1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Reclast Infusions: Side-effects & Recovery time

Posted by cindydee @cindydee, Mar 20, 2018

I just had a reclast infusion last week and have had serious side effects. I had the worst flue like aching for 5 days then my lefty arm became full of inflammation in the wrist, elbow and shoulder which caused extreme pain and I lost the ability to straighten my elbow. Ultrasound showed huge amounts of fluid throughout the arm. The right arm is now starting to have the same symptoms. The pain is excruciating. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Neither the ER doctor nor the Dr. who prescribed the procedure knew what to do to ease the symptoms. Both arms from fingertips to shoulder are swollen and neither elbow will straighten. Anyone else have adverse reactions to the reclast infusion? If yes, how long did it last?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

windyshores | @windyshores | Feb 14 6:45pm

Just to be clear, I reported a side effect of Evenity, not Reclast, to MedWatch.

I have to do Reclast in a couple of months and will do a 20% dose with IV hydration and very slow infusion, with tylenol. I'll let people know what happens. I am very sensitive to meds.

Sorry for what you have gone through!

REPLY
kgrainger | @kgrainger | Feb 15 7:35am
In reply to @lizzabeth "I am so sorry that you experienced some of the same side effects. You did, however,..." + (show)
@lizzabeth

I am so sorry that you experienced some of the same side effects. You did, however, validate for me that I am not crazy. I know my body will never be the same as well. I have always been a very high energy person. We lived in a resort community in AZ. I went to swim workout for an hour, water, yoga, and rode my bike 5 or 6 miles daily until the infusion. Now I can't sleep and I am constantly fatigued. I am not the type that is prone to depression so that has not happened to me. When I try to tell a Dr. what the medicine did to me I am always asked if I am depressed. No I am pissed! Very different from depressed. Again, I am sorry to hear that you have gone through a similar change due to Reclast. God Bless you and let's hope that our comments save some others from getting Reclast infusions.

Jump to this post

Oh yes! I ended up in the ER the very next morning pain in my spine so severe all from the infusion. And yes I have been told that I have anxiety over trying to figure out what’s wrong with my body

REPLY
kgrainger | @kgrainger | Feb 15 9:02am
In reply to @normahorn "I feel like a broken record but please, please report this if you have not done..." + (show)
@normahorn

I feel like a broken record but please, please report this if you have not done so already. WindyShores had a prompt reply when she reported a problem.

"You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088."

Jump to this post

Oh wow I didn’t know that. Thank you

REPLY
takady | @takady | Feb 16 8:16am
In reply to @daisy52 "Hi. At 58, I was also recommended to get Reclast infusion for Osteoporosis. I was on..." + (show)
@daisy52

Hi. At 58, I was also recommended to get Reclast infusion for Osteoporosis. I was on Fosamax, but it made my Esophagitis / LPR worse and so this medication was stopped a week ago. I know I need to resume something, and the scheduling of Reclast is in the works. I am worried, as do not like the idea of a once a year infusion and the side effects seem to be more with this treatment option. I also have upcoming dental work that needs to be done, which I understand is one of those risks. I may wait until that is done. Just looking for some more recent Reclast experiences and knowledge. Thanks.

Jump to this post

Just please do the research. I wish I had. Check blogs, check for class action lawsuits.

REPLY
2 replies
ripley | @ripley | Feb 17 10:49am
In reply to @takady "Just please do the research. I wish I had. Check blogs, check for class action lawsuits." + (show)
@takady

Just please do the research. I wish I had. Check blogs, check for class action lawsuits.

Jump to this post

What side effects did you have from Reclast? Did you find out anything after researching that you can share? My endo wants me to take Reclast, I'm afraid to take any of the drugs for osteoporosis.

REPLY
takady | @takady | Feb 17 8:29pm

Ripley, I had the worst flu like symptoms for days. Within 2 weeks of the infusion I noticd I couldn't walk any distance without getting short of breath. My usual was around our 2 acres, can't do a quarter of that now. Failed a stress test, heart cath showed 90% blockage, no previous high cholesterol and was assured a year earlier that my heart was fine. Cardiologist "nicked" my aorta so life flight to Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Oh. Quadruple bypass but that's another story. Developed
a- fib, Leg and foot cramps, depression. Lost so much strength. 9 months in, I'm on oxygen and a nebulizer. Feeling worse all the time. I can't even sweep or mop my floors. My teeth are giving me problems. It goes on.
I've always been sensitive to medications though. From my readings, you either love or hate it. I hate it! I feel like it has ruined me. I'm 72 and was strong and felt fairly healthy before the infusion.

REPLY
lilaclady41 | @lilaclady41 | Feb 17 9:14pm

I’m 82, had first infusion 10/23. I’m allergic to many meds and told my Dr about that and she had my infusion last a couple of hours. It was a very slow drip.

REPLY
1 reply
lilaclady41 | @lilaclady41 | Feb 17 9:16pm

My infusion lasted a couple of hours. I told the Dr who ordered it I have many medication allergies.

REPLY
windyshores | @windyshores | Feb 18 6:16am

@takady did the doctors say the heart blockage was caused by the Reclast? How would it do that? I mean what is the mechanism? Your story is scary. Like @lilaclady41 I am sensitive to meds and am asking for reduced dose (20% dose of 1 mg vs 5mg), slow infusion and IV hyration. Hoping I can tolerate it. I already have afib periodically so nervous about that. Many women I know do fine with Reclast except for a few days of being fluish. Sorry that wasn't you.

REPLY
2 replies
susanfalcon52 | @susanfalcon52 | Feb 18 6:37am
In reply to @lilaclady41 "I’m 82, had first infusion 10/23. I’m allergic to many meds and told my Dr about..." + (show)
@lilaclady41

I’m 82, had first infusion 10/23. I’m allergic to many meds and told my Dr about that and she had my infusion last a couple of hours. It was a very slow drip.

Jump to this post

lilaclady,
How have you felt since the infusion?

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.