Reclast Infusions: Side-effects & Recovery time

Hello @auntiem2, welcome to Connect. You may notice that I edited your title slightly to be more specific on the topic or side-effects and recovery for reclast infusions. You mentioned you had read through some of the posts in other reclast discussions, but this is a more specific question and a good topic for its own discussion. I would like to invite @lookingforinfo, @cindydee, @ann0616, who have talked about differing degrees of side-effects and how long they took to go away or did not go away from their reclast infusions.

@auntiem2, your doctor mentioned they had not seen this type of reaction before, has he or she mentioned what they think you should do next or a possible explanation of your side-effects?

Thanks for editing it slightly. To answer your question, no she hasn't but it's something we'll talk about at my next appointment. But for now, she has me taking tylenol and has me using an ankle brace to help reduce the pain.

HELLO MY NEXT BONE DENSITY SCAN IS IN OCTOBER 2019 HOPING THINGS HAVE IMPROVED WILL LET YOU KNOW TERESA

My wife had a reclast infusion in feb of 2019. She is very sensitive to all medications and has dietary issues: gluten sensitivity/dairy sensitivity. She also had a very bad case of esophageal thrush perhaps 15 years ago which created havoc with her stomach. As a result, her doctor recommended reclast infusion to bypass her stomach issues. She had the infusion and had the flu like symptoms which lasted 3-4 weeks. However, about this time she developed horrible stomach cramps that occur perhaps once-twice a week. She had an endoscopy to determine what is happening and they discovered irritation of the esophagus where it meets the stomach. They prescribed zantac to be taken for two months and a follow up endoscopy. She started zantac and continued having stomach cramping. After a month of zantac, she had a stomach x-ray and determined she has stool retention. She has been switched to protonix to address this. She has been on this a week and has had one occurrence of the stomach pains again. The doctors insist that reclast did not cause this and I can find no other information linking reclast to stomach pains/stool retention, although a friend of ours has indicated she knows of two people who reported this same type of reaction. Are there any others who have heard of this type of reaction?

I had a Reclast infusion of 1/2 dose about 3 months ago, and my symptoms seem to be getting worse rather than better. Rather than bone or muscle pain I get indigestion and other g.i. problems, asthma from the g.i issues, and also labored breathing with exercise. This "exercise" includes things as minor as plugging in a device into an adaptor, or trying to open a jar lid that is tight. It's anything where my arms encounter resistance. I only got 1/2 dose; wonder somewhat if I'd still be alive if I'd had a whole dose. I don't recommend this drug to anyone, but especially those who have g.i. issues and asthma. Had to go to the E.R. 2 weeks ago because I'd gone 2 days without being able to get my breath. I spend a lot of time sitting with a fan blowing into my face. Another drug not to take is Prolia, another one you have to wait out if you have an adverse reaction (6 months). The drug description said you can get an infection; it didn't tell you the drug works by hijacking your immune system to build bone or I never would have taken it. I had an ear infection for 3 months; my doctor said to never take Prolia again. A friend had severe jaw pain from it. I've had a broken hip and a broken sacrum; I'd take these any day over the side effects of Reclast and Prolia. When I told my primary doctor I'd be trying the bisphosphonate pills after the Reclast wears off, she strongly recommended against it and said not to take anything. Rather, I'm supposed to up my weight bearing exercise, etc.

I also have g.i. issues - fructose malabsorption, lactose intolerance and visceral hypersensivity - and had finally gotten everything under control until I got a 1/2 dose infusion of Reclast almost 3 months ago. After that I had the worst constipation I've ever had in my life. I was so bound up and bloated my g.i. doctor did an Xray to see if there was a blockage and there wasn't. A also had a blood test for lipase, a pancreatic enzyme, and my lipase was way below normal. The uptake: I had to take laxatives every day and increase the amount of Creon I'm taking. The problem with the constipation went away after about a month, but the indigestion issues are still going on. G.I. issues are listed as a possible side effect of the drug, and probably if you already have them the drug worsens them immensely. If you look up Reclast on the Mayo Clinic site it lists many, many possible side effects including g.i. issues. So, it is a myth that the infusion will bypass stomach issues.

There is another thread that compares Reclast and Prolia that has a lot more info about the reactions people have had to Reclast (and the successes). You might want to check that out too.

Hi all. New to Connect and everyone's comments and experiences have been very helpful. I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis a few months ago and my RA ordered me to get the Prolia infusion. Unfortunately, my insurance turned it down and said I had to first try the Reclast infusion for a year before going on to Prolia. I'm scheduled to have the infusion in a few weeks. I asked the infusion center if there were any immediate side effects (meaning right after the infusion) I needed to worry about and if I needed someone to drive me home (I live 40 miles from where the infusion will be). She said that was up to me and every person is different. Really? I would think it's a yes or no question. Has anyone had a bad experience right after the infusion or am I good to drive for about a 90 minutes after the procedure (I work in the Washington, DC area, thus the long commute). Thanks!

@ginanne I had the reclast infusion for 5 years, once yearly. I never had any bad experience afterwards and just went about my business. I’ve done the reclast for as long as is allowable and just finished the 3 year holiday after it. The reclast helped maintain my bone density for where it was at. Dr. now is wanting me to take the prolia shot. After reading the side effects and talking with my dentist about prolia I won’t be doing that.

So you can only do the Reclast for five years? Did you have good bone density increase while on the Reclast? Did you retain your increase after going off Reclast? Or did you take a different medication after the Reclast? My Endocrinologist has me on Forteo for two years, and then wants to switch to Reclast, so I’m curious about everyone’s experience.