Does anyone have a solution to help manage Reclast side effects?

Sorry to hear that. I had pain initially but then subsided.

Sorry to hear you're still having effects from Reclast. I walk every day, always try to eat healthier (no sugars), no soda, get a full body massage (might not help but sure feels good) I'll be on Claritin for another 3 weeks. I guess the best thing is to have a positive attitude and a good support group of friends. I walk even when I don't feel up to it cause I always feel better after.
Hugs to you.

Gently, Please don't think that you shouldn't post if your thought doesn't relate directly to Reclast. We've gotten so many great thoughts, suggestions, ideas that weren't specific to Reclast. And yours have been some of the BEST. Please continue to give us your ideas. I always look forward to reading your posts.

Of course we should post about anything tangentially related on any thread @dingus. But it is important to note that Evenity is known to cause bone marrow edema and I for one want to know if that is true of Reclast since I am on it. I don't want to make any "leaps" without a source.

That question came up because I was curious about the use of Claritin before Reclast. I take Claritin for allergy. The acute phase reaction to Reclast may be inflammatory, not sure it is an allergy per se, so I would like to know the rationale for use of Claritin. This is relevant to me because I have not been told to take Claritin.

I am also concerned whether Reclast does indeed cause bone marrow edema. This was one of my concerns about Evenity because I read that can affect B cell immunity. I am trying to decide whether to do my next Reclast and this question is important to me.

I read a comprehensive review article for bisphosphonates usage in clinical practices, published in 2008. Many principles would apply to Reclast or zolendronate acid. Below is an excerpt for anyone interested - it described the rational behind antihistamine use, antipyretic (acetaminophen or Tylenol) use or sometimes corticosteroid use in combat of acute inflammatory response as a result of bp treatment:

“Acute Inflammatory Response
Approximately 10% to 30% of patients receiving their first nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate infusion will experience an acute phase reaction, most commonly characterized by transient pyrexia with associated myalgias, arthralgias, headaches, and influenza-like symptoms. This rate declines by more than half with each subsequent infusion, such that a rate of 2.8% was found after the third infusion in the HORIZON trial.14 The acute phase response is believed to be the result of proinflammatory cytokine production by peripheral blood γδ T cells.132 Pretreatment with histamine receptor antagonists or antipyretics can reduce the incidence and severity of symptoms among susceptible patients. Occasionally corticosteroids are of benefit.

A relatively rare adverse effect of bisphosphonate therapy of which physicians should be aware is ocular inflammation (conjunctivitis, uveitis, episcleritis, and scleritis). This complication has been found to occur with both oral and IV bisphosphonate therapy. In the largest retrospective study to date, an incidence of approximately 0.1% was found in patients treated with oral risedronate.133 Fortunately, ocular symptoms usually resolve within a few weeks after bisphosphonate discontinuation.

Severe Musculoskeletal Pain
Although all oral and IV bisphosphonate preparations list musculoskeletal pain as a potential adverse effect in their prescribing information, the US FDA recently issued an alert highlighting the possibility of severe, incapacitating musculoskeletal pain that can occur at any point after initiation of bisphosphonate therapy.134 This severe musculoskeletal pain was distinct from the acute phase response described previously. Fewer than 120 cases had been reported by late 2002 for alendronate and mid-2003 for risedronate in total.135 At this time, both risk factors for and incidence of this adverse effect are unknown.”

Thank you @mayblin. This is very helpful and addresses my questions and validates @gently's speculation!

I liked the distinction between the acute phase reaction and longer term effects. I wonder why Benadryl is not also recommended-? I had no idea Claritin could be potent against inflammation. I had 5 days of substantial fever and a few more with lower fever after my infusion, which was low dose. I only used Tylenol.

I have systemic lupus (and very positive scleroderma antibodies) and was concerned about the possibility of a rise in inflammatory cytokines on Reclast. The article mentiones acute rise in cytokines but not chronic and doesn't suggest a cause for longer term pain.

I did Reclast June and Sept. of this year. I already had facial pain and numbness but noise triggers have become worse, the pain has become worse, and I have new jaw pain resembling TMJ. My rheumatologist responded that this could rarely be autoimmune inflammation.

Doctors all want me on steroids but I have afib and cannot do steroids. Perhaps Claritin will help me even now. I can only take Tylenol due to kidney issues. The pain and numbness are becoming a real issue, probably from my neck (stenosis, radiculopathy etc.) and I am not necessarily blaming Reclast at all- just covering my bases.

Again thanks @mayblin - and @gently!

Histamine is recognized as a potent inflammation mediator. To take an antihistamine like loratadine (Claritin) preemptively is a great way to guard against potential inflammatory processes elicited by bisphosphonate treatment. Studies are on going re anti-inflammatory activities of antihistamine drugs via other pathways.

First generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is inferior for this purpose due to 1) shorter duration of action hence needing more frequent dosing 2) readily cross blood brain barrier resulting in undesirable sedating effects.

I just want to share my experience with reclast infusion administered on dec. 3, 2024.
I am 72 yrs old and diagnosed with age related osteoporosis but never had any fracture.
I was given reclast for 1 1/2 hrs from 5:45 pm to 7:15 pm with saline drip during last half of the session. It was 5 mg reclast.
After 24 hrs., I felt tired and sleepy at home. The following days were uneventful.
That was the only side effect I felt.

pacred, good choice reclast over prolia. What information helped you with the choice. I'm impressed that your physician ordered a two hour infusion and would like to know who that physician is.

I'm fearful of Prolia because of rebound effects when you are not compliant. I travel a lot and don't want to miss a dose which should be administered every 6 months. I've never had a fracture but for those who had a fracture , I understand that Prolia is more efficient compared to Reclast. Choice of medication depends on needs and circumstances of the patient.
I live in the San Francisco bay area and my physician is from the Stanford Bone Center.