Zometta Intervenous Treaments

Has anyone had Zomatta Intervenous Treatments?  I am a breast cancer survivor 13 years & now it is in sternum & rib. I have been receiving intervenous treatment every month for 6 months & now starting to get them every three months. My question is has anyone had a jaw bone problem being on this treatment? It really scares me to read about the side effects it does to the jaw bone.  I really do not want to get these treatments anymore as I do not want to deal with something severe as losing the bone in the jaw!  I have enough to deal with trying to get this cancer under control. Anybody out there know if once off the treatments, then you do not have to be concerned about this side effect?  Or is the damage already done?

Joan

Hi Joan!

 Yes, I take Zometa infusions, at first every 3 months, now every 6 months.  Zometa is the same component as Fosamax but more potent as it is given intravenously.  I have read some research that shows it is a good drug to stabilize bone.  Several months after being diagnosed a bone scan showed uptake in my spine which after 6 worrying weeks was found not to be related.  But one year later a second bone scan showed a spot on my rib followed by a 6 month scan that showed two additional spots on the opposite rib.  I had only been diagnosed with stage 1 so it was confusing to my doctors. I did have some soreness in the rib area but I have no symptoms today, have not had a follow up scan, but 4 years later have no indication of mets.  Was it the Zometa??  Don't know but I feel it had something to do with it.  As for the problem in the jaw bone.  I actually met the doctor who first discovered this problem, necrosis of the jawbone.  Just don't have any teeth removed.  The problem is more likely to come about if teeth are removed, otherwise, it is very unlikely you would have to worry about this.  With bone mets it is more prudent to address this and make any attempt to keep it under raps because it can spread quickly not only to bone but other internal organs.  If you were me that would be my only concern now.  Best of luck to you!

I am stage 4 breast cancer person. I was given Zometa and had terrible flu-like symptoms, and visual disturbances. I was switched to Arredia infusions which I get once a month. I have always had TMJ like problems, so I have worried if I would even know WHY my jaw was hurting. After two years, I have had NO problems! Don't let fear guide you, be guided by positive thoughts instead. If any problems come up, you will deal with them THEN. My cancer is now in COMPLETE remission with Arredia and a Femara pill each day. Keep positive, and don't cross bridges until you must!!!

   I was diagnosed with recurrent breast cancer in 98....it was in my sternum, ribs and lung....also a place in my liver that they were never able to determine if it was cancer or a hemangioma or something since it never changed.   I started on hormonal therapy....tamoxifen then arimidex, aromasin and now get an injection of faslodex along with my chemo treatments.  My oncologist started me on pamidromate (sp?..same as aredia) IV therapy once a month which I was told was to strengthen my bones......I was on it until my insurance approved zometa which could be given in as little as 15 mins - 30 mins....the other took two hours.  I do not know if these drugs helped with the pain I was having in my sternum, but the pain did go away in this area.  I did have joint aches and pain in my legs, feet, leg cramps, etc, but again am not sure if this was from the hormonal treatments or aredia/zometa.  I still get zometa once a month, but my oncologist did decrease the dosage when they started saying it caused osteonecrosis.  I am a dental hygienist and I had never heard that it caused problems until a patient who was on zometa asked my employer about it.  I was really surprised and said Oh wow, I have been on that drug for years.   It is my understanding that the only way osteonecrosis would happen would be if you had an extraction.  I have had a panorex taken and there is no sign of thinning in my jaw area.  I would not go off zometa unless I was definitely having problems caused by it since I trust my oncologist and he says I need it.  I have been Stage lV since 98 and my dr has kept me comfortable and kept my cancer under control so that I am able to lead a normal pain-free life and I have been able to work the entire time. With any drug there is a list of side effects a mile long....some of us get them, some of us don't.  If a medication is beneficial, I guess you just have to weigh the pros against the cons and decide if it is worth the risk of being on it and what the risks are of not taking it.