[Calmlake in reply to MyStar86]

I was diagnosed with ibs years ago but have been able to manage it over the years. The alendrolic acid tablets set it off a few years ago and now the zoledrolic acid infusion has done the same.

[MyStar86 in reply to Calmlake]

The name is xjrs

[justmyluck]

Z Acid or what they call Zometa, is administered to prevent osteoporosis that is due to taking Anastrozole. In the first few times it feels like you have the flu for a few days together with upset stomach and nausea but over time it stops as the body gets used to it. It took me 5-6 times (twice a year) until I got used to it then it stopped affecting me. I had my last shot in April this year as in August I will stop the anastrozole for good and hopefully will never need it again 🙏

[grandylynda]

I have had IBS for years,. Have had 2 zolandronic infusions now. No affect on IBS at all and no adverse reactions. Maybe I have just been lucky but I think all these things are individual

[Calmlake in reply to grandylynda]

Hi I noticed in your comment you had had 2 zoledronic infusions and that you have ibs. Do you have ibs c? I have just had one infusion recently and it has set off my ibs constipation bloating and griping. I thought it bypassed the stomach.

[grandylynda in reply to Calmlake]

Think I may have forgotten to actually send reply earlier. Ibs d and not affected by infusions which are intravenous.

[Calmlake in reply to grandylynda]

Thanks for your reply. So no griping with the infusions?

[Calmlake]

Hi I have recently had a zoledronic acid infusion and straight after had ibs symptoms. How long did it take your symptoms to resolve ?

[Calmlake]

Hi after a recent zoledrolic acid infusion my ibs symptoms of constipation bliating and griping have been set off. I just wondered how long it took for your stomach problems to resolve after the infusion? Thank you