[jane84]

How long can you be on Zometa?

by jane84 on Fri Mar 13, 2015 10:12 am

Hello,

I have been on monthly infusions of Zometa since my diagnosis in November 2012. The MRI I had this month shows many new lesions in my back, and the doctor wants me to stay on monthly in­fusions.

I remember him telling me that you could get infusions for maximum 24 months, but now he says the only thing I have to pay attention to is osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Is that correct ? How long can you stay on Zometa?

Thank you all for your support.

[Multibilly]

Re: How long can you be on Zometa?

by Multibilly on Fri Mar 13, 2015 10:33 am

Jane,

You can see a comparison of what different institutions recommend by reviewing the table in this article:

E Terpos et al., "International Myeloma Working Group Recommendations for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma–Related Bone Disease," Journal of Clinical Oncology, May 2013 (link to full-text PDF)

Related Beacon news article:

"Experts Publish Treatment Recommendations For Multiple Myeloma-Related Bone Disease", The Myeloma Beacon, July 26, 2013

This is the Mayo's latest guidelines on the subject:

http://www.msmart.org/bisphosphonates.pdf

[jane84]

Re: How long can you be on Zometa?

by jane84 on Fri Mar 13, 2015 11:41 am

Hi Multibilly,

Thanks a lot for the info. We are lucky to have people like you.

[NStewart]

Re: How long can you be on Zometa?

by NStewart on Sat Mar 14, 2015 6:59 pm

I have been on Zometa since 2009. First as monthly infusions because of a pathologic fracture in my left arm from the myeloma. I had a vacation from Zometa around when I had my trans­plant for about 3 months in 2010 and again in 2012 when I had knee replacement surgery for 3 months. Each time I developed more lesions and a rib fracture and then a painful one in the same leg as my knee surgery. So my oncologist has kept me on Zometa infusions every 6 weeks, the same time as my appointments with him, because the risk of developing more lesions and fractures are more likely than the risk of ONJ.

I recently had a problem with my teeth that turned out to be a bad root and infection in one of my teeth where I had had so many restorations that there was very little tooth left. When I raised my concerns about ONJ, he told me that we would save my tooth and, if it couldn't be saved, that he would send me to an oral surgeon with lots of experience with ONJ and bis­phos­pho­nates. When I raised the same concerns with the endodontist who did the root canal, he re­as­sured me in the same way. I saw my oncologist the next week and told me the same things.

My point being that, if you need the Zometa because you develop bone lesions without it, it is safer to do than experience the destruction of your bones throughout your body. ONJ isn't pleasant, but it can be treated.

Nancy in Phila

[Kevin J]

Re: How long can you be on Zometa?

by Kevin J on Sun Mar 15, 2015 8:47 am

My doctors have basically followed the recommended guidelines. I received monthly Zometa infusions during my first two years of induction therapy with CRD [carfilzomib (Kyprolis), Revlimid, and dexamethasone), then nothing while I was in remission. I relapsed a little over a year ago and have been receiving infusions every 12 weeks since. I have never had any bone issues, so it's primarily been as a precautionary approach, plus the evidence that there is some, albeit small, impact that Zometa has on myeloma.

[jane84]

Re: How long can you be on Zometa?

by jane84 on Sun Mar 15, 2015 1:56 pm

Thank you Nancy and Kevin.