Zoledronic acid side effects

I’m due to have my first ZA infusion next week after waiting 7 months due to delays in getting a dental appointment relating to Covid. In the last few days I’ve developed a sore patch on my gum and severe sensitivity on another tooth. I’ve managed to get an emergency dental appointment tomorrow and hopefully it will be something simple which can be sorted out before my treatment starts. 
In my case the ZA only gives me a 2% benefit over 10 years and having read up on it I’m really anxious about going ahead. I’m particularly worried about the possible effects on kidney function and osteocronosis of the jaw. However if I didn’t have the ZA and my cancer spread to my bones I know I would feel that I hadn’t done everything I could.
Has anyone else had a similar dilemma? 

Hi Hevs,

Thank you for posting. Sorry to see no one’s responded to this yet, I’m sure someone will be along soon to pick up the conversation. In the meantime, one of our clinical nurse specialists can chat with you about Zoledronic acid and it’s side effects. You can reach them on 0808 800 6000. They are available between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm on Saturday morning. 

Sending you our best wishes,

Saskia

Hi

Im assuming from your comment that you don’t already have secondaries? If you are receiving this treatment as part of your treatment for primary BC it is a different proposition to the one that us secondary people have (this thread/post is in the secondary part of the forum). As a person with secondary BC in the bones you basically have to have a bone strengthening treatment to ensure there is no further spread and to strengthen the bones. If you are a person who has had primary BC then you obviously have an option whether you have bone strengthening treatment or not. As has been said, maybe you can call one of the nurses who might be able to help? Or, if you do have secondaries please do check in again as someone else may have been in a similar situation and might have some guidance going forward. At the moment the preferred bone strengthening treatment for secondaries does seem to be Denosumab which is why you’ve probably not received any replies regarding the use of ZA as there’s not many of us on it.

Nicky