Questions about Zometa

[BethC]

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

[SoCalGal]

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.

[BethC]

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

[doh2pa]

Hi Beth,

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