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Old 01-04-2019, 10:41 PM   #1
LizzElliot
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 188
Zometa

Hello,
Can I get current thoughts on Zometa, please?
I am almost five years from my diagnosis date. I had chemo-induced menopause, and have been on Femara generic for 4 years.
My previous oncologist retired. The new oncologist has recommended I do Zometa infusions every six months. Yet I'm reading that people who do Zometa often have femur breaks to look forward to. So I am confused as to why something that is supposed to build bone strength would lead to large bone fractures. Anyone have knowledge there?
And I'm told Zometa will help guard against recurrence.
I've had two bone denisities done since my diagnosis. The second showed a slight decrease in density from the first - they were about a year apart. I am not yet in osteopenia, but edging closer.
Has anyone out there chosen to do Zometa as a precaution against relapse and as a bone strengthener? any significant side effects? Crazy expensive? And please, if someone can help me understand the likelihood that taking Zometa could lead to large bone fractures.

thanks so much!!
Lizz
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Old 01-05-2019, 04:36 PM   #2
tricia keegan
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
Re: Zometa

Hi,

The pills made me queasy so I had a generic of zometa by iv once a year for four years. It reversed my Osteopenia completey that was caused by Arimidex which I took for ten years. Only the first infusion gave me flu like symptoms but after that the rest were fine. I think the issue with a risk of fractures only happens after more than five years on this which is why I asked my Onc if we could stop at four years and she agreed.
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Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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Old 01-06-2019, 11:24 AM   #3
LizzElliot
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Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 188
Re: Zometa

Oh, thank you! This is very helpful; knowing that it is after several years! Thank you, Tricia!
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Old 01-08-2019, 08:54 AM   #4
Donna H
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Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 307
Re: Zometa

I have been on Prolia for 6 doses so far. My last bone d test showed substantial improvement. I have had no side effects from it - other than the freak out I experienced after the last bill! I had to switch insurance in 2018 (and again in 2019) and the last insurance didn't pay much of the Prolia. But because it is working so well I will pay whatever is necessary. I was DX with osteoporosis at age 51.
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Old 01-21-2019, 03:07 PM   #5
tricia keegan
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Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
Re: Zometa

You're welcome Lizz, I can't comment on cost as I live in Ireland so my treatments were free of charge. However I did partake in a ten year (Azure) trial to see of Zometa could help prevent bone mets and it was found that it couldn't. Good luck and hope you do well on it.
__________________
Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
tricia keegan is offline   Reply With Quote
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