Zometa

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NicoleRod
NicoleRod Member Posts: 2,906
edited October 2019 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hi ladies I searched to see if there was a Zometa thread but I didn't see one so if there is please let me know via link and I will have the mod's delete this.

I got my first Zometa infusion yesterday. The only thing I have ever heard about Zometa is that you can get flu like symptoms I "think" I remember they said that can happen a few days after the infusion?? Is that right? I was wondering if anyone had bone pain...like all bones hurting the day after the infusion? I am experiencing that now I did not have that at all with Xgeva.

TIA

Nicole

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  • Moomala
    Moomala Member Posts: 436
    edited September 2019

    I have had two Zometa infusions now. The first one I did have bone pain and flu-like symptoms (chills, fever, body aches) exactly 24 hours after the infusion. I had been drinking tons and tons of water as recommended but that didn't really help too much. I read somewhere on the forum here that Claritin would help with this so i started Claritin a day or two before the next infusion, day of the infusion and a few days after the infusion. My second Zometa I had absolutely zero side effects.

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited September 2019

    I’ve had zometa iv’s for years and find it very tolerable. I drink lots of water before and after. I also ask for a 30 minute drip. I think it can be administered in as quickly as 15 minutes, but the slower drip means less headache for me. If it’s not a long day with scans but just a checkup and zometa iv, I often meet up with my son afterwards, he lives and works near the hospital, and we go out lunch.
    .
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  • NicoleRod
    NicoleRod Member Posts: 2,906
    edited September 2019

    Thanks Moomala, I did take Claritan D yesterday before the infusion and again just now (thanks for the reminder). I guess my symptoms are the norm. :)

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  • Moomala
    Moomala Member Posts: 436
    edited September 2019

    I think so Nicole. Again, I think not everyone gets the fever and chills and the infusion room nurses did tell me that reactions tend to get better after a few doses. Hopefully you are feeling better fast!

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  • NicoleRod
    NicoleRod Member Posts: 2,906
    edited September 2019

    So far I have not had the flu symptoms and its been about 28 hours since the infusion. The bone pain subsided after I took Tylenol.

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  • NicoleRod
    NicoleRod Member Posts: 2,906
    edited September 2019

    Well I have been having bone pain (all over my body) during the night when I sleep...Tuesday night and last night... then when I get up it subsides...

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  • Paulinek
    Paulinek Member Posts: 117
    edited September 2019

    I had my first zometa infusion two weeks ago. No flu symptoms but I felt very fatigued. More so than when I get chemo alone.

    How often does everyone get a zometa infusion? I have chemo tomorrow so I plan to ask. Is it once. a month

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  • NicoleRod
    NicoleRod Member Posts: 2,906
    edited September 2019

    mine is every 3 months. I am having weird SE's though. I get flu like symptoms and bone pain but in the evening and really bad at night. It happened Wed (got my infusion Tuesday) and it is happening again tonight.

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  • Paulinek
    Paulinek Member Posts: 117
    edited September 2019

    Nicole I am sorry you’re having painful SE. I hope it gets better with future infusions

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  • NicoleRod
    NicoleRod Member Posts: 2,906
    edited September 2019

    Thanks Pauline:)

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  • Momchichi
    Momchichi Member Posts: 133
    edited September 2019

    Hi Everyone,

    I only had one zometa infusion so far and had the bone pain like nicole described plus fatigue. The nurses did premeds - a pain killer plus zofran since everything tends to make me nauseous. I was feeling fine day of infusion and the next morning but then felt the side effects all at once. I’m hoping it gets better with time like others have said, I’ll get mine every 3 months.

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  • NicoleRod
    NicoleRod Member Posts: 2,906
    edited September 2019

    Momchichi...last night I started feeling horrible around dinner time...I took 2 tylenol and then after about an hour I started feeling ok. Last night I didn't have the aches and pains like the 2 previous nights..so I am hoping its gone now :)

    If that is all it will be like each time I get the infusion...I will take that any day over the Xgeva...I had terrible histamine reaction from that.

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  • Moomala
    Moomala Member Posts: 436
    edited September 2019

    The second infusion I had no symptoms at all - maybe a tiny touch of aching bones but I can't really remember so it must not have been that bad. I too get the infusion every 12 weeks. I hope the rest of them are that easy!

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  • Paulinek
    Paulinek Member Posts: 117
    edited September 2019

    is there a difference between zometa and xgeva? My MO said that they are essentially the same but they (UPenn) use zometa because it's cheaper. a brief google search suggests xgeva is more effective?

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  • NicoleRod
    NicoleRod Member Posts: 2,906
    edited September 2019

    Paulinek I think they are the same in that they are both bone strengthening meds..but they are different meds. I got hives from Xgeva... I didn't with Zometa. I had some SE's (as I mentioned in above posts) but I have to say I felt great by day 3. :)

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  • Paulinek
    Paulinek Member Posts: 117
    edited September 2019

    Thanks Nicole. I’m glad the SE didn't last too long :

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  • 50sgirl
    50sgirl Member Posts: 2,527
    edited September 2019

    Hello ladies, Back when I was a frequent reader and contributor to the Bone Mets thread, there were frequent posts of the following suggestions for anyone having Zometa infusions:

    1. Be well hydrated beginning the day before infusion and continuing for several days after.

    2. Take Ibuprofen or Tylenol the day of and after infusion.

    3. Make sure the infusion is done over a minimum period of 30 minutes. Some centers set it for 15 minutes, so ask the nurse and request at least 30 minutes. This can make a big difference.

    5. Many people take Claritin the day of and after infusion and find that it helpful.

    I think these suggestions have been included in your posts, but here they are all together. I was on a monthly IV for 15 months, then changed to every three months. I hope you find the SEs disappearing.

    Hugs and prayers from, Lynne

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  • Steph512
    Steph512 Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2019

    Thank you for the suggestions. I will be starting Zometa in 2 weeks so this is good to know.

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  • AnnC2019
    AnnC2019 Member Posts: 203
    edited October 2019

    Had the infusion last night. I took ClaritIn and felt fine. Today I feel really sick. Nausea, flu like symptoms, pain etc. I asked for the slower infusion but didn’t get it. I was the last patient of the day and so it all felt very rushed. On the flip side happy that I got a late apt. The nurse was very nice

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