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Reclast Infusions: Side-effects & Recovery time
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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@gowalking it is true that many doctors don't tell one all that they should. It is also true that each of us need to ask the questions. What are the side effects? The most serious ones? How do I contact you if I have side effects? etc.,m etc.
Not sure what you mean by what they charge. If you are seeing a Medicare DR. medicare pays very very little.
@gowalking I'd be up to burning and marching for sure! Not just for osteoporosis but for all the other ignored health issues women have to deal with! Even my (female) gyne said until there are more of our representatives working towards women's health things aren't going to change.
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1 Reaction@jozer I got the prep info here as well. I won’t start Reclast until the beginning of July, but my endo agreed to write the order for it to be given over 60-90 minutes (I believe that includes fluids before and after ). I still have to get pre auth from insurance but that has been such a nightmare (not my insurance company’s fault, the provider and infusion center) while I was on Prolia that I am waiting until next month to follow up on it. Insurance denied brand name Reclast so they will have to resubmit for the generic.
@askjewels I hope those of you who forgo vaccines take other precautions, like wearing masks in healthcare settings and crowds. Covid and flu still kill thousands every year.
You are correct.
@neesie0159 I am unable to get anymore, says next one could kill me.
Both my hands were so swollen that the had to cut my rings off at the er. Pain in muscles and joints.took a week for swelling to go down and 6 months to feel normal for me.
@sstopalian when I kept telling dr. What rec last did to me he said…it couldn’t be the reclast. I have changed drs.
I don't have the sources of these comments; I found them on this Forum.--
"My strong recommendation based on my knowledge of bisphosphonates (given that I helped to develop three of them, and treated 13,000 patients in phase 3 trials with them) is to have the infusion center dilute the 5 mg of zoledronic that comes in 100 mL of D5W into 500 mL of NS, and infuse the endodoc recnow 600 mL over 60 minutes. Making the drug more dilute and administering it more slowly significantly improves the renal safety for N-containing bisphosphonates.I also strongly recommend that the infusion nurses give the patient 650 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) at the time of the infusion, and that the patient take that same dose with dinner and at bedtime the day of the infusion, with all 3 meals and at bedtime the day after the infusion, and a final (7th) dose of acetaminophen with breakfast the 2nd morning after the infusion. These 8 doses total of Tylenol reduce the chance of a symptomatic APR (Acute Phase Reaction) from 22% to < 1%.Best, Endodoc"
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I had my first Reclast treatment 2 days ago. I followed the advice found on this forum and took a dose of Tylenol 650mg and an antihistamine 30 minutes before the IV. I also asked my provider to do it over 60 minutes (which is not the protocol at this facility but she agreed). She also agreed to add a saline drip with it (not protocol but agreeable to her). After the IV I took Tylenol every 4 hours 3 more times that day and every 4 hours the next 2 days (4 total doses). I plan to do this tomorrow, then stop the Tylenol. No side effects so far. I felt fine the last 2 days and was able to resume normal activities. I was also very fearful for many reasons (mostly due to side effects I had heard reported on this forum). I had finished Evenity in December 2025 and had some improvement in bone density. The plan is to do once a year for 2 more years than a drug holiday.