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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My doc is giving me a 20% "test dose" of Reclast. I would never take the full dose since it lasts so long in the body and my doc is super nervous. He didn't even prescribe it during my cancer treatment, which always worsens bones. Now that I have finished Tymlos I have to lock gains in (unless I can take Evenity, but after a year I will still need Reclast). The only other possibility is a bisphosphonate that is taken orally that McCormick mentioned (Atelvia?) but I have GERD.

@kgrainger stories like yours are disturbing. I hope for you that as the medication leaves your body, things get better. Unfortunately it stays in the body a long time, to some extent. How do you treat the pain?

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I had Reclast last November after completing Evenity.
I got fever ( also got mild case of Covid!) for a day or so, then woke up with very painful right knee. It swelled up and I felt lots of fluid around the joint. I couldn’t bend it or walk on that leg. I called my endocrinologist and she didn’t seem concerned.
I used cold packs and elevated it. My knee slowly returned to normal after a week.
It’s been almost 6 months- I think I am achier overall at times. My hands feel like a bit of arthritis etc.
So- hoping it resolves- not sure I’d take again in future. I will wait & maybe skip a year from medication as I’m almost at osteopenia now.
I walk 2 miles most days, do strengthening exercises & take my supplements.

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@leslie2121

I had Reclast last November after completing Evenity.
I got fever ( also got mild case of Covid!) for a day or so, then woke up with very painful right knee. It swelled up and I felt lots of fluid around the joint. I couldn’t bend it or walk on that leg. I called my endocrinologist and she didn’t seem concerned.
I used cold packs and elevated it. My knee slowly returned to normal after a week.
It’s been almost 6 months- I think I am achier overall at times. My hands feel like a bit of arthritis etc.
So- hoping it resolves- not sure I’d take again in future. I will wait & maybe skip a year from medication as I’m almost at osteopenia now.
I walk 2 miles most days, do strengthening exercises & take my supplements.

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I don’t think I will ever take it again. I haven’t been the same since taking it 2 years ago

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That’s discouraging to hear. Have you shared your symptoms?
I’m hoping I will return to “normal “ soon.

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@leslie2121

That’s discouraging to hear. Have you shared your symptoms?
I’m hoping I will return to “normal “ soon.

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I have shared my symptoms to every specialist you can think of. Reclast is on my medical chart as an an Allergic reaction. I hope you get better soon

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@kgrainger

I have shared my symptoms to every specialist you can think of. Reclast is on my medical chart as an an Allergic reaction. I hope you get better soon

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No I meant on here?

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@leslie2121

No I meant on here?

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Not yet but I will

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Wow.. so sorry to hear that..it almost sounds like lymphedema (some usually get after cancer treatments, the swelling of arms). They sometimes recommend to wear a compression sleeve or there is a massage therapy they do. I was fortunate after my cancer treatments not to get it. This scares me. This is the next recommended treatment after I finish my Eveity injections. I'm going on 6 now. I was doing ok with this, but my body is starting to feel run down, don't know if it's the treatment or something else going on. Any way, surprised none of the Doctors could recommend anything, keep pushng...u should not have to be in pain..oh now I see the post if from 2018. But I'll share this info anyway. Hope you are well

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I had a Reclast infusion a year ago, with no side-effects at all. I just had a second one four days ago. Two days afterward, I felt very fatigued, but by the third day I felt more energetic and walked over four miles. This morning (fourth day post infusion) I woke with an achy back. Could that be a side-effect? I walk a lot, so the distance was not unusual. I am hoping this is just coincidental and not post reclast thing. Anyone else experience this? Thank you.

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So sad to see that so many people have endured the side effects, at least I am not alone...I had my 1st infusion on May 19th. That very evening I had chills, headache and couldn't keep my eyes open. I woke up around 2 a.m. throwing up and couldn't sleep. Two days later, I endured neck pain, shoulder and back pain that lasted about 3 days and led to what I am experiencing now. Both of my knees are in terrible pain, I'm finding it very difficult to stand with out falling, it's difficult for me to sit on the toilet or a chair as trying to rise up leaves me in anguish and tears. I severely regret taking this infusion and can't see myself continuing treatment.

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