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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I had my first reclast infusion a few months ago. Within 24 hours I was in the hospital for pain management. Horrible pain in my chest and shoulders!

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@grandmaketchup

I had my first reclast infusion a few months ago. Within 24 hours I was in the hospital for pain management. Horrible pain in my chest and shoulders!

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I had my first Zometa ( like Reclast) infusion a week ago & have never experienced such debilitating pain in my life! And I love w/chronic pain for more than a decade. I was told to keep talking my Tramadol w/tylonol & hot baths. This was a horrible experience. Would have hoped for better or more realistic preparation by medical team.

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@moverland

I had my first Zometa ( like Reclast) infusion a week ago & have never experienced such debilitating pain in my life! And I love w/chronic pain for more than a decade. I was told to keep talking my Tramadol w/tylonol & hot baths. This was a horrible experience. Would have hoped for better or more realistic preparation by medical team.

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I am so sorry! I truly understand the level of pain you're talking about. I hope that you are feeling better now ...and what is the outcome? Are they wanting you to have another infusion in a year? My doctor has already said that he is expecting me to have another infusion in a year but this time he'll give me some pain meds to take afterwards. Would like to know how you're doing and if you have future plans of having another infusion.

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@grandmaketchup

I am so sorry! I truly understand the level of pain you're talking about. I hope that you are feeling better now ...and what is the outcome? Are they wanting you to have another infusion in a year? My doctor has already said that he is expecting me to have another infusion in a year but this time he'll give me some pain meds to take afterwards. Would like to know how you're doing and if you have future plans of having another infusion.

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Thanks for your response & support. I am supposed to have an infusion every 6 months for the next 3 years( following lumpectomy/radiation). I have recently started taking Letrozole for endocrine therapy & also have ostopenia. They told me the next 5 infusions shouldn't (🤔😟) have the same intensity of side effects. Hard to trust what that means. Take care.

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@moverland

Thanks for your response & support. I am supposed to have an infusion every 6 months for the next 3 years( following lumpectomy/radiation). I have recently started taking Letrozole for endocrine therapy & also have ostopenia. They told me the next 5 infusions shouldn't (🤔😟) have the same intensity of side effects. Hard to trust what that means. Take care.

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Wishing you a better outcome in the future. I have heard that some experience less side effects with future infusions.

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@grandmaketchup

Wishing you a better outcome in the future. I have heard that some experience less side effects with future infusions.

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I was under the impression that Reclast was a 5mg infusion once a year !
I did not know that it was given every six months. Is this a lower dose infusion ?
I am interested in any information about Reclast, because I have to decide if I want to continue with it and receive another infusion in March 2023.
Thank you !

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I was told that my reclast infusion was to be administered once a year for 3 years.

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I am receiving Zometa following lumpectomy/radiation and starting Letrozol for endocrine therapy. I have ostopenia in my hip & Degenerative Disk Disease as well. My Oncologist ordered Zometa incisions every 6 months for 3 years. In researching Zometa it stated similar to Reclast. I don't know if my dosage is different than a once yearly Reclast infusion.

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I had an infusion 2 days ago Friday January 13, 2023. I’m so upset because I am a perfectly healthy woman. I workout daily. I don’t drink or smoke, take vitamins, eat healthy including lots of dairy and dark greens and I was told the benefits of Reclast for my osteoporosis out weigh the risks. Well since I had the infusion I have had excruciating stomach pain, vomiting, back ache, blurred vision, diarrhea, and now I have a huge swollen lip on one side. (Wish it was both sides bc then it would look like I had implants. Haha). I look like a freak. I hope these side effects go away soon because I am totally pissed that I poisoned my body with this toxic chemical.
Do I need to do another treatment next year? WhT happens if I say no?
I’m so upset with myself. I want to never do this again. Will one treatment make a difference on my bone density? Can I stop now given all my side effects??

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@grandmaketchup

I had my first reclast infusion a few months ago. Within 24 hours I was in the hospital for pain management. Horrible pain in my chest and shoulders!

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I just saw your post from Sept, 2022.

How are you doing? Has the pain level reduced?

Hope you are feeling better!!!

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