Multiple Myeloma Support Group

you've hit the nail on the head SBrint! I had Aridia for 2 1/2 years after I was first diagnosed -- on a monthly basis -- and learned to drink BEFORE going in to have the infusion, as well as drinking more water afterwards. With that regiem I had NO side effects and wouldn't have even known that I was having Aridia except for the bruising on my arm each month. (I was even hit by a car after about 2 years of this treatment, and despite the fac t that my bones look like swiss cheese on x-rays, not one bone in my body was broken!! They said that I should be the 'cover girl' for the Aridia magazine at that time!!) LOL -- anyhow, I went off of it for 4 years because of my own fear of getting ONJ, but 6 months ago my doctor said that an MRI had shown that my bones were starting to crumble and that I needed to have the Aridia again. We agreed that I would go on a 3 monthly basis -- given very slowly over a 2 hour period -- and again, I have had no side effects at all. I too am continiuing to drink before I go to have it -- for one reason in that it helps the nurses to be able to access my veins, and I drink afterwards to dilute what has been give to my whole system. If you can drink at least 2 litres of clear water every day, things will go well for you. But do be careful, because people can 'overdose' on water!! Its true -- so go easy -- take your 2 litres, but only increase that if you are living in a dry country or its summer and you are suffering from excessive sweating. Best wishes, and continue to listen to your own body -- follow what YOUR body wants and you cant go wrong. Cheers, Cath

On the first infusion of bisphosphonates a flu like response is common and you will want to grab a few blankets and some motrin.
It is just an immune response and usually only happens for the first infusion of Zometa or Aredia. Either drug is rather hard on the kidneys so being well hydrated is important.
Next month if you exhibit any similar response it will be so mild as to go pretty much unnoticed although you may be tired an hour or two earlier than your usual bedtime.

Tom

Thank you so much for your reply. Very informative and comforting. I did drink water beforehand...which meant I had to navigate to bathroom with IV contraption 4 times in the 4 hour transfusion. But I did neglect the post hydration.
Isn't the ONJ very rare? As in 1 in 100 plus? Or were you exhibiting symptoms?
Your car accident must have scared the stuff out of you.
I just read that some researchers in Japan showed that Aridia was killing HiN1 virus in lab animals. Maybe MM patients will end up ruling the world?

Thanks Tom,
Another comforting post. I was dreading going through that again.
Stan