Questions about Zometa
 

Hi,
I had my first infusion of Zometa last week along with my last infusin of Herceptin. The Zometa is for osteopenia and one area of my hip that is osteoporotic.

I have had flu-like symptoms since then. I don't know if the symptoms are from the Zometa, or what? I did read on their website that flu-like symptoms can occur after the first infusion but not for later infusions.

Has anyone experienced any side effects after their Zometa infusions?

Thanks for your input!

Love,
Beth

It's for sure the zometa. I had flu like symptoms about 4 days post infusion. I get zometa every 6 weeks. The first time was the strongest reaction. Each time it is less and less. No fever again. Mostly I'll have several hours or an evening of random bone pain - like a back ache or my rotator cuffs once ached and my arms. Sometimes I have headaches and deep fatigue but it all passes in about a day at the most. My onc said that if you have a reaction that's "big" you can take steroids and benedryl to help with future reactions. I avoid that stuff because for ME the steroids and benedryl makes me feel worse. I usually just take some tylenol for the zometa SE days.

Thank you thank you thank you! I have felt so crappy since last week I didn't know what to think. I didn't expect to feel bad, and especially not that bad! The whole drill - fever, nausea, fatigue, bone pain in my back and other random places, headache, blah blah blah.

I always have "big" reactions to medicine, so I shouldn't be surprised I guess. After my first TCH chemo last year (Oct.1, 2007 - timing is funny) I ended up in the hospital for a week with neutropenia. After that I got everything - neulasta, increased steroids and anti-hemetics. I agree with you on the steroids - the side effects are really bad.

Love,
Beth

Hi Beth,

I too had flu like symptoms with the first infusion but after that I had no problems at all.