Zoledronic acid and Chills: What Users Say

• Fir...
• April 23, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I am 51 years old with no health issues, and had my first Reclast infusion one week ago. After the 10 am procedure, I felt ok until the evening, at which time I developed a 101-degree fever, chills, elevated pulse, headache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. I did not take Tylenol or pain relievers of any kind, either before or after the procedure, although most of you will be advised to do so (as was I). By the next morning, I felt much better, but definitely not back to normal. But felt increasingly better as the day progressed, to the point that in the afternoon, I was able to resume my weightlifting and walking routine. By the next morning, I was back to 100%, feeling wonderful and eating well. I have felt great ever since. I hope this post will make you feel better if you have a bad first night. Hang in there, my prayers are with you!"

• Gai...
• August 23, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I’m a 63-year-old woman who had my first Reclast infusion on August 6th. So I’m 17 days out. Today I’m experiencing the worst joint pain in my legs, hips, arms, and the worst is in my neck. It seems like it is progressively getting worse. I’m trying so hard to remain hopeful that this disappears. It’s very hard to get out of bed each morning. Also, I was the one that the flu-like symptoms hit me hard at midnight right after I had the infusion. Worst chills ever. Couldn’t control them. My husband thought I was having convulsions. Fever spiked to 103.7. Those symptoms were gone after 3 days. But, the joint pain is more than awful. I’m looking to hear from someone with the same symptoms that the pain actually went away after a while. Don’t know if I can do this again. I had been on Prolia and it didn’t work as the doctor expected."

• rsh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I am a 59-year-old male with a L spine T Score of -3.9. I had ignored my osteoporosis for many, many years until I felt that I had no choice but to do something. As a radiologist, I have seen many a spine with osteoporosis and multiple compression fractures that significantly reduce quality of life, so I took the risk. I hydrated prior to infusion but did not immediately take NSAIDs. What a mistake. Eight hours after infusion (3 AM), I started to have severe, uncontrollable rigors (shaking chills) and diffuse bone and muscle pain that I have never experienced before. As a reference point, I fractured my right pelvis years before in the Navy, and I know what pain is. Fever and chills improved with NSAID (first tried Tylenol and may switch to Naprosyn). The pain is still severe. The other testimonials are scary, but I also know that there is no free lunch in medicine. Everything we do is a balance between what helps and what does not."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2019

For Osteoporosis "Prior to receiving Reclast infusion 9 days ago, I only suffered back pains due to my scoliosis. Flu-like symptoms started exactly 24 hours after my infusion. I thought I was dying because of the severity of the bone aches and chills. I couldn’t walk so I stayed curled in the fetal position with pain. The next day I lay out in the warm weather to feel some relief. They told me that it would only last 2-3 days. Well, yesterday (day 8) I went to urgent care with horrible pain and unable to move my neck, only to be told that I needed to go to the ER to be treated for the pain aggressively. In the ER, I was given pain meds intravenously and sent home to take a muscle relaxer and ibuprofen at the same time. Today is day 9 and I still cannot move my neck or barely walk. When will this let up?! I will NOT do this treatment again."

• jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Osteoporosis "For four weeks, I had little to no appetite and periods of tiredness. For the first 3 weeks, I was also in a stupor, tired, and weak every day, with nausea daily. Along with these symptoms, for the first 2 weeks, I had on and off fever, chills, headache, no energy, sweats at night. I felt like I was drugged and was weak, unstable, and sick. I would never, never take Zometa again, and I do NOT recommend it."

• Den...
• January 8, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I had my Reclast infusion about two months ago. The first week was fine, then it was downhill from there. I get chills, dizziness, a terrible cough to the point of almost choking. The fatigue is awful, I sleep 12-13 hours per day and don’t want to get out of bed. I have been to the doctor, and they have checked me for everything under the sun, including CT scans, and nothing is wrong with me. I will never do this again, and I sure hope these symptoms don’t last the entire year."

• ish...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2023

For Osteoporosis "I am a 55-year-old female with a complicated medical history. Due to high amounts of cortisone during my childhood, I have compromised bones. Despite this, I agreed to receive the Reclast infusion on June 1st. In the afternoon of the same day, around 11 pm, I experienced a fever of 103.3°F, accompanied by body shivering and teeth chattering. It was quite frightening as I live alone. I took Tylenol, although it was challenging to retrieve due to my condition. The fever persisted for two days, reaching 103.3°F again. I contacted my doctor on Sunday, and he acknowledged that it was unusual but assured me it would subside. However, for the following week, I continued to experience fevers ranging from 101°F to 100.5°F. Frustrated, I reached out to my doctor again, expressing my dissatisfaction. During my appointment on Monday, he mentioned that he had never encountered such cases, but a senior doctor had seen similar situations and explained that it might take a few weeks to resolve. Every day, I still have a low-grade fever, which makes me feel unwell, but I have to continue working. I have decided that I will never take Reclast again. Furthermore, I am disappointed with my doctor's reaction and his inability to provide empathy. His demeanor has been peculiar throughout this experience. In conclusion, I do not recommend this treatment."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2019

For Osteoporosis "My husband was administered Aclasta on 18 Feb 2019. He started feeling feverish, vomiting, shivering, and severe weakness the next day. He could not even walk. After nine days, he is still feeling very weak and not able to do any work. He was healthy before the infusion. We don't know what to do. We are helpless. Seeing my husband's condition, would not recommend Aclasta to anybody. Can someone help?"

• Jon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 12, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "HORRIBLE!! The injection itself was a piece of cake, and the first night had zero problems. Night #2 started off with some muscle aches. NBD (no big deal), the doctor warned of flu-like symptoms. The aches got worse as the evening progressed. I got up feeling very restless, and when I touched the floor, I realized I was FREEZING COLD! The coldest I have ever felt in my life. At the same moment, starting with my feet, I had severe muscle cramping up the entire length of my body. I was scared to death! I thought I was having a stroke or something as I lost complete control of my body. I lay back down and willed myself not to pass out. I’m not sure whether I did or not! Several hours later, I was able to get up and take some Motrin to help with the muscle pain. Semi-normal by morning, but completely freaked out! Now, several weeks later, I am having massive hair loss! This drug SUCKS!"

• Sno...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I had this infusion of Reclast for Osteoporosis. I have had a rib fracture and L1 compression fracture. The next morning after the injection, I had side effects of flu symptoms, fever, and chills. The worst is the severe joint pain. My knees are so swollen and stiff that I am unable to walk without a cane or assistance. Also, my thumbs are swollen and painful. It has been 3 days, so I can’t really say if any of this is worth it. But, I don’t think I would use this drug again. I’m being told by the doctor that it may take a week to several weeks for the side effects to subside."

• 202...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I had my first and only Reclast infusion 23 days ago. About 9 hours after the infusion, I started feeling ill, I had terrible chills, shaking violently for two hours. At 2:00 a.m., I went to the ER with a fever of 102.4 and pain everywhere. I had heart surgery to repair my mitral valve 2 1/2 years ago and have been taking an arrhythmia drug for 2 years, and I’ve been fine. Since the infusion, I am tired, I have a fib and bigeminy several times a day, chest pain, and unbearable calf pain. This drug has ruined my health and my life. Do not take it."

• Lun...
• November 22, 2019

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "On 11/13/2019, I had a Reclast infusion. Today is 11/22/2019. I have had body/bone pain, aches, malaise, fatigue, chills, and diarrhea since the infusion. Starting yesterday, I have severe lower abdominal cramps and I'm not eating. I am having an abdominal ultrasound next week. The effectiveness of this drug is NOT worth the pain and misery, and I won’t know for a year if it helps. #NEVER AGAIN! Think twice before you do it!"

• Luc...
• November 22, 2016

For Osteoporosis "Hard to tell if this drug worked yet or not but it definitely made me sick. Got the infusion Friday and on Saturday I had a 102 Fever and could barely get out of bed. I had chills, I'm sweating all over the place, and my husband literally had to help me to the bathroom. I was dizzy and every bone in my body ached. By Sunday afternoon, I was a little bit better but four days later I'm still feeling achy and have diarrhea. I won't be doing another infusion."

• gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2018

For Osteoporosis "74 years old, has back pain, tests identified 2 compression spine fxs. Conservative treatment failed to give relief, had 2 ESIs (epidural steroid injections), then 2-level kyphoplasty (Vertebral Augmentation for Compression Fractures), next Reclast infusion, felt okay for about 5 hours but later back pain intensified, went to bed, started shaking like chills all over, finally fell asleep. The next morning was so weak, unable to get out of bed, husband rolled me on a rolling walker into the bathroom, assisted me on and off the commode, stayed the same the next day. On Monday felt a little stronger but severe neck and right thumb pain, mostly laying and sleeping in a recliner. Checked with the doctor and received no specific recommendations. The next day was able to go out to lunch but extremely weak, had another ESI 6 days after Reclast, got relief for that day and the next, but pain returned with a vengeance the following day and back in the recliner now 9 days post infusion. Never again."

• jmo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 18, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Received the first dose of Reclast yesterday, and never again. I can tolerate the fever, chills, and even fatigue, but the severe muscle pain is nothing like I've ever experienced before. The flu, COVID, and COVID vaccine side effects are a walk in the park compared to the Reclast muscle pain. This was my first and last dose. I didn't tolerate oral Fosamax either, so I'm done with osteoporosis treatment."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 29, 2021

For Osteoporosis "Worst medication I’ve ever had. I got all the severe side effects. Joint and muscle pain, headache, nausea, chest and abdominal pain, chills. This medication is torture. If you want to experience all kinds of body aches and pain, take this medication. I do not recommend it, and I will never take it anymore, even if I was going to die."

• sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2016

For Osteoporosis "Received dose at 11am, by 10pm that night I had fever, chills, severe pain in back. I was extremely ill for 3 days, such a severe headache I couldn't open my eyes. A week later my hands suddenly swelled to the point I could not use them. Now nearly 3 months later I am in physical therapy to try to regain the strength in my legs. Other side effects were less severe, such as jaw pain for a few weeks. I would never ever take this medicine again."

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Horrible. Within 48 hours of infusion, I developed chills, fever 101.4, subsequent joint pain, and then swelling in the carpometacarpal joint. Right knee started with pain, and within 24 hours, I had a complete knee effusion with inability to bear weight. Knee was swollen twice its size."

• Blo...
• May 22, 2020

For Osteoporosis "I will never try Zometa again. I had horrific side effects. I passed out 7 hours after home from infusion, my neighbor called paramedics. My blood pressure dropped to 80/58. I’ve had full body ache, headache, sweats, and chills for 3 days so far."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2022

For Osteoporosis "Received 1st dose on Monday at 9:30 a.m. Felt okay, a bit tired in the afternoon. However, at around 9:00 p.m., pains in my sternum started. I took Panadol as advised, went to bed. By midnight, I was shivering and shaking and ached all over, then intense pain set in, in my sternum and left breast and arm. I could hardly breathe and seated, coughing. Temperature rose to 40 and severe sweats. More Panadol, which did nothing. Pain worsened and could hardly walk. In the morning, I phoned the lady who administered Aclasta, who said it was all normal and could subside in a day or two. Phoned my doctor, who sent me straight to the hospital, where I spent the next 12 hours on pain relief, a drip, and tests for suspected blood clots, thankfully none. I was kept until my temperature dropped and my blood pressure (190/98) returned to its usual 130/75. Day 3, sternum pain has lessened to bearable, right arm still very painful, as is my back. Very tired and nauseous. I wish I had read these reviews."

• Hon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2025

For Osteoporosis "I’m a 57-year-old woman. I had my first infusion of Reclast Monday morning. I drank water during the procedure. I was not informed to drink water prior. I felt fine after the infusion. By the evening, I started feeling achy. Tuesday, I couldn’t go into work. I had a 101.6 fever, shaking, chills, joint pain, migraine, all-over body aches, and slept pretty much all day. I cannot take Tylenol due to another medical condition, so I took Naproxen 2x that day. Wednesday, I woke up without chills, a temperature of 99.4, and ate a little something. I still feel achy and hope to feel better tomorrow. I’m rethinking taking this medication ever again. Very painful side effects."

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2019

For Osteoporosis "I had the Reclast infusion on April 4th, and 12 hours later I had severe chills (shaking so bad I couldn't close my mouth to take my temp) and fever. Lasted for 6 hours. Then I was sick to my stomach for the next day with severe pain in my legs (hard to get up from a chair) and my hands (hurt to write). Then I started with a 'cold' sinus/bronchial infection, which sent me to urgent care for an inhaler and cough medicine. Back to the doctor after 5 days for antibiotics, and I'm still sick one month later. Now jaw pain on the left side, and my teeth hurt. I will NEVER take Reclast EVER again. I hope you won't either!!!"

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I had my first infusion of Reclast on a Wednesday afternoon. By 3 AM Thursday morning, I had fever, chills, and extreme body aches. Nauseated and a headache. Pretty extreme, took Tylenol, got a little relief. The next 24-48 hours have been pretty terrible, still slowly recovering. Will not do this infusion ever again. I was told by the nurses, 'Well, you might feel a little achy,' that wasn’t even close to how bad I felt."

• Bam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

For Osteoporosis "Had my first infusion Nov 15, 2019. I started getting the flu-like symptoms about 8 hours later. Thought it was the end of me. I shook for 2 days with chills. Couldn’t pick my arm up to get the Tylenol off my nightstand. 5 hours later, I finally got them and every blanket I owned. It hurt so much. Then started with throwing up and diarrhea. It’s been 4 days, and I’m still in bed, beyond tired. Not sure how to rate the medicine because it hasn’t started to work yet. But the side effects are really bad. Make sure you have lots of water, Gatorade, and Tylenol or pain meds, you’ll need them."

• Avo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "I had the infusion early Friday afternoon. Within 3 hours, I had a very intense headache. By midnight, the headache was unbearable, and I also experienced deep pain, chills, dizziness, and chest pain that felt like a cement block between the ribs. On Saturday, all these issues persisted, along with a fever. On Sunday, I still had the same symptoms and also developed numbness in my legs, feet, arms, and hands. I also noticed loads of small, tiny spots on my palms and fingers. On Monday and Tuesday, the symptoms persisted, and I was unable to get out of bed. Concerned about all these issues, I called my doctor, who prescribed a 6-day cycle of steroids to try to flush out the medication. While I am aware that no one can predict how a body will react to any medication, simply saying that you may feel flu-like symptoms understates what I have been going through. I have never regretted a medical decision more than this one! Please research and know that this has caused havoc on my body, and who knows if I'll ever be the same again."