Arimidex and Zometa

LM070917

Just wondering if anyone else has been prescribed Zometa to protect bone density and reduce recurrence whilst taking Arimidex (or aother aromatase inhibitor) and what side effects you had?

I had my first intravenous Zometa two weeks ago and will have it administered every 6 months. I've heard one of the worst side effects is necrosis of the jaw, has anyone suffered from this? It sounds very scary and I hear the risk increases the longer you take it. I'm happy to take it for a year or so, but reluntant to take it for 5 or so years (same as Arimidex) due to this.

Grazy

Lottemarine - I've just begun Arimidex and will be starting Zometa in about 6-8 weeks apparently. Did you have any side effects after your first infusion?

I have a letter from my MO to deliver to my dentist advising that I will be going on Zometa so that proper monitoring will be put in place at her end. Instead of visits every six months to my dental hygienist, I will go 3-4 times per year to keep a watchful eye on things while on this drug.

LM070917

Hey Grazy, I found the day after the Zometa infusion I had quite bad muscular pain/body aches and a headache. Symptoms that resembled the flu really, but by the third day they had disappeared. I'm now two weeks in and feel like all side effects related to zometa have disappeared, which is great. Hopefully it will go smoothly for you as well. Let us know how you get on. Good idea about the dentist and regular visits. I had an appointment today with my dentist and he advised from what he has seen, people tend to develop jaw necrosis during teeth extraction, when the gum is exposed and it struggles to heal. He said if people keep up dental hygiene then this should reduce the risk.

Grazy

Thanks for your message, Lottemarine. Your symptoms are what my MO indicated I might expect - "flu-like symptoms". Good to hear they were short-lived for you. I still have to start rads (simulation is this Friday), so from what I understand, I'll begin Zometa afterward (not sure of the timing, if it was just coincidental that my MO said 6-8 weeks, but that should coincide with the conclusion of four weeks of RT). I'll post here for sure after I've had my first Zometa infusion.

BethL

I'm on arimidex and I am taking prolia as an injection every 6 months mostly because of the decrease risk of recurrence.Not sure why one over the other. Think they're similar, but not sure I got my first dose in February, have side effects from arimidex but so far ok