1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

reclast infusion

Posted by bmadewl @bmadewl, May 9 6:28am

Had my first reclast infusion in in February. It is now May and since then I have had lower back pain. I haven’t been able to work out at the gym as far as doing leg exercises because it seems to make it worse. I don’t know if this is a side effect or if it’s just something else has anybody had this issue?

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wilkenl | @wilkenl | 5 days ago
In reply to @ggrands "I sure could use some advice about the Reclast infusion. I have osteopenia, that has worsened..." + (show)
@ggrands

I sure could use some advice about the Reclast infusion.
I have osteopenia, that has worsened since my last scan. My doctor says my risk of fracture has increased (I recently had ankle surgery due to a fracture).
I am worried about the side effects that my doctor mentioned. A possible Broken jaw and or broken femur.
I am one of those people who have that rare side effect from medications.
She said if I do not have the infusion she would recommend a medically necessary bone density test in a year.
1. Is there anything I can do to increase my bone density without the Reclast?
2. Am I being foolish waiting?
3. Any advice?
4. Any alternative that might not be so dangerous?

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I agree with @gently that you might not want to wait. The sooner you lock in whatever bone integrity that you now have, the fewer fractures you will experience down the road. I would also suggest that you work on building bone strength. Make certain that you are taking magnesium and zinc along with your calcium and Vitamin D (but not at the same time, as they will fight with each other to be absorbed). Consider getting R. Keith McCormick's book Great Bones. Chapter 12 is all about what your body needs to build bones. You don't necessarily need to take supplements if you have a good diet, especially a diet that includes nuts, seeds and leafy greens. Protein is also important. And, of course, exercise is key to keeping your bones strong.

Good luck to you!

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vguzman1120 | @vguzman1120 | 5 days ago

Hello all
I am scheduled to have my first reclast infusion in June. I am 65, have spent most of my entire adult life exercising (yoga, Pilates, dumbbells and barbells) yet genetics caught up with me. I am very concerned about the side effects. If anyone can offer some advice or words of wisdom, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Vivian

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lbtw | @lbtw | 5 days ago
In reply to @wilkenl "I just took my first Reclast treatment. After reading the blogs here, I was pretty much..." + (show)
@wilkenl

I just took my first Reclast treatment. After reading the blogs here, I was pretty much terrified about the possible side effects, so I went all out trying to prepare my body for it. I drank two quarts of water throughout the morning before my appointment, and then the nurse gave me a saline drip alongside the medication.* I also ate a non-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory diet for a couple of days beforehand, and I made sure that I took my magnesium (magnesium helps to relieve muscle pain). Lastly, I took my doctor's advice and took a 500 mg Tylenol about an hour before the infusion, and another one about four hours after. When I got home, I continued drinking lots of water and even an electrolyte drink. It's now been 48 hours since I finished my infusion. I have felt completely wrung out and tired, and I have no appetite, but that was about it for the first 24-36 hours. Last night, I developed pain in my eyes when I moved them right and left, so I went to see my optometrist this morning. He said that it was probably muscle pain - he didn't see anything that indicated anything more serious. Eight hours later, it seems to be getting better already. All in all, it's been not too terrible so far.

* I asked my doctor to give me a slower infusion and a saline drip, but she said no. She didn't think it would make any difference. It was the nurse at the infusion center who offered the saline drip - bless her!

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Thanks for sharing. I’m heading for my first infusion in two weeks. I finished Evenity in April. I too asked for slower infusion and the doctor said not for the first — if you have issues then we can do that for the second.

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misst1970 | @misst1970 | 4 days ago

I had my first Reclast infusion 3 days ago and, other than some mild flu-like symptoms the day after the infusion, I've had no other side effects and feel totally normal today. I was terrified to have the infusion after reading some of the horror stories on these boards, but knew I needed to do something to "lock in" the gains I had made with Tymlos so I went with my doctor's recommendations. I knew there was a "chance" I'd be in the very small minority that has a bad reaction (I tend to be very sensitive to medications and don't even like to take aspirin), but went for it anyways and am glad that I did as I knew doing nothing wasn't an option. I will have another infusion in one year and a third the following year, then take several years off all drugs with bone marker testing after 3 years to keep an eye on when it's time to start something else. My doc did do several tests before recommending Reclast (to ensure kidney's, calcium and d levels were still good). I did request a slow infusion over an hour, which the infusion nurse accommodated (they did do a saline flush at the end as well). I was VERY well hydrated and continue to keep well hydrated afterwards (so much water!) and took Tylenol just before they started the infusion, that night and several times the next day.

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1 reply
vguzman1120 | @vguzman1120 | 4 days ago
In reply to @misst1970 "I had my first Reclast infusion 3 days ago and, other than some mild flu-like symptoms..." + (show)
@misst1970

I had my first Reclast infusion 3 days ago and, other than some mild flu-like symptoms the day after the infusion, I've had no other side effects and feel totally normal today. I was terrified to have the infusion after reading some of the horror stories on these boards, but knew I needed to do something to "lock in" the gains I had made with Tymlos so I went with my doctor's recommendations. I knew there was a "chance" I'd be in the very small minority that has a bad reaction (I tend to be very sensitive to medications and don't even like to take aspirin), but went for it anyways and am glad that I did as I knew doing nothing wasn't an option. I will have another infusion in one year and a third the following year, then take several years off all drugs with bone marker testing after 3 years to keep an eye on when it's time to start something else. My doc did do several tests before recommending Reclast (to ensure kidney's, calcium and d levels were still good). I did request a slow infusion over an hour, which the infusion nurse accommodated (they did do a saline flush at the end as well). I was VERY well hydrated and continue to keep well hydrated afterwards (so much water!) and took Tylenol just before they started the infusion, that night and several times the next day.

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Thanks for sharing. I am going for my first infusion on June 20th and also have concerns about side effects. Hearing your experience has definitely helped.

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hollygs | @hollygs | 4 days ago

I had my first Reclast infusion 5/15/2025 and experienced no side effects whatsoever. My nurse told me that in the three years she's been at the infusion center, they have not had any patients experience anything more than mild flu-like symptoms. I know that some people do experience issues with it, but it's been in use for 18 years and has extensive data and I appreciate that aspect. (For reference, I've also done Fosamax, Evenity and Tymlos. Best wishes to all!

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