My mother is definitely have major doubts about taking reclasp. She has very frail bones and is questioning the side effects. Has anyone had any side effects or can share there experience taking this drug. She has reached a point where this can be our last resort.
Thank you,
Nikki
Reclast is a bisphosphonate drug, so it does share the potential for some of the same possible side effects as oral bisphosphonates like Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva. These include some cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw, an uncommon complication for those taking bisphosphonates for osteo (rather than cancer) but that might be a bigger concern for patients who take an intravenous form of the drug such as Reclast. However, on the flip side, since Reclast is not taken by mouth it avoids the most common side effects of oral bisphonates -- the esophageal discomfort and heartburn.
Reclast is also linked to concerns about arrhythmia, which the FDA is presently investigating. If your mother has a history of irregular heartbeat, make sure she informs the doctor of this along with her complete medical history.
I just this week (3 days ago) had my first injection of Reclast. When diagnosed with osteoporosis (I am 52) my OBGYN sent me to a Rheumatologist for him to decide a course of treatment. I felt very confident because bones and joints are his specialty. There is the possibility of kidney problems, but you are told (or should be told) to drink at least 16 oz. of water before you go in for your injection. There is also the chance of osteonecrosis but if you discuss this with your dentist before your injection he/she can help try to prevent problems. My dentist is very knowledgable on this matter. I had a tooth that he had been watching for over a year that would need a crown so he did this before I had my first injection. The recommendation is that any dental work you foresee needing to be done in the next few years, have it done before your first injection. My dentist said that the benefits far outweigh the side effects. I also read one entry of concern for the drug being too strong for it to last a full year. I too had that concern. My doctor explained that it's not that it is so strong, but that it goes in straight to the bones and adheres to them and your bones benefit for a full year from one treatment. I only had slight flu-like symptoms the day after my injection. Nothing as bad as was suggested. I would definitely recommend this course of treatment. I do not want to have broken bones and become a stooped over old lady.
I had a really bad experience taking Actonel monthly. I couldn't move my arms very high. I had extreme trouble putting on my make-up and doing my hair. I had to take off work because I couldn't move my head. I also got the flu sysmptoms. I went to my doctor to get muscle relaxers and pain pills. The following week I was having problems with my neck again. It has been 3 weeks and my neck is still a little stiff. I went to an Endocrine doctor and she wants me to go on Reclast. I am really scared. I don't know what to do now. I have been told I have to do something now about my bones. I have also done the Foxamax (sp) with no problems.
I had reclasp drip 3 days ago also. I was not told to drink lots of liquids. I did though afterwards. I felt fine the day I had the procedure. The next 2 days I was very ill with medium fevor, chills and ached all over. I hardly could get out of bed. I very much had severe flu symptoms. I drank lots of liquids and couldn't not quinch my thrist. I also flet like my lungs ached, my heart ached and all my bones too. I have heart arythemeia(sp) I'm surprised no one mentioned this to me as a warning as my chest also displayed some symptoms.
Today is the 4th day and I am starting to feel like myself again. Still a little weak though. From what I can tell my symptoms are not common and the benefits far out weigh the discomfort I went through.
Anyone else have this happen to them?
Jan
Hi Jan, I'm so sorry you had this reaction. I've never taken Reclast, but the side effects you mentioned are what the manufacturer states in the literature. I don't know if drinking more water would have helped, but I've heard time and again how important it is to drink a lot of water prior to the procedure.
Originally the FDA warned about artial fibrillation (abnormal hear beat) and since then retracked this warning stating that it wasn't any worse than what was seen in the placebo group (group that got something other than Reclast) during the testing phase of the drug.
I hope you feel better soon, and hopefully some of our members will post with their experiences so you can discuss this with them first-hand.
Good luck to you...
Pam,
Thanks Pam for your reply. I wasn't informed to drink a lot of water before until I actually got to the appointment for the drip. Nor was it ever discused with me about any side affects other than mild flu like symptoms. I am now on day 4 and still under the weather, weak and achy running now a low grade fever. I have drank gallons and gallons of water since I had it done not only because those were the instructions but because I have been so thirsty....
Obviously, I have now done a lot of research of my own on the computer the last 2 days regarding the subjuect. Should have done my homework better before. My best friend of 28 years is a doctor and strongly urged I have this done.. She was baffled by my reaction also and now intends to do an indepth study before she so freely recommends it to other patients. She is not the doctor that ordered this for me.
I have difficulty taking calcium suppliments due to the fact I have severe GERD and Barretts Esph. due to a missed diagnosis 10 years ago(they thought it was gall stones)
Symptoms did not go away therefore the doctors ignored them for 10 years until it got that severe.
Now any calcium pills I take make the GERD worse.I have been looking into a product called Ezorb. Does anyone know anything about this product. Not really sure I will be repeating this procedure again.....Also in the research I have done in the last couple of days there seems to be a shot out there for building bone mass you take weekly instead of shocking your system once a year. any feed back on this?
All I can say is this gives me great respect and insight to just an inkling of what it must be like to have any type of cancer treatment and how it weakens you...
Thank God I don't have to work and drag myself to a job feeling like this. It did however ruin my New Years. I will remember where I was bringing in 2010, in bed.
This product may be great for a lot of women out there but please consider the down side before jumping into it espeacially if you are elderlly. What I have read on the internet about that age range will make your hair stand on end. It is not easy to find that information but if you do a lot of digging it is out there.
It sounds like you work for one of the centers that does this procedure Pam. I am sure that it benefits a lot of women. All I am saying is it is not for everyone. We all cannot be lumped into one group. I am always that person that is in the small percentile be it good or bad. It looks like I landed on the wrong side this time..Praised the Lord so far this is all that I have encountered...
Thanks,
Jan
Hi Jan, you're welcome... I hope you feel better soon, and was wondering if you've ever tried liquid calcium, since you have the esophagus problems. I don't know if the liquid would be easier to take, but you could look into it. I've never tried Ezorb, but maybe some of our members have and can answer you question about it.
That's good you have a Dr friend who can look into your side effects. I've never worked for and infusion center, I've just read the prescribing info, on Reclast, so many times that I'm familiar with it.
The only other injectable or infused meds are Boniva, which is given quarterly, and Forteo, which is given daily (injection) for 2 years. I took Forteo and did really well on it. I don't know of any weekly infusion or injection for osteoporosis. Reclast, Boniva and Forteo are the only injectables available in the US for osteoporosis. If there is something new available I'd love to hear more about it.
I hope your side effects go away soon, and the Reclast helps with your bone loss.
Pam,
Thank you for your reply. I was refering to the FORTEO. I just got the dosing wrong. I am glad you had such sucess with it. I wish it had been offered to me as I would have started with that path first and save the reclast as another resourse if needed later.
Thank you for the idea of the liquid but it is not only my esophagus but what it does to my acid reflux too. I.ll let you all know how this natural drug works.
I talked with the doctor on call this evening. I told him my symptoms and he said they were atypical. I told him I usually am that way. I also informed him that I had found some evidence of other women with similar symptoms. We actually had a conversation for about 15 minutes. His suggestion was if I did not improve by morning I should go to an urgent care and be checked out.
I told him since there was no urgent care near by I would go to the hospital near by and be checked out tomorrow if no improvement.I talked to my doctor friend and she will order blood work to see if my white blood count is high, do a urine test(Cathiter (sp)so its clean, I hate this procedure)to see if I have an infection since my kidneys hurt and do a lung xray since I am so short of breath. Now why on earth could he not have ordered this for me......
I had to called my friend slash my family doctor, we discussed this and this was what we thought was the best course of action if there was no improvement. Hopefully tomorrow I can report I am feeling much better and none of this has to be done. It's funny he implied that just maybe my kidneys and lungs might have been compromised by a different infection not caused by the reclast. As I explained I was perfectly healthy when I had it done. Go fiqure.
Tomorrows a new day.
Jan
.
Dear Pam and reclast users and those that are thinking about it....
I am now going on day 9. After extensive research I have discovered my symptoms are not unusual. My shortness of breath, heart symptoms, kidney aches, some incontinence, joint aches,severe weakness and yes even my blood sugar levels all over the board have happened to more women than you would care to know. Some of my thought processing has even been effected but is returning. Pretty scary stuff.
A lot of these women say they have never felt the same since they have taken it. I pray to the Lord I don't fall into this catogory. Thank God my family Phycian is my good friend and knows how deathly ill I was because the doctors group that adm.the shot told me just to go to Urgent care; it must be the flu or a bladdar infection. My doctor did blood work, eeg ,chest xrays etc and finally came to the conclusion to give me a steroid shot which pulled me out of it enough to get out of bed. It made my heart stop hurting and my kdneys stop aching and my breathing less labored. The ach is still there but not as severe.
In researching the product and other consumers solutions, steroids is waht their doctors had to give them. One lady said she threwup for 3 days after her reclast drip. I only threwup for 24 hours. I was lucky. The only thing I could possible compare this to would be a cauncer drip which thank God again I have never had. Friends of my that have though discbibe the same reaction.
So ladies if you are thinking about doing this.DO NOT DO IT. SOME WOMEN HAVE NEVER RECOVERED!!!!!!!!!!Other on the other hand, some do fine. Which one will you be.....
There are other alternatives. I just wish someone would have let me know the alternatives and that there were these possible side effects.
Jan
HI Jan,
I was not told to drink extra water , I was also only told about the mild flu symptoms . I was 68 years old in good health with great Creatinine and Bun levels, before taking Reclast. After taking the Reclast shot, Just 10 days later ( GOT LUCKY) I had another Doctors appointment, they did blood work To make a long story short I receive the result of blood work and my Creatinine had jumped from .09 To 5.0 , My bun from 12 to 36 which is really high, At that time I only had 10% kidney function, That's only 10 days after taking the shot. I would not have know about the kidney failure, I had no symptoms at all. I felt just the same as always. Got my shot in July 2009 ,Today my Creatinine is 2.4 my bun is 35 , Reclast has put me into kidney failure with only 21% kidney function left, my doctor said it will not get better. I would not know I was in kidney failure without the blood work, I still have no symptoms. I do know if i can't go to the bathroom I need to rush to the hospital.
I do hope this information will be helpful to someone .
P. S. WISH I HAD KNOWN
Rosemary
I am planning on taking the Reclast soon, I have fallen and broken my hip and Doctor said it could likely happen again,
my bones are so thin . Several years ago I had two gasterectomies ( can;'t spell) and they list malabsorption as a
problem, so I plan to ask my doctor about this and if it would
prevent the Reclast from doing it's job....Help me out on this,
Thanks, Peggy
I was given the Forteo option,and wish I could afford it, I am on medicare and have perscription plan this drug is out of site for me $211 monthly( not bad ) but then you drop in the donut hole when you're `cap $2750 runs out ,so then it is $4350 out of pocket each year for two years,a totol of $13,000 out of pocket. I was on fosamax for 9 years,and it stopped working--the Doc took me off--after about 4 months ,without it my whole body feels better,with out aches and pain. I am 80 ,and have not had any broken bones ( thank goodness ) so far. Just my story .
I was given the Forteo option,and wish I could afford it, I am on medicare and have perscription plan this drug is out of site for me $211 monthly( not bad ) but then you drop in the donut hole when you're `cap $2750 runs out ,so then it is $4350 out of pocket each year for two years,a totol of $13,000 out of pocket. I was on fosamax for 9 years,and it stopped working--the Doc took me off--after about 4 months ,without it my whole body feels better,with out aches and pain. I am 80 ,and have not had any broken bones ( thank goodness ) so far. Just my story .
I just came off the forteo for two years. I didn't have any side effects. I wish I could have stayed on it longer. Last night was mu LAST shot. Now I have to decide what to go on. They want to put me on Fosamax,I was on that before and had three fractures. I am so confused. Why can't these doctors just be honest with people.
i am 50 years o;d and was diagnosed at age 47 with complete osteo. i did the actonel for 3 yrs. and am very active so I wanted to try reclasp. Had the iv 1 wk ago and no probs at all. felt norm as usual. would definitely recommend for someone my age.
I am on the forteo needle for now. My last shot will be Oct. 31st So I went to the Dr. and she is recomending reclasp. I have been reading the posts about the med. and it is really starting to scare me. I have to go on something. I am glad I am starting to read some positive reactions from reclasp.Any information would be helpful at this point. I really don't have much time to play with. It has to be aproved by my insurance co. Who knows how long that will take. Thank you everyone who has shared there stories with me.
Hi kreynolds, I've never taken Reclast but I did take Forteo and did really well on it--with major t-score improvements. I just wanted to mention, that you could ask your Dr. what he/she thinks about Evista. That's what I'm taking post-Forteo. Even though Evista isn't considered the first line of defense, it's still an option if you're interested.
Just thought I'd mention this as a "possible" alternative. Evista does have contraindications, so check those out if you look into it.
Good luck...
My sister in Canada was given a High Dose Calcium injection because the Doctor took her off Fosamax some time ago and her Osteoperosis had gotten worse. Duh. She is in the hospital now having numerous test done because one Doctor told her she has possible renal failure. Her personal Dr. said the shot caused kidney damage. They are doing tests to find out the extent of the kidney damage. We are praying it is not as bad as it could be and that she can be treated. She said tell your friends DO NOT have the shot. I am wondering if reclasp is what they call it here.
Yes, reclast is given intravenously. My sister has to take Prednisone for 11 months until the reclast is out of her system. The side effects from prednisone can be horrendous. She is already experiencing insomnia. She will have blood tests every three weeks and and does not have the results for the blood tests for about three weeks after that. They will not know if there is any further kidney damage until the reclast is out of her system. The prednisone is supposed to help prevent any further damage from the reclast. As I understand it Boniva is a once a month medication. I won't even go there. Once a week of Fosamax is working well for me. My Osteoperosis has only gotten slightly better, but that means the Fosamax along with excercise and extra calcium each day is working for me.
I have just taken reclast as I am 64 and broke my arm in March. I had been not diagnosed with ostheoporosis up to that time. The symptom of having a bad flu for two days was my only reaction and I took tylenol for that. I did not want to take forteo because of the daily injections. My primary wanted forteo but I talked to other medical specialists who said try reclast first. I will have a bone density test in the fall to see how my bones are doing. It was my choice. I am interested in hearing about other reclast users and their experiences.
I personally would not recommend this medication. My mother received this IV drip on a Friday, Saturday we went shopping for 6 hours, and by the following Monday, she was nearly dead. I'm not kidding. Since then, I have spent the last 4 months caring for her, only to have her pass away on August 14th. She never recovered from the shocking side effects of this drug. My mother was a frail tiny lady that should never have been given the drip. Please if you are already frail, with a weakened immunity system, please do not take this drip.
My grandma had this done on a Monday morning we went and ate and went and even shopped a little afterwards. At 9:00 that night she was feeling really bad she was having the flu like symptoms that the doctor said she would have. At 1:00 am she was calling me to follow her to the hospital by ambulance. She is 75 years old and she will not have this done again. Her heart rate was all over the place going from 65 to 168, shortnesss of breath, and chest pains along with the flu like symptoms. She stayed in the hospital for 5 days in CCU. It hadn't been 30 days yet and she had to go back to the hospital by ambulance again,same symptoms minus the flu like symptoms. Now I am questioning what has this done to her health? It has not been worth it. Before this she didn't get short of breath from her kitchen to the living room now is a different subject. She also has been very weak and isn't finishing some of her sentences as if shes forgotten the word to use. I am scared and I hope things gets better for my family. She is still in the hospital and we know nothing as yet. This is her second day there.
my mother was healthy up until she had this and within a week was in hospital and was almost dead she is now on dyalisis for kindney failure and she never had it the dyalisis lab work shows reclaspt was the drug that almost killed her we dont know what the extent of the damage is yet she might never be off of dyalisis and she wont ever have a normal life , once active and healthy now dependant on care the fda needs to do more to protect the paitents and the reclispt doctors said no but test has revealed , so now what mom is nt her self three days a week she is hooked to a michine to work for her kindeys bad medicine please stay away from it run if they want you to take it say no
i took my first treatment of reclast yesterday , at first i didnt want to try it ,but i decided you have side effects with any thing you try so far i havent had any bad side effects i think it is going to work , the main thing is to take calcium and vitamin d , it is very important that you take this..i hope it works for you johnnie blythe
I have taken reclasp twice once last year and just took it today. It was very easy, and the symptoms for me were a light case of flu that was about 4 days. that's it!
I was so pleased I did it again this year. It only takes about 20 minutes and it is just a little IV. in your arm. I recommend it highly.
I just had treatment Friday and got the flu like symptoms but what worries me the most is my kidneys really hurt and I have the worst headache. I have ran a temperture of 102 since then. I was told by the nurse if you have the flu symptoms the first dose you are not likely to get them with the following does. I'm only 54 and I have had osteoprorisis since the age of 35. (I also have chron's disease).
Tell your mother she has good reason to be concerned. I just took it and it has been 4 days now and I am still recovering from severe flu like symptoms when I was told they would only be mild...
I got on the internet and did some research. I had to really dig but mine was mild compared to those of elderly women who had compomised immune systems. It was scary. I am 58 years old. How old is your mother? how good is her health. There is a shot out there that can be taken weekly that builds bone. Just think about that . It does the same thing weekly. where this stores in your system for a entire year.
What I read about the weakend elderly was not a pretty picture.
Don't mean to scare you.
Just read about a product called Ezorbs. I am looking into it for myself. Found it while I was researching about this subject.
I have not had this Reclasp done, but was talking to a friend of mine who just did this last week. No side effects at all. One important thing: the process took four hours -- one hour saline drip, two hours Reclasp, one hour saline. Did any of you people who had problems, or who were not told to drink water, have the saline drip also. My friend was told that the saline drips were not common. BUT I must say that she came away feeling good and had no negative side effects.
Hi Nikki I just received a reclast infusion. I do not seem to be having any side effects and I am a very allergic and medically complicated person! It's been a few hours and I did make sure to drink plenty of liquids beforehand. It was given over a half hour which is to help introduce it to the body slowly. I was really nervous about this med but I trusted my doc and it seems to have worked out! No pills to worry about!
Hi,
I have been on Reclasp for three years now. I'm sixty-four years old. I have never had any side effects with it. I had been taking Fosamax for about six years and it stopped working for me. Now my bones are improving. I would recommend Reclasp to anyone. It is expensive. My insurance does not cover it. This last time it cost me $2900.00.
Sandi
Thanks to all for sharing your questions and your experiences. While the internet is invaluable for gathering info, how unfortunate that our physicians provide so little clear information (often under-informed themselves) that we are on our own to make such an important, possibly life/health altering decision!
The pharm companies present their products to doctors and, as busy as doctors are, they don't always have the complete picture. They give us the basics but we need more information. So, we search helpful sites such as these.
The patients' accounts here show how inconsistent and sometimes lacking physician advice is when discussing Reclast with patients. (Drink water? Take calcium? See a dentist? Side effects for a few days? Months? )
This puts patients, many of them elderly, in the position of gathering their own information to make a decision, and really, bearing all the responsibility for considering this medication in light of their own complete medical history, allergies, etc.
Please be wary of pharmaceutical companies and consider your doctor's willingness to accept minimal information and advice about YOUR HEALTH from a salesperson.
I have Type I Diabetes, 61 years old among a few other immune problems. I am pre-osteoporosis and going for a follow-up bone density test next week. My physician said if my condition worsened since my last test he wants me to go on a drip medication but he wasn't at all familiar with it. He's an endocrinologist and head of a diabetes center in a hospital. I trust him but after reading all your comments I don't think I want to do this. I also have GERD so it's difficult for me to ingest Fosomax. I will however ask him about Forteo Injections. I don't mind taking injections because I'm very used to it with the diabetes.
Thanks everyone for the education.
I was on fosamax for 2 years and I didn't have any side effects. I think it is a wonderful drug. It did what it was suppose to do,which is build up more bone ( I think). The down fall is you can only be on it for 2 years. I am now looking for a new drug to take the place of forteo. I go to see my endo on Wed.
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Hello, Nikki. Thanks for writing.
Your mother's concern about taking osteoporosis medication is common. Some of these drugs can cause significant side effects, and it's important to weigh the benefits and risks.
Here's some information on Reclast:
Reclast Once a Year: When to Discuss Reclast (Zoledronic Acid) with Your Doctor
http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoporosis/c/9487/12610/year-acid/
Reclast: How to Talk to Your Doctor about Zoledronic Acid for Osteoporosis Treatment
http://www.healthcentral.com/osteoporosis/c/9487/12611/talk-acid/
I hope this is helpful to you and your mother. Let me know if you need more information.
Best,
Maria
Hi Maria,
Thanks for your reply. Her biggest fear is that this injection can cause her to get cancer. She's afraid that her condition might or could worse. Of course w/ all my heart I want her to take the chance but, I couldn't live w/ myself if she proves to be right.