Reclast Infusions: Side-effects & Recovery time

@caugie lots of good luck should you have this done! I had mine 17 months ago and experienced severe pain in my shoulders, arms, left foot and stomach. After 17 months it is either starting to let up some or I’m becoming more comfortable with the side effects! There was zero issues prior to the Reclast. I keep asking, if it’s not broke, why did I let them do this, scared me with words that I could suffer a fractured hip, doesn’t that sometimes with age anyways? I am a 69 year old male, quite active and if and when something happens, I’ll deal with it then! You tell your endocrinologist your side effects and they say, “ Oh! The Reclast did not do that” and then send you to a Rheumatologist who sends you for a lot of test, find nothing, send you to a Neurologist, who does test, finds nothing; you just keep getting pushed around. I spoke with an Endocrinologist Pharmacist and he said it stays in your system for 18 months; I’m hopeful that after next month things continue to improve! Best of luck! Ask yourself, what is bothering me to the point that I need this infusion!

I've had a big stomach eer since I started osteo meds: tymlos and now reclast. Only other thing is a persistent daily headache. Otherwise, at 82, all good - take heart, amigas!

@dannyandebbie thank you for replying. I'm afraid I don't have a choice, I have Osteoporosis, I have a history of falling. I have Parkinson's Disease & Essential Tremors, plus I am blind in my left eye with Wet AMD & my right eye has Dry AMD. My vision is very poor, my legs tend to go where they want to go! 🤣 I fell the end of April & fractured my pelvis & Sacral. It's been a long healing process. I wouldn't go through this process but hopefully it helps. I'm thankful I didn't break my hip. I'm hoping for the best outcome on the 4th of December. The best to you! ❤️

You wouldn't happen to be on RA medication, would you? Or prednisone? I just stopped taking Rinvoq and started prednisone until I start my next RA medication, Cimzia. I am scheduled to start on Prolia next week, so I hope it doesn't mess up my dental implants.
Since I started on Rinvoq I gained 20 pounds and had to go up from xs to med in sized clothing. Y can't believe the extra weight is good for my bones.
I hope you figure out what is going on. Please update and let us know. Good luck.

@maradeur I copied your notes for my infusion next October. So does one discuss the saline drip at the time of the infusion or does that have to be in the doctor's orders? Thanks so much.

@marytlemons my stomach is huge. I have gained so much weight on this drug. Nothing fits. So depressed. It will almost be a year since the infusion. Doctors say nothing. Maybe I will go on these weight loss drugs.

@dannyandebbie Everything you just wrote about is my story. So many side effects including weight gain, stomach pain and blurry vision. I am very discouraged to hear that you are in your 17 month and though some things are getting better others not so. Now I have to wait 8 more months till I am at 18 months to see some relief. Doctors just shake their heads and do nothing. I had no health issues before Reclast. I trusted my doctors.

@lwidstrand Yes, it sucks! First off, we need todo deep research before we allow any chemicals into our bodies. A pharmacist has Much better knowledge about medication than Any doctor. Remember, a rheumatologist only knows what one needs to bring numbers into perspective to what their little chart says! I feel for you and your ailments! Don’t look at it with another 18 months; easier said than done, I know first hand! I have a follow up appointment with my endocrinologist who thinks I am having another infusion. No, I am not….i want another bone density test done to see if the one I had did anything for me; after all, I already know what it did against me! Try to stay strong and as active as you can ! Please write a journal and you will be able to note the progress each day! Yes, there will be days where you do not see much and then days of improvement. I have a ways to go but I will not be receiving any more treatment! Lots of good luck. You might want to share your experience with the FDA!
For on-line reporting to FDA: https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program
For phone reporting: 1-800-FDA-1088.

There is a lot of information online on Reclast side effects- drugs.com, the FDA and Pfizer's own drug insert: https://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx
In addition to the brief info below, Pfizer has a thorough chart with every side effect and frequency reported. Not sure why doctors don't look at this.

@caugie keep us posted please. and will send a prayer for you-----sent. have a great weekend.

@randallshields56
Thank you, Randy. I'm getting ready, I will take 1 Benadryl antihistamine before I go & 1 when I get home & hydrate a couple days prior. I'm psyching myself up! 🤣 Take care of yourself.