Reclast for Osteoporosis

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ADK
ADK Member Posts: 2,259
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
Reclast for Osteoporosis
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  • ADK
    ADK Member Posts: 2,259
    edited February 2008

    Hi,

    I saw the rhumetologist this morning.  I have osteopenia at this point, exactly -1.5.  Because of other risk factors, she believes I should be treated.  Due to gastrointestinal problems, I cannot do the pills.  She is recommending Reclast transfusion - once a year.  Anyone have any experience with this?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    ADK...I don't have experience, but one of our posters, Survivor98, gets an annual infusion of something else for the same purpose. I think I still have a PM or post from her....

    ~Marin

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    OK, I checked her PM and she gets Zometa, at first once a year and saw immediate improvement in her bone density, but then the second year, since it wasn't as dramatic, her onc increased it to twice a year and that worked. She did caution to make sure the doctor documents it properly so that your insurance covers it.

    It sounds like a good deal to me. If I become ostepenic, I'll definitely ask for a yearly infusion vs. the biphosphonate in pill form.

    ~Marin

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  • ADK
    ADK Member Posts: 2,259
    edited February 2008

    Thanks, Marin.  My doctor is really good about the insurance - she had me fill out forms today to find out if I will be covered or if I will have to pay any co-pay.  She first had me do a blood test today for vitamin D deficiency.  I had learned about that on these boards and I was really impressed that she ordered it.  It's possible that mega doses of vitamin D could resolve my problem.  I guess if you do Boniva via infusion, you have to do it quarterly.  This reclast was just approved for post menopausal osteporosis treatment, but it had been used for treating paget's disease and has more of a trail than Boniva as an infusion.  I really like the idea of once a year if I have to do it. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    Anne....Also be sure that your vitamin D supplement, if you take one, is vitamin D3. It seems that it makes a difference.

    ~Marin

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited February 2008

    A word of caution:  Be sure to thoroughly research your options and the drugs and admin. methods proposed. 

    The bisphosphonates can cause  osteonecrosis of the jaw, most specifically from the IV infusion/injection method of administration.  It's a very small risk, but a big deal if it's you. 

    Also, from my reading, it seems that these drugs are not as effective at preventing bone breakage as you would think; they DO tend to build bone, but the outcome of that is not as many fewer bone breaks as hoped.  So, there is something else going on besides bone loss. 

    If you are going to take the risk of taking ANY drugs, make sure the risk is worth it.  Sorry to sound negative, but I am not feeling too trusting at this stage of the game.

    Also, I would not let myself be treated by my pcp or onc for an osteoporosis problem.  That is not their specialty. 

    Tina

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  • ADK
    ADK Member Posts: 2,259
    edited February 2008

    Thanks for the input, Tina.  The doctor I saw was a specialist.  I am just waiting on the vitamin D test results - I really hope that is the problem.  I was aware of the jaw problems, but I didn't know that it was via infusion that the problem was greater. 

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  • Jorf
    Jorf Member Posts: 498
    edited February 2008

    Zometa and Reclast are the same thing. They gave it a new name when it got approved for something it's been used for for years.

    Be sure that your rheum did an extensive work-up for secondary causes (beyond vit D which should be a given from anyone who knows at all about osteoporosis) and has really evaluated your risks well. The trend these days is to use less medication and the WHO group keeps promising us risk guidelines "in a few months" for the past 2 years.... We expect that those guidelines will cause us to prescribe less medications for younger, lower risk, higher T-score people and, hopefully, help the ones who are at high risk that are currently not being treated.

    I'm not questioning your rheum, you don't say what your risks are and some of the guidelines (I think the rheum guidelines do) still do say to treat -1.5 or below with risk factors. Just want to help you be the most prepared patient you can be - just like we approach our cancer treatments.

    jorf 

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  • ADK
    ADK Member Posts: 2,259
    edited February 2008

    Thanks for the input, Jorf.  I did get a call from the office, my vit D is fine, she also check for abnormal blood proteins and thyroid problems, all fine.  They want to do the infusion next week.  I can't commit to it right now because I am dealing with a family crisis, my Dad is dying in the hospital and the doctors think it will only be a few days.  They are only treating his pain because there is so much going on with him, if they treat one issue, it will make the other problems worse.  So, my sister & I are keeping something of a vigil at the hospital and I can't commit to anything.

    I let you know how it goes when I do it.

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  • Jorf
    Jorf Member Posts: 498
    edited February 2008

    I'm so sorry to hear about your father.

    Keep us informed. Most people seem to tolerate the infusion just fine.

    Hugs out to you. 

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