Reclast Infusions: Side-effects & Recovery time

I had my first (and last) Reclast Infusion last A;pril, 2024. Kaiser never gave me any instructions for pre or post Reclast, so I wasn't fully hydrated, etc. I was not sick after the infusion, but within 3 weeks I gained 9 pounds and my body aches and pain are still horrible! My back, right hip, knee, ankle, and shoulder are all affected. Everything has been on my right side only, which is where my infusion was given. However, this week my left knee is swollen and very painful. For the past several months, since the infusion, my leg ache at night in bed is so bad some nights I am up all night because it is much worse laying down. When I get in my car to drive, I have to lift my right leg up onto the seat to get in. I now walk with a slight limp. I also have lip trembles which I never had before! I have always been very active and busy, I do all my own shopping, fixing meals, cleaning house, etc. and we have our own non-profit that keeps me very busy all year. But now it takes a lot of effort to keep my schedule. I was a very young 83 year old before Reclast, now I am an old achy 84!

I am so sorry for all of your pain! Based on your comments I am not going on Reclast.

I'm sorry to hear of your issues. Your statement, "For the past several months, since the infusion, my leg ache at night in bed is so bad some nights I am up all night because it is much worse laying down. When I get in my car to drive, I have to lift my right leg up onto the seat to get in. I now walk with a slight limp." is how I feel as well since my infusion a year ago. Prior to my infusion, I was hiking and walking with few issues. It's so hard to explain in a way that makes sense to my Dr. but I have and will not be taking Reclast again.

I am considering taking Fosteum plus as it was recommended by a new rheumatologist I just saw in Naples Fl. It bc will be a mail order from Blink pharmacy . Very reasonable price.

Perhaps researching the medication and side effects before taking??

Reading your comments is not encouraging to me! I had a Reclast injection in July 2024 and have now been experiencing the same type of pain you describe. The pain is quite unimaginable, like someone trying to crush your bone in a vise. How do we diminish these side effects? I had a similar experience with Prolia with my right leg and two weeks after my missed injection all the side effects were gone. It doesn’t sound like Reclast leaves the body as quickly.

I wish I had an answer. It's so odd as I have had periods of relative comfort, where it just disappears but then out of the blue returns for several weeks or a month in the last case. I had little discomfort since the end of December though the leg/knee felt stiff. I got a stationary bike 2 weeks ago and used it for several days without issue then my knee flared up again. It feels hard to bend and the right leg is again quite uncomfortable. I knew I was taking a chance because I had this reaction with my right leg years ago on Fosamax which is in the same class of drugs but that was a weekly pill I was able to stop taking and return more to normal. I was due for Reclast late January and declined it, hopeful that it will leave my body soon. I have alternated Tylenol and Ibuprofen (3 days with one then 3 days with the other) but don't want to keep taking them. I wrapped the knee, iced etc but not much help. Wrapping seemed to make it more stiff. Best wishes and would like to follow your progress.

The more I read about the devastating effects of ReClast for some people, the more I am convinced that I will only have the ReClast infusion using 1 mg, not the one-size-fits-all 5 mg.

Interesting comment. Where did you become aware of this variance?

The side effects aren’t an honest report. They brush over what is a monumental problem for the many who have them. I realize this drug has helped many cancer patients but it harms an equal number of healthy people.
Why aren’t drug companies held more accountable?