I was just diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma in early February 2016 after I had a bone marrow biopsy. I have had lambda light chains in the in 800 range for several years. I do not have an M-spike. My oncologist says that when I progress I will have "light chain multiple myeloma." I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis late last year and have had one dose of Zometa already with really bad side effects (high fever, sore bones, etc).
My oncologist wants me to start Zometa once a month. That seems very aggressive for now, but I am not a doctor, only a professional patient.
Has anyone else had Zometa every month?
Thank you for your advice on this. Take care all!
Forums
Re: Starting Zometa once a month - anyone else?
My husband had to take Zometa every month for 2 years with a small break when he had his stem cell transplant. He to had bone pain for 3 days after treatment. But we found out if he walked after taking the treatment it wasn't as bad. We found that out when we stopped by Walmart after one of his treatments and I gave him half the list so we could get home faster. For some reason he wasn't in as much pain and it lasted only 1 day. So we would stop by Walmart after every treatment for him to walk because it was cooler than walking outside.
Re: Starting Zometa once a month - anyone else?
Thank you, MaryB, for the tip! I am going to try that.
Re: Starting Zometa once a month - anyone else?
Restlessrebel,
Also try drinking plenty of water before and after infusion and see if the Zometa can be administered for 45 minutes instead of the usual 30 minutes. If you have no adverse reaction after the second infusion, you will probably be in good shape thereafter.
Also, after a little over a year of monthly infusions, I switched to one every three months based on literature that was brought to my attention here in the forum. My myeloma specialist agreed with the change. Just keep this in mind for the future.
Best of luck to you.
Also try drinking plenty of water before and after infusion and see if the Zometa can be administered for 45 minutes instead of the usual 30 minutes. If you have no adverse reaction after the second infusion, you will probably be in good shape thereafter.
Also, after a little over a year of monthly infusions, I switched to one every three months based on literature that was brought to my attention here in the forum. My myeloma specialist agreed with the change. Just keep this in mind for the future.
Best of luck to you.
Re: Starting Zometa once a month - anyone else?
My father takes it every one month for the last 2 years. The fever-like symptom was difficult the first month, but after the second he does not feel it. He goes to work for 12 hours afterwards.
Recently we noticed that his creatinine levels were increasing and hence the doctor now made it every quarter until we bring down the creatinine level. Zometa has a tendency to affect kidney function. But it can be managed by reducing the dose, increasing time more than 45 minutes you take it, and reducing the frequency.
Recently we noticed that his creatinine levels were increasing and hence the doctor now made it every quarter until we bring down the creatinine level. Zometa has a tendency to affect kidney function. But it can be managed by reducing the dose, increasing time more than 45 minutes you take it, and reducing the frequency.
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Yemesrach
Re: Starting Zometa once a month - anyone else?
I was only diagnosed with smoldering myeloma a couple of weeks ago after 5 years of MGUS monitoring.
My new oncologist started me on 3 monthly Zometa, and I had my first dose yesterday. I still have a sore spot from the bone morrow biopsy and I feel a lot sorer today. No fever yet. I will take the advice to get out for a walk.
Thank for the information. I must admit I am feeling a little lonely at the moment and to read other people's posts helps a lot, especially the terminology. I have never heard of lambda light chains and will ask my doctor when I see him in a couple of months.
My new oncologist started me on 3 monthly Zometa, and I had my first dose yesterday. I still have a sore spot from the bone morrow biopsy and I feel a lot sorer today. No fever yet. I will take the advice to get out for a walk.
Thank for the information. I must admit I am feeling a little lonely at the moment and to read other people's posts helps a lot, especially the terminology. I have never heard of lambda light chains and will ask my doctor when I see him in a couple of months.
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TJSchoenmaekers - Name: Trevor Schoenmaekers
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Starting Zometa once a month - anyone else?
Hello Trevor,
I just had my first Zometa infusion after my second Dexa scan showed osteopenia beyond what is appropriate for my age and progressive since my last Dexa.
Do you have osteopenia or osteoporosis? I was asking because Zometa 4x a year is high for someone without myeloma-related bone damage.
Here is a reference from the Mayo Clinic regarding the use of bisphosphonates like Zometa.
You are lucky that you have not had any side affects. I'm scheduled for twice a year and already anxious about my next treatment. I don't get fevers because I am immunodeficient but the pain was staggering - I couldn't walk for 2 days - and I ended up with a respiratory infection that turned into pneumonia and I red-lined at the IV site. I was down for more than a week and it all started with the onslaught to my immune system caused by Zometa. I wouldn't take it if I didn't have to.
Best,
J
I just had my first Zometa infusion after my second Dexa scan showed osteopenia beyond what is appropriate for my age and progressive since my last Dexa.
Do you have osteopenia or osteoporosis? I was asking because Zometa 4x a year is high for someone without myeloma-related bone damage.
Here is a reference from the Mayo Clinic regarding the use of bisphosphonates like Zometa.
You are lucky that you have not had any side affects. I'm scheduled for twice a year and already anxious about my next treatment. I don't get fevers because I am immunodeficient but the pain was staggering - I couldn't walk for 2 days - and I ended up with a respiratory infection that turned into pneumonia and I red-lined at the IV site. I was down for more than a week and it all started with the onslaught to my immune system caused by Zometa. I wouldn't take it if I didn't have to.
Best,
J
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jhorner - Name: Magpie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Starting Zometa once a month - anyone else?
I was diagnosed in February with multiple myeloma. I had a transfusion of Zometa with my first chemo injection of Velcade after taking dexamethasone (Decadron) at home. Revlimid was added 2 weeks later after negative pregnancy tests.
I had no negative side effects, but I already had pelvis and knee pain. Didn't seem like the Zometa made it worse. I am scheduled every 3 months. Sorry you had a negative reaction.
I had no negative side effects, but I already had pelvis and knee pain. Didn't seem like the Zometa made it worse. I am scheduled every 3 months. Sorry you had a negative reaction.
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Faith
Re: Starting Zometa once a month - anyone else?
Sorry to hear from those of you who were just diagnosed, but this forum is a great place to learn and share.
I am on monthly Zometa treatments now; the first month was awful. The second month was about 60% as bad, and my third month was about 40% as bad. We have increased the time of infusion as others have suggested, and my doctor added an IV drip while my labs are running. That seems to have helped. My fever was around 99 this last time (instead of 102) and it only lasted for about 1 1/2 days and the pain was significantly better.
Walking is also probably a good idea! Best of luck to you, but to answer your question -- monthly infusions does not seem very unusual.
I am on monthly Zometa treatments now; the first month was awful. The second month was about 60% as bad, and my third month was about 40% as bad. We have increased the time of infusion as others have suggested, and my doctor added an IV drip while my labs are running. That seems to have helped. My fever was around 99 this last time (instead of 102) and it only lasted for about 1 1/2 days and the pain was significantly better.
Walking is also probably a good idea! Best of luck to you, but to answer your question -- monthly infusions does not seem very unusual.
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dranton - Name: Anton Tolman
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August, 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Starting Zometa once a month - anyone else?
That was very timely and helpful info. My husband's has just had his first dose of Zometa. He had a lesion at C2 - not a good spot. Had one dose of radiation and now monthly Zometa and daily Caltrate.
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Dideoh - Name: Dianne
- Who do you know with myeloma?: my spouse
- When were you/they diagnosed?: july 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 63
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