Early stage breast cancer put on bisphosphonate (Zometa)

When I tried Fosamax daily dose I had some mild stomach irritation. I then started having diarrhea and one episode of eye conjunctivitis. I only took 9 doses of Fosamax before stopping because I started having diarrhea . . . which lasted for 7 months+. It was never determined that the diarrhea started with the Fosamax because it couldn’t have caused it to last so long. I think it was the conjunctivitis (a lesser advertised side effect of Fosamax) plus the stomach irritation that the endocrinologist was willing to try Reclast.
This all happened before I was diagnosed with BC, and I actually cancelled that first dose of Reclast because I needed to take care of the cancer.
I have not had side effects with Reclast, just a mild body ache, headache, in the first 48 hours. I will be getting another infusion in a couple of months. I would not hesitate to take Reclast - but I’m 69 years old, 19 years post menopausal, taking tamoxifen 5 mg. Tamoxifen at my age acts as an agonist in other body parts beside the breast receptors, which means my body acts as if it is getting estrogen in my bones, joints, heart, etc. I do not know if that protects me from joint pain others might experience from Reclast. And I don’t know if Reclast causes more side effects if taken along with an aromatase inhibitor.
Best wishes with the option you choose! At least with the oral Fosamax you can stop if side effects are bad. I wouldn’t think the side effects of a Reclast infusion would last very long either, but it sounds like some people do have problems.

Has anyone had a burning, heaviness in legs that wake them during the night? I'm not sure it's from my cancer aromatase inhibiter, Letrozole or from Fosamax (I had only take one pill) so I'm thinking from Letrozole?

Just came on this as I just saw my med oncologist and she bro7ght this up. Had been off my radar and honestly if felt like she started the conversation as if it were something we had been discussing back and forth? She had not mentioned since beginning this journey nearly 1.5 years ago.

So...I am 1+ years in in letrozole (started with anastrazole). IlS stage 1/2 lumpectomy and rad.

NownI am researching after brief conversation and feel like ball in my court and I need to deep dive research again? So unsure. My bone density prior to surgery and meds was great so thats the good news. And when I asked about new bone scan she said can do until 2 years out?

Any advice welcome. I certainly don't want jaw necrosis (one side effect :-() but of course would also like to decrease chance of bone mets.

My oncologist recommends Reclast infusions with taking hormone blockers, which are known to decrease bone density. I have mild osteopenia and declined, instead improving my diet and engaging in resistance weight training. From my research, bisphosphonates are best prescribed when a patient has Osteoporosis. Given your good bone health, you might wait until you have your Dexascan to help you make an informed decision. Personally I find it disheartening to have to take a drug to counter another drug's poor side effects.

Hello,

I just had my first Zometa Infusion less than 12 days ago. I have been keeping alive and "well" since my 2012 w/ LBC in left breast
diagnosis, double mastectomy and substandard health care in another state where follow-ups were sometimes not with jusst a nurse or an oncologist in a private clinic who did not even examine the large nodule in my arm pit and said you are fine--spare u all my horror stories, but Im in Durham, NC & I detected very sm nodule deep in same area of left arm pit , surgery, extreme radiation to site and sneaky lobular cancer is on a left vertebrae too.
So I started Anastrozole in Feb. ,low dose & checked w/ dentists about Jaw Necrosis & just started Zometa now.
I have NEVER been told or read that there is a 3.3% or any % of actual MORTALITY from Zometa. Can you please tell us the medical institution(s)providing this statistic . Where can we read up about what you are reporting. Thank you so much.

I'm going to be taking something, so I visited my dentist this week.

He and the hygienist both did exams and said I'm all clear to take a biophosphonate. The hygienist said that jaw necrosis almost always has a precipitating event (mostly some type of oral surgery) and that I should see them regularly to prevent any condition that might develop from getting out of hand. She also said that oral surgeons are getting much better at workarounds for patients on bisphosphonates.

I left feeling much more comfortable about taking a biophosphonate.

This is true! They had to get better at it, because bisphosphonates are being used for many types of blood cancers and multiple myeloma patients. I just had 4 extractions (secondary to teeth literally disintegrating from the extreme chemo I had to have). While we are not going to do implants right now, they could be considered down the road provided my recovery from these extractions goes ahead without complications. The risk/benefit was clear -- I had chronic abscesses from these compromised teeth. Not a day of pain post oral surgery, which is a good sign. I have to say though, I went to a hospital to a dental dept. that specializes in treating cancer patients to have all of this done, not the dentist down the street. It is still good to time any dental treatment carefully, however.

https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(24)00824-7
This article was posted in a similar thread. Studies know showing no benefit in terms of breast cancer reoccurrence! That said after 1 yr on AI i reluctantly started weekly Fosamax-the infusions had way too many risks! I’m hoping Fosamax helps osteoporosis but I will not attempt Zometa or Reclast! Many have been fine however! Good luck! Xo