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?

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cccs | @cccs | May 1 1:19pm
In reply to @ayetman "I think there are multiple causes of arthritis (joint swelling) after reclast and a swollen knee..." + (show)
@ayetman

I think there are multiple causes of arthritis (joint swelling) after reclast and a swollen knee may be due to CPPD (pseudogout) with a risk of recurrences or may be an inflammatory arthritis without the calcium crystals which is less apt to recur over time. @cccs you may have had the latter.

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Thank you for your comment.
I have had joint aspirations x 3. Each time there were calcium pyrophosphate crystals. There are no calcifications in the cartilage of the joint. The joint effusion is not episodic, just continuous for 6 months.
It is a difficult situation.

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lwidstrand | @lwidstrand | May 2 1:22pm
In reply to @ang67 "Hello, all, I had a Reclast infusion on Dec 18, 2024. I drank a lot of..." + (show)
@ang67

Hello, all, I had a Reclast infusion on Dec 18, 2024. I drank a lot of water before and after and took Tylenol and had no real known side effects. However, I quickly put on 10 pounds through the holidays. I have not been able to get this off. Would like to know who else this has happened to. I am only 5 feet tall so every 5 pounds makes a difference and 10 means there are clothes I can’t wear now. I’m so flabby now and the regular exercise I did before doesn’t seem to help. I have a specific diet I follow. Have kidney stones too so there are some foods I can no longer eat. Just wondering if others have had this issue on Reclast and if it ever resolved? Saw my oncologist yesterday and she wasn’t aware of weight gain being an issue. Thank you in advance.

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Yes. Had my infusion in February 2025. Lots of side effects. The weight gain has been terrible. I am only 5’1 and nothing fits. I exercise everyday and get a healthy diet. I have a huge stomach now. Lots of stomach pain. Never again.

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reclastsuferer | @reclastsuferer | May 4 2:33pm

Yes tremendous pain in the ribs
Sharp burning
ER visits, cardiologist, pain management
Two months already and no releif

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hedynevada01 | @hedynevada01 | 6 days ago
In reply to @cindydee "I see my general practitioner tomorrow. The doctor that prescribed it said he had never heard..." + (show)
@cindydee

I see my general practitioner tomorrow. The doctor that prescribed it said he had never heard of this kind of reaction and the ER doctor was totally in the dark. The prescribing doctor said it must be working since the inflammation was in each of the joints. This morning my right foot was so swollen that all of my toes were pointing straight up. The pain is almost to the point of being unbearable. And yes, thoughts of just ending it have gone through my head but the repercussions of that keep me from doing it. I don't want anyone to have to clean up the mess!

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I want to not take this. It is not just one time you take it 2 or 3 times. Choice die from broken hip or be miserable with side effects that make you want to break your hip

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gigi151941 | @gigi151941 | 6 days ago

I had the Reclast Infusion 13 months ago and it has literally ruined my health! I was a very active 83 year old with very few medical issues. After taking Fosamax for several years my doctor recommended the Reclast Infusion instead. I had terrible aches and pains, which have never gone away! I gained 9 pounds in 3 weeks and have put on additional weight since then. I still ache so bad, I have trouble turning over in bed, getting up from a chair, general inflamation all over my body. I am having back and knee problems I never had before the infustion. I was never told by my doctor or the lab what the possible side effects could be. My husband was supposed to have the infustion also but after seeing my side effects he cancelled his appointment. I don't recommend this treatment to anybody!!

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gigi151941 | @gigi151941 | 6 days ago
In reply to @mekol "I had my first Reclast infusion a year ago with no side effects. However, after another..." + (show)
@mekol

I had my first Reclast infusion a year ago with no side effects. However, after another bone scan it shows I actually got worse. My doctor still wants me to proceed with another infusion. Has this happened with anyone else and is it worth it to continue.

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Don't do the second, the side effects can be worse!

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1 reply
dannyandebbie | @dannyandebbie | 6 days ago
In reply to @gigi151941 "Don't do the second, the side effects can be worse!" + (show)
@gigi151941

Don't do the second, the side effects can be worse!

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I declined a second treatment until my endocrinologist can prove the Reclast infusion did not cause my aches and pains. He suggested that I see my Neurologist. My primary has ordered blood work and X-rays . Today I did the blood test and still waiting for X-rays to be scheduled. Blood work is to check for inflammation; not sure on the X-rays.

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dannyandebbie | @dannyandebbie | 6 days ago
In reply to @sjctx "Oh gosh. I was sick for a week after my 1st infusion. Severe!! pain in every..." + (show)
@sjctx

Oh gosh. I was sick for a week after my 1st infusion. Severe!! pain in every arthritic joint; couldn’t use my hands, left leg hurt to walk so I shuffled, 102 fever for days. I have another one at the end of April and I schedule off work for the week. I can’t take ibuprofen because of kidney issues and Tylenol did nothing. I would decline the treatment except there’s research that shows zoledronic acid can protect against metastatic bone cancer.

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I have already had Bladder cancer 5x; after taking Zantac and its substitute, ranitidine. I can not take any more infusion not knowing what has cause this pain in my shoulders and left foot. It has been 11 months, pain is sometimes better and sometimes worse. I had a day where it rained almost all day so I chose to try and lay low and see if my shoulders would feel better. I was woken 5-6 times, any time I moved my arms it would wake me instantly. It is a little better and the endocrinologist pharmacist told me that my infusion should last up to 18 months. I have received 3 phone calls wanting to set me up for an injection of a different medication and I declined until I receive the answer to what is causing all this pain. I do also go to physical therapy biweekly now.

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