How you managed Zometa pain?

astyanax66
astyanax66 Member Posts: 288
edited June 2019 in Bone Health and Bone Loss

Hi—my oncologist is strongly recommending 2x per year Zometa. My pcp is very much against it (I know; the oncologist is the expert). I have yet to get a Dexa scan, but I know I have osteopenia based on MRI (3 cervical disks fused). I already take a bucket of Tylenol and Aleve for AI pain (3000 mg and 880 mg daily in divided doses) plus 100 mg Tramadol daily, which barely allows me to function. I had nasty bone pain on Taxol as well. I’ve begged to get a baseline Dexa scan this month as I’m 52. If there’s no problem, I’d like to avoid it.I’ve been able to shed several pounds and am much more active than 6 months ago, so that’s good, but I’ve got about 10 more pounds to go.

Aside from the disputing doctors, how do you manage pain during the first round of Zometa? Oncologist says don’t worry, just take some Tylenol. Ugh!! I just can’t imagine how that’s going to help since it does little now.

Thanks!

Dee

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Comments

  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited March 2019

    It's not really pain you feel. More like having the flu for a couple of days. But, yes, if you take Tylenol you can probably avoid the worst of it.

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  • JoE777
    JoE777 Member Posts: 628
    edited March 2019

    you must hydrate well the day before-2-3 quarts of water and the days after. I'm metastatic so the pain was already there. For a couple of days after the infusion I had flu like symptoms with sporadic pelvis, hip and back pain but all my meds cause back pain. Gradually it stopped. I have read and my onc told me that zometo does help prevent bone mets and she would have recommended it in an earlier stage before I went metastatic to bone and lungs. Since I'm metastatic I started the infusions every two weeks and now every month. My back shows bone replacement and my pain is gone with radiation of tumors. My dexa scan has never changed from osteopenia. Zometo helped get me out of the wheelchair. Your onc may be concerned with a grade 3 and triple +. Get the onc to explain the reason for pressing you. Personally, I would have to set primary doctors aside with this decision. I'm predudice from my experience. Oh, it should be an infusion and not a shot.
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  • astyanax66
    astyanax66 Member Posts: 288
    edited March 2019

    Thanks, ladies! I'll ask more about side effects and why it's being recommended. Yes, he told me it would be an infusion, which is another reason I'm fairly hesitant about this.

    Dee

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  • JoE777
    JoE777 Member Posts: 628
    edited March 2019

    infusion is simple for me. Good vein,no port, 30 minutes and gone

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  • finallyoverit
    finallyoverit Member Posts: 382
    edited March 2019

    Same here with the non-event with Zometa infusions. I’ve been getting them every 3 months for about 2 years now. Other than the needle prick of the IV (no port), it’s really a non event. No side effects at all. I do hydrate really well for a few days leading up and make sure they give me some good iv fluid before and after the zometa... and all is good. Oh, and make sure to ask them to give it over 30 min and not over 15. I’ve read where some ladies have more issues if it is given over 15 minutes. Good luck

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  • KatyK
    KatyK Member Posts: 248
    edited March 2019

    Try taking Claritin a few days before and a few days after. I’ve had six infusions now and I think it does help with SE. The first infusion did cause flu like symptoms and a bit of bone pain. I don’t get those now but I do get fatigue and it also affects my mental state. I think the Claritin does help. I hate Zometa but gotta do it

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  • bravepoint
    bravepoint Member Posts: 404
    edited March 2019

    I'm going for Zometa infusion #4 of 6 Thursday. I felt awful, flu like symptoms and the worst aches and pains ever after my first infusion. Tylenol helped! I have had no issues with the past 2 infusions though. I go very 6 months. Hoping that this week's will be easy as well.

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  • astyanax66
    astyanax66 Member Posts: 288
    edited March 2019

    Bravepoint, that's what the local folks who got Zometa have told me--rough the first time, okay thereafter.

    I already take 3000 mg of Tylenol daily, 880 mg Aleve daily, 100 mg Tramadol daily, and Claritin (on a light day) or Zyrtec when pollen is blanketing the car (like today; we have a short winter). I meet with oncologist on April 15 to discuss all this. I live about an hour away from the hospital, so I really need to be sure that I don't have an acute reaction. Thanks, all!

    Dee

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  • JoE777
    JoE777 Member Posts: 628
    edited March 2019

    Asty, the mix of nsaids you're taking may be really hard on your kidneys and liver when you add zometo. Are they approved by your onc?

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  • astyanax66
    astyanax66 Member Posts: 288
    edited March 2019

    Quoting the clinician,”The combination of acetaminophen and naproxen has been clinically proven to provide better and safer pain relief than any opioid.”

    So, yes, afraid so. I’d asked about Tylenol 3 for pain while on AI. This is what I was told. I’ll definitely remind him when he brings up Zometa. Pain is present but tolerable on Tamoxifen.

    Good point!

    Dee

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  • astyanax66
    astyanax66 Member Posts: 288
    edited March 2019

    In positive news, my DEXA scan was really good. I'm hoping the oncologist takes it into consideration. :)

    Dee

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  • baby99
    baby99 Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2019

    I have big problems on new meds, bad fibromyalgia.  Supposed to have first infusion Monday, but after reading this wonder if should postpone,  Have important appointment on Tuesday that have to be clear and focused on.  Worried about reaction.

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