Reclast Infusions: Side-effects & Recovery time

Posted by cindydee @cindydee, Mar 20, 2018

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.

@echolsleslie

I saw a biodenticals specialist. Her advise to me was to have the reclast treatment to help my numbers were about 3.3 or so and then start bioidenticals

Jump to this post

With numbers around 3.3 Forteo or Tymlos would be helpful, if insurance will cover thhem.

REPLY
@jodiej

Thank you, Colleen. I had a wonderful osteoporosis doctor who retired and was replaced by a young woman. My new doc told me that Reclast worked much better than the monthly Actenol pills I'd been taking. At the infusion center, the techs told me that the side effects of the infusion could be avoided by drinking 8 glasses of water for 3 consecutive days--I'm not sure whether they actually believed this garbage or had made it up themselves. I have a full time job involving a daily commute, an elderly mother who needs attention, a boyfriend, and a very energetic puppy, and it's hard to function with this pain. Driving is particularly painful. Not sure what to do--will probably try alternative medicine next if the pain doesn't stop soon.

Jump to this post

I drank a gallon of water for 8 days and still had those side effects it was bad and lasted about 5 days. If you need treatment you may not have many options. Best of luck

REPLY

I had no side effects with Actenol, which is a monthly pill containing the same ingredients as Reclast. My (previous) doctor told me that Reclast was much more effective than pills, but I've subsequently learned that the only advantage of Reclast over pills is convenience. There must be something about the infusion process that caused my horrible symptoms--maybe an autoimmune reaction with complications. I'm totally offended by the myth that you can avoid the horrors associated with Reclast simply by drinking tons of water. Who started this myth--the manufacturers of Reclast??? And I don't believe that the horrendous adverse effects of Reclast are that uncommon. My acupuncturist had previously treated a healthy woman in her 50's who had to be hospitalized after a Reclast infusion. (She did eventually recover fully.)

Forteo caused severe dizziness during my second month of treatment--I couldn't walk a straight line. Prolia caused cystic acne--which doesn't seem so bad after my Reclast experience. I've never had adverse effects with any other medication. Now my task is to find a new osteoporosis doctor. Any recommendations in Chicago?

REPLY

@jodiej I'm going for my 2nd Reclast infusion on Sept 8 last year I didn't have any reactions I had macula degeneration a year before so that Dr who said O.AMeds cause it are all wrong anyway to get back to this year I have a lot of problems with my back I didn't have last year so hope I won't have any reactions this year also or just mild ones

REPLY
@jodiej

I had no side effects with Actenol, which is a monthly pill containing the same ingredients as Reclast. My (previous) doctor told me that Reclast was much more effective than pills, but I've subsequently learned that the only advantage of Reclast over pills is convenience. There must be something about the infusion process that caused my horrible symptoms--maybe an autoimmune reaction with complications. I'm totally offended by the myth that you can avoid the horrors associated with Reclast simply by drinking tons of water. Who started this myth--the manufacturers of Reclast??? And I don't believe that the horrendous adverse effects of Reclast are that uncommon. My acupuncturist had previously treated a healthy woman in her 50's who had to be hospitalized after a Reclast infusion. (She did eventually recover fully.)

Forteo caused severe dizziness during my second month of treatment--I couldn't walk a straight line. Prolia caused cystic acne--which doesn't seem so bad after my Reclast experience. I've never had adverse effects with any other medication. Now my task is to find a new osteoporosis doctor. Any recommendations in Chicago?

Jump to this post

So sorry to hear you had reactions to Forteo and Reclast. I was very fortunate to do the Forteo shots for two years with no side effects and good increases in bone density. I did follow the hydration and Tylenol recommendations prior to my Reclast infusion, and had only a small headache as a possible side effect from that. I hope you find what works best for you.

REPLY
@lioness

@qigongangel Id like to welcome you as well I had my 1st Reclast and didn't have any symptoms I would check as John said with your pharmacist There might be Interaction with the meds your on and a pharmacist would know Good luck

Jump to this post

I am on Letozole for breast cancer (double mastectomy) and due to osteoporosis the oncologist wants to give me an infusion of Reclast. I have been reading negative reviews and am reluctant to have this infusion. Since taking Letrozole I have developed pain in my knee and hip. Any suggestions? in 2016 I had ovarian cancer. With both cancers I did receive chemo drugs (carboplatin & taxel). Thanks.

REPLY
@bjbnavy1234

I am on Letozole for breast cancer (double mastectomy) and due to osteoporosis the oncologist wants to give me an infusion of Reclast. I have been reading negative reviews and am reluctant to have this infusion. Since taking Letrozole I have developed pain in my knee and hip. Any suggestions? in 2016 I had ovarian cancer. With both cancers I did receive chemo drugs (carboplatin & taxel). Thanks.

Jump to this post

@bjbnavy1234 You certainly have a lot to deal with and think about. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect where we’re all patients, and families and caregivers of patients. We’re not medical professionals so we cant prescribe medications or diagnose problems. But we can certainly help with personal experience.
Ive been on steroids for 3.5 years and was just diagnosed with osteoporosis. I read the discussions here on Connect and was nervous, too. I had been on Fosamax for 2 years, but it didn’t help. I spoke with my endocrinologist this week and he, too, wants me to start Reclast. When i brought up the side effects, he said that he’s been prescribing Reclast for 20 years with only about 5 complaints. I trust this doctor so I’m going to start Reclast this month.
Is your doctor treating the pain in your knee and hip?

REPLY
@bjbnavy1234

I am on Letozole for breast cancer (double mastectomy) and due to osteoporosis the oncologist wants to give me an infusion of Reclast. I have been reading negative reviews and am reluctant to have this infusion. Since taking Letrozole I have developed pain in my knee and hip. Any suggestions? in 2016 I had ovarian cancer. With both cancers I did receive chemo drugs (carboplatin & taxel). Thanks.

Jump to this post

@ bjbnavy1234 That's a big decision but I just had my 2nd dose and have no side effects .Only while I was getting the infusion I had a very light headache but it left as quick as it came. Have you had a dexascan to see if your a candidate fir this yet? You didn't mention it so thought I'd ask this will tell you if you need reclast.Im not doubting your oncologist but thought I'd ask it might just be arthritis? I wish you luck 🙏for you,very already, gone through alot already.

REPLY

I’m getting back surgery, they Rx’d Reclast injections- anyone have experience and side effects?

REPLY
@jennd63

I’m getting back surgery, they Rx’d Reclast injections- anyone have experience and side effects?

Jump to this post

Hello @jennd63 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Because you are interested in hearing from others on Reclast injections, I have moved your post into an existing discussion on this same topic.

Members like @lioness71 and @becsbuddy have both recently been in the discussion and may be able to share some information with you.

When is your back surgery?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.