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Reclast and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

Reviews for Reclast

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Kan...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 5, 2025

For Osteoporosis "My first experience with Reclast infusion, I had major cold and flu symptoms, achy legs and lower back. By the 3rd day, I was feeling loads better until I drank wine that evening (with dinner). BIG mistake! Got really fluish/worse for the next 5 days. Only Dual Action Advil seemed to help the most. I did try Claritin. It didn't help until I had taken it the second time when able. Headache and chest congestion, stuffy and runny nose (weird) and sore jaw 4 days in. Awful, but my bone density test was so much improved, I decided it was worth it to go another round. The second infusion a year later, no side effects whatsoever. Made sure I was completely hydrated and drank NO alcohol. Just had 3rd infusion on Feb 4, 2025. So far, 11 1/2 hours later, I feel just fine. (2nd bone density test had shown I had gone from osteoporosis back to osteopenia. Not at as high a risk any longer."

8 / 10
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  • NGa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 13, 2019

For Osteoporosis "Reclast IV last week, and I had side effects of sore throat, chills, headache, fever, severe bone, joint, and muscle pain, in bed for the past 8 days. I originally was going to cancel the IV after reading all the side effects, but the nurse talked me into it. Never again! I can’t really rate the drug as it’s only been a week."

3 / 10
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  • joy...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 25, 2017

For Osteoporosis "Two days after injection, I have severe lower back pain, unable to get out of bed without assistance, couldn't bend over, very painful on a scale of 1 to 10, my pain level a 7. One week later, severe swelling of left hand fingers, very painful. Morning headaches, very uncommon for me."

2 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Bet...
  • May 6, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I had a Reclast infusion in November 2023. After reading reviews, I drank a lot of water and took Tylenol leading up to the infusion, though I was never told to do this by anyone. I was very nervous about it, but thought maybe the bad reviews were by people who hadn’t hydrated and taken Tylenol. I thought if I did that, I would be okay. Wrong! I have never been so sick in my life. I felt like I did the first time I had COVID. Every bone in my body hurt, and I had the worst headache ever. My knees were so painful. I couldn’t walk for three days and had to use a cane for a few days after that. They were terribly swollen. The whole thing really scared my family. It is May 2023, and my knees are still bothering me. About a month ago, I felt and heard some popping behind my knee just from kind of twisting a bit to sit down at the table for dinner. I feel like my leg could just give out from under me. I’m wondering if it tore a ligament. I would never take the chance if I had it to do over."

1 / 10
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  • mcm...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 13, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I am a 56-year-old female with sudden onset of osteoporosis, meaning I had no previous knowledge I even had osteoporosis until I obtained a total of 6 disc compression fractures over 2 and 1/2 months in 2022. The head of the endocrinology department told me to get Reclast, told me I have nothing to worry about, so I did so. No one, including this doctor, gave me any info as to how to prepare properly, nor did anyone state side effects. Because I am not normally ill, it did not occur to me to Google Reclast or that there could be a potential problem. Oh my God, what a nightmare! Within 6 hours, I had severe bone pain, a screaming headache, rolling cramps from my toes to the top of my head non-stop for 2 full days, and I became instantly so weak I couldn't lift my arm to cover myself with a blanket. When I thought the worst was over, suddenly I was hit with severe flu-like symptoms, chills, vomiting, all for 8 days. I literally felt like I was dying. Will NEVER do it again. The doctor thinks I'm crazy. She should be sued for malpractice!"

1 / 10
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  • Lis...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 5, 2025

For Osteoporosis "My first dose of Reclast was given on 5/3/25; I was not given any instructions prior to coming to the infusion center. The attending nurse did give me instructions to go home and take Tylenol every six hours; she also mentioned that I might have some bone pain later that night. The infusion was seamless, and I even made it through the evening with no symptoms. Around 9 PM I started to feel exhausted and went to sleep; I usually go to sleep around midnight. I awoke at 3 AM feeling like I was being stabbed in the chest and neck, and every bone, muscle, and joint was on fire. I also had the worst headache of my life, nausea, chills, and fever; I was truly afraid to move. I got up to go to the bathroom, only to find that my legs and lower back felt like they had cement blocks on them. It was beyond excruciating! I went back to bed and woke up at 8 AM feeling like I had the worst flu of my life. The day very slowly got better; I still feel like I have the flu, but most definitely on the mend."

7 / 10
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  • khc...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 27, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I had my first Reclast infusion on 4/8/21. I had been on Evenity (romosozumab-aqqg) for the previous year with no side effects and with significant improvement in my bone density. My endocrinologist wanted to seal the increased bone density in with a Reclast infusion. I drank lots of water and took calcium and vitamins D and K. On the 6th day after the infusion, I was off my water and vitamins. That night, I had a headache, swollen, painful joints in my hands and wrists. My left wrist and right thumb joint were swollen, painful, and red. I had chills and a very stiff neck. I definitely started the water and supplements again! These symptoms, except for the chills (only one episode), took about 12 days to resolve. Finally feeling like myself again and am on the other side of it. Not sure if I will take another Reclast infusion."

8 / 10
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  • MWL...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 19, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I am sharing this because I was very reluctant about taking Reclast because it stays in your body for a long time, and I was worried about the side effects. I decided to take a half dose in 2021. Twelve hours after the infusion, I had severe inflammation in my fingers where I have slight arthritis. Then, after two days, I had a severe headache for two weeks. I took Tylenol, which helped only a bit. I was told not to worry by my doctor, and finally, it was fine. Then, the following year, I decided to take another half dose, and this time the next day my hip was on fire and hurt so much I couldn’t walk properly. Along with flu-like symptoms, I felt miserable. My hip pain lasted for about three months! My doctor finally told me that any “itis” - arthritis, bursitis, etc. - will get inflamed from the procedure. It was awful. Six months later, I wanted to do Invisalign to straighten a couple of teeth and was told I can’t because Reclast would affect my teeth and bone growth. Unreal! It’s not worth the side effects."

3 / 10
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  • rvt...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 16, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "On day 9 of my infusion, still having a headache every day. Now my severe neck pain is just awful, I can't move my neck. Zapped all my energy, hard to get moving every day. Never again will I take this treatment!!!!"

1 / 10
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  • Sha...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 9, 2023

For Osteoporosis "My doctor suggested Reclast after not being able to take Fosamax. After reading reviews, I had mixed feelings. I did follow the recommendation of drinking water and Tylenol two days prior to the injection. The infusion was quick (less than 20 minutes). I went about my day feeling great until about 9 pm, when my body just started to ache. I had a horrible headache and body aches for about 36 hours. It wasn’t pleasant for sure, but I am hoping the next bone density test will show improvement."

7 / 10
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  • Jud...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 21, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I had the infusion 1 week ago today, and it has been awful. I woke up at 4 am with severe muscle spasms in my entire back. I could barely get to the restroom. That lasted for about 15 hours. Then came the headaches, sore throat, and pain and weakness in my left hand. Along with that were swollen legs, especially my left one. I went to the doctor, and he diagnosed it as phlebitis. That was 3 days ago. The phlebitis has steadily gotten worse. The headache and the sore throat finally went away. I am praying the phlebitis will clear up with antibiotics. So far, no improvement after 3 days. I am most afraid of that. I will never allow myself to go through that again. I am praying for no permanent damage to my body."

1 / 10
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  • Car...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 19, 2025

For Osteoporosis "I was terrified to get this due to the negative reviews, but after several positive reviews, I decided to do it. I am so glad I did. I drank tons of water the day before the infusion and over the next few days after. I also started extra strength Tylenol the night before and continued for several days after. The evening after the infusion, I started with a headache (back of head/neck) and fever. On the day after, fever was 101 and still headache, but the Tylenol really helped with both as well as putting a cold compress on the back of my head. Flushing with fluids really helped too. By day 3, I was feeling much better and by day 5, back to normal. So for a few days, it was no worse than the flu! It was totally worth it, as I just had a new bone scan, and after a year of Evenity shots and now the Reclast infusion, my bone density has increased 14%!"

8 / 10
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  • Ari...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 2, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I'm a healthy 57-year-old female. I normally have a high tolerance to pain. I rarely get sick. No body aches or pains in the past. Had a 15-minute Reclast infusion 36 hours ago. During the infusion, I fell asleep. Driving home, I fell asleep at the wheel. My mother woke me and took over driving. I got home and went directly to sleep. I woke 6 hours later in head-to-toe excruciating pain in my bones and joints. Severe headache. Eyes swollen and painful. Hand so swollen can't bend fingers. Nausea. Vertigo. Sore throat. Now I can barely walk. I have developed blurry vision on top of everything else. Pain scale = 7 to 8. Shooting pains in shins periodically, as well as a burning sensation in my upper right arm. I also feel like something is tied tightly to both arms just above the wrists. My doctor just told me these are side effects and could last up to 10 days. I read comments here and saw reports of long-term pain. I'm very angry with my doctor. No mention of preparing for infusion or possible side effects. Can't take 10 days like this."

1 / 10
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  • Dia...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 2, 2021

For Osteoporosis "This had been a horrible experience for me. I am 68 years old and had my first infusion of Reclast on September 24, 2021. I was in the ER the next morning with a very rapid heartbeat that woke me up in the middle of the night. I thought I was dying. I spent one night in the hospital and had all kinds of tests. It wasn't my heart causing problems. The Reclast is causing joint pain, body aches, headaches, and hands that are swollen and painful. One week out, I still am not feeling well. I will never have an infusion of this drug again. My body hurts from head to toe."

1 / 10
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  • Amb...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 24, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I am 55 yrs old and had my first infusion a week ago. Later in the evening, the pain started, and I woke up during the night with the worst bone pain and headache I have ever had. I have fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, so I have a high pain tolerance. A week later, and the headaches, bone pain, and nausea continue. Hoping it ends soon. Will never take this medication again!"

1 / 10
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  • MMM...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 23, 2023

For Osteoporosis "Monday morning was my first Reclast infusion. The infusion process was fine and easy. Took 1 Claritin and 325 mg Tylenol prior to the procedure. Monday night had deep leg pains and a burning sensation. Tuesday had chills, deep leg pain (like growing pains when I was a kid), and a headache. Wednesday had leg and lower back pain. Took Tylenol from Monday through Wednesday. Thursday is much better with lingering leg pain. The doctor’s office said that patients who have never taken osteoporosis meds before might have some pain and flu-like symptoms. In all, better than I expected (I was very anxious after some of the comments here), and hopefully the results will be good on my next bone density test."

8 / 10
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  • Mar...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 20, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I was very nervous about the Reclast infusion, but I really like the idea of helping my bones. I prepared by drinking lots of water the day before and took a Tylenol that night. More water and another Tylenol the morning of, had the infusion, and felt fine. Figured the side effects would come that night, but they didn’t. Today, which is the day after, I have felt slightly headachy, no ambition, kind of hungover without the gastric problems. I don’t get it. Thrilled to be feeling so not horrible and I believe everyone who has another story here, but really, so far it’s okay. Hope it works. I can’t rate it now because it’s only been 32 hours."

8 / 10
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  • Ros...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 5, 2022

For Osteoporosis "After receiving an infusion on Thursday, I was in the ER Friday with chest pain and rapid heartbeat. I got checked out and no problems were found, although I still have chest pain, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fatigue, and headache after a week. I do not recommend anyone receiving this infusion. My insurance did not cover another medication used for bone density."

1 / 10
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  • Bea...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • January 23, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I am 73 and did my first Reclast a year ago. I took extra vitamin C and D the week before. Tylenol does nothing for me. I took Advil and arnica the day before, during, and after. It has helped me with other procedures. I also asked for a 60-minute infusion, not the 15-minute one that is suggested. I read in a medical school publication that 60-minute drips have way fewer side effects. They don't tell you this, so you have to ask for 60 minutes. I even gave the doc a copy of the article. A good friend trains nurses on infusions, and she also confirmed that slow infusions are always better than quick ones-less pain, almost no side effects. Try to get the longer session. I asked. They said yes-no problem. Bring a book, phone, or tablet to keep yourself entertained, and something to drink while you're in session, and something to eat after. Had no headache or flu symptoms. Wear comfortable clothes. CBD may also help, I like gummies. My second session is next week. The first I was nervous, not now."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 4, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I am a 63-year-old woman. I had my first Reclast infusion 5 days ago. I had a fever, chills, and a major headache that lasted all night after the procedure. I was not told to drink water or to take Tylenol prior. Make sure you do both! The next day I felt okay. The next night I had chills, fever, racing heart, and Tylenol helped. I have throbbing discomfort in my hips and a feeling of being 'unwell.' I hope this subsides."

5 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 11, 2022

For Osteoporosis "I am an active 56-year-old female with osteoporosis and degenerative bone disease. My dexy scan came back worse than the last one, so my doctor advised me about Reclast, said they thought it would help with my bone loss to help keep from losing any more bone. On Feb. 7, 2022, I went in for the first infusion. I drank 4 glasses of liquid before they did it, and I felt fine. They took blood work and hooked me up to the IV solution, ran it for a little bit, then started Reclast. After 45 minutes, they took the IV out. I went home and wasn't told what to do about any side effects, if any. I felt fine, went to bed at 11 p.m. that night, and by 1:00 a.m. I was shaking all over uncontrollably, freezing like I was taken out of a freezer, my bones were locked and felt like they were breaking. This has lasted 5 days. I can hardly walk, a lot of pain in my bones, swelling, and had a bursting headache I only had before from seizures, and I went to be tested for COVID, they said negative. So now I'm having an EEG to see if the medicine caused seizures. NEVER AGAIN."

1 / 10
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  • Sun...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 27, 2021

For Osteoporosis "Last Friday, I had my first Reclast infusion. On Monday prior to my infusion, I began drinking a gallon of water each day and taking Tylenol in the morning and at night. The morning of the procedure, I drank 64 oz. After the procedure, I drank another 64 oz. I’m continuing to drink the gallon of water but have stopped taking Tylenol in the morning. The first night, I had a slight headache but no other issues. I strongly believe drinking plenty of water and taking the Tylenol made all the difference. I have another bone scan scheduled for next year. Depending on those results will determine if I’ll get Reclast once a year or every other year."

10 / 10
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  • Sha...
  • October 22, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I had my Reclast infusion on 10-19-21 and will say I was extremely nervous from all the negative reviews. However, my experience wasn’t bad at all. I’m on my 4th day after and feel great. I did, however, after 12 hours, develop fever, chills, body aches, headache, but they weren’t that bad. Very tolerable. The worst was the chills and severe night sweats on the second night. Felt a little tired and headache on the 3rd day, but great after. My Dexa scan was -2.4. I will get another bone density test and pray it’s improved. I will definitely do it again. Trust my doctors."

9 / 10
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  • Cha...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 15, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I am 64 and in good health otherwise and fairly active. I had my treatment, which lasted around 1/2 hour around 2 p.m. I am also small (under 5 feet and around 106 pounds). I took an NSAID before the treatment —was not warned to stick to Tylenol. By evening, I felt so sick —horrible shaking chills, bad heartburn, muscle and bone ache, light nausea, etc. Started taking Tylenol instead. Today is Tuesday —4 days later and I am still not feeling great. I get low-level chills, sweats, and have a headache now. I guess I am just one of those people who doesn’t agree with the med. I keep hoping each day I wake up this will be the day I will feel okay, but has not happened so far. And, in this age of COVID, despite being triple vaxxed, I would guess I could have COVID except the timing with the infusion is too coincidental. I agreed to play tennis on Thursday, assuming 6 days later I would be okay, but ???? Hope it’s worth it. Will dread the infusion next year."

6 / 10
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  • Ali...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 4, 2022

For Osteoporosis "66 y/o female with recent diagnosis of osteoporosis. Have had osteopenia for years but unable to take Fosamax, etc., due to reflux. Took first Reclast July 18. Everything was fine for the first 24 hours, then had chills, fatigue, nausea, achy muscles, headache, and dizziness. All symptoms resolved in 3 days except dizziness, which continued for almost 2 weeks. The flu-like symptoms were bearable, but the prolonged dizziness scared me. I still get dizzy if I turn my head a certain way and have to sleep sitting up. I hope it helps my bones, but I don’t think I will take this drug again."

3 / 10
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