Topic: Breast Cancer and Osteoporosis

Feb 12, 2012 02:21 PM marie317 wrote:

Me too.

I wish one of my doctors would have ordered a bone density scan before I began the Tamoxifen, etc.  It would have been nice to have something to have compared it to... for all I know, I may have had osteoporosis before treatment.

Feb 12, 2012 03:01 PM Brenda_R wrote:

Not a single one of my doctors over the last 5 years said one word about the bone density screening.  Including 2 Oncologists, 1 Orthopediac Surgeon, my Oncology Radiologist, or 2 Family Practice docs.  I'm celebrating being 5 yrs out from DX and NED, and worked hard to lose weight and get healthy over the last 2 yrs, and I get hit with this. Don't get me wrong, I am greatful to be NED.  This is just another health problem, but it possibly could have been avoided if I'd had the proper advice.

Feb 12, 2012 06:08 PM tenaj wrote:

I was dx with hyperparathyroidism 3 months after my BC dx. My onc found my calcium levels elevated & did further tests & confirmed by an endocrinologist. Surgery done 11/11 for a benign adenoma. Things normal in that department now.

Feb 12, 2012 06:35 PM Fearless_One wrote:

Yes, my onc told me the chemo itself could cause osteoporosis.   Combine that with menopause and Arimidex, and I guess I am pretty high risk.  

For what it's worth, my friend broke her hip and was back to work in a WEEK.   I feel a little better knowing they can patch you up so quickly these days if something does happen (which it may not).

Jun 3, 2012 08:10 AM purple32 wrote:

Fearless

I have known people who have broken a hip and ended up in a nursing home.  That had to be a "minor" clean break your friend had.

 I am on the edge of osteoporosis anmd  have broken 3 bones  BEFORE this dx ( I am 54 btw) and it is bad.  I will not take  a biosphosphate <can make bones more brittle> or armidex which greatly accelerates bone loss.

What's a girl to do (?) is right !  I feel that the disabling risks of osteoporosis may potentially be worse than my BC dx.  It's a crap shoot for me and quite discouraging.

Jun 10, 2012 08:57 PM Mopsy wrote:

I heard from Gyn that testosterone gel from a compounding pharmacy does way more to prevent bone loss than any of the standard treatments.  He gave me the perccentages and they were astounding.  Does anyone use this gel?

Aug 17, 2012 04:23 PM LtotheK wrote:

I'm reading around in this section, as I'm in the same boat.  With my family risk, I'm a little appalled my onc didn't get a baseline and put me on Zometa during treatment to deal with bone loss from chemopause and treatment.  Not sure why that's not SOP, since they invariably foist the Fosamax later.  Waiting for my second DEXA results after a year on Fosamax, two years on Tamoxifen, 3x a week weightlifting, and calcium supplementation, as well as D management (though I still run quite low).  A girl can only do so much before throwing the old hands up.

My issue is, I'm firmly convinced Fosamax is bunk.  I'm using it so they don't push Prolia in a year or two if things progress. 

Tamoxifen is a very tricky drug.  For pre-menopausal women, it can actually have the same effect on bones as AIs.  That is why regardless of treatment protocol, I think it's so important for women to be vigilant with diagnosis and self-care so they don't end up with more damage than necessary. 

These conditions can be reversed.  It is not easy to do, but it does happen.  Of course it varies person to person, and I think the accuracy of the DEXA given a lot of factors must be weighed.  Reminds me a bit of lymphedema:  a real lack of study and a double edged sword of treatment! 

Oct 8, 2012 06:32 PM NSJ2 wrote:

So what about all the Zometa/Boniva side effects I read about?  How common or what are the % risks of contracting these?

-Femur Fractures

-Esophageal Cancer

-Osteonecrosis of the Jaw/Dead Jaw Syndrome

-Atrial Fibrillation

-Severe Musculoskelatal Pain

Source: www.yourlawyer.com/topics/over...

NSJ2