Zoledronic acid

Hi Dafna, lovely to hear from you and that Jacob is doing well.  I have been on Risedronate Sodium for about 6 years but the weekly tablet variety, so don’t have any experience with the annual jab.  

Hi David,

Thank you so much for your reply. How are you doing?

Lots of love

Dafna

Hello Dafna, my husband was offered this but declined because of the side effects - notably jaw necrosis. He had stopped HT by this point. He was then prescribed calcium and vitamin D tablets and a repeat deca scan recommended after 3 years to monitor the ‘borderline osteoporosis the deca scan had picked up. 

suddenly, and without any discussions with him, a prescription for alendronic acid tablets ( similar side effects to the injection) turned up on the door step. He has not taken them pending his forthcoming oncology consultation this week.

what we have learned over the last few years is one drug causes side effects which demands another drug and then, before you realise, you are on a treadmill keeping pharmacists in employment! We have always taken the advice of our doctors but this last tablet was one step too much until we have had at least a discussion about it!

It sounds as if you have been able to discuss your husband’s medication and side effects and have dental clearance, though, and I know that your husband will be permanently on medication that can hasten osteoporosis. I hope your husband stays well and avoids the side effects.

X

Thank you WW. Yes there is a lot to say for keeping the pharmacists busy. 

However, it was Jacob decision to go for it. He said that for him is no brainer. In addition to keeping the osteoporosis under control it helps to keep the PC away from the bones.  I will report back after the 11th and hopefully with good news of minimal side effects. 

Lots of love

Dafna

Hi Dafna

my husbands oncology consultation is this week so I will let you know the outcome. I didn’t know that the zoledronic acid keeps the PC away from the bones so this is a major consideration and something further to query.

i really hope your husband has absolutely no side effects and every benefit from the medication

Hi Dafna, currently doing well thanks.  We are currently in Grindelwald in Switzerland but back home soon then the dreaded PSA end September.  We have walked 8 miles today and I am pretty exhausted but pleased with myself.

Hi jacobanddafna 

I can't give you any advice I'm afraid, but I'm really pleased to hear from you 

lorraine x

Hi L,

Thank you! I hope all is good with both of you?

Lots of love

Dafna

Hi David,

8 miles that's Wow! I will be exhausted without PC...

So good to hear you are doing well. Good luck at the end of September.

Lots of love

Dafna

Morning all from very wet and windy Brighton,

Jacob had the Zoledronic Acid on Thursday evening. The process is an infusion of 15 minutes. Prior to this he had a blood test and a dental check.

For anyone who is not familiar with ZA is part of the bisphosphonates. The reason for administrating ZA is two fold:

To strengthen the weak bones which affected by almost 22 months of HT.  Also to protect the bones from the PC which as we know when it is advanced it likes to send little buggers to the bones.

For Jacob it was no brainer. He opted to take this treatment ( once a year). I was really worried about the side effects which the rare ones are scary. 

So far 36 hours after the treatment everything with Jacob looks normal. He had a bit of a chill last night. So this morning he took his temperature which was 34.5. Well, of course the thermostat batteries were old. After replacing them temperature was 36.6 so all is good!

I am telling you this because ZA is a treatment available to advance PC on the NHS so if anyone what to discuss it with their oncologist. If there are any side effects down the line, I will report.

Lots of love

Dafna