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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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lee1447 | @lee1447 | May 3 5:02pm
In reply to @aspirecreative "@lee1447 I was also very nervous, and had to really push my endo to prescribe a..." + (show)
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@lee1447
I was also very nervous, and had to really push my endo to prescribe a saline drip and slower (30 minute) infusion. I followed what I learned here, and also took Claritin, day of and 3 days after. I am very prone to side effects, but it is 5 days later and I didn't have any kind of reaction at all. Part of me is waiting for the other shoe to drop, and as I had a 5 week RA flare, starting 10 days after my first Evenity shots. Am hoping for the best and will post if anything happens down the road, but so far, it has gone far better than feared.

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@aspirecreative
Based on comments I read here over the months, I am still wondering if the “other shoe will drop”! Let’s just consider ourselves lucky and breathe a BIG sigh of relief that we may be one of the lucky ones!!!!

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ginger1957 | @ginger1957 | May 4 7:48pm
In reply to @nana50 "My osteoporosis doctor wants me to have my first Reclast infusion at the end of May...." + (show)
Profile picture for nana50 @nana50

My osteoporosis doctor wants me to have my first Reclast infusion at the end of May. I have been doing the Tymlos injection every night for the past two years and Reclast is supposed to help maintain the gains I have made with Tymlos. After reading all of the side effects that people have had from the infusion, I am terrified to do the infusion. I am a 75 year old female, I walk for an hour 4 days per week, I take vitamin c and d everyday and I eat a high protein diet. I really don't want to put anymore drugs like these in my body. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Thank you!

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@nana50
I had my first Reclast infusion on 2/26/26. I stayed very hydrated for several days before and after the infusion. I began Tylenol the day before, the day of, and continued for 2 or 3 days after. It was also recommended to take an antihistamine the before, the day of, and after. I already take one daily for seasonal allergies. I had the medication infused over 30 minutes. Aside from being a bit more tired for a few days, I have had no other side effects. I hope you do as well!

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dannyandebbie | @dannyandebbie | May 6 7:52pm
In reply to @aspirecreative "@lee1447 I was also very nervous, and had to really push my endo to prescribe a..." + (show)
Profile picture for aspirecreative @aspirecreative

@lee1447
I was also very nervous, and had to really push my endo to prescribe a saline drip and slower (30 minute) infusion. I followed what I learned here, and also took Claritin, day of and 3 days after. I am very prone to side effects, but it is 5 days later and I didn't have any kind of reaction at all. Part of me is waiting for the other shoe to drop, and as I had a 5 week RA flare, starting 10 days after my first Evenity shots. Am hoping for the best and will post if anything happens down the road, but so far, it has gone far better than feared.

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@aspirecreative truly glad to hear this! Hopefully you remain symptom free and the medication helps you.

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kna68 | @kna68 | May 13 1:31pm
In reply to @jozer "@gowalking I received a handout about reclast on my way out AFTER the infusion. The only..." + (show)
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@gowalking I received a handout about reclast on my way out AFTER the infusion. The only prep instructions I got were “be well hydrated (8 oz? 164 oz?), and take Tylenol if you have flu symptoms”. Zero info otherwise. I know doctors have lots of patients, little time. I had no idea there could be any type of side effects until I found this forum and thankfully how to prep for infusion. Followed a protocol found here and had zero side effects, other than on and off bone pain the eight months since I had the infusion, which my doc said after first month it wouldn’t be from reclast. I say BS! It’s in the literature from Novartis.

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@jozer
Hi, I have been on Reclast for 4 years. Four months after my first infusion I had severe knee pain develope, always at night. Same thing happened after the 2nd and 3rd infusions. Same time lag after the infusion or sometimes less like 3 months after the infusion. This year was the worst. 3 months after the infusion I developed intense hip pain that wakes me up at night. My endocrinologist insists that the Reclast is not to blame. She rushes thru my appts and doesn’t research my complaints.

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kaa1 | @kaa1 | May 14 7:30am

I guess I’m not one of the lucky ones. I had the Infusion on Tuesday. Slower infusion time followed by saline rinse.
Tylenol a few days before and ongoing. I’ve had the worst flu like symptoms. I’ve had a high fever that has gone over 103.5, mostly staying in the 102+ range, that’s a high fever for a person over 65. Tylenol is bothering my stomach, but I’m taking it. Can’t eat much. I just feel so sick. At this point in time I’m feeling like “never again” it’s not worth it to do this to myself! Thanks for letting me vent.

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dannyandebbie | @dannyandebbie | May 15 9:35am
In reply to @kaa1 "I guess I’m not one of the lucky ones. I had the Infusion on Tuesday. Slower..." + (show)
Profile picture for kaa1 @kaa1

I guess I’m not one of the lucky ones. I had the Infusion on Tuesday. Slower infusion time followed by saline rinse.
Tylenol a few days before and ongoing. I’ve had the worst flu like symptoms. I’ve had a high fever that has gone over 103.5, mostly staying in the 102+ range, that’s a high fever for a person over 65. Tylenol is bothering my stomach, but I’m taking it. Can’t eat much. I just feel so sick. At this point in time I’m feeling like “never again” it’s not worth it to do this to myself! Thanks for letting me vent.

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@kaa1 I wish people would review the symptoms before infusion! Honestly!

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kaa1 | @kaa1 | May 15 11:24am

I was fully informed and well aware. I had limited options made the best decision I could. Certainly doesn’t help to be judged by a stranger especially on this site which I always find to be refreshingly free of that.

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kaa1 | @kaa1 | May 15 11:27am
In reply to @dannyandebbie "@kaa1 I wish people would review the symptoms before infusion! Honestly!" + (show)
Profile picture for dannyandebbie @dannyandebbie

@kaa1 I wish people would review the symptoms before infusion! Honestly!

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@dannyandebbie
I was fully informed and well aware. I had limited options made the best decision I could. Certainly doesn’t help to be judged by a stranger especially on this site which I always find to be refreshingly free of that.

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dannyandebbie | @dannyandebbie | May 15 12:04pm
In reply to @kaa1 "@dannyandebbie I was fully informed and well aware. I had limited options made the best decision..." + (show)
Profile picture for kaa1 @kaa1

@dannyandebbie
I was fully informed and well aware. I had limited options made the best decision I could. Certainly doesn’t help to be judged by a stranger especially on this site which I always find to be refreshingly free of that.

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@kaa1 I apologize for you feeling that I am judging you! I ment no harm. I should have done more research for myself is all I’m pretty much saying! Again, I apologize and best of luck to you!

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kaa1 | @kaa1 | May 15 2:28pm
In reply to @dannyandebbie "@kaa1 I apologize for you feeling that I am judging you! I ment no harm. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for dannyandebbie @dannyandebbie

@kaa1 I apologize for you feeling that I am judging you! I ment no harm. I should have done more research for myself is all I’m pretty much saying! Again, I apologize and best of luck to you!

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@dannyandebbie
Thanks for your clarification. Best wishes.

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