To have or not to have Zolondronic acid

FormerMember
FormerMember
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I have recently been advised by my oncologist to to take a course of Zolondronic acid, intravenously every 6 months for 3 years. I decided to defer my decision for a few months as the really serious side effect of bone death, ONJ really terrified me and I wanted to get a bit more information on this. Its been prescribed for me to reduce the risk of cancer coming back in my bones. I have had a course of chemo, surgery and radiotherapy and also due to start another 14 cycles of Perception and Perjeta. All of this is to lower my risk of recurrence as the tumour has apparently been successfully zapped.

Anyone out there, any experience of zolondronic acid and side effects, or even ONJ. I am agonising about what to do

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I have had 3 doses so far.  No side effects at all. I too was worried about the jaw issues and I am meticulous about keeping my teeth ultra clean.  But BC likes to come back in the bones and this is another layer of protection for us. 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    To have Zoledronic Acid or not!!  I am also in a dilemma! My dentist wants to extract 12 teeth, before he will sign me off, to have the treatment, which is rather a drastic situation to be in, after all the other treatments I have had to go through.  Had a mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy which finished in March.  Have spoken to my oncologists, but I do not get a clear yes or no answer.  They say I have 3.5% chance that the cancer may return, if I do not have the treatment!, which seems such a low  Your support would be greatly appreciated. thank you

  • I too have had 3 of my scheduled 6 doses. Each time I have one I imagine I have a sore jaw but forget about it after a few days. Recently had a check up at the dentist and she repeated the xrays and said there had been slight bone loss but wasn’t concerned about it...it makes me very nervous of having another 3 but if it reduces the risk of secondary cancer in the bones I guess that should be the deciding factor