Zometa

Gardeness

Interesting how I "found" this site. I was looking for a new cancer Dr. I read many of your posts and was curious if anyone has been using zometa? I discovered my cancer mets to many places in my body this last Feb and the docs want me on zometa. I discovered a week later before going on it I had an abcessed tooth. Since then I have had my root canal teeth removed and am really concerned with the side affects I have been told about by the dentist and oral surgeon. What is the lesser of two evils? Bone cancer in spine, pelvic and loads of other bones or necrosis of the jaw????

trigeek

gard I am on twice year zometa as a preventive measure and for osteopenia,  in the past I had a lot of dental problems (have 2 implants, 1 bridges and several root canals) myunderstanding was that the danger is to have any dental procedures after the zometa infusions..

Gardeness

trigeek, the protocol for me will be monthly infusions. I am a bit wary as the dentist and oral surgeon have suggested even a scratch on the gum can lead to necrosis. I was hoping to hear of some long time users to see what they have experienced,

nash

Gardeness, I just started Zometa twice a year for bone mets prevention. My late Stage IV mom was on monthly Zometa for several years and never had any jaw problems, but she didn't have major dental work done either.

I was just at my dentist for a cleaning, and they made note of the Zometa use and said it is a potential issue. Also when I had my Zometa infusion last week, the nurse asked if I had any dental work other than cleaning planned.

So I understand your concern, and the only advice I can offer is to try posting your question over on the Stage IV board, where you'll probably get more responses from girls who are on a montly dose.

Seabee

I've been on Fosamax for years, which also involves this possible side effect, though it is rare. I had to have two teeth pulled and a bridge put in recently, so as a precaution I  took a vacation from Fosamax.  However, both of these  teeth were uppers, and I believe necrosis is  associated with the JAW  (or lower teeth). In any case I had no problem. I think it's unlikely that you'll get necrosis, but you already have mets, so I'd deal with the fact rather than worrying about a  remote possibility.

Gardeness

Nash, Thanks for the info. I am new to this site and the info is quite extensive

Seabee, thank you for your opinion, however, what I have found in this 2 year journey, is haste makes waste, and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The onc Drs do not have my confidence.

Anonymous

   I have seen more posts on zometa today than I have the entire time I  have been on this message board.....not that long, but for several months now.  Anyway, I have been on it once a month via IV since Aug 02 and was on Pamidramant before that.  No jaw problems and I do think it helped keep my bone mets from going other places and for sure helped with my bone pain.

ddlatt

this is another thread about women who have taken zometa and developed ONJ:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topic/709366 

Seabee

 Gardeness--Sorry if I gave you the impression that I thought you shouldn't be concerned about the possible risks of Zometa. Of course you should. My point was just that this is a typical risk/benefit issue.  Necrosis is a very bad side effect, but it is also very rare, so the unlikely possibility that it will affect you has be be weighed against the possible benefit of Zometa for a condition that already exists.

Gitane

This may have been discussed elsewhere, and if it has I hope someone can help me find it.  I have been wondering if anyone has heard of having Zometa more frequently than every 6 months to prevent mets, like every 3 months.  Where did they get the every 6 month protocol? I know that in stage 4 where bone mets exist already it is prescribed monthly, but what about other indications?

lexislove

"They" got the 6 month protocol from the study to date. I have heard of every 3 months as well, but I think it is still up in the air. Stage 4 woman with bone mets would get it monthly.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/588158

Gitane

Thanks lesixlove,  I'd read this, and it does sound like they are following the protocol from this study.  I'd heard about the every 3 months and wondered about it.  Looks like many more of us are being treated with it now.  I get my third infusion next month.  Do you know how many years or how many infusions we will probably get?

lexislove

I just had my 3rd infusion on July 6. As far as I know...I will be getting it for 3 years (2x / year). Thats what the study was.

Remember though...Zometa has a very, very long shelf life. I heard that it stays in your system for at least 10 years. So when we do stop the infusions, we will still be getting the benefit for many years to come. Or unless new studies show differently.

Mazy1959

Hi Gard,

I have taken Zometa monthly since feb 2007. The only side effect I have from it is that I am really tired the day I take it. I have mets in the 5th lumbar vertebrae and when it was first found, the bone was like swiss cheese. The zometa healed my bone in 9 months. I also take Aromasin and is credited with shrinking my tumor til it can no longer be seen.

A few months ago I had to have an emergency extraction of a molar. I had just had my regular Zometa infusion a week before. After the extraction I skipped 2 treatments and my onc and I considered skipping another but we decided I should take it. My scans and bloodwork have all been great and we decided not to mess with success. Jaw necrosis isnt a nice thing to have but I'll take that any day over more cancer. Zometa has been proven to help prevent further mets. I am a huge fan since it has served me well.

Hugs, Mazy