Zometa not MTX | Arthritis Information

Hello again. I have made a mistake on the annual injection med. Sorry , brain fog, old age, not understanding , duh !

The drug name is ZOMETA ; Generic Name: Zoledronic Acid.

This drug has been offered to me for bone building. It is used in larger doses for cancer patients.

I would still need to have Mtx and Plaquenil.

Has anyone had this or heard of it?

Thanks, Lyn

Well, seems I am the guinea pig. ( no one else had this??)

I had the Zometa infusion 5 days ago and so far only a little nausea and bone pain. All bearable. I will keep you up to date if you want me too?

My Rheumy has me starting on Plaquenil this week and we are leaving the Methx off at this time. I have had to add blood pressure tabs to the mix this week too!

Hope everyone is doing best you can!!!

Merry Christmas and may 2009 be a better, healther year!

Love to all

Lyn xx

Lyn

not heard of Zoledronic Acid - have you googled and looked at side effects?

or have you contact the Osterporisis (spelling) society and looked at their web page and see what they reccommend.

Methx and Zolendronic - both chemo?

Just curious - keep us posted.

Hi Mrs Uk,

Yes I sure have researched zolendronic acid . It is a Bisphosphonates (intravenous / IV) used to treat bone disease such as osteoporosis and Paget's disease. I was told this will reduce the risk of further broken bones by increasing bone density.

There is lots of info on the ... Australian Rheumatology Association ... Arthrits Australia ... Patient information on Bisphosphonates ( Intravenous ) .

Yes it is a chemo drug that has been trialed for people with a osteoporosis who have a fracture or fractures and can not tolerate the usual Fosamax, Actonel ect.

I was given Zometa. Another name I have seen for the same thing was.. Aclasta www.nps.org.au medicine update leaflet for consumers. This is a great site for Patient Information.

Arthritis Australia states "Methotrexate can be taken safetly with bisphosphonates"

Hope this info helps explain. There are a lot of side effects. I decided to take a calculated risk, the alternative was possibily more painful fractures. Got the okay from the dentist and keeping aware of any new symptoms. So far so good!!

Thank you for asking, Lyn

Hello Lynn M, I had an infusion of zolendronic acid in September, also known as Aclasta. It is a fairly new process here, the nurse had to travel 8 hours to my house to give me the infusion. But is so much easier than the weekly regime I had to go through with the Alendronate. I had no side effects at all from the Aclasta. I will see next August when I have my next bone density scan to see if it works.

So you are not alone in being a guinea pig,maybe it's just the two of us.

Suemac
Hi Suemac, thank you for your response. I am very pleased to know you have not had any side effects from Aclasta / Zometa. I have not had any either. Hoorah!!

Can I ask how long you have had PMR and your other medications.?

I have changed Rheumys and the diagnosis of PMR is being questioned. Definately immune sytems related. He said a definate diagnosis may not be made. Mentioned RA and Lupus. Aparently the treatment is similar. 3 years of this and I was hoping .. oh well, I am still on 5mg pred and cannot go lower. Plaquenil has been added and I also take Tramadol for the osteo fracture pain.

Well its the Festive Season ... going to be a Hot Christmas here in Australia. I image in Canada it will be a beautiful " White Christmas.." Keep warm, Merry Christmas and hope to hear from you in 2009! Cannot believe it.. this year has gone so fast. xxx