Zoledronic Acid: I need feed back for this drug please

I have heard that hydrating really well 24 hours before and after, slower infusion and premedicating (Tylenol or NSAID? Benadryl?) help. I have this in my future so thanks for the comment on the slower infusion.

I felt awful after the first infusion - flu like symptoms for over a week and at the 2 week mark I was still having really bad night sweats. I read somewhere that the rate of infusion could make a difference, so for the second infusion I asked the nurses if they could slow it down a little, which they did (from about 20 mins to almost 40 mins). I had zero problems that time and with subsequent infusions. So whether it was my body adjusting to the medicine or the rate of infusion, it got much better after round 1. Good luck and feel better.

Hi,
My first one was the toughest. All the bones in my body, even my skull hurt. It went on a couple of days. I've been on it for the past 9 months now and I don't have any issues anymore. I follow the advice of windyshores and hydrate. I took Tylenol before the second one but I don't need it anymore. Mine is set to 20 minutes.

I had 4 infusions for osteopenia caused by hysterectomy at age 43 ( caused by tamoxifen side effects) and Also caused by Raloxifene. The Reclast( zoledronic acid) gave my the flu like symptoms. These improved with each dose. I had good bone improvement, but after infusions stopped, I had the rebound effect and my bone density plummeted again. This rebound effect happens. I done know if they have any solutions yet. I stopped in 2017. I’m 60 years old. I try to reverse bone loss with exercise and I moved to a sunny climate. It’s working so far!
Good luck.

I refused Zometa. To me the side effects were too great including necrosis of the jaw bone which is supposedly rare. See the discussion on broken teeth etc on this forum. Good luck with your decision making. It’s a crucial skill for those on the cancer journey.

I was on Prolia for 5 years. I had my last injection in July and in January I have to decide what to take in order to avoid the rebound effect. 1 option is Reclast; another is the more likely one—Fosemax. They all have side effects. Prolia was/is joint pain and now tendinitis. I am always vigilant about dental appointments and had a thorough check up before starting. I was also advised to drink 64oz of water per day, so basically, I only drink water. Prolia helped me go from osteoporosis caused by AI to osteopenia and a lot of improvement except for 1 hip but still osteopenia. My bones are stable and my endocrinologist told me that my goal is to maintain bone, not build bone. I am taking vitamin K2 which I learned about somewhere on this forum, but I won’t know if that is doing anything because I don’t get a Dexa scan for another 2 years. I take it with my fattiest meal and separate from D3 which I take in the morning. Exercise helps. Yoga is my choice right now, but if my laundry room gets cleared I will try going back to TRX but weight bearing helps bones. I was not supposed to take anything except Tylenol for pain which did nothing but movement helps. Will update if I end up with something other than Fosamax, but during treatment, it’s important to take care of your bones and see your dentist. The jaw thing is worrisome but supposedly rare.

@lcr2017 why do you separate D3 and K2? Did a provider tell you to do that? My supplement has them together so I am curious. I do separate calcium and magnesium.

My provider prescribed the D3. I read about K2 on this forum. I researched it before I would take it and most of the articles said to take them separately so that you can take the K2 with your fattiest meal, usually dinner. I didn’t bookmark any of the articles. I was hoping that it will build bone but I have only been taking it for about 5 months. There are two versions of K2 and the articles said to make sure it’s M-7 Form. I know you take your research seriously. I was also told by my provider not to take any calcium with the D3 and to make sure I just have some dairy every day. My endocrinologist is in charge of my bones.

And my supplement has calcium and magnesium together. Sigh.

My calcium and magnesium are also together ; CAL-Mag. Ugh

What is the research with separation?