Side effects from Zometa?

I've breezed through everything they've thrown at me, including no side effects from Arimidex, but Zometa has felled me. Even though I drank 160 ounces of water in the 24 hours after the infusion (and at least 50 ounces a day since then), I spent a week with strong flu-like symptoms (aches, chills, fever). Now in week 2, I'm severely lightheaded/dizzy and I can taste the salt in everything. A cheese pizza slice is nasty, for instance. I'm also exhausted, sleeping 12 hours a night with no problem.

I've cancelled future infusions.

On the other hand, my bone loss consists of 2/10s of a percent into osteopenia on one portion of my hip. I''ve got just one toe over the line into the warning track, and we haven't yet tried increasing calcium, weight training, etc. I'd much rather give that a try than automatically embrace something that screws up my life for 2 weeks+ twice a year. That would mean a month out of every year lost.

And it's impossible to say how your system would handle this. You may feel slightly achy the next day and poof! You're up and about with no other symptoms. I think it's worth trying it to see, but have a Plan B if you don't like the outcome. Or have a much bigger goal than I do that makes the investment worth it.

I'm going for my third infusion on Tuesday and have had no problems with Zometa. my thumbs are achy, but that could be from any of the various treatments I've had. Everyone reacts differently, but I have heard that the reaction to the first infusion is the worst and the following infusions are easier.

I took a bad fall a few weeks ago and didn't break any bones. That makes it worth it for me.

I was advised to take a pain reliever before the infusion and to hydrate well before/after. Following the first infusion I was fine for several hours and did my normal workout. That evening I felt a bit as though I was coming down with a cold - chilled and unmotivated. I went to bed a couple hours early with my heating pad, herbal tea and a good book and I was completely fine the next day. I've never had even so much as a headache with subsequent infusions.

I've known women who've had a rough time and others for whom it was a complete nothing and I cant see that any of us are doing anything differently, which makes it impossible to predict how it will go for any given woman. I'd say it's worth a try, however.

I've occasionally had one scheduled at 5+ months, rather than six, with no ill effects. I wouldn't stress over it. However, if you’re deeply concerned it’s always your right to pick up the phone and reschedule the infusion.