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Zoledronic acid infusion

Posted By Chota

"Zoledronic acid infusion"

About: GPs in East Leicestershire and Rutland Lincoln County Hospital / General medicine

(as the patient),

I wasn't given any information about the procedure however, I wasn't in the least bit concerned as I know other people who have had a similar infusion for their osteoporosis with no associated problems at all.  I was asked if I was allergic to anything twice by the nurse. I said as far as I was aware, I wasn't.  Twelve hours after the infusion, in the middle of the night, I was woken by the pain in my joints all over my body and was unable to move.  I tried to stand up which was impossible but I did eventually manage to move.  The next day, I felt really ill, unable to eat but did keep drinking. I had an upset stomach and felt cold even though it was 30c that day.  I rang my GP who wasn't concerned, told me to take paracetamol and that I'd be fine in a couple of days, which was encouraging as I was going on holiday the following day.  I did feel much better, not 100% by any means.  One week later, I had another incident of pain in all my joints but it was particularly bad in my neck.  Again, it cleared up after a couple of days and then a week later, whilst still away, I woke to discover problems with my sight and since then, haven't been able to drive.  On returning home, I visited my optician who assured me my eyes were fine however, I still have blurred vision and am still unable to drive.

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Responses

Response from Jennie Negus, Head of Patient Experience, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust 2 years ago
Jennie Negus
Head of Patient Experience,
United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Submitted on 06/10/2021 at 11:33
Published on Care Opinion at 11:33

picture of Jennie Negus

Dear Chota

We want you to know that we are very grateful for your feedback; unfortunately our services are under significant pressure at the moment with many staff redeployed from their usual roles to help out and this is likely to mean a delay in our response. We apologise for this but want to assure you we will come back to you. Thank you again.

Jennie

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Response from Hilary Medhurst, Deputy Sister, Medical Day Unit, ULHT 2 years ago
Hilary Medhurst
Deputy Sister, Medical Day Unit,
ULHT

Submitted on 07/10/2021 at 08:21
Published on Care Opinion at 08:21

Dear Chota

Hilary Medhurst

Deputy Sister

Medical Day Unit & Rheumatology Unit

Lincoln County Hospital

LINCOLN

LN2 5QY

Tel: 01522 573066

6 Oct 2021

Dear Sir/Madam

As the Deputy Sister of the above departments, I would like to address your recent comments published on a patient experience site.

The medication mentioned is given to patients within the Medical Day Unit and Rheumatology Department for a variety of health conditions, and at differing doses and frequencies from one isolated infusion, to being given annually. As you mentioned osteoporosis, I am surmising that your infusion may be planned 6-12 monthly.

I was sorry to read that you were not advised of any potential side effects from your consulting team or the nurses where you received your infusion, either verbally or in a written form. Side effects are rare, but you do appear to have been potentially more affected than most patients have.

It would be helpful, if you were happy to do so, if you would contact me personally to discuss this matter. I can then identify your consulting team within the hospital, and advise them of your symptoms following your infusion, so that they are able to decide whether this is the most appropriate medication to continue.

I will remind the nursing teams in both departments of the importance of advising patients on the potential of side effects for this medication.

I do hope you have now recovered fully from these effects and that you are able to drive again. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss this in more depth. I work Monday – Thursday. An ideal time would be to ring after 3pm, when I am more likely to be free from clinical work

Yours sincerely

Hilary Medhurst

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