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Reclast infusion side effects?
I had the Reclast infusion 5 months ago in my left arm. I have started having pain in that arm now, with loss of strength. Has this happened to anyone else?
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There is no medication that can restore bone health. Period. The gain from Reclast is temporary. You can only have the infusion ONCE. Then the next year they will be pushing a different infusion while you're still reeling from the side effects of the first one. I've been there, my advice is don't do it.
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5 Reactions@maine
OMG! Thank you!
As I wake up everyday with stomach and rib pain! Every morning I think of my endocrinologist! Isn’t that miserable?
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1 Reaction@tummis05 I also need a tooth pulled. I have been on Tymlos for 2 years, and the doctor will have me continue until the extraction has healed, before having me stop (2 years is the FDA approved max) and change to either Prolia or Reclast. I have been told by the dentist, the periodontist, and the endocrinologist that since I was on a bisphosphonate (Risedronate, oral) for 5 years prior to Tymlos, there is STILL a risk of jaw necrosis, because bisphosphonates actually stay in your bones for a very long time! I think Reclast is also a bisphosphonate. Anyway, I would say Tymlos or Forteo is a better gamble than Reclast or any bisphosphonate, as the first line of defense. It is an anabolic. I was too stubborn to go on any meds for the first 10 years after diagnosis, had considerable degradation of my spine, and finally went on bisphosphonates because I refused the anabolics. I wish I had done the anabolic first. That's my 2 cents!
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4 Reactions@susyt
I looked up both Tymlos and Forteo. Did you experience any side affects? I am curios that since you decided to go on meds after 10 years and now have been on Tymlos for 2 years has your bone scan shown any improvement??
Hello, I am new to this forum but have learned much from reading all the questions and comments. I am 75, small frame female and on my last scan, I dipped to -2.5 in the lumbar region. My primary care physician immediately said to start taking Fosamax. I am very hesitant to take this drug. I felt alone in this decision until I stumbled onto this group. I have not yet decided what to do.
pattwc,
Fosamax lowers bone turnover. The usual cause of osteoporosis is a lowering of bone turnover. Endocrinologist are questioning the wisdom of lowering bone turnover further when bone turnover is already lowered. The bisphosphonates don't trigger the growth of new bone; they collect older bone to increase bone density.
You might consider seeing an endocrinologist, or asking your primary for an anabolic medication like Forteo, which focuses on remodeling (increasing bone turnover) in the spine.
Or you might just decide keep it simple and take Fosamax from your doctor. While I'm not fond of the way Fosamax works, it does help prevent fracture, is less expensive and may be sufficient.
I sometimes wish that our PCPs and PAs were not prescribing osteoporosis drugs. Often they don't seem to have read the entire warning labels about side effects.
Welcome to the forum. I'm confident there is enough information here to guide your decision. And I hope if you have any questions, you'll present them for our varied responses.
Bless your bones.
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4 Reactions@tummis05
I had 2 of the 3 Reclast imfusions. After the first, but before the second, I began having dental problems. At that time, I did not associate it with the Reclast. After my 2nd infusion, my dental problems escalated. I now have had both canines and a couple of other teeth removed. I currently have several teeth in stages of decay, along with teeth that are in various stages of breakage, and now my bridge is loosening. I can also feel with my finger, the bottom ridge of my teeth where the gum is receding. And, while not being actually diagnosed with it, it has been suggested that I may also have Osteonecrosis. Within the past few days, I have noticed a swollen gland right at my jawbone, which hurts when touched, and the pain goes up into my bone and teeth on that side. Needless to say, I refused the third infusion of Reclast, and am searching for a dental specialist (unsure of proper dental title). For diagnosis and treatment. I think you made a very wise choice to refuse Reclast!
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1 Reaction@maine The infusion is once a year for 3 years for reclast. I have had one so far with no side effects so far. I’m debating if I will continue. I had Evenity and then Prolia for 2 injections and now reclast. Hopefully my next DEXA will be better and allow me to see if my hormone replacement will give me enough protection.
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1 Reaction@pattwc Like you, my doctor recommended Fosamax. I have severe osteoporosis and decided not to take it based on articles I read that said it offers minimal fracture prevention benefits in postmenopausal women without a prior fracture or vertebral compression. It does make your DEXA numbers better because you retain old bone.
There are many articles about studies done on this, here is one. The last paragraph offers a summary of findings. https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(24)00101-3/fulltext
And an older arcticle, https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/04/popular-osteoporosis-drugs-come-with-mounting-concerns/index.htm
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3 Reactions@tummis05 after refusing for 10 years, I went on risedronate (weekly oral) for 5 years. I had improvement, but then it declined and by the end my lumbar spine was down to -3.6. So I switched to Tymlos then. I felt so weak on the full Tymlos dose, that I reduced it to 6 clicks (full dose is 8), and felt better and that way could actually take it for the 2 years. My lumber spine improved to -3.1. Yes, I would have liked better improvement, but beggars can't be choosers. Osteoporosis is a wicked disease with no cure, only some mediocre medications that slow down the decline. Call me a feminist, but I think if this was a man's disease rather than primarily a woman's disease, we would have more investment in research.
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