I have been advised by my Doctor to start taking Reclast and I have read almost everything I can find on the Web. I am looking for people who are already taking Reclast to verify the real side effects. Additionally, is there any way to reduce the side effects if they are too serious during the year that Reclast is effective.
Thanks, JoannieA
Hi JoanieA: Welcome to the community. Good luck with the infusion, if you decide to take it. I haven't used Reclast, but the one thing I constantly hear is that you really need to be hydrated well, before and after the infusion, to help minimize any effects.
I'm sure those who have taken this will jump in, but if not you can always find their threads by putting Reclast in the search box at the top right of the screen.
Good Luck... I'm sure you've read the following New England Journal of Medicines article on Zolendronic Acid (Reclast) but just in case here it is below. To read the side effects within the article click on the PowerPoint slide show or the listing of them which will open a new window within the article.
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/356/18/1809
I had my first Reclast infusion almost 2 weeks ago. I would agree with Windblown. Lots of water before and after. Also the RN who did my infusion had me lay down that afternoon for 30 minutes and just rest. So far no side effects. Keep us posted.
Hi!. This is my FIRST post and I have been reading through the blogs and information regarding RECLAST for about a month. I am scheduled to get the infusion this Wednesday, August 6th!. and I am thankful to have read your post regarding the HYDRATION. I am praying for NO side effects!...
Continued success "jogger" with the RECLAST and no side effects!.
Denise
I wonder from your post whether you expect side effects to last a long time. My understanding is that they last only a couple of days. I had some bone pain on Day 2 and Day3, six months ago, and nothing since. No flu syndrome, ever. Others: have you revisited side effects after the immediate post-infusion week? Just curious.
This is all good news for me!...I always have a positive attitude and have a lot of confidence in my Dr. and his opinions toward my health. He claims IF YOU DO ENCOUNTER any side effects, they are usually within the first week, and they are usually flu like symptoms!?!
I have taken a couple days off work since I stand for the minimum of 10 hours a day just to relax and enjoy.
I will continue to post and let everyone know how it goes!.
Re days off from work, my experience was that the day of the infusion I felt nothing (I got it at about 8 AM and it lasted 30 minutes). It was Days 2 and 3 that my back and legs ached and I was glad to be at home. This schedule is pretty much what I have read from other posters---so you might want to arrange your time off accordingly. It seems to be a slightly delayed reaction. But don't be fearful as it doesn't last forever! Also, for what it's worth, I started craving protein the day of the infusion and this did continue. I think the body announces its needs in this way, so next time I will be sure to have something meaty, and plenty of cheese and eggs, on hand.
Good to know!..Unfortunately, I do have to work THE DAY AFTER, but hopefully it will be o.k. I will be receiving my infusion at 8:00 AM on Wednesday! They told me it would take around 20-30 minutes. I will count on 30!!.....I am a big WATER drinker anyway, but I have been starting to up the water intake today!.
Your posts have encouraged me!. Thank you!.
My best friend is a DR. and her brother is a Pharmacist and they both told me that side effects are usually within the first week. As you asked a couple posts above, I would be curious to know as well, if anyone out there had revisited side effects after the post infusion week.
I am also curious to know how many units of Calcium and Vitamin D do you take daily since the RECLAST.
My Dr. has increased the I.U.'s per day starting this week. My blood levels for these vitamins and minerals are in perfect range.
Thank you!!!!!!!
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In answer, I took 50,000 units of Vitamin D (Ergocalciferol) once a week for eight weeks then once a month "forever". So far (six months) this has brought my blood level from 19 to 36. Now, I have a question for others on Reclast: has anyone had trouble controlling weight? Since starting R I have gained 15 pounds I don't want and all the usual methods aren't getting rid of it. "Oh that this too, too solid flesh would melt". Others?
Thanks for the answer!...My Dr. recommended the same units and I was curious if that was NORMAL, because that seems like a LOT!....but I just stocked up Saturday and I started today!.
Thanks Rosaflor!.
spiderlegs, I had the same reaction so I looked up what the toxic dose of Vitamin D was and it was 'way more than I am taking, something like four times as much---I have thrown the data way but it's online somewhere. Anyway I've been on that regimen for six months now with no unpleasant reaction whatsoever. The first time I took one of the 50,000 unit pills I was apprehensive and expected who-knows-what to happen, but nothing at all happened. Except that eventually my Vitamin D deficiency got repaired.
My 81 year old mother had the Reclast infusion today. Although this happened this morning, the only side effect she has had is feeling tired. The procedure was simple. They started an iv and she sat there for fifteen minutes for it to finish. I will keep everyone that is interested informed as to her progress.
Hi Suzsezok: I hope the reclast infusion helps your mom tremendously. Hopefully she will be one of those that doesn't have any unusual side effects, keep us posted on how she does.
I was just wondering if you ever tried the suggestions that Sara, Lucy, and I suggested to keep your mom active and feeling like she *is* leading a productive daily routine. I know that gardening would be very difficult at this point with her falling, but did you ever try the suggestions about bringing some plants indoors that can be tended from a seated position? Also did you try putting plants in the waist high pots, or maybe you got her to start a family tree or history, since she is the link to all the wonderful stories. Since we didn't hear from you (no problem) I just wondered if the suggestions were too difficult. I also mentioned doing hand work, is that something she would be interested in? Like crochet, knitting, etc.,
Well I don't want to take up too much of your time, but wondered if any of the suggestions from the members may have been used and HELPED! As I mentioned when my grandmother broke her hip, it was the family tree we started that really helped her a lot.
Take care of your Mom and don't forget about Yourself, it really sounds like you have your hands full. You're in our thoughts and prayers!! I think the post where we talked about this was titled "My poor Mom."
I had Relast in March, had flu like symptoms the next day and no problems since. I actually lost 10 lbs (I followed a low carb diet) and need to lose more so will continue.
Hi all,
I may have to move in the Recalst direction as well. Once a month Boniva made me really ill and I had no luck with once a week Actonel. I stuck with it all month of July hoping my body would adjust, but also made me real ill for 2 days following the dose. Now my doctor is having me try once a month Actonel to see if that will work for me (because it is time release and won't be so harsh??), but if not I will be having a reclast infusion (which he says lasts for a year) is that right? Anyway, I am nervous about taking the once a month Actonel, because I don't want to go through that kind of sick again for 3 days, but what other choice do I have? I am praying for something to agree with me so I don't have to worry about my kids taking care of me when I get older....I just refuse to let that happen. I sure could use some positive reinforcement. Thanks for your support. ;-)
Hi
I had the infusion in January and my score has improved but still having pain in the morning. I must say it helped me a lot and will take another infusion next January. Exercising is very important and swimming is recommended for pain relief if you have enough time to do it!!! I must say that when I first discovered that I have osteoporosis and compressed fractures I almost collapsed because I was very active and felt that I am crippled all of a sudden but now I started to change my life style to avoid any more fractures and pain. Best of luck my dear
It is August 6, and at 8:00 this morning I will have my first Reclast infusion. I will keep you posted on how it goes!. Thanks for all the great tips everyone!.
Have a wonderful day!.
I had my dose of Reclast last March. One thing my DR insisted on was 2 hours of IV infusion of saline solution to make sure I was hydrated. Nurses said she was the only DR in area that did that, but she was insistant that I have that much hydration before I received the Reclast. Had a few aches for a couple of days afterwards, but nothing I couldn't put up with. Am anxious to have density tests to see if there is improvement.
Today is the 4th day after the infusion and I haven't had ONE SINGLE side effect!....the process was EASY and the nurse at my infusion center couldn't have been more kind!......I took the advice of some "posters" and hydrated myself very well, and the infusion center hydrated me for 1/2 hour before the infusion. And about 20 minutes after!.
I also drank 4 liters of water that day!.
I am not sure if that helped. Two days later I went to my Massotherapist for a relaxing massage and I am sure that didn't hurt!. I also worked out at the gym and have had no issues whatsoever!.
A question to all of you who have had the Reclast....
How long after the infusion did you wait to have your next density scan? Just curious. I assume about a year?!?!?!?
Have a great weekend everyone!.
Spiderlegs....so glad that your Reclast infusion went well with no side effects!
I had my first Reclast infusion on 6/7/08 without any side effects whatsoever. : ) In January, 2009 I will be getting a Dexascan to see if my numbers have improved.
Someone told me that the Reclast rebuilds old bone and taking calcium every day helps build new bones. Have you heard the same?
Joannie, reading your post this morning (although I have seen it before) something suddenly hit me in your words "to verify the side effects". How many people will you hear from, total? I would think maybe ten, max. And they will be what's called "a self-selected sample", which is suspect in any research because people who are motivated to participate are not a random selection. So you will hear what happened to just a few people, not randomly selected; whatever you learn won't be as broad or as objective as if you look online for the drug manufacturer's package insert (it will be in Adobe Acrobat format but it will be there). It will give you the percentage of each side effect seen in around seven thousand people. Might be helpful information.
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