I have just been diagnosed with bone mets (pelvis & spine) and had my first IV zoledronic acid on Friday. I was told my joints and muscles would ache but I was not really expected to be barely able to walk - has anyone else had such debilitating side effects and do they improve with subsequent treatments?
This morning I have woke up and feel as though I have been smacked in the mouth as my face/jaw aches. I have more aches than my original symptoms and suppose i am just wondering if this is going to be forever.
Any comments / advice welcomed with open (if somewhat aching) arms
A few people have said that their first infusion of bisphosphonate (all types) left them feeling ill. Did you go onto zoledronic acid (Zometa) straight away, or were you on something else first?
Typical infusion time is 15 minutes, but you could ask them to slow it down a bit, as that sometimes helps.
Hi, agree with Holeybones, a slower infusion might help, my second infusion was trouble free.
If the infusions continue to be a problem there’s Ibandronate, a bisphosphonate tablet. One tablet a day so a continuous small dose rather than a monthly or 3 weekly hit. I’ve been on these tablets a while now (veins started playing up after a couple of years of infusions) and they’ve been trouble free.
Good Luck…x
Yes, I went straight onto zoledronic acid. I may ask them for a slower infusion as my vein really hurt which i mentioned and they said it was because it was going in so quickly.
i had really bad side effects with the infusions so switched to the tablets. Since then have been a bit achy but no where near as bad as the infusion ones
I’ve been on zometa for two years for bone mets and don’t have bad side effects just some months I feel a little nauseous and some months I feel like I’m coming down with the flu. The thing I find strange is that some months are worse than others. Last month I felt sick and shivery and after my infusion yesterday I was fine. Does anyone else find the same?
Thank you so much for all your comments. It really DOES help. Nipper, the side effects have worn off but have just had a double dose of rads to relieve pain and have been told it will ‘probably’ get worse before it gets better. I’ve got the worse bit and am just waiting for the better bit with eratic optimism!
Just thought I would let all you lovely ladies know that I had my second IV bisphos and am feeling fine so it was just the first one that whacked my body xxx