1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

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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thehuth6 | @thehuth6 | Jan 16, 2023
In reply to @kirstentrapani "I had an infusion 2 days ago Friday January 13, 2023. I’m so upset because I..." + (show)
@kirstentrapani

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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That is terrible!

Please update with your status.

Hope you are feeling better soon!!!

REPLY
windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 16, 2023
In reply to @kirstentrapani "I had an infusion 2 days ago Friday January 13, 2023. I’m so upset because I..." + (show)
@kirstentrapani

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??

Jump to this post

After having these reactions, your insurance should cover Tymlos, Forteo or Evenity. Smal comfort!

I am finishing Tymlos soon and will do 1/4 dose Reclast to start. Your experience is scary and concerning. Let us know if you improve!

REPLY
diwint | @diwint | Jan 16, 2023
In reply to @kirstentrapani "I had an infusion 2 days ago Friday January 13, 2023. I’m so upset because I..." + (show)
@kirstentrapani

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??

Jump to this post

So sorry this is happening! I am supposed to have my first infusion on 2/7. I’m having so many doubts about it & a lot of anxiety. I hope & pray your pain goes away soon. I wish I knew what to do & hope some day there’s a medication that doesn’t cause these terrible side effects!
Diane

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ncylucyann | @ncylucyann | Feb 2, 2023

Have had 2 reclast injections. Had no side effects. But i recently noticed my nails have ridges, my tooth broke off and my gums look bad. also my shoulder makes noise when i lift up arm. In aug. i will have my bone density test to see if these injections helped. Any one else have dental problems? ncylucy

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greece2000 | @greece2000 | Feb 15, 2023

Hi all! I would like to share with you my Reclast experience. I am a male 33 years old. My internist discovered that I have osteoporosis 2 years ago due to genetic predisposition and malnutrition I had in the previous years. Generally I am a healthy person and I have no other health problems. I started Calcium Citrate 800mg/day , Vitamin K2(mk-7) 120mg/day and my D25OH leveles should be always above 30ng. Also in November 2021 I had my first Reclast infusion. In November 2022 I had again a DEXA scan to see my improvement and is the below:

- Spine Nov 2021 T-score -3.0
- Spine Nov 2022 T-score -1.8

My endocrinologist said that this improvement is not only due to Reclast (the mean improvement of Reclast is 5-8% on your T-score) but due to the change I had in my nuitrution and the strenghening of muscles I did. It is very important to walk at least 30 minutes per day and to strengh your muscles in order to increase your muscle mass.

As far the side effects I had GERD problems for years and after the infusion my GERD problems became even worse just for some days. I had also some pains in my body but just took paracetamol for 4-5 days.

Hope the best for all! Cheers from Greece!

REPLY
2 replies
paala | @paala | Feb 16, 2023
In reply to @greece2000 "Hi all! I would like to share with you my Reclast experience. I am a male..." + (show)
@greece2000

Hi all! I would like to share with you my Reclast experience. I am a male 33 years old. My internist discovered that I have osteoporosis 2 years ago due to genetic predisposition and malnutrition I had in the previous years. Generally I am a healthy person and I have no other health problems. I started Calcium Citrate 800mg/day , Vitamin K2(mk-7) 120mg/day and my D25OH leveles should be always above 30ng. Also in November 2021 I had my first Reclast infusion. In November 2022 I had again a DEXA scan to see my improvement and is the below:

- Spine Nov 2021 T-score -3.0
- Spine Nov 2022 T-score -1.8

My endocrinologist said that this improvement is not only due to Reclast (the mean improvement of Reclast is 5-8% on your T-score) but due to the change I had in my nuitrution and the strenghening of muscles I did. It is very important to walk at least 30 minutes per day and to strengh your muscles in order to increase your muscle mass.

As far the side effects I had GERD problems for years and after the infusion my GERD problems became even worse just for some days. I had also some pains in my body but just took paracetamol for 4-5 days.

Hope the best for all! Cheers from Greece!

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Thank you for the information you gave on Reclast. Very much appreciated!

REPLY
jagilles | @jagilles | Feb 17, 2023

Sorry to read this.
I had Reclast for 5 years. The first year that night I had fever and chills.
The next years I drank a ton of water before and after and did not have any reaction.

REPLY
leeosteo | @leeosteo | Feb 17, 2023
In reply to @greece2000 "Hi all! I would like to share with you my Reclast experience. I am a male..." + (show)
@greece2000

Hi all! I would like to share with you my Reclast experience. I am a male 33 years old. My internist discovered that I have osteoporosis 2 years ago due to genetic predisposition and malnutrition I had in the previous years. Generally I am a healthy person and I have no other health problems. I started Calcium Citrate 800mg/day , Vitamin K2(mk-7) 120mg/day and my D25OH leveles should be always above 30ng. Also in November 2021 I had my first Reclast infusion. In November 2022 I had again a DEXA scan to see my improvement and is the below:

- Spine Nov 2021 T-score -3.0
- Spine Nov 2022 T-score -1.8

My endocrinologist said that this improvement is not only due to Reclast (the mean improvement of Reclast is 5-8% on your T-score) but due to the change I had in my nuitrution and the strenghening of muscles I did. It is very important to walk at least 30 minutes per day and to strengh your muscles in order to increase your muscle mass.

As far the side effects I had GERD problems for years and after the infusion my GERD problems became even worse just for some days. I had also some pains in my body but just took paracetamol for 4-5 days.

Hope the best for all! Cheers from Greece!

Jump to this post

greece2000. Thank you for sharing your experience. What brand of calcium citrate and Vit K2(mk-7) did you use? Also, how did you change your nutrition intake?

REPLY
1 reply
lizzabeth | @lizzabeth | Mar 11, 2023

I had a Reclast infusion 11 days ago. The day after the infusion I had a terrible headache. It lasted for 3 days. Then one week after the infusion I awakened in the middle of the night in so much pain I could not sleep. Every joint in my body hurt. All the places I have had a fracture was swollen and painful. I could not lift my left arm (which as arthritis in it). My hands and feet (also have arthritis) swelled and were painful. I could not pick up anything with my hands. This is 6 days after all of this started and my neck, upper back, and left arm are all still causing me a lot of pain. I will NEVER get another Reclast infusion. I have not slept for 5 nights. Horrible medicine.

REPLY
janmarie2023 | @janmarie2023 | Mar 11, 2023

I am so very sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you. I had this treatment one time, as well. It was about 8 years ago. I ended up in the emergency room the next day. I had some of the same symptoms including bad headache, confusion, nausea, and extreme bone pain. Please take care of yourself and feel better soon. The problem with these medications is that they stay in your system for a long time. And you can have side effects for some time. I often wonder if any rheumatologist would ever put themselves through taking this IV treatment. A year later my doctor wanted me to try Prolia. I was approved but said, "No thank you!"

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