HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Any of you taking Zometa a few years AFTER treatment?

StephN · 11-18-2008, 01:31 PM

Hey Vicki -
Having taken Zometa for about 3 years after my mets diagnosis, I know something about this drug. I was getting it every 3 weeks for a LONG time. Then we started to cut back to 6 weeks, then every 3 months - look at my sig.

I would have to look up the dose, but I got it on the basis that my Dexa as low for a woman my age, and onc felt the Zometa would help keep my bones NED, which it seems to have done. It also helped my bones regrow to where my scans became normal or better - especially spine.

You might ask about the dosing difference for mets versus as a prophylatic/bone rebuilder. There also is another name for this same drug that they have been advertising for osteoporosis. I guess the difference is the dosing and that is why they can give it another name for a more generic use.

The Zometa was easy on me and I tolerated it well. Takes only 15-20 minutes to infuse.

11-18-2008, 01:31 PM	#11
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Hey Vicki - Having taken Zometa for about 3 years after my mets diagnosis, I know something about this drug. I was getting it every 3 weeks for a LONG time. Then we started to cut back to 6 weeks, then every 3 months - look at my sig. I would have to look up the dose, but I got it on the basis that my Dexa as low for a woman my age, and onc felt the Zometa would help keep my bones NED, which it seems to have done. It also helped my bones regrow to where my scans became normal or better - especially spine. You might ask about the dosing difference for mets versus as a prophylatic/bone rebuilder. There also is another name for this same drug that they have been advertising for osteoporosis. I guess the difference is the dosing and that is why they can give it another name for a more generic use. The Zometa was easy on me and I tolerated it well. Takes only 15-20 minutes to infuse. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.