Experiences with tooth problems concurrent with Zometa treatments

Yes @brighterdays, my Oncologist also said that women who have had breast cancer and have been on on Zometa have a higher 10 year survival rate. I will have my second infusion in October and I am making sure to drink a lot of water the day of the infusion and I will be telling myself over and over during the infusion that Zometa will help me and it will not harm me. I had 3 spinal compression fractures last fall right about the same time as my bc diagnosis and they are the pits. A good PT does help tremendously but it's just something you continue to deal with. Sending love and healing wishes to all ❤️

I just started exemestane and will be getting a dexa soon. Oncologist suggested also starting on Zometa. Her reasoning is because based on the Lancet 2015 meta analysis, it decreases mortality. Has anyone else heard of this from their oncologist?

Thank you for the hugs! Even virtual ones help.

Hi Colleen, I can't find a dentist that takes Georgia Medicaid for adults...so, nope. I am thinking about refusing any more doses of Zometa and opting for radiation on the rib, though I have read radiation does not work well on ccRcc. I am so new to this, I just don't know what to do. I asked my oncologist about high dose vitamin c treatment because it is supposed to be palliative for bone pain, but no luck there. They only prescribe known cancer drugs and opiates....and they opiates do nothing but make me feel bad. I'm just a bit lost.

@ccfyates, were you able to see a dentist? How are you doing?

Hi. I refused the Zometa. In my opinion the side effects of Zometa are worse than Letrozole. I counteracted with exercise (treadmill every day and some yoga), sunshine (20 min everyday that sun was available) and vitamin D.

Hi All,
I was just diagnosed in late September. Stage IV cc renal cell carcinoma. One of too many metastases is on a rib. I am on Keytruda and lenvima, and had one infusion of Zometa in late November. I wasn't told to get a dental check up beforehand. One of my teeth broke in half last night. Can this happen after just one infusion?

Welcome @sarena. I moved your message to this existing discussion in the Breast Cancer group
- Experiences with tooth problems concurrent with Zometa treatments: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/experiences-with-tooth-problems-concurrent-with-zometa-treatments/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect easily with members like @mdr3 @ellerbracke @trixie1313 @oilermama @schmeeckle64 @mhsosa who have experience with breast cancer, bone loss and Zometa, some who took precautions with dental work or experienced issues with their teeth.

You may also be interested in this related discussion:
- Zometa infusions to help prevent bone loss from cancer treatments: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/zometa-infusions/

Sarena, have you talked with your oncologist about your concerns with taking Zometa?

Stage 1a breast cancer. No node involvement. My DEXA scan was disappointing because of Letrozole. anyway, I don’t want to take Z infusions. I’ve had a lot of dental work in my lifetime and I am scared to death about the jaw problems. What would another option be?

If you have osteoporosis or risky osteopenia, I would get the dental work done and then consider a biphosphonate, either Reclast or Zometa. Perhaps your doctor can work with you on doing a partial dose and monitoring bones.

I had osteoporosis for 11 years when I went on Femara for cancer. My doc did not want to give me a bisphosphonate due to another health issue. I could not tolerate Forteo despite trying hard. My bone loss the first year on Femara was significant and then lessened (but continued at a lower level).

I fractured two years after finishing my 5 years of Femara due to one unwise movement. I am now on Tymlos. There were three lumbar fractures in all, very painful and disabling.

Without knowing your current bone density, I cannot comment, but my main message would be that there is more flexibility in treatment if you ask. I would look into partial dosing with monitoring, if you do not yet have osteoporosis but are borderline.

ps There are studies that say that bone-building drugs like Forteo, Tymlos and Evenity are less effective after bisphosphonates or Prolia. Nevertheless, bisphosphonates are still front line and insurance doesn't cover the others until you fail the first ones or fracture.