Zoledronic acid and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• res...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 31, 2012

For Osteoporosis "I wanted Prolia, but insurance would not cover. I was familiar with zoledronic acid during the phase III studies. I knew about the 'flu-like' symptoms. I was NOT prepared for how bad I felt after this infusion. Infusion is painless, easy, and took about 1 hr in total. The headache started within 10 min and lasted 3 days. Fever of 102 with Tylenol. Shaking chills so bad I could not get to the bathroom and ended up peeing on the floor. Blurred vision, and my eyes hurt. Not sure if this will be effective until I have another DEXA. Plan for 4 days to recover."

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

Zoledronic acid 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."

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

Zoledronic acid 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."

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

Zoledronic acid 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."

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

Zoledronic acid 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."

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

Zoledronic acid 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."

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

Zoledronic acid 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."

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

Zoledronic acid 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."

• Sha...
• October 22, 2021

Zoledronic acid 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."

• cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2024

For Osteoporosis "I just had my second infusion. The first, a year ago, was bad. I stayed in bed for nearly six days, sick as if with the flu. Body pains, stomach pains, and a general sick feeling of extreme tiredness. After seven days, I had a couple of more days. Now, I just had my second infusion a year later. The first day was okay, but the second day knocked me down with pain and fever. The third day was okay, but I had body pains and extreme tiredness. This is still continuing, with some nausea, headaches, and tiredness, I just feel sick ten days later. Very unhappy. I don't know anything about its effectiveness. The yearly scan actually got worse. I was taking Prolia before for six years, and the scans were getting better, moved from -2.5 to -1.1. Now, one year on this medication, and I am at -2."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2023

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "Rx taken December 2, 2022, 1:30 pm. I am an 81-year-old female post-lumpectomy surgery and osteoporosis in reasonably good health. I practice Pilates and exercise 2x a week besides. After reading about this medication extensively, I heeded the warnings of other elderly women and super hydrated myself 3 days prior and 2 days afterward. I took a Tylenol just before receiving my infusion. The next day, 12/3/22, 2:54 pm, I noticed some low back pain ongoing and a little left hip pain. I carried a heavy purse to Walmart and noticed it while returning to our car. I took an extra-strength Tylenol and lay on a heating pad. At 5:00 pm, I had a tiny headache over my right eye. Right shoulder pain intermittently during dinner. The next day, I felt slightly “off” but went about my day as usual. A month later, no noticeable side effects. In the past, I don’t experience any side effects with medication, so I am grateful that none have shown up so far. I don’t know yet if it’s helping."

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

Zoledronic acid 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."

• Too...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2022

Zoledronic acid for Osteoporosis "Lesson learned. I didn't get instructions to drink water before my infusion, nor to skip the glass of wine with dinner that night. Day 2 (24 hours almost to the minute), and I feel like a truck ran me over. Headache, nausea, bone and muscle pain. I also had a hideous anxiety attack. Next one, I'll drink the water and take the Tylenol!"

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2022

Zoledronic acid for Osteoporosis "Had Reclast infusion last Thursday. I was fine during the day. I even rode my stationary bike the same night. But oh boy!! At 1:30 am, I woke up with chills and body aches like I had just done a marathon. I could not lift my left arm up, it was so painful. Every part of my body hurt, especially joints and areas that I have arthritis (osteoarthritis). I am at day 5, and the body, muscle, and joint pain are gone, but I have no energy, I am so tired, and I have this headache for 4 days that is bothersome. I called the infusion center, and the nurse stated headaches this far from the infusion date is not the norm to call my primary care doctor. Made an appointment. I would not tell anyone not to take this medication. Each person's reaction can be different. I believe that if this medication works as it is stated, I can deal with the temporary discomfort. But time will tell. All I know is I would rather have these symptoms that are not great than to have the pain of a fracture or, worse, be debilitated."

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

Zoledronic acid for Osteoporosis "I was nervous to proceed with Reclast but happy to report my symptoms were mild and manageable. I’m 57 with a T score below -3, diagnosed about 9 months ago. Extra calcium, bone-building exercises with weights hadn’t decreased T score after 6 months. Needed additional intervention. Of options, Reclast seemed best. I hydrated well prior to the infusion and kept up with acetaminophen for about a week. The infusion was about an hour. The first 2 days had achiness in molars and jaws. Then had achiness on one side of my back, followed by more jaw pain and upper left arm achiness. None of this was too uncomfortable as I kept acetaminophen on board. A week after the injection, I had neck and head pain for about 5 days. On day 6, I had odd swelling in my right thumb joint. It receded, then left middle finger, then 2nd left toe, then ball of right foot swelled. This lasted only about 2-3 days. I am 2 months post now and okay. Hope it worked!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2021

For Osteoporosis "I was on Prolia shot for a couple of years and was great, but due to an insurance change they wouldn't approve it, so I was upset for the fact that they would rather put me through an IV infusion drug instead. Even though I asked many questions, I was told that the only complaints were achiness. OMG, I was fine 'til 2:30 am. I swear someone broke all my ribs on my right side. I couldn't breathe, move, then on day 2 still the same even with pain meds they ended up giving me, but now throwing up and nauseous, headache and stabbing joint pain. Today is day 3, still the ribs hurt but not as bad and still can't even touch them and waking up with being nauseous. I will never do/take this again ever."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2022

For Prevention of Osteoporosis "On the afternoon of Friday the 24th, I received my first infusion. I have osteopenia, and I am a cancer survivor. I started taking acetaminophen, Gatorade, and water. When I woke up on Saturday, I had a lot of vertigo. The first 24 hours after the infusion, I only had a slight fever and warmth inside my body. After 24 hours, sporadic discomfort began in the bones, such as the knees and arms, moderate tiredness, and headache. On Sunday morning, the strong symptoms of chills began, pain in the bones of the legs, spine, ribs, and arms. I also had very real nightmares. The pains in the early hours of Sunday would go away and come back stronger. Then, I had a strong pain in the bones of my chest, as if they were opening my chest with their hands, for a few seconds, twice-a terrifying and very painful experience. The extreme tiredness continues, my eyes are a little red, very dry, and I have very deep circles under my eyes. Next year, I will not use this infusion again, it has been horrible pain. HORRIBLE."

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

Zoledronic acid 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%!"

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2025

"I’m 48, two years post breast cancer and bone density has already dropped 8.6% due to hormone suppressants. So oncologist recommended. Had 4 mg infusion. The infusion was fine. Took about 30 mins all up. Had it at 3 pm. Was perfectly fine until midnight when the pain hit, fevers, chills. Felt worse than the flu or when I had COVID twice. Body aches x 10. Headaches and rigors. Eye socket pain. Jaw pain. Was like that for 2 days, then very slowly started to settle. Pain was mostly in my ribs/torso and fingers for first 36 hrs, then moved to my hips and legs. Had cramping calves one night. Had shooting/stabbing pains across my ribs to lower back and hips. Have been taking paracetamol and codeine for pain pretty regularly and it still hurt a lot! Definitely kept my fluids up. Not eating much. Needed the week off work."

• dal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2023

Zoledronic acid for Prevention of Osteoporosis "Horrible bone pain. High fever. 102... Very high heart rate... 128. Severe bone pain. Worst headache I ever had."

• Vet...
• June 25, 2016

Zoledronic acid for Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors "Severe head pain, loss of appetite, lower back and spinal pain."

• rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2015

Zoledronic acid for Osteolytic Bone Metastases of Solid Tumors "IV Zometa yesterday. Woke up this morning, body aches, headache, fever, slept all day."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2022

Zoledronic acid for Osteoporosis "Within 24 hours, I had a killer headache, chills, muscle pain, bone pain, nausea, and dizziness. It's awful!"