zometa

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  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 1,108
    edited October 2014

    For those of you getting Zometa, did your docs recommend it mainly for bone loss or did they also mention that it might have a small chance of preventing bone mets? That was the case for me and I switched from Prolia because of the 3% chance of reduction risk for bone mets that was mentioned at the time. Since then, there have been studies stating this is not the case after all - that it does not in fact help prevent bone mets. But my MO still says it does. I have osteoporosis which is probably genetic. If there is no real difference between Prolia and Zometa don't really want to continue taking zometa because of the time it takes for the infusion. Plus it burns when first starting the drip. Prolia is just a simple shot in the doctor's office. What are your thoughts? Has anyone considered doing Prolia or read any studies that say one is better than the other?

    Also, what is the dosage you get each time and how often?

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited October 2014

    bc101, 

    My MO was reluctant to give me Zometa. She said the jury was still out, and it is not standard of care.  I had read the articles about it preventing mets in bones, & I was willing to pay for it out of pocket if insurance would not. I had a infusion in April, I will get my 2nd dose tomorrow. 

    I figure its a crap shoot. Same as chemo, you have no idea if it will work or not. I do not know the dosage, I will ask tomorrow. The plan is to get it every 6 months for 3 years. 

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  • auroaya200882
    auroaya200882 Member Posts: 942
    edited October 2014

    I've been getting Zometa for 11 months now and will continue getting it monthly, I too have read the articles portraying zometa to act on bone mets and in my case it has worked! Last year I was diagnosed with mets to the bones in multiple parts and right now in my last scan it shows stable no progression. I also take arimidex but my onc said the zometa is helping because the bones show improvement.

    Aurora

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  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 1,108
    edited October 2014

    Aurora - that's awesome! Thanks for posting and best of luck to you!

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  • MomMom
    MomMom Member Posts: 523
    edited October 2014


    Aurora - What fantastic news!!  So happy that Zometa is working so well for you. 

    My MO agrees with yours bc101 that it will help prevent bone mets by 3%.  Since I have aggressive triple negative, every little bit helps.  I have my first Zometa infusion Nov 6.  As I posted earlier, my insurance will most likely only pay for one per year, so I will pay $350 out of pocket  for the second one.  MO recommended this treatment for 2 years. 

    It sounds like Zometa is tolerated fairly well.  Have those of you on it had any significant SEs?

    Thanks,  Paula

     

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  • jobur
    jobur Member Posts: 726
    edited October 2014

    Mommom-   I have been receiving Zometa for the last 3 months for bone mets.  Just checked my EOB and my insurance is being charged $1300 for the generic Zolendric Acid and $300 for the drip.  After adjustment they pay the provider around $1300 per infusion.  I know charges can vary widely from place to place, but you may want to check with the billing folks at your onc's office.  I have found the onc's themselves sometimes are way off on what they think treatments cost.  When I was unsure about whether or not my insurance would cover onco-dx testing, my doc told me the testing was around $400.  It was actually $4000!  Hoping it really is $350 for you, but it might pay to double check.

    Aurora- I am on the same treatment right now as you, Arimidex and Zometa.  So happy to hear you have had such good results!  How long did it take before your scans showed no progression?  I will get my 1st scan since dx & tx in a few weeks.

    Regarding se's from Zometa, I still have not managed to sort out what is causing what, but I will agree with other posters that hydration seems to be the key with this treatment.  My first 2 treatments I was given a saline drip while I waited for the Z and did not feel too bad afterward.  This last time I went to a different care center and just got the Zometa with no saline drip before and felt like crap afterwards.  I will definitely be paying more attention to hydrating myself properly before and after my next treatment.  Also, I agree that the slower the drip, the less se's experienced.

    Has anyone felt their jaw joint popping since getting Zometa?  It may be unrelated, but I have been having this for the last few months since starting tx.  Not painful, just irritating as it pops constantly when I am chewing.

    Jo

     

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  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 1,108
    edited October 2014

    I'm switching insurance plans next  year. Sure hope I don't run into paying too much.

    Ok, I finally found a study that supports the use of zometa as prevention for bone mets:

    http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/106/11/dju2...

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited October 2014

    bc101, 

    Thanks, just what I needed to read before I head  to the chemo lab for my Zometa infusion. 

    I am wondering what the differences are between IV infusions & oral pills....

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  • Momof3GreatKids
    Momof3GreatKids Member Posts: 303
    edited October 2014

    my insurance is covering the Zometa infusions twice a year. I am lucky!  

    As far as how you feel the 2nd infusion I had about a month ago was much better than the first!  I also drank lots of water a couple days before and the day of infusion also which I did not do the first time. 

    Good luck to everyone! 

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  • MomMom
    MomMom Member Posts: 523
    edited October 2014


    Jobur, Thanks for the feedback.  I've copied your post re the cost and will forward to the billing person in my MO's office, just to triple check.  She's checked twice now and assures me my cost will be around $350.  She was surprised that anyone would be charged several thousand as it is now generic??  But who knows as medical billing is SO messed up and seems to vary even within a locale, let alone in a different state.

    Jobur, not to alarm you at all, but you might want to have that jaw pain checked out just to make certain you have no serious issue.  I had to get an OK from my dentist for my MO to consider me for Zometa as there is a rare but small percentage of patients who experience necrosis of the jaw which is a serious side effect.  She would not give it to me if there was any impending dental work, eg, crown, root canal, as those types of conditions would make one more susceptible to the necrosis. 

    Thanks for the tip to stay well hydrated.  It sounds crucial.

     

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  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 1,108
    edited October 2014

    momof3 - I had the same experience - the 2nd time was much easier, mainly because I read here to drink lots of water. It works!  

    My MO said not to worry about jaw necrosis because it doesn't usually happen in the low dosages like I'm getting. Sure hope he's right!

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  • MomMom
    MomMom Member Posts: 523
    edited October 2014


    Jobur,  I triple checked with the billing person from my MO's office and have cut & pasted her reply below.  It should not cost anyone thousands of dollars, although Medicare is my primary - don't  know if that makes a difference, but don't think it should.

    "The Zometa infusion (drug+ administration) will be less than $400 per treatment.  That is a recalculation with the new prices for the 4th quarter.  Medicare's fee schedules are actually publicly available, so you can see the price for the drug here:
    http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Part-B-Drugs/McrPartBDrugAvgSalesPrice/2014ASPFiles.html
    The dosage for Zoledronic acid can be either 5mg or 4mg. 

    The administration charges are about $82.  The Medicare fee schedules for administration charges are not as easily accessible, but I have confirmed this is the correct cost for the 4th quarter.

    Let me know if you have any further questions.    

     

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  • susan3
    susan3 Member Posts: 3,728
    edited October 2014

    I am on chemo every 21 days and zometa added every other .....the combo knocks me for a loop for a week....when I feel good I feel real good.....don't feel week with bones or anything, and my scans so good strong bones.....if we could just get the cancer gone it would be beautiful :)

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  • MomMom
    MomMom Member Posts: 523
    edited October 2014


    Susan,  Wishing the very best for you.  You are in my thoughts

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited October 2014

    Susan - thinking of you 1,2 pow hope you are feeling better soon.

    Yes, we need a cure! A vaccine so no more BC!

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  • auroaya200882
    auroaya200882 Member Posts: 942
    edited October 2014


    Greetings from Cancun, Mexico! I am visiting my parents here. I will be back in Orlando on Nov. 3rd and will have my Zometa infusion on the 5th, Jo my scans were clean in February of this year which was after taking Arimidex for 7 months and Zometa for 4 months. Its been raining here all week so not much sightseeing but the only sight that matters is seeing my parents. Last year we all thought we wouldnt be seeing each other again on this earth.

    Hope everyone is doing great.

    Aurora

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  • susan3
    susan3 Member Posts: 3,728
    edited October 2014

    jealous!!!!!!!!   Love cancun

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited October 2014

    auroaya, I am also jealous, love the ocean, people there seem very friendly.

    BC101, I had my 2nd Zometa infusion a week ago. It was easier than the first time, but I had night sweats & achy body. I asked about the amount, 4 mg. 

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  • susan3
    susan3 Member Posts: 3,728
    edited October 2014

    holeinone....the zometa hits me harder than the chemo does. I ache so bad I have to take pain pills for a few days.  But it does it's job for right now, and that's what counts.

    Hugs to all

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  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 1,108
    edited October 2014

    Holeiene, love your profile pic, lol! Thanks for checking back with the dosage. That's what mine is, too.

    I was lucky the 2nd time - had no ill side effects whatsoever. I'm glad it's only once every 6 months! Not fun, but if it reverses bone loss and prevents bone mets it will definitely be worth it!

    Happy Halloween everyone!

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited January 2015

    Happy New Year!

    Headed in Friday for Zometa infusion #2!

    Praying that it is a non event. Last time 24 hours in became very rough...so here's for no SEs.

    Fighting bronchitis and don't need any additional discomfort...

    What did Yall experience on continuing infusions?

    Bc101 - I hope your experience is mine.

    (((Hugs)))

    Cindy

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  • Momof3GreatKids
    Momof3GreatKids Member Posts: 303
    edited January 2015

    The 2nd infusion was nothing like the first for me. I even went to work the next day. I wan't 109% but only mild nausea

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited January 2015

    second one was way better than first! Ask them to run the drip slowly and drink water before, during and after! Remember to tinkle beforehand!😱Otherwise you will need to go in the middle! Also take Tylenol beforehand. Good luck!

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  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 1,108
    edited January 2015

    I had no ill effects the 2nd time - I drank lots of water, so maybe that's it. The drip really burned in my vein going in at first, though. Is this common or was it something that the tech does or doesn't do?

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited January 2015

    Bc101, voracious, momof3 - Thank You!

    Didn't want to reschedule due to bronchitis...will take a tynenol & hydrate...slow drip please.

    How have your dex scans gone? Did the Zometa do the job?

    Again, thanks.

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  • Momof3GreatKids
    Momof3GreatKids Member Posts: 303
    edited January 2015

    I have my scan in 3 months so we will have to see then.


    Good luck to you!!!!!

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited January 2015

    i broke bones before Zometa AND I've broken bones since! I'm my orthopedist's favorite patient! When I had my most recent break (my foot), I asked him, "So?" And he replied, had I not had the Zometa infusions, it could have been worse! 😱😱😱😱

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  • MomMom
    MomMom Member Posts: 523
    edited January 2015

    RMlulu, I posted my very positive experience with my first Zometa infusion in November.  It was a complete non-event with only a one minute mild foot cramp that evening.  As others have said, I was sure to hydrate well.  Here's hoping you were able to have the infusion with the bronchitis and that it was SE-free!

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited January 2015

    Thanks Yall! Nice to hear good experiences

    Will hydrate in the morning...with fingers&toes crossed for nonevent:)

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  • susan3
    susan3 Member Posts: 3,728
    edited January 2015

    since I have been on zometa, my bone scans are clear...nodes, not so much, but bones are clear. So as much as I nate zometa, it is working...and I still exercise and my bones are strong. I do hear that slow drip helps. Didn't make a dif fir me...but as long as the bones r clear, we r goo

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