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Reclast Infusions: Side-effects & Recovery time
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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leeosteo,
I hydrated a lot the day before the infusion- and the day of, and day after. I had asked for a longer infusion time. It was 60 minutes. There was a saline drip after. The day before, I started a Tylenol regimen which I’m still on.
Infusion was Thursday. I saw two of my clients that afternoon. Friday, I saw six clients.
I have been extremely anxious about this infusion. As I was about the Evenity before.
Thursday, when went to rheumatologist office for infusion, there were three other patients there getting infused. Not with Reclast, but with other meds.
One was getting pain meds with steroids. One was in a wheelchair. It reminded me of when I used to drive to Nashville (7 hours) to take my friend to chemo.
Everyone was pretty chill and there was camaraderie.
All women. I felt strengthened by these women- the nurse also - and just did what had to be done.
Also, this site has helped me more in the last year than any other source.
If a team of Johns Hopkins endocrinologists told me to do something, I would bounce it off windyshores first.
@leeosteo, when the time comes for Reclast, I would ask your doctor to prescribe a slow infusion, with a specific time for the nurses to follow (45 or 60 minutes). You will not have to worry at all about a nurse agreeing to slow infusion if the doctor orders it!
If you have chronic kidney disease the doctor can order IV hydration as well (I had this for an hour, before the Reclast was infused.) My nurse offered Tylenol so that was probably ordered by the doctor as well. (I had already taken it).
Hydrate and take Tylenol the day before, day of and day after. Nephrologist wanted me to drink liquids with salt (broth) but that was due to blood pressure and kidneys.
My infusion nurse followed the doctor's orders very closely. I felt very safe because my doctor had put all of this into the order and the nurse just carried out what he wrote.
susanfalcon52, when you say hydrated a lot do you mean 8-12 cups water? What was your tylenol regime? Did you have to ask for a saline drip after or is that standard practice with Reclast infusion? It's comforting that you found camaraderie during the procedure. My mind would be going nuts if I was alone. Thanks for your insight.
Just want to add @leeosteo that we don't have to "gulp water" (my doctor's words) and drink to excess. Many of us are chronically dehydrated. So "hydration" means drinking what we ought to drink on any given day, which many of us don't do regularly! I am trying to hydrate more in general 🙂
Reclast goes through the kidneys and adequate hydration helps with that. It may also help with any after effects though I still had a low grade fever for a few days- no biggie.
This is from the manufacturer's Medication guide for Reclast.
"How will I receive Reclast?
Your doctor will tell you how often you will receive Reclast.
Reclast is given by infusion into your vein (intravenously). Your infusion should last at least 15 minutes.
Before you receive Reclast, drink at least 2 glasses of fluid (such as water) within a few hours as directed by your doctor.
You may eat before your treatment with Reclast.
If you miss a dose of Reclast, call your doctor or healthcare provider to schedule your next dose
also:
Reclast injection must be administered as an intravenous infusion over no less than 15 minutes.
Patients must be appropriately hydrated prior to administration of Reclast [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.
Intravenous infusion should be followed by a 10 mL normal saline flush of the intravenous line.
Administration of acetaminophen following Reclast administration may reduce the incidence of acute-phase reaction symptoms.
leeosteo,
The saline drip was a surprise. They had told me ahead of time to take Tylenol 3x a day. And, that I could add Motrin the night of the infusion.
I was drinking 90-100 oz of fluids. Coffee, tea, and water. Its two days later and I’m still on the Tylenol regimen. I do think I have some achyness. And, I’m tired. I probably should have taken it easier than I did.
@susanfalcon52 are you referring to the saline flush afterward? That is often given after IV's. I had a drip for an hour before the Reclast. Did you have a quick flush or a longer drip?
As you can see in the post above, the saline flush is standard protocol with this 🙂
windyshores,
Saline after and took 30 minutes.
A drip for an hour before the Reclast?
@susanfalcon52 interesting! I am going to ask about that. Yes I had an hour before Reclast. My kidneys did fine- that was the worry. My infusion was an hour long too. So maybe the saline flush was not needed-?