Who gets Zometa?
 

Can anyone clarify who would be a candidate for Zometa? Does one have to have bone metastasis to receive zometa or are some oncologists providing this to women to treat bone loss from treatments? I am seeing and reading conflicting info on this so thought I would check with the one site I seem to get most of my answers! Thanks in adance to anyone that may be able to clarify this for me.

Its is my understanding that it is now recomended for early stage cancer to prevent mets and shore up bones~ I am waiting for my DEXA scan to interpreted to see if I am still osteopenic and then my Onc will submit to UHC to see if they will pay...getting insurance to pay seems to be a problem for some,

Our diagnosis was/is very similar Deb,
Marcia

Hey Debra
 

Always nice to hear from you. This is not answering your question but I wanted you to know that Ed has been on Zometa since 10/06. Bone scans done then and last week compared: Noticed repair to blastic and lytic lesions. This drug worked wonders for what he needed it to do! Yipee!

I do know other friends whom do not have mets that take this drug. Hope you find your answers from our experts.>>Believe51

I was stage III, no mets. My insurance agreed to pay for Zometa after my bone scan showed osteopenia following chemo. My onc really pushed to get me on Zometa for the bone building quality and the preventative aspect also.

Thank you!
 

Thanks so much for the replies. That is exactly what I wanted to hear gals! I was under the impression that zometa was only for existing bone mets creating bone destruction but I am understanding that to not be the only case. I haven't researched this drug but it has been in the cancer news more lately. I knew Ed was on it and also some others but lately noticed that some are on it that do indeed not have current bone mets.
I will be looking into this further since I am osteopenic thanks to chemo and AI's.
I knew I would get some clarification here!

Debra - I do not have bone mets, but do have osteoporosis from all the chemo. I receive zometa once a year. As of right now, that is all Medicare will pay for. I do think that will be changing soon though.

Who gets Zometa?
 

I suggest that if a person is considering Zometa for whatever reason that person get a full dental checkup first. I have a dental issue near my jaw bone. My dentist and my oncologist are always debating if and when to prescribe Zometa and if so how much to prescribe. One of the possible side effects of Zometa is osteonecrosis (injury to the jaw)of the jaw. Harrie might know more about this. I hope she can join us for this discussion.
Merry Christmas