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?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.
Hello @ldawn. I moved your discussion and combined it with a discussion already titled, "Reclast infusion." Here, you will meet other members talking about their experiences with reclast infusions. I'd also like to invite @bonelady, @bonnieh218, @dkapustin, @arthritichands back to this discussion as well to share their experience with reclast.
Hi there. Thanks, @JustinMcClanahan for adding me. I have Osteoporosis and tried supplements, diet, and exercise to increase my bone density but nothing worked. I was getting worse. I also want to add that I had been active for decades so weight bearing exercises (weights, walking, elliptical, tennis) still produced a 60 year old with weak bones. Blood tests showed a healthy parathyroid and calcium and Vitamin D levels. With all of that said, I realized that Osteoporosis was a disease. A progressive disease that sometimes needed medication. I didn't want to take the drugs either but I am currently taking care of my 83 year old mother who can only walk to the bathroom due to falls and untreated OP. I spent years in skilled nursing facilities and memory care units caring for my father with Alzheimers and I've seen the lives of those with brittle bones and I just don't want to end up that way. At 62, I've had my right hip replaced, am now recovering form a right knee replacement and will get the other one replaced next year. All as a result from Osteoarthritis which is the sister of the OP. I took Forteo for a year and had no side effects but had a problem with my insurance so switched to Recast. I had the infusion last year and I followed the 3 simple rules. 1. Drink tons of water days before, day of, and day after infusion. 2. Make sure they give the infusion over a 45 minute time frame. NOT the 20 minutes they normally do. If they refuse, get it done elsewhere. 3. Take a couple of Tylenol before going to bed. I had no horrific side effects and although I have joint blame, I couldn't never say with certainty that it is a side effect from the OP drugs. But if you do nothing, lean to heavily on social media and people calling the drugs poison, you may find yourself in trouble later on. All drugs come with risks and you have to weigh the risk/benefit ratio. If you do nothing and your bone density keeps decreasing every year, you will not have a good quality of life in your elder years. I am going to fight for my quality of health and take the drugs. I do know that Reclast should only be sued for about 5 years. I also know that at some point my life, I will probably have to get on Prolia but I'm trying to use all of the other drugs first. I plan on finishing the year of Forteo and staying on Reclast as long as possible. This is certainly something you need to discuss with your doctor. If you don't trust your doctor, find another one. I do recommend seeing an RA or endocronolgist to discuss your OP because they are more knowledgeable about the treatment options for OP. But please be cautious about listening to the people calling it poison. Make your own informed decision.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I think I’m ready to go ahead and get the infusion, but there is so much negative information out there that I found myself scared to move forward, especially after developing gastritis while using the Fosamax. Again, thank you for taking the time to better inform me.
GOOD LUCK WITH THE TREATMENT I HAVE HAD 3 PROLIA INJECTIONS ONE TODAY AND NOT HAD ANY SIDE EFFECTS TERESA 🤗😍💐
@ldawn I had my first reclast infusion two weeks ago. I went in scared to death of side effects. On day two I had some achiness in my legs (like I exercised to much). It was not bad and went away in a couple days. For some reason I was extremely tired for about a week. But it was all good. I was stressed over nothing. Hope it goes as well for you. My sister had reclast infusions five times. She has never had any side effects other than a tingling feeling in her bones for a couple days. Her bone density has increased immensely.
Thank you, Ann. You are giving me confidence with your response.
Ann, did you increase water intake and take Tylenol pre and post infusion? Was it infused over a longer period than the 15 minutes? Did you do anything else to prepare for it?
For ten days before I took calcium 600mg twice a day, and I always take vitamin D. I also increased water a few days before, but day before I drank at least 64 ounces. Day of reclast infusion I drank 32 ounces before going in and took tylenol. I did not need tylenol afterwards, but tried to drink more water for the first five days and continued calcium and vitamin D. They did the reclast infusion for 15 minutes and then watched me for 30 minutes. I asked about the 15 minutes but they said that is what the manufacturer recommended and they always do it that way. Concerned me, but it was all good.
After your 3 Prolia injections, have you had a dexascan showing increase in bone density?
Thank you, Ann. I appreciate the information.