Having my first Zometa infusion today

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finallyoverit
finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
edited June 2017 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

any advice? Tad scared of what to expect.

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited June 2017

    Finally, zometa is usually well tolerated. Not sure what time you will get your iv so may to too late to tell you to drink lots of water the day before. But it is still okay of you havent. And just drink lots of water for the rest of the day after your iv.

    I also always request a 30 minute drip instead of 15 minute because a little slower drip helps me not get a headache as much. I only sometimes get a mild headache and take care of that easily with tylenol. My son lives near the hospital where I get the someta, so I go out to lunch with him after. So you can see, it really is not bad at all. I never had any reaction or trouble with it and have been having them for a humber of years every three months. Good luck.


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  • Husband11
    Husband11 Member Posts: 2,264
    edited June 2017

    My wife did zometa many times as part of a clinical trial. She found the first treatment to be the worst, something like a fever came on. Subsequent treatments have less impact and thus less side effects. I wish you well.

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  • finallyoverit
    finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
    edited June 2017

    thank you for the feedback.. I'll be sure to drink extra water and ask for slow drip.

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  • Groovywilma
    Groovywilma Member Posts: 450
    edited June 2017

    How did it go? I hope all went well. I found zometa to be very manageable. I did it monthly for five years and now I'm quarterly. Wishing you the best on it as well as with your other treatments!

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  • finallyoverit
    finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
    edited June 2017

    Thanks, Groovy. It went ok.. hated the IV, but went as well as it could have. They did put it on a 30 min drip and I also got a Lupron shot. I think this whole stage IV crap has finally hit me. The surreal feeling is fading and I think the reality of the situation as set it. No one should have to deal with this crap, esp at 42. It just sucks... No matter what age we are.

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  • Groovywilma
    Groovywilma Member Posts: 450
    edited June 2017

    You are right. It sucks, no matter what age. I am 42 now, and was diagnosed stage IV when I was 36. One of the hardest parts is that there are so few people who get what we are dealing with. So thank goodness for breastcancer.org! I find so much support here and great information. What other treatments are you on?

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  • mazie73
    mazie73 Member Posts: 74
    edited June 2017

    I've had two Zometa infusions (February and May). About a day and a half later, both times, I felt very achey, like I had the flu. This last time, it was pretty bad and came on fast. I took a Benadryl (recommended by someone on this board), went right to sleep and woke up the next day feeling fine.

    I think I'm going to ask for an hour drip next time -- another recommendation on the board. My husband lovesthe tomato soup at the hospital cafe, so it'll give him time to grab lunch!

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  • finallyoverit
    finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
    edited June 2017

    Thank you for the replies everyone. It is so nice to know that I'm not alone. Right now, my MO still has me on tamoxifen until we shut my ovaries down. Then it's Femara and (sp?) Ibrance. Have had a headache that I haven't been able to shake all day.. but thinking a tramadol when I get home will do the trick. I know I said it earlier, but this whole ordeal just sucks. I have other words for it but I'm too much of a lady to put them in print.


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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited June 2017
    I saw my MO this week and scheduled my first Zometa infusion for August. I'm early stage, but the new guidelines show some protection from recurrence for early stage BC. I also lost about 6 % of my bone mass over 2 years between bone density scans even before starting on Femara. Thank you all for sharing your stories! I'll ask for the 30 minute infusion and will be sure to bring some Tylenol with me!
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  • Midwest_Laura
    Midwest_Laura Member Posts: 168
    edited June 2017

    Does Claritin help with these mild SE's, or is that just for Neulasta? I'm having my first infusion next Thursday. Thanks for all of the advice, everyone.


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  • finallyoverit
    finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
    edited June 2017

    @Laura.. not sure about the Claritin.. but willing to try. I had a really nasty headache on Thurs but I think that was from being dehydrated. Will make sure to drink plenty of water the day before the next one. I wish you the best with your treatments.

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  • Lindalou
    Lindalou Member Posts: 647
    edited June 2017

    finally, I agree with Divine's advice. I've had Zometa for over 2 years now and also request 30 min., and I found out that the request has to be ordered by MO. Nurse can not just give it to you in 30 min herself. Once you are given it in 30 min. it will be recorded on your chart. Also, drink lots of water before and after. Yes, you can achy or feel like you have the flu for a few days after, but it gradually subsides. Bone aches can be nasty but Tylenol or Aleve generally helps.

    Midwest....I've not used Claritin, but know others have. Nice to see a fellow WI girl. Go Bucky!

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  • Midwest_Laura
    Midwest_Laura Member Posts: 168
    edited June 2017

    Thanks for the advice on how to request the 30 min. infusion, Linda. I'll be sure to bring that up with myMO during my time with him.

    And, yes. Go Bucky, and Go Pack Go!!!

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