Zometa infusions to help prevent bone loss from cancer treatments

I receive Zometa every 3 months for my bone mets. I no longer take any AIs as my biopsy shows my cancer is now triple negative. (My primary was hormone positive.)

I have Zometa infusions once every three months - in fact I have one in a week. My Dr. at U of M is the one who rewrote the protocol for the Zometa infusion timeline -- she (and others) discovered there was no difference in efficacy between once a month and once every three months. Best wishes for this treatment -- I have found it to be really easy.

I receive Zometa every three months, I was 38 when I was originally diagnosed, which resulted in an oopherectomy and a course of tamoxifen. Then eight years later I went on anastrazole. My really great oncologist said it would be prudent to start zometa , I have had two now without incident. I hope it is that easy for you as well.

@oilermama
My oncologist has told me I'll be having these every 6 months. I'm curious as to the protocol so that I can read and then share with my oncologist.

Hi all,
I'd like to bring this discussion to the attention of @hockeymom25 and @mbear. They had a related discussion a while back:
- anyone have experience with zoledonic acid infusion for osteopenia? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-have-experience-with-zoledonic-acid-infusion-for-osteopenia/

I have ER/PR positive BC stage 3. I am getting hormone suppression therapy and take Anastrozole. My oncologist had me start on Zometa every 6 months even though my bone density is excellent as a recent study has shown it can help prevent bone mets. I have had one infusion so far and had extreme fever chills shakes about 18 hours after. My oncologist does not think it was a reaction to the Zometa infusion given the timing but from what I’ve read online it seems likely it was so I’m not sure what to think about that. I plan to continue the twice yearly infusions either way as I feel that a few hours of discomfort is worth the extra protection.

@tessfair1
Thank you for your comments - my first tumor was Stage 2 and second one Stage 2 and also ER/PR+. I tried anastrozole, but did not do well on it with horrendous headaches and dizziness. I've been on letrozole now for 3 1/2 weeks and doing a bit better. My understanding from some ladies in my breast cancer support group is flu-like symptoms for 3-4 days and that sounds about what you have gone through. I have osteoporosis of my spine and osteopenia of the hips and my oncologist suggests the every 6-month route. One more thing we have to go through, right?!

I too have osteoporosis in my spine and hips, thankfully I do not have all the side effects you girls have had. If I was that sick from it I would ask for a different type there are several, my husband gets a different one to help strengthen his bones. It definitely merits a conversation. My thoughts are with you.

Have my first infusion on Monday. Since I have reactions to most meds, I have bad fibromyalgia, am a little worried about how sick I will be. Have something important to do on Tuesday and can't be sick. Should I postpone it?

i have been fortunate to not have any reaction to the Zometa. I have had at least four infusions. One hint would be to hydrate well during and after.