Aredia - Looking For Experience With This Drug

Hi all,

 My mother was just put on Aredia to strengthen her bones. She had the option of going on Zometa but opted for the Aredia because what we read about the Zometa reflected a side effect of jaw/dental problems. As my mother has been on some form of chemo for almost a year now, per her oncologist she has not gone to the dentist.

Anyway, I was wondering what others have experienced with Aredia and also Zometa.

 Thanks in advance.

Hello;

I've been on Zometa for 5 months now. Given to me every other week through an I.V. drip. Takes about 20 minutes.

I have experienced no side effects.

Kevin

Hi carer with mother with MM --I was on Aridia for almost 2 years and only went off it when I heard about the osteonecrosis of the jaw problems which were beginning to show up around the world.  Although it took longer to recieve I felt that it was safer than Zometa. I experienced NO side effects, however after being on it once a month for 14 months I was hit by a car while crossing the road.  Everyone in oncology was amazed that I did not suffer any broken bones as a result of the accident given that I have MM lesions on all the bones in my body!  Given that I was thrown in the air and over the top of the cars bonnet before landing with a thud on the roadway, the only thing we could put it down to was that the Aridia had actually STRENGTHENED my bones!  So, although I have stopped taking it I often wonder whether I'm doing the right thing.  Revlimid has been working wonders for me and my latest skeletal survey shows no NEW lesions in over a year so I'm hoping that my bones are still as strong as they were at the time of the accident.  Needless to say, I think Aredia is GREAT!  Best wishes, Cath

Wow, that's an amazing story.

 My mom didn't go on the Zometa because of the jaw problem.  I did some web research and noticed it was more common in Zometa than Aridia.  Zometa is used more often because it doesn't take as long to infuse (that's what the nurse told mom).

Thanks for sharing.  Makes me happy and not much does that these days.

Just a word of caution -- keep notice of how long she is on Aridia and keep up your research.  From reading many messages it appears that Aridia can be given in various ways, ie: monthly, bi-monthly, or 4 times per year.  I've decided to go off of it because I was on it monthly for almost 2 years and the jaw problems seem to occur in people who have been on it for a long time.

It obviously does work, but keep track and monitor it.  Make sure that you always tell your dentist that you are taking it before he does any work, especially extractions!

Good luck to your mom!!  Best wishes, Cath