Zometa infusions to help prevent bone loss from cancer treatments

Yes I take Calcium and Vitamin D plus another hair, skin and nails pill which has a little more of each. I hope my doctor will monitor to see if I have enough.

I am honestly not sure if my doctor really monitors it. But he always asks to make sure I am still taking it. I am not sure about the timing thing every three or six months, other than my doctor always sees my husband and myself one after the other in the same visit, and my husband gets his bone strengthener every three months because he has multiple myeloma.

I start Zometa next month and then every six months. I am concerned about the dental issues with this drug. My dentist has done a panoramic x-ay and examination. He has said that I am ok to proceed with Zometa. However, what if something comes up. How long can one go without some dental work? Is the not dental work isuue only for the few weeks after Zometa treatment or for3-6 years depending on how long you take it? Very confused with this issue.

The way I understand this issue is that any dental work that doesn’t impact the jaw is fine. I have had quite a bit of dental work, and so has my husband. But I had a tooth get broken and start dying, that required a root canal. I had not had my infusions during the pandemic and the root canal went fine. Then I had to have that tooth pulled because it started to crumble under the crown. I was very afraid of osteonecrosis of the jaw. But I was about 6 months past due for my infusion and and it is a tiny percentage of people who get this. Everything went fine. I healed normally after a very difficult extraction. I will start my infusions again as soon as it is safe to do so.

@auntieoakley Chris: will see oncologist in September to discuss current status and plan for Zometa infusion treatment schedule. Just had some dental work done, and panoramic X-rays to exclude any other major potential problems that might loom. None. Would you mind sharing exactly which calcium supplement you are taking? Shelves are loaded with them, and I understand there are differences in composition/strength/additional ingredients. If you can share brand name, fine. If not, just ? MG of which calcium, and ? units of Vitamin D? Also, in the past someone posted that calcium supplements can accumulate in your blood vessels and stiffen them, unless you also take Vitamin K2. (Of course, I have also read that the COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips to track people, so just because I read something does not make this true!!!!!). Any input would be appreciated.

I just spit coffee across the room. Lol. Sorry.
I take natures bounty brand just because my pharmacist recommended it, and I love my local pharmacy. Calcium 600+D is the dose my doctor recommended, you should ask your doctor as the recommended dose could be different for you. I had not heard about the vitamin K but that does not mean it isn’t valid. I live in the Pacific Northwest so my doctor has added a vitamin D prescription once a month. I guess I don't get enough sunlight. I am definitely less afraid of these infusions than I am of breaking more bones and having them not heal well.

@auntieoakley
“I just spit coffee across the room.”
That's certainly better than swallowing the wicked potion.
I saw a Canadian doctor talking about the importance of vitamin k and how it works with vitamin D maybe she's right maybe not.
Research is showing micro-cracks when using Bisphosphonates. Don't know about Tymlos and other Parathyroid hormone related drugs. Although it appears the Parathyroid hormone drugs build more bone density than Bisphosphonates.
I take 3,000 IU’s per day of vitamin D. My seizure meds are enzyme-inducing drugs that decrease vitamin D levels and increases bone turnover.
Take care,
Jake

Thank you, can you share any links with the studies. I am very interested in this since my husband and I are both on them. Him from his cancer, myself from the treatments. Lol

Incidental reply - this the same jakedduck who does not like to cook that I ran across in other groups? Small (Mayo) world. Will also monitor any of your posts in this respect.

@ellerbracke
Yep, one in the same.
Doesn't like to cook is putting it mildly.
I detest cooking and loath every second I'm in the kitchen (I call it the dungeon) with one exception, going to get candy to refill my candy dishes.
Jake