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?

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kath2 | @kath2 | Sep 27, 2021

In reply to @ncylucyann "I am 70 and have no side effects with reclast" + (show)

Will this help build bones? Is that the once a yr shot or ?

jmanj | @jmanj | Sep 28, 2021

In reply to @susanop "How long did you have to wait before dong the test for bone markers -- and..." + (show)

Sorry for the delayed answer … My Endo had me do the following: Urine Crosslinked N-Telopeptide, c-Terminal Collagen Crosslinks, Osteocalcin and Vitamin D. His comment was that the results “tell us that the Reclast was effective in decreasing bone turnover”. I’ll do a Dexa in either 1 1/2 or 2 years (after that first infusion date) and see if my numbers are holding (and the markers are still good) and decide then if another infusion is needed then, or monitor and wait awhile.

susanop | @susanop | Sep 28, 2021

Thanks for this! How long after your infusion did your endo conduct these tests?

sue225 | @sue225 | Sep 29, 2021

In reply to @fah "My endocrinologist has recommended Reclast for osteoporosis of lower spine. I am 63 and have no..." + (show)

The eye side effects worry me also. I have a chronic and severe dry eye problem. I have a lot of eye discomfort most of the time and do not need new inflammatory conditions. (another reason why I am reluctant to switch from Prolia).

sarai14 | @sarai14 | Oct 14, 2021

In reply to @dkapustin "Hi there. Thanks, @JustinMcClanahan for adding me. I have Osteoporosis and tried supplements, diet, and exercise..." + (show)

@dkapustin

Hi there. Thanks, @JustinMcClanahan for adding me. I have Osteoporosis and tried supplements, diet, and exercise to increase my bone density but nothing worked. I was getting worse. I also want to add that I had been active for decades so weight bearing exercises (weights, walking, elliptical, tennis) still produced a 60 year old with weak bones. Blood tests showed a healthy parathyroid and calcium and Vitamin D levels. With all of that said, I realized that Osteoporosis was a disease. A progressive disease that sometimes needed medication. I didn't want to take the drugs either but I am currently taking care of my 83 year old mother who can only walk to the bathroom due to falls and untreated OP. I spent years in skilled nursing facilities and memory care units caring for my father with Alzheimers and I've seen the lives of those with brittle bones and I just don't want to end up that way. At 62, I've had my right hip replaced, am now recovering form a right knee replacement and will get the other one replaced next year. All as a result from Osteoarthritis which is the sister of the OP. I took Forteo for a year and had no side effects but had a problem with my insurance so switched to Recast. I had the infusion last year and I followed the 3 simple rules. 1. Drink tons of water days before, day of, and day after infusion. 2. Make sure they give the infusion over a 45 minute time frame. NOT the 20 minutes they normally do. If they refuse, get it done elsewhere. 3. Take a couple of Tylenol before going to bed. I had no horrific side effects and although I have joint blame, I couldn't never say with certainty that it is a side effect from the OP drugs. But if you do nothing, lean to heavily on social media and people calling the drugs poison, you may find yourself in trouble later on. All drugs come with risks and you have to weigh the risk/benefit ratio. If you do nothing and your bone density keeps decreasing every year, you will not have a good quality of life in your elder years. I am going to fight for my quality of health and take the drugs. I do know that Reclast should only be sued for about 5 years. I also know that at some point my life, I will probably have to get on Prolia but I'm trying to use all of the other drugs first. I plan on finishing the year of Forteo and staying on Reclast as long as possible. This is certainly something you need to discuss with your doctor. If you don't trust your doctor, find another one. I do recommend seeing an RA or endocronolgist to discuss your OP because they are more knowledgeable about the treatment options for OP. But please be cautious about listening to the people calling it poison. Make your own informed decision.

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Hi thank you for your detailed information regarding Reclast. I will be going for my 3rd infusion tomorrow and my bone density has increased. I don’t look forward to it. I usually feel like I am getting the flu, aches, feverish etc.. but I do exactly what you said drink water, I take Tylenol before and after. I am 69 now, also in good physical condition but it’s genetic and as you said: you do not want fragile bones . I was treated early 60’s but could not tolerate pills. So this is working so have to stick with it!
And yes, medications all have side effects, but so does OP and fractures!
Hope that helps someone too!

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Oct 15, 2021

In reply to @sarai14 "Hi thank you for your detailed information regarding Reclast. I will be going for my 3rd..." + (show)

@sarai14 Thank you for the upbeat post! I’m supposed to start Reclast, just not sure when.

jmanj | @jmanj | Oct 16, 2021

In reply to @susanop "Thanks for this! How long after your infusion did your endo conduct these tests?" + (show)

Sorry for my delayed response! I think it was about three months after the infusion .

dgm123s | @dgm123s | Oct 17, 2021

Hello
I was wondering if anyone knew which drug has more side effects prolia or reclast?

judykchase | @judykchase | Oct 17, 2021

I started on Prolia last June and was very reluctant after not tolerating Fosamax with side effects. So far I haven’t had any side effects that I am aware of. I will get my second Priolia injection in December. It is such a difficult decision! Judy

susanop | @susanop | Oct 18, 2021

In reply to @dgm123s "Hello I was wondering if anyone knew which drug has more side effects prolia or reclast?" + (show)

My endocrinologist did tell me that, when you stop Prolia to go on a drug holiday, there is a period of rapid bone loss and she suggested that I do the annual Reclast infusion instead. I had my first Reclast infusion in August.