Zometa

JustJean

Just started on Zometa and would like to discuss side effects and how this drug affects us.

JJ

JustJean

Okay, so I had my first IV 10 days ago. Didn't feel bad the rest of the day but woke up the next day just somehow feeling foggy and just "not right". I worked that day and am amazed that things went as well as they did with my head feeling so full of cotton wool.

The second full day I started "just not feeling well" and by the next day (a Monday) I called off work with weakness and a fever and fatigue and loss of appetite. I was out of work all week! I went out yesterday for a couple of hours to attend a graduation party and was totally fatigued after just sitting on a picnic bench in the shade for an hour.

I am going to work tomorrow. I finally feel well enough to go back. I hope it goes ok.

Anyone else have these sorts of things?

JJ

Kessala

I was started on Zometa back in 2005 because I had bone mets. The day after my first Zometa infusion I had shaking chills, a fever, body aches and a general feeling of having influenza. I didn't feel well. The following day I was back to normal.

That was the last time I reacted to Zometa like that. I had monthly Zometa infusions for a couple years and never again experienced a sick day like that again.

Your reaction to your first Zometa infusion is totally normal. Future infusions shouldn't bother you like that.

Kessala

JustJean

Hi Kessala,

Thanks so much for that information. I hope my future experience mirrors yours and that my next infusion has little to no side effects. I was thinking that I would have to delay it because I have vacation plans which I am NOT going to spend ill from Zometa!

Anyone else?

JJ

AnimalCrackers

Hi JustJean,

I got terribly ill from my first Zometa infusion. Fever, chills, nausea, vomiting. AWFUL! The nurse suggested I have a slower drip so we went from 15 minutes (the first time) to 30 minutes the second time and I was fine. I continued to have the 30 minute drips until 1 time during a snow storm I wanted to make a train home so we did 15 minutes again - and yes I got sick again. Not as bad as the first time but still pretty ill. Next time back to 30 minutes and back to being fine.

I've heard from many people that the first Zometa infusion is the worst and then it gets better after. I didn't take a chance and just asked for the slower drip. Since I got sick again when I dropped back to 15 minutes that one time I just stick with the 30 minutes now.

Cathy

Hopeful82014

Hullo, Jean - Sorry you had such a rough time of it the first time.

I had my 1st infusion a couple of weeks ago (30 minute infusion rate). My experience was very similar to Kessala's, above. I had infusion, felt fine, went on to my MRI, no problems, felt fine the rest of the day. I felt a bit fuzzy the next day and then mid-to late afternoon got the chills, etc., badly. I cancelled plans to attend an evening workshop, climbed into bed with hot tea, my heating pad and a book at 6PM. I could hardly get my contact lenses out as my hands were shaking so hard from the chills. The next day I was completely, totally fine. Oddly, an old fracture that still aches quit hurting for about a day after the infusion - it was nice while it lasted.

My MO did advise taking 500mg. Tylenol both before and after, which I did although I usually avoid Tylenol. Also advised heavy hydration before and after, as did friends who are on it. Said friends all said that the first time is usually the worst and after a few it's pretty much a non-event, as long as one hydrates very well.

I hope this helps a bit. Good luck next time, and enjoy your vacation!

RMlulu

JJ - the first one is the hardestone...hard hit flu like...crawl in bed and pray it goes away, but subsequent infusions no problems. Hydrate well and take tynenol pride, but really the first time is ugh.

So you've gotten through the bad...future infusions will be fine.

(((Hugs)))

Cindy

Anonymous

Hi Ladies,

I had my first Zometa IV a week ago today, and the next morning I woke at 4 am with a high fever (over 102), chills and headache. I was very tired all day also. The second day I had the same symptoms, but not as severe. The third day I was fine. I thought it was a virus, until I read what all of you wrote. I never called oncology because nobody warned me of any of these side effects. I was more concerned about infection, as I had LD flap reconstruction just 5 weeks ago. I did call my PS when I had the fever and he had me come see him to make sure I didn't have signs of an infection.

Has anyone else experienced joint pain? I woke this AM with pain at the nap of my neck and in one hand and arm.

ChiSandy

I am scheduled for Zometa infusion 8/4.....and I have to play an outdoor concert up in Milwaukee the morning of the 6th. It’s a paid, not a busking, gig, so I hate to have to cancel and make my singing partner travel out from Madison and do the whole 3 hrs. solo (though I’m sure he wouldn’t mind getting the whole fee rather than splitting it). I really do need--before I leave for 10 days in Italy next week--try to get my MO to agree to Prolia instead. There is a way Prolia (via their Prolia Plus program) can navigate the paperwork maze to get Medicare Part B approval (as a “treatment” administered at the chemo suite) rather than have it kicked over to Part D as a “drug” (because it’s injectable and not via I.V., my MO’s nurse could give me the shot at their office).....which “drug” my cheap-ass Part D carrier (in)Humana Enhanced(interrogation) won’t put in its formulary. Prolia’s fever-and-achy-bones effects are milder (or absent), it doesn’t cause horizontal femur fractures the way Zometa (and its alter ego Reclast) have been increasingly shown to do), and is better at preventing bone mets. Unfortunately, it’s $5K/shot, whereas Zometa is much cheaper. (Not crazy about wasting one of my few remaining good veins in my non-LE arm on an I.V. either).

Anonymous

ChiSandy, Thanks for the good info on Zometa/Prolia. Let us know how it goes for you.