Checking in after my Reclast IV Infusion

Hello out there,
I thought it was time to check in with all of you to let you know I had my Reclast IV Infusion on Wednesday the 27th of February.
I was very nervous about doing it - though I researched as much as I possibly could about it, I never came to a place of complete certainty that it was the absolute right thing to do. The best I could come up with was it was probably going to be okay and and it didn't appeal to me any more or less than any other of the options; alternative, burying my head in the sand and so on... not all that logical I know, but it's the truth.
The IV was not a big deal for me, no physical discomfort of any sort. Emotionally, I was pretty freaked out, but I would expect that of any of us. It was done around 3:00 in the afternoon at the Infusion department of Oregon Health Science University. I was there for probably a total of 2.5 hours.
That evening my family gathered at my house to eat dinner together, my husband and I had picked up roasted chicken and salad. I even made a peach cobbler for dessert.
I was very tired by 8:00 pm and fell quickly to sleep. I awoke at about 1:30 am with a fever of 99.8, joint, bone and muscle pain and chills. Through the night my temp increased till I was at 102.4, the pain increased as well.
By morning I was experiencing transient joint, bone and muscle pain and fever. All that went on for several days.
My doctor reminded me of the discussion we had prior to the procedure about flu like symptoms sometimes being a side effect of the Reclast IV Infusion. I just didn't think of it as flu because it didn't feel like flu. I just hurt really bad and my temperature was out-of-wack!
By Saturday evening, though I did not feel well, I asked my husband to take me to the cabin in Brighton. I just wanted to be able to hear the river and snuggle in front of the fire. He said he was concerned that it may not be in my best interest to be away from home, but I really wanted to go.
We did go and it was great! It helped me to be away from the house and took my mind off of the realities of daily life.
I started feeling a little better by Saturday, though I felt emotional and had a good cry while we walked hand-in-hand by the river.
I'm happy to report that by Sunday I was doing good, other than feeling easily tired out.
I should also mention that on Thursday, the day after the procedure, my doctor recommended I use Tylenol for the fever and take my pain medication as needed for the transient joint, bone and muscle pains.
One week later I am doing very well - no fever - no transient pains. Only time will tell us if the Reclast did it's job, I sure hope so.
It's time for my third dose of calcium, magnesium and Vit D, I'd better go -
sdonesley

By heid
Posted June 24, 2009 at 8:26 pm
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Thank you to all of you for posting your positive comments on Reclast. I finish up Forteo in Nov. and my doc ha mentioned taking Reclast or monthly Boniva afterward. I'd rather do the Reclast once or twice a year. I hope my insurance will cover it! I wonder if Medicare covers any part of Reclast. Does anyone know? I'll be 62 in Dec. so don't have to worry about Medicare just yet. I've had no problems with Forteo other than some abdominal weight gain which won't seem to come off no matter what I do (I'm on Weight Watchers maintenance program). I glad to hear that there do not appear to be any weight related issues with Reclast. Michele

By MamaMarks
Posted May 22, 2009 at 9:37 pm
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I had reclast a year ago and posted my comments about it a couple of months ago. This past April was my second year on Reclast. I had no reactions this year.

By JilleWhite
Posted May 29, 2008 at 9:36 pm
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Poor Sweetie!! Lol... I have a precious little dog, too. Her name is Heidi. She is a Coton de Tulear.

Anyway, a steroid shot in your jaw? Wish they'd find something for me! I take Amitryptiline to calm my jaw down..... just a small dose, but I hate having to take it. Otherwise I am miserable...

When did you have your reclast??

Jill

By sweetie
Posted May 29, 2008 at 4:23 pm
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Jille White, Yes I am from Enid. Broken Bow is a great town. I have a nephew and his new wife lives in Sand Springs, ok. I too had TMJ many years ago. The Dr. did an Steriod injection in my jaw during the x-ray scan to see why it hurt to eat. After that injection the jaw was back to normal. I did not have anymore problems with that again.
After my Recast iv, I had a ache in my jaw but found out that I must of chewed on something hard. I was worried like you. I have not had any problems so far with the reclast. I have been sick this whole week with an bacteria infection that does not want to go away. I am wondering that the reclast does make your immune system work over time. I hope it had nothing to do with it. By the way I gave my little dog Sweetie the infection. She is also on antibonics.

By Faye
Posted May 28, 2008 at 5:40 pm
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The Dr. said I should have the test in about six months - I will probably make the appointment for Dec. - the results should be interesting to say the least

By Faye
Posted May 28, 2008 at 8:46 am
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Good Morning Jill, I said that I would keep you and the others posted - yesterday was definitely a better day - by late morning I seemed to be function as usual - I spoke with my DR. who explained to me in detail what was happening in my body that was causing the pain - he said that the Reclast was actually fighting the cells, that my body produces, which attack the bones new growth - the pain I was experiencing was in my bones - I totally accepted that, because it was not joint acheiness, which was more of what I expected - (flu symptoms, etc) - by the way I told him about this site and he asked for the address (always willing to learn) this morning I can feel the strangeness has left my body - I say that because through-out this experience I have not felt like me on many levels - I know that little things will get my attention for a few more days or so and that it is all part of the process, but the WORST is over.

By Faye
Posted May 26, 2008 at 9:11 pm
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Hi Jill - I will keep you posted - I am hoping tomorrow will be a new day and without any side effects at all - it will be one week since I had the infusion - this duration was long enough - I am 65, in answer to your question - I had no problem with the Forteo - what I felt toward the end of the first year was more like growing pains - and that was exactly what was happening, I was growing bone - I did talk to my Dr. about it and he suggested that I switch from the early evening shots to doing them in the morning - it made a big difference - you are more active all day, and the more active you are the less discomfort you experience - I bet that all the women who complain about leg cramps etc., would not have those problems if they took the shots in the morning - the inactivity is enabling the cramps, aches, and any other problems - thanks for your concern

By JilleWhite
Posted May 26, 2008 at 1:09 pm
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Also, Faye, just curious how old you are? You say you have no other health issues.. that is SO wonderful. I really have few other ones.. I am 46...
Jill

Wow. I will definitely be praying for you... I do want updates.. Okay? Reclast or Forteo are my drs. recommendations right now, but both make me so nervous...

By Faye
Posted May 26, 2008 at 12:55 pm
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I appreciate your interest - I am a bit concerned that I am still experiencing aches and pains that are preventing me from doing my usual daily stretching and exercises - there is noticeable swelling in some joint areas - I am a very positive person and believe that this will all pass and what I am going through will be worth the results, however, it is very hard to maintain that mode of thinking when you cannot even take a step up or down and this is 6 days later - I try not to think about what I may have done to my body or actually what these drugs may have done - thinking about it will not help - I will, and am dealing with what is right now - must keep moving forward, literally and figuratively.

By Faye
Posted May 25, 2008 at 11:13 pm
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TootziePop, I do not know what your circumstances are - I do not know your medical problems - I would never want to be the one who influenced you enough to decide one way or another - remember you are a guinea pig every time you take an Aspirin - I am fortunate, I am not not any medication and I enjoy great health - most women my age usually are on something - I am on supplements and enjoy a very healthy existence - that may be the reason why I am having these side effects - my system is just not used to having all these chemicals - of course, the decision should be up to you - I hope that tomorrow will bring a finality to my discomfort - if not, it will be the next day for sure - I do know this, I needed to do whatever in order to keep the progress that I have gained in 2 years -

By TootziePop
Posted May 25, 2008 at 4:34 pm
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Hi Faye

That makes me not want this treatment. I sure hope that you feel better! I think that there are too many things not known about this drug. I am not interested as I said before of being a guinea pig.

By Faye
Posted May 25, 2008 at 1:09 pm
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I think my response will give answers to a number of the comments I have read - Tuesday, May 20th, I had my Reclast infusion - I was not looking forward to this procedure because I had read all the feedback on the previous pages - still, I had no option - I have just ended 2 years of taking Forteo - I am thrilled with the results - I DID build bone density - so much so that I am no longer in the Osteoporosis category - I now have Osteopenia - I HAD to take the Reclast because, had I not, the last 2 years would have been a waste of time - the density would eventual go down again - the Reclast IV supposedly locks in all the buildup of the last two years - the night I received the IV (late) I started to feel a great deal of pressure in my liver, then in my lower stomach area - by morning it got worse - it felt like someone was standing on my stomach, then the other aches began, which turned into pain - I have never had the flu, so I had no clue as to what to expect (DR. warned, fly like symptoms) - I could barely turn over in bed much less go to the bathroom without a struggle - therefore I did not drink that much water - I do not see what difference that would have made - I had a 102 fever later in the day - took Advils - I hate to think what would have happened had I not - Thursday proved to be a brand new day and I was able to get out of bed and function, yet still achey - by Friday I went for long walk and even ran a bit - I run 6 days a week - at least 2 miles - I was still in pain but after walking for well over a mile I was feeling better, so I foolishly ran - I say that because I awoke today in pain again - palms of hands, oddly enough, ankles, feet, neck and shoulders - really bad again - took Advil, and it took a long time to alleviate the pain - I am sure this too shall past, still I wonder what have I put into my body - I am very concerned - only time will tell - I hope this helps to answer some question.

By virginiann
Posted May 24, 2008 at 4:04 pm
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Hello sdonesley,

Reclast infusion was meant for extreme conditions to protect a person from impending fractures. The problem with Reclast is its only a short term solution. Yes, the process does increase bone density in OLD bone. This gives a person a false sense of security but, doesn't overcome the Osteoporosis. Reformation of NEW bone is the correct answer. Don't miss the point that Osteoblasts with calcium, Vitamin D3 and magnesium plus the natural product that I use builds NEW bone naturally. Reclast infusions does NOT build new bone. Virginia

By TootziePop
Posted May 23, 2008 at 6:16 pm
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I got no call as I expected. These Dr's have no consideration for us. I have to ask? I went to my rheumatologist for this the past week. This is what she recommended. She gave me no information on it at all. I mean nothing. Everything I found out I found out from this site. They charged 225.00 for the visit. She never mentioned about drinking the water or side effects. Is this normal? Or do I have a bad Dr.?

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