Hi
I have been reading that Zometa is available on the nhs…
It is not available on the nhs in Berkshire (as far as I know)
Would be interested to know, which parts of the country do prescribe it on the nhs? Cld anyone advise…
Thanks
Tracy xxx
Hi Tracy
This doesn’t help but it’s not available in Hampshire either. The only way you can get it (in Hants) is to go on the ZICE trial which compares the benefits of Zometa (IV) against Bondronat (tablet). However this trial may be closed now and you also wouldn’t know which arm of it you go in until you agree to take part.
Nicky
It is available in Cheshire. I was approached about going on the ZICE trial, but as I had had alendronic acid, before bone mets were diagnosed, I was found to be ineligible. I was then asked to choose whether to have IV Zometa, or Ibandronate tablets. I chose the Zometa. There was no mention of cost implications or other patients having to apply for it, or be denied it! This was last August, the trial was still ongoing then!
Good Luck in getting Zometa, this postcode lottery is absolutely ridiculous!
It’s available in Coventry too. There has been no mention of a funding problem. I have been on it since May 2010. The tablet form hasn’t been mentioned to me at all. I believe they are a bit of a faff to take
X Sarah
Echo the concerns expressed about ‘postcode lottery’. I hope you feel able to dig your heels in and insist on what’s best for you.
IV Zometa is a standard treatment at the (Surrey) Marsden, I had 6 months of Zometa in 2007-08 after minor progression of a hip met, despite having had pamidronate for a year. The Zometa gave me stability in bones, I’ve been on oral ibandronic acid since then.
I was aware of the ZICE trial, but not aware of this postcode lottery… Zometa (zoledronic acid) is a very good bisphosphonate drug, and research also suggests that it has some anticancer properties 
I’ve been on zometa for 3 years now and will be on it as long as it works and my veins hold out. I’m in Lancashire and it seems to be given as and when appropriate round here but gather it is one of those postcode lottery drugs. When I started zometa, the ZICE trial was on but I wasn’t eligible.
hi
I am in West Sussex and seem to be available here as I have just had my first zometa,having been on tablet form for 2 years.Onc thought iv may be better at pain control as recently bone pain has increased.I will be on zometa as long as they can find a vein. They were not too impressed when i had my treatment last week,chemo nurse said they needed to be miracle workers, so we shall have to see how it goes.
Lucinda xx
Lucinda can’t you ask them to give you a port to make life easier. I think quite a number of us here have them. Mine has been with me now for 6 years and it is so good not to play hunt the vein. They are so much better for long term use than the hickman lines, or picc as everything is under the skin so lot less risk of infection and no problems with trying to keep it dry. I was switched to zometa when my pain started getting worse - it does seem to be considered the best one around for us bone met girls.
Dawn
xx
hi Dawn
Thanks for that,will ask at next appoinment.Sounds a much better way of doing the treatment.
Lucinda xx