Zometa

I have been on Zometa for one year plus now (drug used to strengthen the bones of patients with bone metastitis) and had read up about it before agreeing to go onto it. One of the rarer side effects can be deterioration of the bones in the Jaw. I have noticed that on day 2 after the IV infusion I get increased bone pain (severe) which lasts approximatley one day in the areas where I have bone tumours - I simply don't plan to do anything on that day and am able to 'up' my pain meds to compensate. This week I had my Zometa on Tuesday and yesterday I got the increased pain as expected - however this morning I woke up to find my Left Jaw numb and tingling and achy - so I rang the breast care nurses, who rang the oncology unit who sent the message back to me to self referr as 'urgent' to the local Dental Hospital in Newcastle. Ho hummmm just what I needed = neither of my daughters had their house keys to let themselves in after school - the dog had just gone off to the groomers for a wash and clip - the cleaning lady arrived (I cant manage all my housework myself now due to breathlessness)!! Arggghhh Anyway never mind - sorted out arrangements for the above problems and went up to Newcastle Dental Hospital. Amazingly got a parking space right outside the outside the hospital entrance and went to the desk - by this time (having rang at 9am and getting the message to go to the hospital 2hours later) it was 11.45 - the girl at reception looked at me and said - self referrals needs to be here by 8.30 am and in anycase they had a restricted clinic this morning and we have taken all the patients that we can manage today !!! So I quietly explained my reasons for attending and the nice receptionost said she would look into it for me. I sat down, 20 mins later I was called through to a different dept and seen straight away by a lovely young female dentist - she took my history, examined me and then the consultant Maxillo-Facial Surgeon came in to see me. He examined me - did many tests checking where the tingling was etc and requested an x-ray - 10 mins later I was back from X-ray and he examined me and the xrays again. I am so impressed with how I was treated. Result is they think I have a wisdom tooth laying on a nerve which is producing the thingling and ache - he is going to ask me to go back to see him in 2 weeks time, write to my Oncologist suggesting a new bone scan (preautionary only) and to see if everything settles. he does not think it this stage that it is related to the Zometa - however because I am on the Zometa it is doubtful he will attempt to remove said wisdom tooth as it is dangerous to have dental work during treatment. I dont know if it will get better or not at this stage but I do feel reassured and think I was treated very well indeed. Good old NHS at its best !! I will see my Oncol on the 27th and see what he has to say. Love Jools x