When & why did your onc prescribe Zometa?

[heblaj01]

Zometa (Zoledronic acid) is an intravenous treatment to reduce the risk of bone damage leading to fractures, compression fractures, scoliosis etc..
It is not approved to the same extent in all countries. Initially it was only approved for hypercalcemia caused by cancer. Then in several countries it was approved for reducing the pain caused by bone mets: in other words treating the damage by mets after the fact. I am not sure if it is yet approved for osteoporosis.
There are several studies showing that Zometa (as well as other similar drugs such as Pamidronate & Clodronate) may help prevent or delay bone mets as well as remote visceral mets at least in early stages of cancer.
Recent small trials have also shown that maximum benefits for bone health are obtained when Zometa is prescribed before pain sets in (not after) & that Zometa can still protect bone after either Pamidronate or Clodronate have stopped working.

So when you start Zometa & for what purpose may depend on your location & on the thinking of your onc as to how far off-label is willing to prescribe it.

It would be interesting to find out from members at what stage, for what reason & what resulted from Zometa treatment with or without anticancer drugs (Herceptin or chemo or both).

Was it prescribed before or after the diagnostic of bone mets? Before or after bone pain? Was it effective?