 Posted 13/05/2011 13:22:29
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I went into hosp medical day unit for zolendronic acid infusion. What happens is 1) You are admitted as normal with medical history, & list of medication. 2) You are given about 2/3 of a jug of water to drink whilst you are there. ( Apparently if you drink a lot for the first 2 days it lessons the side effects). 3) A canual is put into place 4) The infusion is set up as a drip that takes about 15 mins.
In this unit there are comfy chairs where you sit whilst the procedure is carried out. Good idea is take a magazine or book to read. You remain in your normal clothes but don't wear anything tight on your arms.
If you where on Biphosphorous by mouth this is stopped. Usually the infusion is given yearly, though I don't know for how long.
This is my second day all I feel is tired so far. The flu like symptoms can start anything up to 3 days after and last approx 3 days.
Hope this helps novices
Christine
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Posted 01/06/2011 22:45:19
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Hi
interesting to read you experiencec. I am 64. last Dexa showed osteopenia, but I had a vertebral fracture in late 2008 and a wrist fracture recently. registrar at hospital has suggested a yearly infusion to replace oral risendronate whic I have been taking for a couple of years with no real problems or side effects. Will the infusion be a better treatment? Any opinions, please?
Ann
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Posted 05/09/2011 11:36:31
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| I am due my first infusion this week and I have all your comments enlightening. As a first timer I was a little apprehensive but at least now I have more idea what to expect in the way of after effects. Lets hope I am one of the lucky ones ! Good luck to everyone
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Posted 08/09/2011 10:20:04
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Hi Just to add my recent experience. Had Aclasta infusion two days ago. Female, age 64, with two fractures in last three years. Infusion was easy and painless. Only effect so far was some 40 hours after the infusion (last night). Felt a bit chilly on going to bed, started shivering/shaking for an hour and a half and had a slight temperature. Took two paracetamol and was then able to sleep. This morning - a bit achy generally but OK. Am hoping that will be the extent of the side effects!
Ann
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Posted 07/12/2011 06:27:32
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Hi have just had my second yearly infusion. Took not much time, and read a book during it. Today I feel sore in my back area.
Glad to have the yearly infusions, just trust not too many side effects. I am femail, aged 68.
Dont be afraid anyone!!!! Raewyn, Brisbane, Australia
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Posted 09/12/2011 21:43:00
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I had an infusion of a drug called zoledronic acid on Wednesday this week. It was like a drip and took about a half hour to go into my system. It is a yearly transfusion which is to try to help prevent my bones from crumbling and getting too thin. I've had a lot of fractures and operations this last 10 years or so- Shattered my hip eight years ago & had a complete hip replacement, broken big toes at various times and broken thumb, both wrists broken, the last one myt right wrist four years ago when I had to have an operation to put it back together. Three years ago I had a new right knee. So all in all I though it was a good idea to have this infusion to try to prevent any further broken bones. The leaflet says it might make you feel like you have the flue but it doesn't say anything about a rash.
It has made me quite poorly so far. Yesterday, Thnursday a headache and painful joints. Today, Friday the same and now a rash all over my face and body. I feel pretty terrible tonight. I phoned A & E at the hospital (I live in England)as I have some anti histamine tablets which I bought in Egypt as I'd been bitten by flies a lot one evening and the histamine calmed them down a lot. I though these might help with the rash I've got and phoned the local A & E but they couldn't give me any advice except to phone the English NHS Direct. I phoned and was told there is a four hour waiting time for calls to be answered. I will see how I am overnight and then if still feeling so ill I will phone my doctor.
So I'll just get through tonight on my own and not take the histamine in case they make the rash worse. I'll see how I am in the morning.
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Posted 12/12/2011 16:13:54
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| Just wanted to ask anonymous if things are better now,and if the doctor came up with any suggestions as to what may have caused the side effects?
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Posted 10/02/2012 08:10:37
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I have been putting off having aclasta infusion and have just been taking calcium citrate and glucosamine but my oesteoporosis fractures in my back are getting worse so I think I will have to do something about it, a bit apprehensive, but patients at my clinic have had it done and I think most are allright, but I dont know if their bone density has gone up or not forgot to ask at the meeting the nurses arranged.
Good to get some positive views, a lot of people only put the bad points of aclasta
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Posted 17/02/2012 14:43:33
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| I am 34 and have been treated for osteoporosis for the last 8 years. I have tried various oral treatments (daily, weekly and monthly) and have over the years had problems with them all. Last year I was diagnosed with Gastritis caused by the Risedronate and was told that I needed to avoid further oral biophosphonates. I have now had the Zoledronic Acid infusion. Whilst the initial side effects were as everyone has described (severe aching for a couple of days, tiredness etc) exactly one week to the day of my treatment I begun suffering severe back and stomach cramp/pains. These have progressed to sickness and such extreme exhaustion I have been bed bound for 3 days (which is really not me). My GP believes that the infusion could not have caused another severe bout of Gastritis but I can't find anything to suggest that this may be a side effect. I was of the understanding that as the Acid does not go through your digestive system the digestive side effects caused by the tablets could be avoided. Has anyone else had any experience of this? I feel like I am going round in circles and nobody seems to be able to give definitive answers so any ideas or experiences others can share would be much appreciated.
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Posted 18/02/2012 15:43:30
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Hi
I had the annual infusion for the first time last summer after experiencing awful side effects from oral medication. My original consultant was very unsympathetic and wanted me to try all the oral medication on his list before having an infusion, but I changed hospitals and consultants as I was no longer prepared to be out of action with stomach problems for two days after taking each dose.
I waited with some trepidation over the couple of weeks after the infusion, but had no side effects other than the very occasional mild 'twinge' in my neck which stopped after about three weeks. My dentist (NHS - yes, they still exist!) has been superb, taking x-rays at every check-up to make sure there is no hidden decay. Having regular x-rays is probably not a good thing, but probably better than having an extraction in hospital. Next time I see him I think I will ask for annual x-rays rather than six-monthly ones.
I can't comment on the effect the treatment is having on my bone density until later this year.
I wish everyone else having an infusion for the first time the same luck that I have had.
Christine
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