The infusion was done on the arm where lymph nodes had been removed. The arm is ready to bust open it is so swollen. One doctor said it was a bacterial infection, another doctor said it wasn't. Now treating with Zometa..no improvement.
Breast cancer has gone into the bones. An infusion of Pamidronate has caused swelling of arm,,why?
- Asked
- 3 Jan 2012 by paperchase
- Updated
- 4 Jan 2012
- Topics
- breast cancer, infections, bacterial infection, cancer, pamidronate, swelling, doctor
Responses (3)
The swelling of the arm maybe due to the use of Zometa - this med is is a prescription medication that belongs to a group of medications known as bisphosphonates. It is used to treat the following conditions: High blood calcium levels due to cancer (known medically as hypercalcemia of malignancy) and or Multiple myeloma or solid tumor cancers that have spread to the bone (to help prevent or delay broken bones or other bone damage).
Unexplained swellings, muscle & joint pains have been reported as an rare side effect of using Zometa, maybe it would be better if you sought a second opinion as this is a matter involving cancer medication.
Wish you well & all the best!
if you are having the infusions done at a Chemotherapy infusion place located in or close to the hospital (I volunteered there at one) Zometa was frequently used and it takes an oncologist who has lots of experience (yours probably does) keep focused on finding someone who can help you find and treat the problem with your arm also there are many drugs that work as or better than Zometa I am sorry I am not more help I have been away for a good while but you keep looking and you keep fighting! it's hard when you have side effects such as this but you just keep on keeping on! I wish you the very best! caringsonbj (Billy)
For future reference:DO NOT let them put IVs in your arm where you have had lymph nodes removed unless it is an absolute last resort or if you have had lymph nodes removed from both sides and have no choice! Are they sure the infusion went into a vein and was not infiltrated or outside the vein during part of the administration?
You beat me to it Dzoo, that was what I was thinking too. If you have a bacterial infection your arm would also be very red & hot. The infection they are talking about is called cellulitis, but I doubt from your description that is the case. I personally had this from my last pneumonia shot. Got it at about 9:30AM, went home from the doctors office & my arm hurt. Well, both did because I had also gotten a flu shot, & I always react to them with a baseball size, hot red spot for about 4 or 5 days. Wasn't expecting the pneumonia shot to do the same so I layed down & fell asleep. 2 hours later my whole top of my arm was twice it's normal size, red, hot etc... I ignored it (Friday of course)until doctor was closed for the weekend. By the evening it was working it's way below the elbow, & by the time I got to the ER it was to my wrist. The only thing that helped that situation was IV antibiotics, & I had to have them a total of 4 times in 2 days.

Further Information
- Pamidronate Information for Consumers
- Pamidronate Information for Healthcare Professionals (includes dosage details)
- Side Effects of Pamidronate (detailed)
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Good Morning, it's so good to see you hope you are having a good week Billy
Rajive it's so good to talk with you Billy
Good Morning, Billy, its indeed nice to see you post again, wish you a very happy & healthy new year.
Take care, my friend & be well, safe, hail & hearty!