Zometa

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pupmom
pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Hi friends,

Is Zometa considered chemo? I'm getting my first infusion Thursday. I know it works in the bones, but am not sure how it is classified. My MO said to take Advil and Benadryl before treatment. Apparently it can cause fever and flu like symptoms. Do these last long? Anything else I should expect and prepare myself for?

Thanks! 

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  • annemoloney
    annemoloney Member Posts: 54
    edited December 2011

    I get Zometa once a month(along with my Taxol which I get 3 times a month)...have had no side effects from the Zometa - I always get an anti-nausea med and a benedryl and a steroid - each time for chemo - before the chemo med or the Zometa.....started all this 8/31/11.  Early Dec. PET scan showed that there was some strengthening of the bones(all bones between neck and pelvis have cancer in them).....hopefully you, too, won't have any reaction to the Zometa - other than it's ungodly cost !!

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  • alex56
    alex56 Member Posts: 136
    edited December 2011

    I don't think Zometa is considered a chemo in the way Taxol is chemo.  It's a biphosphonate to strengthen your bones.  I get it once a month too. My first infusion was a bear - fever, vomiting, chills, joint pain, headache.  But the subsequent treatments were uneventful.  Drink as much water as you can before, during and after your treatment along with the other stuff your doctor suggested.  If you have a reaction to the first infusion, hang in there because the stuff really does work.  I have widespread mets but have had no progression since I started Zometa and my bone density is normal.  Best of luck with your treatment!

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2011

    Thanks alex, that is good to know!

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2011

    Great to know how effective this stuff is! Will hang in no matter what. I plan to drink a gallon or more of water throughout treatment. I'll update you about how it goes. Best wishes to you alex!

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  • Romans8
    Romans8 Member Posts: 59
    edited December 2011

    I have been on monthly Zometa for at least 12 months now. I really do not have any side effects, I have extensive bone mets and they have become stable and some bones were cancer free. My oncologist ortho surgeon was pleased with what he saw on xray. So i think Zometa is very beneficial for the bones.

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited December 2011

    I have very few side effects from zometa. I was also getting with chemo and thought I had absolutely no side effects, but I had a treatment after I was done with chemo and I was slightly achy, not sure if it was the zometa!

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2011

    That's incredible news Romans8! Zometa sounds awesome!

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2011

    Got my first dose yesterday. So far I can say I don't feel any bad side effects. I am somewhat tired, but that's it. I did take Benadryl and Advil before treatment. Also, I've been on Aromasin for 8 days and no SEs from that also. But I think it may take longer for hormonal SEs to kick in.

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  • gps
    gps Member Posts: 25
    edited December 2011

    My mom takes it as well - i remember her feeling very cold - chills are apparently a common side effect - also she seemed to have some finger pain (in the aftermath) - but these do not seem to last for days or weeks.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2011

    I did feel somewhat cold right after treatment. I didn't know if it was the room or me. And there is some achiness right now. But it's not anything that I would associate with the flu. Feels more like a really rigorous workout, which I rarely now do, but have in the past.

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  • cheryl1946
    cheryl1946 Member Posts: 1,308
    edited December 2011

    I had my first zometa infusion in Oct and felt awful for a few days after; terrible body aches,waves of nausea,felt like a bad flu.

    I had one half dose for second infusion;no problems.

    This month had another full dose and just had minor achiness. I did take ibuprofen before.

    I can't really hydrate because of bladder issues;I'd be peeing all over myself and the floor.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2011

    So sorry you had that bad reaction. I know many people do. Maybe the meds ahead of time helped me. My doctor ordered them and the treatment people give them to you if you didn't have them before hand.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited December 2011
    Starting to definitely feel like I have the flu. Hope it's a brief reaction.  Been 22 1/2 hours since the infusion. Frown
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  • rengeko
    rengeko Member Posts: 114
    edited January 2012

    is there anything one can take that will alleviate some of those SE?  i know people use claritin for neupogen shots-maybe there's something similar?

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2012

    Rengeko, how long have you been having SEs? Mine only lasted 2 days and are completey gone now. I've heard they may come and go. Don't know how to alleviate them. If mine had lasted I would have been asking my doc for something.

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  • alex56
    alex56 Member Posts: 136
    edited January 2012

    Zofran helps with the nausea.  I haven't used it in a long time thank goodness.  For me, the pros of Zometa far outweigh the cons.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited January 2012

    I have had NO problems since the first short episode a day after my treatment. I'm hoping this doesn't mean the drug isn't working! It was kind of comforting to feel the SEs, although they were unpleasant, and know that Zometa was doing its job.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited January 2012

    I've had one infusion of another bisphosphonate, Aredia. My onc said flu like symptoms may occur with first dose but most are fine with subsequent doses. I had body aches but nothing major. I take daily Claritan for allergies so that might have helped. My next infusion is 1/19 so I hope it goes just as well. This class of drugs is not considered chemo. Hope you continue to do well.

    Caryn

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