1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health
Mentor

Are you taking Reclast for osteoporosis?

Posted by Becky, Volunteer Mentor @becsbuddy, Jul 21, 2020

Two years ago I was diagnosed with pretty bad osteoporosis because of the prednisone I was on for my autoimmune disease. I started taking Fosamax (a bisphosphonate) and had no problems. Today, the endocrinologist suggested that I switch to Reclast for 3 yearly infusions. Has anyone else taken this drug? What side effects have you had?
Thanks

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JK | @contentandwell | Jul 17, 2021
In reply to @joanme "@contentandwell @jmanj I followed the Tylenol and hydration without a break. Nonetheless, I was hit with..." + (show)
@joanme

@contentandwell @jmanj I followed the Tylenol and hydration without a break. Nonetheless, I was hit with side effects on day two. At 4:30 AM last night I was awakened with shaking chills and a fever of 101.3. My whole body was shaking uncontrollably to the point it was difficult walking to get to the bathroom. I also became nauseated. I took some more Tylenol for the fever and an Ativan for the nausea. Sat in the bathroom sipping Ginger Baker for two hours. The nausea abated and I was finally able to get back to sleep ~6:30AM. I slept until 1130, but didn’t get out of bed until 130. I felt much better, my fever was gone, the nausea was still gone. I was pretty wiped out. I passed the 48 hour mark and have not gotten worse. I never had joint pain or bone pain or muscle pain and hoping I will be fine until next year.

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@joanme It sounds like a really tough couple of days. I am limited in the amount of acetaminophen I can take so hopefully when my day comes I won't be too miserable. Acetaminophen is the only OTC pain reliever that I can use also.

It's very surprising that your doctor would suggest possibly not having the infusion again next year considering the side effects were bearable and short lived.

At least it's just once a year, that's some comfort.
JK

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joanme | @joanme | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @pink0509 "I’m really surprised to hear that an MD would discourage you from continuing next year. While..." + (show)
@pink0509

I’m really surprised to hear that an MD would discourage you from continuing next year. While you certainly experienced some difficult few days, the worst of those issues prayerfully seemed to have now subsided. Yes, others may have experienced worse effects from the drug, but if you’ve done relatively well, why not encourage you…seems counterintuitive to what a reasonable should be doing?
I experienced flu-like symptoms following my Covid vaccine but, I still took the 2nd shot and can’t wait until a booster is recommended if it would mean warding off this horrid virus! I’d do the same w/ taking the 2nd round of Reclast if I were you.
I will find out on Monday if Reclast is definitively what’s recommended for me, likely so. If so, I will do my utmost to prep for the infusion and pray that any post-effects are as minimal as possible.
Of course I’m torn as to whether to take this drug, as have of all of us who have had to make this difficult decision, but to continue to have my scores decline as they’ve done year on year frightens me horribly as well. I’m going to work on holistic approaches over the next year in combination w/ the drug however unfortunately I’m at the point that I’ve waited too long to address this problem,
to rely on holistic alone to improve my scores fast enough before I have an incident.
Please continue to let us know how you’re doing…hopefully better each day! Toni

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Thanks! Glad she’s not my PCP. Seems I’m out of the woods. A few hours of fever and a bit of misery plus a couple of days of exhaustion and lots of sleep I’d classify as minor side effects. I can definitely do this again next year.

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lioness | @lioness | Jul 20, 2021

@becsbuddy Hi Becky I had 1reclast infusion with no side effects last Sept This Sept will be my next one but it didn't bother me at all ,after the next one I will have a Dexascan done

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2 replies
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jul 21, 2021

@lioness thanks for the info. I’m glad that you didn’t have problems with the drug. I know you’ve had lots of problems with your back, though. Are you getting better?

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Jul 21, 2021
In reply to @becsbuddy "@lioness thanks for the info. I’m glad that you didn’t have problems with the drug. I..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@lioness thanks for the info. I’m glad that you didn’t have problems with the drug. I know you’ve had lots of problems with your back, though. Are you getting better?

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@becsbuddy No not yet still seeing Dr,s and start water therapy Aug 4 I think it is ,it helped me last time so hope it will help this time

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1 reply
rashida | @rashida | Jul 23, 2021
In reply to @lioness "@becsbuddy Hi Becky I had 1reclast infusion with no side effects last Sept This Sept will..." + (show)
@lioness

@becsbuddy Hi Becky I had 1reclast infusion with no side effects last Sept This Sept will be my next one but it didn't bother me at all ,after the next one I will have a Dexascan done

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@lioness I thought you were taking Prolia!

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1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Jul 26, 2021
In reply to @rashida "@lioness I thought you were taking Prolia!" + (show)
@rashida

@lioness I thought you were taking Prolia!

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@rashida Hi no I had Reclast last year and in Sept will have my 2nd one It was someone else I remember but can't think of who it was

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 27, 2021
In reply to @lioness "@becsbuddy No not yet still seeing Dr,s and start water therapy Aug 4 I think it..." + (show)
@lioness

@becsbuddy No not yet still seeing Dr,s and start water therapy Aug 4 I think it is ,it helped me last time so hope it will help this time

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Hi @lioness,

I'm glad to hear that you will begin water therapy. I love any type of exercise in the water, even just walking in the water is great.

Will you post again and let me know how it is working for you?

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rashida | @rashida | Jul 27, 2021
In reply to @lioness "@rashida Hi no I had Reclast last year and in Sept will have my 2nd one..." + (show)
@lioness

@rashida Hi no I had Reclast last year and in Sept will have my 2nd one It was someone else I remember but can't think of who it was

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@lioness it seems there’s no difference between Prolia and Reclast, except Reclast is taken once a year and Prolia is taken twice a year. Are they both from the same company?

https://www.drugs.com/tips/reclast-patient-tips
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1 reply
cmael | @cmael | Jul 28, 2021
In reply to @lioness "@becsbuddy Hi Becky I had 1reclast infusion with no side effects last Sept This Sept will..." + (show)
@lioness

@becsbuddy Hi Becky I had 1reclast infusion with no side effects last Sept This Sept will be my next one but it didn't bother me at all ,after the next one I will have a Dexascan done

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I had a Reclast infusion on June 21st with no side effects. I drank lots of water, which I do anyway because of my transplant. I also took acetaminophen after. When I took Fosamax, it gave me heartburn so the doctor decided that the infusion would be better.

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