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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@leslie2121

Had my first (& probably only!) Reclast last November. A couple days later woke up to greatly swollen knee ( just right one) where I couldn’t bend past 30°, or put weight on it as it was very painful. Felt fluid all around it. Living in a 3 story house was hard!
I laid on the couch & used cold packs on it. After a few days put a light compression wrap to help resolve the swelling.
Thankfully it returned to normal after a week and seems fine.
I felt crappy for a couple months- tired, achy, nausea- but feel mostly normal again.
My endocrinologist suggested Tymlos or even a 2nd round of Evenity in the future.
I don’t think I want anything for a good while.

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You can take a 2nd round of evenity after being on something else? That would be great. Am on it now and no side effects

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@cat714

You can take a 2nd round of evenity after being on something else? That would be great. Am on it now and no side effects

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Yes- I’ve been told that it’s an option to take Evenity for another round.

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@debcco

Taking medication for osteoporosis requires a risk/reward calculation. My primary care physician, who is not a medication pusher, suggested Evenity because my osteoporosis was pretty bad. I went through my 12 shots without side effects. I had my Reclast infusion on May 9th and reported flu like symptoms for a day and a half and thought that was the end of it. But on May 16th I started having major digestive problems and aches & pains in various bones and joints. My bone scan did reveal significant improvement so the Evenity was worth it. I won't have another infusion of Reclast. I already had one hip replaced because of arthritis and osteophytes. Now my other hip is giving me problems. If I have that one replaced, I won't need to worry about hip fractures! BTW, I am 73.

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Same with reclast had horrible pain for over a week. My GP put me on prednisone which helped. Never again

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@windyshores

I am seeing a nephrologist this week to see if my kidneys can handle even a 20% dose of Reclast. Was in the ER last night and eGFR was low again at 37. I am seeking a second opinion on next steps scheduled for 6/30, infusion of Reclast is scheduled for 7/10, and I talk again to Dr. McCormick in between. I have started my last pen of Tymlos so that sets a time limit on my deliberations!

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I have early stage kidney disease same,low gfr. My rneumato.ogist never said anything g about kidney problems may need to see GP for follow up blood work

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@debcco

I posted previously about having random joint, muscle, and bone pain starting after my Reclast infusion. Other people have mentioned a host of bad reactions and I am wondering how long they lasted. Thanks.

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Dr. Put me on prednisone pin lasted 8 to 9 days

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@ljgraham166

I have early stage kidney disease same,low gfr. My rneumato.ogist never said anything g about kidney problems may need to see GP for follow up blood work

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@ljgraham166 do you mind me asking how low your gfr is? Did you do a full dose of Reclast?

My kidney doc says my plan for 20% dose is fine with him but I don't trust him. I send him an FDA warning on this and he still says it is okay. In fact he said Reclast was okay even before I mentioned the 20% dose.

I am getting a second opinion.

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Am on Evenity with no side effects. Considering reclast after that.
If something would happen needing any tooth extraction is it hard to find a dentist to take you?
Is there any other drug that would be acceptable to them?
Thanks I go every 3 months for cleaning.

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@cat714

Am on Evenity with no side effects. Considering reclast after that.
If something would happen needing any tooth extraction is it hard to find a dentist to take you?
Is there any other drug that would be acceptable to them?
Thanks I go every 3 months for cleaning.

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I've had two Reclast infusions in the last two years. The first infusion coincided with an infected tooth that needed to be removed. I went to my regular dentist and he refused to do the extraction. I was referred to a "specialist" Dental surgeon who of course was not in my dental insurance "network" and had two teeth extracted by the specialist. Of course it came with an extraordinary price tag as well. Had no issues with healing other than I'm on blood thinners for a heart stent and it seemed to take an extra long time for the bleeding to stop. I have never had any side effects with the Reclast and to be honest have felt no different and really don't know what it did for me.

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A question is there anyone who had/has arthritis of any kind that found it increased after Reclast?

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@forrestj

I've had two Reclast infusions in the last two years. The first infusion coincided with an infected tooth that needed to be removed. I went to my regular dentist and he refused to do the extraction. I was referred to a "specialist" Dental surgeon who of course was not in my dental insurance "network" and had two teeth extracted by the specialist. Of course it came with an extraordinary price tag as well. Had no issues with healing other than I'm on blood thinners for a heart stent and it seemed to take an extra long time for the bleeding to stop. I have never had any side effects with the Reclast and to be honest have felt no different and really don't know what it did for me.

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Thank you for replying.
I'm glad you had no bad side effects from reclast or with the extractions.
Have you had a dexa to see if you were able to keep your gains.
Good luck.

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