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bugout
09-19-2009, 12:22 PM
Hi posters! Has anyone taken the leap and went through an IV Infusion of Reclast for OA?
I'm off the chart red on my bone density and have bone degeneration RA OA and am still pretty young. Even young at heart!!

I was so scared, so this time I didn't look up all the side effects beforehand, I sucked it up and went in, and did it. It was like a chemo room, 4 other women all hooked up.
I was given pre op meds, and was quite loopy and that was nice, until I realized I wasn't told to have someone drive me. *ugh*
The infusion went well, I didn't turn into a red lobster from hives, but I did start to itch, and they combat that beforehand with solumedrol and benedryl in the IV. OK so I slept the rest of the infusion. Went home, I was tired, scared but OK.
I woke up at 5:30 in the morning and the bed was shaking like an earthquake it took a bit to realize omg that is me, I'm having the shakes, severe chills, and I couldn't lift my head. That
"you've just had a spinal tap don't lift your head feeling" OMG, and aching all over and well, I had to get up to pee from all the gatorade and the IV bags, etc. I barely could walk. I didn't stop shaking for two hours. Finally got the heating pad under me, hubby got more gatorade, pain medicine which they said to take, and my fever was 102. It's been 102 for two days time now. This morning it was 101. Last night I did get it down to 99 for a bit.

Wow. It's been awful. It is a once a year infusion, so that my bones wills top breaking. I've had two breaks in 6 months time. It's a bad sign. So now I am to take more Citracal every day, and for 4 days Zyrtec for Hives and Pain meds for the bone aching. Allow me a
Waaaaaaa here please?

Well, If you've had an infusion, can you tell me how did it go for you, what do you think of the drug, has your bone density test gone into the yellow or off the red zone and have you really had less breaks?

My head is still hurting this morning and the eye pain, if I move my head to quickly it's very painful. So I've just layed here since Thursday morning when I woke up shaking. Drinking Gatorade, taking all these medicines, and trying to watch my Temp. And of course not post too much coz I do have a fever lol. TIA for any info you have, I know that the Dr's and the Nurses are all raving about this new drug but newer drugs do scare me. I also had chest pain, couldn't take a deep breath. All listed on the symptoms and the Dr said call Monday if I am still feeling this badly. I hope it's gone by tomorrow, I have to take a ten hour drive up and back. I cannot cancel, I will just knit and passenger, and try to not move my head much. Grrrrrrrrrr.

I had hoped not looking up side effects would help me but this time it really didn't. I guess I will stick with what works for me, read them and watch for them, instead of being awakened by a shaking bed trying to figure out HEY who is shaking my bed!! OH THATS ME??? IM SICK???
wow. Side effects can last 3 days to 14 days.

TIA if you have any info, are a nurse, but not cindy a I don't wanna hear from YOU. (oh lol)

Bugged by these side effects!~!!!

hmmm
09-19-2009, 01:19 PM
Hi posters! Has anyone taken the leap and went through an IV Infusion of Reclast for OA?
I'm off the chart red on my bone density and have bone degeneration RA OA and am still pretty young. Even young at heart!!

I was so scared, so this time I didn't look up all the side effects beforehand, I sucked it up and went in, and did it. It was like a chemo room, 4 other women all hooked up.
I was given pre op meds, and was quite loopy and that was nice, until I realized I wasn't told to have someone drive me. *ugh*
The infusion went well, I didn't turn into a red lobster from hives, but I did start to itch, and they combat that beforehand with solumedrol and benedryl in the IV. OK so I slept the rest of the infusion. Went home, I was tired, scared but OK.
I woke up at 5:30 in the morning and the bed was shaking like an earthquake it took a bit to realize omg that is me, I'm having the shakes, severe chills, and I couldn't lift my head. That
"you've just had a spinal tap don't lift your head feeling" OMG, and aching all over and well, I had to get up to pee from all the gatorade and the IV bags, etc. I barely could walk. I didn't stop shaking for two hours. Finally got the heating pad under me, hubby got more gatorade, pain medicine which they said to take, and my fever was 102. It's been 102 for two days time now. This morning it was 101. Last night I did get it down to 99 for a bit.

Wow. It's been awful. It is a once a year infusion, so that my bones wills top breaking. I've had two breaks in 6 months time. It's a bad sign. So now I am to take more Citracal every day, and for 4 days Zyrtec for Hives and Pain meds for the bone aching. Allow me a
Waaaaaaa here please?

Well, If you've had an infusion, can you tell me how did it go for you, what do you think of the drug, has your bone density test gone into the yellow or off the red zone and have you really had less breaks?

My head is still hurting this morning and the eye pain, if I move my head to quickly it's very painful. So I've just layed here since Thursday morning when I woke up shaking. Drinking Gatorade, taking all these medicines, and trying to watch my Temp. And of course not post too much coz I do have a fever lol. TIA for any info you have, I know that the Dr's and the Nurses are all raving about this new drug but newer drugs do scare me. I also had chest pain, couldn't take a deep breath. All listed on the symptoms and the Dr said call Monday if I am still feeling this badly. I hope it's gone by tomorrow, I have to take a ten hour drive up and back. I cannot cancel, I will just knit and passenger, and try to not move my head much. Grrrrrrrrrr.

I had hoped not looking up side effects would help me but this time it really didn't. I guess I will stick with what works for me, read them and watch for them, instead of being awakened by a shaking bed trying to figure out HEY who is shaking my bed!! OH THATS ME??? IM SICK???
wow. Side effects can last 3 days to 14 days.

TIA if you have any info, are a nurse, but not cindy a I don't wanna hear from YOU. (oh lol)

Bugged by these side effects!~!!!


Darlin, I've never taken it as I am not old enough, BUT with infusions every person is different. Taking a quick peek at the drug, it seems a bit overkill for just osteo. JMO.

If you are having these side effects, I would suggest you go to health board or osteo board as patients typically know more about the side effects than the doctors. You will get much better help and knowledge than you would here. I have always found patients to be very helpful and supportive and they will tell you if it is something to be concerned about or whether to suck it up and you'll be good to go in a day or two.

I'm sorry you are feeling crappy. It is no fun I know!

KatieLady
09-19-2009, 02:33 PM
Bug,

My 89 year old Mom had it about 6 months ago. Nothing to the procedure for her....she even drove herself. She got slightly red in the face but none of the other things you posted about.

She hasn't been retested yet for bone density but I will let you know when she does.

I will tell you tho....she fell 3 weeks ago and broke her wrist....but by the way she fell I am not surprised. I think most anyone would have broken their wrist.

I am sorry you are having such a hard time :sad:

doctor_J
09-19-2009, 08:21 PM
Wow, bug, sounds like you had the worst of the worst. Have you told your doctor how bad it was? I'll assume yes. Thing is, it was that bad WITH solumedrol and benedryl. That means without those, to block some of the allergic reaction, it probably would have landed you in the hospital. It could be even worse next time. Your doc may want to put you on an oral after that. I'm quessing he was trying to fix your bone density faster. I would personally not want to risk it again.

Hope you're much better. Keep us posted and good luck with your trip!

Sorrento
09-20-2009, 11:48 PM
Bugout,
Your experience with this drug sounds awful. If your doctor plans to give it to you again next year, I hope there will be a different game plan for the side effects. My mother received the reclast infusion about a month ago. I checked with her tonight in case I'd forgotten anything - she didn't have any side effects at all. I'm not sure when she'll have her next bone density test done. I guess since your situation was so severe, the docs didn't want to go the route of the monthly osteoporosis drugs? I take actonel once a month which does a number on my GERD. I can tolerate it if I take nexium for several days and am careful about what I eat. I won't be complaining from now on after reading about your experiences. I hope that the reclast will strengthen your bones so that you can enjoy the activities you've been missing. Maybe if it works the docs can then try to switch you to a different medication.
Hope you're feeling better,
Sorrento

cookiedog
09-21-2009, 10:29 PM
I had my first Reclast infusion in July. I had absolutely no reaction whatsoever. I am sorry you had a reaction. I will have to say I will take absolutely any drug that will help me. I kow the devastation osteoporosis can cause and I plan to win the fight against bone loss.

I have osteoporosis and lost 17% more of my spine bone during the 12 months before July. I am starting on a new drug in a research trial at the Univ. of VA starting in October.

I am only 59 but have taken Prednisone for 11 years and my bones are in very poor shape.