Topic: Zometa...how long for stage 4 gals?

Jul 29, 2012 01:50 PM GrandHillMom wrote:

My doctor just discontinued my Zometa after 24 months. I am currently doing carbo/taxol for a new ovarian cancer plus Aromasin for my bone mets, so I think it might just be a break.

Jul 29, 2012 04:57 PM JeninMichigan wrote:

I am pretty interested in this thread too.  I have been on Aredia (the equiv of Zometa) for a little over 4 years.   This past January I have talked my oncologist to space it out to once every six months.   My bone mets have been quiet for 4 years now.  I see her again in September and this is one of the big questions.  

Jennifer

Jul 29, 2012 06:25 PM Fitztwins wrote:

I have been on it 4 years and broke my foot last year on the 4th of july, just stepping funny on it.

Lesser of two evils??

Jul 29, 2012 08:26 PM Jill45 wrote:

I was on Zometa monthly for the first 18 months then switch to bi-monthly. I ended up switching to Xgeva about 15 months ago which once again was monthly. Just switched to quarterly Xgeva shots since doctor was concerned that monthly use could make the bones to brittle.

Jul 29, 2012 10:13 PM Smiley2 wrote:

Wow! i have been on Zometa for 3 1/2 years monthly.  Terri. like you I am now having pain in both of my knees!  I have brought this issue up a couple of times to my onc but he usually talks in circles (hence search for new onc).  But his nurse said that she knew of a patient that took it monthly for 18 years.  There are definitely confirmed studies of fractures that are specifically caused by this drug b/c they are "odd" fractures that you wouldn't normally get.  I think my orthopedic oncologsit told me about this.  He doesn't keep his patients on this longer than 2 years but he see's a lot of cancer other than breast cancer. 

I am anxious to hear from those of you that have upcoming appts with your onc's as to what they have to say about this issue!  I wonder what the big cancer centers like Mayo or Dana Farber say?  ANyone go there?

Jul 31, 2012 07:59 PM cheryl1946 wrote:

I asked my onc that question last month,and she said protocol right now is 2 yrs. So,I have another 14 months.

Jul 31, 2012 11:18 PM kayrnic wrote:

My onc gave it to me every month for three months right after bone met diagnosis and now he has switched me to a dose every 3 months.

Jul 31, 2012 11:41 PM Marybe wrote:

I have been on a biophosphonate for 14 years, ever since I was diagnosed with bone mets.  ....started out with aredia, then went to zometa when it was approved and for the past 1 1/2 yrs have been getting Xgeva....onco switched me to that because it is just a simple monthly shot.  I have never really thought about going off of it since I have not had any problems with it. 

4myangels,   It does the same thing, just is a lot more simple to get since the others were an IV drip. 

Aug 1, 2012 12:13 AM exbrnxgrl wrote:

Marybe,
Impressive! Seems you are long past the point of worrying about problems from bisphosphonates. Long may you run. Caryn

Aug 12, 2012 06:48 PM Smiley2 wrote:

So would you guys think of this drug as simply a "bone strengthener" and not as an active drug against cancer?  I thought at one time my doctor said it "encapsulates the tumor and helps it from not spreading further".  But if this is just a bone strengthener drug and other people take this and don't have cancer....then is this drug really doing anything as time goes on other than leaving us vulnerable to fractures and side effects? 

Aug 12, 2012 08:20 PM JillThut wrote:

zometa....My limited understanding of it is that yes, it is supposed to be a bone strengthener but prolonged use could make your bones more susceptible to breakage? I have been on it since November 09..first monthly...then every six weeks...just changed to every 8 since bone scans have been stable for a while.

Aug 14, 2012 08:11 PM Cafelovr wrote:

I've been on Zometa for almost three years. I started once every three weeks, but now I have it once every 12 weeks. Onc told me I'd be on it for life.

I have extensive joint pain in my back, hips, knees, ankles, and wrists. I always thought it was the Tamoxifen. Hmmmmmm?

Aug 15, 2012 04:23 AM Heidihill wrote:

I took a break from Zometa for 2.5 years. Had it again recently and will go for another 2 years before the next one. There are studies (Gnant, for one) that show that in a low-estrogen environment, overall survival with Zometa is greater, pointing to an anti-tumor effect for postmenopausal women. But my theory is that increasing bone density through exercise is a better idea overall, so I am not a compliant patient in this regard. I felt the combination of Zometa and Femara was too much for my joints.