URGENT INFO/ PTS ON ZOMETA

Patients on zometa or aridia for bone mets need to know that any invasive dental procedures such as extractions or oral surgery can result in an adverse effect known as osteonecrosis of the jaw. This disorder causes the bone of the jaw to become necrotic (dead bone). As a result the area will not heal and becomes infected. I had an extraction 2 YEARS AGO AND the area STILL HAS NOT HEALED. Today I was diagnosed with osteonecrosis of the jaw. It causes drainage from the area which is vile tasting, causing decrease in appetite, weight loss and generally poor health. Cancer patients cannot afford to be exposed to this infection. Some patients have actually had to have portions of their jaw removed. There is no treatment other than oral rinses and long term antibiotic therapy. The drug company has not issued a warning on their label. If you are on either of these drugs and require invasive dental work MAKE SURE YOUR ORAL SURGEON IS AWARE YOU ARE ON THESE DRUGS AND THAT HE/SHE IS AWARE OF THE RISK OF OSTEONECROSIS. If you have been diagnosed with this problem PLEASE reply to this message. I am considering a class action lawsuit against the drug company. Rumor has it they were aware of the potential for this problem for several years. There is still to my knowledge no warning on the package insert relative to osteonecrosis of the jaw. If I was aware that this could be a problem I would have opted for root canal therapy rather than extraction. Please let me know if you have had a problem. Also I have been to see an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder and would be glad to give you his name and number.