Zometa and side effects

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jap
jap Member Posts: 172
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I just had my first infusion with Zometa to reduce my chances of the cancer coming back.  Wow, am I having a rough time -- aching all over and my stomach feeling terrible -- for five days now.  I am slowly getting better but wonder if I should ever take it again.  Would like to hear from others who have taken it.  How long did your symptoms last and what did you do about them?

Thanks,

Jo Anne

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited January 2010

    I had side effects the first time - which is common .  But not the second time - which is also common.

    The first time I was a little fluey for 24 hours and then I just felt vaguely unwell for a few more days.

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  • jap
    jap Member Posts: 172
    edited January 2010

    Thanks everyminute,

    I seemd to have a more difficult time -- I had the infusion on Monday and although I feel better today (Sat.) my stomach  still is "sour" and I ache in myjoints.  I wonder if they gave me too much.  I would really like to take it again in six monthes but dread the SEs.

    Jo Anne

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  • knowledgeforpower
    knowledgeforpower Member Posts: 184
    edited January 2010

    I took Claritan to prevent the bone pain from Neulasta.  I am in the bisphosphate trial and received Zometa once a month for six months.  I asked if I could try Claritan and was told it was OK.  I took a Claritan the morning of and the evening of infusion and then once a day for about three days.  I also made sure I drank lots of water the day before, the day of, and the day after the infusion.  I had no side effects. Don't know if it was the Calritan or the water.  I am now receiving Zometa once every three months for 2.5 years and I will keep up with my same plan. 

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  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited January 2010

    Hi Joanne,

    I have had 3 infusions of Zometa and had the flu like symptoms the first time only.  I would suggest that you ask them to give it to you slower and to give you fluids with your infusion.  I know the slower infusion makes a big difference for a lot of people.

    Good luck!

    Tracy

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  • nene2059
    nene2059 Member Posts: 270
    edited January 2010

    I have not had Zometa, because my onc thought it was too soon in the studies to put me on it but I had a bone density after my ooph and was put on Boniva by my gyn.  I have taken it once and had a rough couple of days with it as well.  Fine now.  I think now that the bone density shows I need a bisphosphonate my onc will revisit Zometa with me.  I see him on Jan 21.  My question to you all is did you oncs put you on it just as a recurrence preventative (was it their idea) or for that reason and something else that was going on like your bone density?  Trying to decide how much I should push to switch to it.  Good luck Joanne with the Zometa I hope things go better the next time around and your body has adjusted. 

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited January 2010

    nene,

    This was posted on another thread. Please read. I have been on Zometa 4mg 2x year since July 2008. I have my 4th infusion on Wednesday. First infusion, little se's aches , chills. A Tylenol helped with everything. All my other infusions, nothing.

    My onc put it on me to help prevent recurrence AND to help with any bone loss due to ovarian suppression.

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/746308?page=1#idx_19

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  • jap
    jap Member Posts: 172
    edited January 2010

    Hi,

    I am still having trouble post-Zometa infusion (almost two weeks ago).  Aches and pain have subsided but my stomach still feels terrible-- especially first thing in the morning and other times when it is empty.   Antiacids help but don't last very long.  Not getting much help from infusion nurse (it isn't suppose to last that long), Nurse (I know of a few cases which were worse),  or oncologist (if it doesn't get in a week maybe we will do a some tests -- haven't heard of cases that last that long).

    I am getting a little panicky.  Has anyone heard of people having lingering problems with Zometa?

    Thanks,

    Jo Anne 

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