Zoledronic Acid: I need feed back for this drug please

@fidelisgwc I also have osteoporosis due to hormone meds to treat my breast cancer. The osteoporosis was first discovered this last fall. My oncologist wanted me to go on Zolendronic Acid infusions once every 6 months for 3 years. I was also very reticent after reading about all the possible side effects. I told her that I would be very careful not to break a bone; holding on to railings and not walking on ice. She informed me that all it would take is stepping off a curb or turning my ankle when I walked to break a bone. It doesn't matter how careful you are. She went on to say that my hormone meds are the heavy hitters in my cancer fight, even more so than the chemo and radiation were. If I don't want to treat the side effects of the hormone meds (osteoporosis) then they don't feel like they can, in good conscience, keep prescribing the hormone meds and my cancer could return. I felt like I was between a rock and a hard place, so I finally agreed to the Zolendronic Acid (Zometa) infusions. I had my first infusion in November 2025. Other than an achy feeling and a low-grade fever for about a week after the infusion, I have had no other side effects that I can pinpoint to the Zolendronic Acid infusion. My eyesight is a little worse, but that just could be my age (71). I am concerned about my teeth loosening, but so far there has been no change in that. I hope and pray that I will not have any additional side effects. I've read that with each infusion, as your body adapts, there will be fewer body aches and fevers. Good luck with this. It is a difficult decision.

Believe it or not, this forum is what I found for Zoledronic Acid infusion patients. I am male, cancer patient; hormonal treatment (Luperon infusion) has caused or contributed to osteoporosis. Oncologist wants me to do Zoledronic Acid infusion; I am reticent to do so as the more gruesome side effects scare the dickens out of me, especially as the drug persists for up to 2 years. I have noticed that the comments and questions in this forum are not from patients who are or have experienced any of the serious side effects (the expected flu symptoms prevail). Is there anyone out there who is or has experienced the more serious side effects, treatment for those side effects, duration, etc.? I must very shortly make decision. Thanks.

I take Reclast every three months and am doing well with it now, but did not at first. I had a serious allergic reaction. My arms, legs and feet, face and neck were bright red and stinging. A steroid pack alleviated the problem, but I still need the drug to offset the bone-loss effects of ribociclib and furvescent and to build protection against bone mets. I could not tolerate Prolia. I now receive an antihistamine and steroids in my30-minute infusion and have no problems with it. I also make frequent check-up visits to my dentist and exercise a lot. Wish taking care of me didn't take so much time, but I'm thankful there is help!

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

What is the research with separation?

And my supplement has calcium and magnesium together. Sigh.

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.

@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.

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.

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 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.