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What follows Reclast/Zometa if they are first treatment?
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: 16 hours ago | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
For bone health, Reclast is usually used for about 3 years, sometimes up to 6. During that time, the schedule can be flexible: your doctor might pause it for a “drug holiday” or space out the infusions to every 18–24 months if your DEXA scans and bone turnover markers (like CTX) look stable.
If down the line an anabolic drug becomes an option based on new data or guidance, you could take a break from Reclast, monitor your bone markers, and start the anabolic once remodeling isn’t too suppressed. I believe I read a couple of success stories on the forum.
Also, depending on your personal circumstances, you could always ask your doctor whether a reduced dose of zolendronate might be appropriate.
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@mayblin Thank you for this information!
I wish my oncologist was more proactive about monitoring me with bone marker turnover markers but she isn't. My primary care doctor is also unwilling to order those bone markers. I consulted with an endocrinologist who is out of the Northwestern Hospital health care network (where my oncologist and PCP are) who was willing to prescribe these bone markers for me. I wanted to have a baseline before I start the Reclast.
I plan to discuss a possible reduced dose of Reclast with my oncologist, though I'm pretty sure she will want to use the traditionally prescribed dose. The breast cancer tumor board recommendations for treatment seem to follow what they consider evidence-based practice.
I continue to learn so much from you and others on this forum!