[Elfriede]

Zometa - side effects

by Elfriede on Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:13 pm

Dear All:

From January on I will get Zometa once a month.
What side effects may it have?

Kind Regards

Elfriede
Berlin/Germany

[Anonymous]

Re: Zometa - side effects

by Anonymous on Mon Dec 17, 2012 2:49 pm

When I started on it, I would get pretty significant cramping in my calf muscles a couple of days after the infusion. It would feel like I'd just done a 60 mile bike ride. This would last about half a day before going away. This stopped happening around the fourth or fifth time I had a Zometa infusion. Since then, I haven't had any problems with it.

Good luck!

[toriidon]

Re: Zometa - side effects

by toriidon on Mon Dec 17, 2012 7:35 pm

The day after my first Zometa treatment given over 30 min , I awoke with severe neck pain (minor problem before hand), fever of about 100, general body aches and feeling like i had the flu. for that day. On the second treatment they gave it to me slower (45 min) and gave me two tylenol and a zertec beforehand. No problems ever since without the meds and getting it over 30 min, other than it does aggravate my neck pain for a few days.

[Stann]

Re: Zometa - side effects

by Stann on Mon Dec 17, 2012 8:52 pm

Drink lots of water!! Do not forget.
Also take acetaminophen before and after.
My first one was probably the scariest part of my whole myeloma treatment. Worse than transplants etc. But it was because I didn't' drink water. I could barely get out of bed the next day.
I've been having Aredia off and on for 3 years and have never felt any side effects since the first time.
Water. And keep Vicodin on hand in case you do have pain.

[Kevin J]

Re: Zometa - side effects

by Kevin J on Mon Dec 17, 2012 10:01 pm

My experience is similar to the others. Mostly muscle and bone aches in my legs for a day or two after the Zometa. My other infusion symptoms (queasiness, constipation, and fatigue) also seem to be made a bit worse by the Zometa. First time, the infusion was performed over 20 minutes and that was the worst. Since then I get it over a thirty minute period and the effects aren't' as bad. As Stann indicated, lots of fluid helps, plus in my case, ibuprofen and stretching also help.

[Tom184]

Re: Zometa - side effects

by Tom184 on Tue Dec 18, 2012 3:28 pm

I typically get some bone ache (ribs particularly) and a mild flu like feeling (no temperature.) It it not unusual for it to be worse not the day after the infusion, but two days after. By the third day I am pretty much back to my "new normal."

[Kbutcher14]

Re: Zometa - side effects

by Kbutcher14 on Tue Dec 18, 2012 4:20 pm

Just fatigue.

[Gilbert]

Re: Zometa - side effects

by Gilbert on Tue Dec 18, 2012 4:53 pm

Zometa every 3 months about18-24 hrs after infusion feel achy for about a day
Small price to pay cause Zometa works
Infusion lasts about 15 minutes simple and good results so far for me
I have non-secretory it's 2 stem cell transplants later still going on 3 years since diagnosis
Started Zometaabout 2 years ago
Good luck to you all!

[GeorgeLJurak]

Re: Zometa - side effects

by GeorgeLJurak on Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:21 pm

I have had no side effects from my Zometa treatments. However, Zometa does lower calcium which requires that I eat yogart, cheese and drink milk to maintain my calcium levels and Zometa is renal toxic, so if my creatinine begins to rise above 2.3, then I will take a month or two break.

[Sioux City]

Re: Zometa - side effects

by Sioux City on Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:54 pm

My husband had zometa infusions monthly for several years, now he is having them every other month. He often felt a little "off" (as he described it) the same day and would sometimes come home from work early. He is almost 7 years from diagnosis. Our problem is that he needs some fairly invasive dental work and we could never quite come to an agreement as to just how risky that might be. We've avoided the invasive work and our dentist has been creative in fixing a faulty crown as needed, but we will have to make a decision one of these days. I've read the other's posts with interest and will make sure to remind him to drink extra fluids and (for me) not to panic if some of the side effects described present themselves. Good Luck Elfreide from Germany!.