My mom has been having a very difficult time with Aredia.
She started on Zometa but switched to Aredia, and both really affect her. She will feel awful for four + days afterwards with flu-like symptoms (achy, diarrhea, extreme fatigue etc).
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to alleviate some of these symptoms?
Her doctor has her take steroids the day after so she is not as tired, but it hasn't really helped.
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Re: Aredia flu-like symptoms
Hopeful,
I remember reading that folks on this forum suggested keeping well-hyrdated both before and after infusion and also requesting a longer infusion time when being given Zometa. You might want to try the same approaches for Aredia?
I remember reading that folks on this forum suggested keeping well-hyrdated both before and after infusion and also requesting a longer infusion time when being given Zometa. You might want to try the same approaches for Aredia?
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: Aredia flu-like symptoms
Hi Hopeful,
I get Zometa monthly and one thing that seems to help me is to have the IV drip go more slowly (30 minutes), as opposed to fast (15 minutes).
Not sure if this would make a difference for your mom, but it might be worth trying.
Good luck!
Mike
I get Zometa monthly and one thing that seems to help me is to have the IV drip go more slowly (30 minutes), as opposed to fast (15 minutes).
Not sure if this would make a difference for your mom, but it might be worth trying.
Good luck!
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Aredia flu-like symptoms
I had a long reaction similar to what you are describing after my first round of Aredia last August. The irony is that I chose it over Zometa to reduce any side effects. I had almost two weeks before my energy came back. What seemed to help me was a lot of extra calcium and dairy. My calcium runs low normal and, after the Aredia, it dropped below the normal range, as did my potassium. My guess is that it worked a little too well and messed up my homeostasis.
So in November (I am doing the infusions every three months), we cut the dose from 90 mg to 30 mg. Both times, the infusion was two hours. I still had the "flu-like symptoms" and exhaustion, but it resolved in about 4 days.
I'm due for another round in February and we are debating 30 mg vs. 60 mg this time. In theory, the reaction is supposed to be less each time, but I have three teenagers to look after, so I'm being very conservative about anything that wipes me out.
So in November (I am doing the infusions every three months), we cut the dose from 90 mg to 30 mg. Both times, the infusion was two hours. I still had the "flu-like symptoms" and exhaustion, but it resolved in about 4 days.
I'm due for another round in February and we are debating 30 mg vs. 60 mg this time. In theory, the reaction is supposed to be less each time, but I have three teenagers to look after, so I'm being very conservative about anything that wipes me out.
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KWeisman - Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Aredia flu-like symptoms
I have been on Zometa for the past year. I have experienced fever, chills, and aches on several occasions, usually about 36 hours post infusion.
My approach now is good hydration the day of infusion, Benadryl 25 mg 30 minutes before the infusion, and 1000 mg Tylenol [acetaminophen / paracetamol] three times daily the day of and day after the infusion. I also have the infusion run over 45 minutes instead of the recommended 15 minutes.
Good luck!
My approach now is good hydration the day of infusion, Benadryl 25 mg 30 minutes before the infusion, and 1000 mg Tylenol [acetaminophen / paracetamol] three times daily the day of and day after the infusion. I also have the infusion run over 45 minutes instead of the recommended 15 minutes.
Good luck!
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Dano - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: Aredia flu-like symptoms
Hopeful
I tried several different Aredia-like meds. I tried them at different doses and over different infusion times. In the end, I, and my oncologist, concluded my body just could not tolerate any of them.
Perhaps more importantly, my oncologist informed me that there's not actually any clinical evidence that these drugs help. More importantly yet, my bones healed on their own!
Obviously, no one else can make this decision for you, and despite the lack of evidence, these osteoporosis meds are considered the standard of care for myeloma patients.
For me, though, the decision was easy because the potential rewards just didn't outweigh the obvious side effects.
Oh, and FYI, my hip bones looked like Swiss cheese when I was first diagnosed in 2012/13.
Daniel
I tried several different Aredia-like meds. I tried them at different doses and over different infusion times. In the end, I, and my oncologist, concluded my body just could not tolerate any of them.
Perhaps more importantly, my oncologist informed me that there's not actually any clinical evidence that these drugs help. More importantly yet, my bones healed on their own!
Obviously, no one else can make this decision for you, and despite the lack of evidence, these osteoporosis meds are considered the standard of care for myeloma patients.
For me, though, the decision was easy because the potential rewards just didn't outweigh the obvious side effects.
Oh, and FYI, my hip bones looked like Swiss cheese when I was first diagnosed in 2012/13.
Daniel
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DanielR - Name: Daniel Riebow
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2012
- Age at diagnosis: 59
Re: Aredia flu-like symptoms
Hopeful, I have an idea that might help.
I was first misdiagnosed with osteoporosis and so I read a lot about zoledronic acid (Zometa) and its awful side effects, such as fevers and aches, that osteoporosis patients suffered. Apparently, hydration was supposed to lessen these side effects.
I never took this drug for osteoporosis but, when I was diagnosed with myeloma, I was given my first dose of Zometa at the same time as my first Velcade infusion. I had no problems at all with any of the monthly infusions given with my chemo. I decided that I was problem free because I always received a large quantity of IV fluid with my chemo.
When it was time for me to have my first Zometa without chemo, I asked my oncologist if I could have IV fluids each time. He agreed, and I've never had any problems at all. I have at least 250 mL before and after.
If I remember correctly, one of the reasons for hydration before Zometa is that the drug can be hard on the kidneys. As we all know, myeloma patients need to look after their kidneys. Mikeb suggests a slower infusion, and this will be better for the kidneys.
I was first misdiagnosed with osteoporosis and so I read a lot about zoledronic acid (Zometa) and its awful side effects, such as fevers and aches, that osteoporosis patients suffered. Apparently, hydration was supposed to lessen these side effects.
I never took this drug for osteoporosis but, when I was diagnosed with myeloma, I was given my first dose of Zometa at the same time as my first Velcade infusion. I had no problems at all with any of the monthly infusions given with my chemo. I decided that I was problem free because I always received a large quantity of IV fluid with my chemo.
When it was time for me to have my first Zometa without chemo, I asked my oncologist if I could have IV fluids each time. He agreed, and I've never had any problems at all. I have at least 250 mL before and after.
If I remember correctly, one of the reasons for hydration before Zometa is that the drug can be hard on the kidneys. As we all know, myeloma patients need to look after their kidneys. Mikeb suggests a slower infusion, and this will be better for the kidneys.
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bluebird
Re: Aredia flu-like symptoms
I had the same problem. Here is what solved it: one-half liter of fluids before the infusion, then tripled the infusion time of the Aredia, then another one-half liter of fluids after the infusion, then 500 mg of Tylenol. Continue Tylenol for 2 more days at 500 mg after breakfast and 500 mg after dinner.
Hope this helps. It worked for me. God Bless.
Hope this helps. It worked for me. God Bless.
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GeorgeLJurak - Name: George Jurak
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan. 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 59
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