Zometa Infusions — your experience?

I do Reclast maybe this is better…

I started Zometa approx 2 months after radiation. The first infusion gave me a few minor side effects and lasted only a couple of days. My second infusion was six months later. Within a week I started with mid-thigh pain. Because I’ve had chiropractic issues over the years, I assumed it was a pain that an adjustment could address. The pain got worse and about four months in, I stopped walking for pleasure/exercise and walked with a noticeable limp. Never occurred to me it could have been zometa but when I looked up the side effects, there it was. My leg started healing 6-7 months after the infusion and no lasting effects. Also on anastrozole which has its own pain effects but nothing I can’t live with —although I’m only two years in. Good luck.

I have received 3 or 4 Zometa infusions throughout my AI journey. I thought I was doing ok until I noticed my teeth were all going crooked! I didn't realize that Zometa can cause jaw problems (although your jaw being a bone, you would think I would.) Anyway, my teeth have always been straight and now the bottom ones are completely crooked in front and my molars have moved in the back. I'm a little funny about my smile so I guess I'll be looking into Invisalign...................and no more infusions!!!!

Similar history but I started first with Fosamax - 58 yrs and treatment put me into osteoporosis. I've been hesitant to try Reclast but will keep you posted as i will get 6 month labs to see if Fosamax being absorbed.

My wife has been under treatment for stage 2 breast cancer for over a year and now is being advised to start Zomenta infusions. Does anyone have experience with this drug?

I had breast cancer 2 years ago and a Bone Marrow Transplant in April of 2024. I had the bone density test taken one year after the previous. I have been on an AI which limits estrogen production. My cancer diagnosis was Estrogen positive. I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed too. All of this did make a few numbers on my bone scan move from the low osteopenia diagnosis a year ago. MY BMT medical team gave the OK to the medical oncologist for the Zometa one month ago. I have had one treatment. No side effects of note for me, and no results on if it works until time passes.
For your wife, the reason will have to do with her diagnosis. If she has had treatments, is Estrogen positive, has had a bone scan showing the starts of osteopenia, then i see why they want her to get the treatment.
Some others will post that may have been in her shoes. That is the beauty of Mayo Clinic Connect.

Thank you katgob for the very helpulful information. We have not been very smart about asking for information and advice from others who are going through or have gone through this rough period of time. Joining this discussion group might be the best decision we have made latley.

Most breast cancer patients do Reclast or Zometa (both are zoledronic acid) along with aromatase inhibitors. These meds help prevent the bone loss that comes with aromatase inhibitors and loss of estrogen. They are also, I have been told, possibly protective in terms of preventing recurrence/spread, and there are some studies out on that. If you wife is losing bone density, the doctor may be prescribing Zometa to address that.

Before making this decision please research thoroughly the side effects and how it actually works. There are some discussions in this forum where members talk about side effects. Search for those. Also research ways to strengthen bones without medications. Zometa was recommended to me but I refused and had to sign a document saying so. That was 3 years ago and it is still being recommended! Education ourselves every step of the way is exhausting but absolutely necessary.
Best wishes.

Many people do Zometa with few side effects other than the initial "acute phase reaction" that happens with the first infusion. It helps to have a longer infusion (one hour), and even IV hydration if oral is hard to do.

My doctor would not prescribe Reclast for me during my cancer treatment with an aromatase inhibitor, due to my afib. The net result was three painful and disabling lumbar spine fractures. These cancer meds cause serious bone loss.

The estrogen loss from aromatase inhibitors causes unavoidable bone loss. Natural approaches are not strong enough, according to my doctor. I certainly tried.

People with side effects tend to post more than those who do not have them. I have had side effects with almost all medications but tend to encourage others to at least try since the consequences for me of not taking Reclast (same drug as Zometa) were so dire.