Talk with others about bone density, osteopenia and osteoporosis, and ways to keep your bones strong
Posted on:
Nov 3, 2014 02:54PM
In the Catoctin Mountains, MD
Joined:
Mar 2008
Posts:
3,726
Latest activity:
Nov 16, 2018
NatsFan
wrote:
A ray of hope - I finished my 5 years of letrozole sixteen months ago. I had plus T values prior to dx, but after chemo and 2 years on letrozole I had mild osteopenia, and two years later it had gotten worse - still osteopenia, but heading towards osteoporosis. I had another DEXA scan last week. I was hoping, since I was off letrozole now, that things hadn't gotten worse, or at best, maybe had even improved just a bit. But I was astounded when I got my results this weekend and they showed that my bone density is now NORMAL!!! No more osteopenia!!! Woohoo!!!!!
My MO has me on calcium and Vit D, and I exercise an average of 6 days a week, including weight training, yoga, pilates, and running, so I think those things helped as well.
This was such unexpected good news - not something that happens often with anything b/c related. I'll be 60 next year, and I'd just figured that at my age my osteopenia was permanent and the best I could do was try to stave off osteoporosis. I never dreamed it was possible to achieve normal density again! 
Mary
Dx
12/31/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIB, Grade 3, 1/15 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Log in to post a reply
lbrewer
Joined:
Dec 2008
Posts:
752
Latest activity:
Oct 25, 2019
Log in to post a reply
Nov 3, 2014 03:00PM
lbrewer
wrote:
thats awesome! I never remember to take my calcium. Maybe now I will!
MsPharoah
Joined:
May 2013
Posts:
1,030
Latest activity:
Dec 30, 2020
Log in to post a reply
Nov 3, 2014 03:14PM
MsPharoah
wrote:
This is so encouraging! Thanks for sharing.
MsP
Oncotype 24
Dx
12/4/2012, ILC, Right, 1cm, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- (FISH)
Surgery
2/18/2013 Lumpectomy: Right; Lymph node removal: Right, Sentinel
Chemotherapy
4/9/2013 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Hormonal Therapy
8/21/2013 Femara (letrozole)
Radiation Therapy
9/4/2013 Breast
farmerlucy
Oklahoma
Joined:
Oct 2011
Posts:
3,911
Latest activity:
Feb 20, 2021
Log in to post a reply
Nov 3, 2014 04:12PM
farmerlucy
wrote:
That is fantastic news! Thanks for sharing!
Dx at 51 after a preventive mx that wasn't. Oncotype dx 3. 3D tattoos from Vinnie! PTSD?? You are not alone!
Surgery
2/21/2012 Prophylactic mastectomy; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement
Dx
2/24/2012, IDC, Right, 1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- (FISH)
Surgery
3/11/2012 Lymph node removal: Sentinel
Surgery
7/22/2012 Reconstruction (left): Silicone implant; Reconstruction (right): Silicone implant
Hormonal Therapy
4/10/2013 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Surgery
4/14/2015 Prophylactic ovary removal
WinningSoFa…
Lafayette, California
Joined:
Nov 2013
Posts:
943
Latest activity:
Apr 24, 2019
Log in to post a reply
Nov 3, 2014 04:23PM
WinningSoFar
wrote:
Wow, I'm impressed.
Surgery
6/30/1999 Lumpectomy: Right
Dx
7/1999, ILC/IDC, Right, 2cm, Stage IIB, Grade 1, 0/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Radiation Therapy
7/29/1999 Whole-breast: Breast
Surgery
6/30/2000 Prophylactic ovary removal
Dx
9/26/2011, IBC, Right, 4cm, Stage IV, metastasized to bone, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-
Targeted Therapy
10/30/2011 Avastin (bevacizumab)
Chemotherapy
11/3/2011 Abraxane (albumin-bound or nab-paclitaxel)
Surgery
5/4/2012 Lymph node removal: Right, Sentinel, Underarm/Axillary; Mastectomy: Right
Radiation Therapy
4/14/2013 External: Bone
Chemotherapy
2/28/2014 Abraxane (albumin-bound or nab-paclitaxel)
Surgery
12/10/2014 Reconstruction (left); Reconstruction (right)
Dx
3/2019, ILC/IDC, Stage IV, metastasized to bone, Grade 2, ER+/PR+, HER2- (FISH)
Targeted Therapy
3/14/2019 Verzenio
Hormonal Therapy
Femara (letrozole)
ruthbru
ND
Joined:
Dec 2009
Posts:
57,170
Latest activity:
Feb 24, 2021
Log in to post a reply
Nov 3, 2014 09:18PM
ruthbru
wrote:
Hooray! My bone density, which had stayed in the normal range but had been dropping, went back up too after I was done with Arimidex. I think it is really important to keep up with the exercise, calicium, vitamin D etc. to minimize the damage while on anti-hormonals , and that you a better chance to rebound once you are done!
"Invisible threads are the strongest ties." Friedrich Nietzsche
Dx
2/2007, Stage IIA, Grade 3, 0/11 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
cider8
St. Louis, MO
Joined:
Apr 2011
Posts:
826
Latest activity:
Feb 14, 2021
Log in to post a reply
Nov 3, 2014 11:14PM
cider8
wrote:
nice! So good to hear.
~Paula~ [R] Pure Mucinous, DCIS, & IDC. BMX w/DIEP in NOLA 5/11; 12/11; 9/12. DD AC/T end 9/11. Tamox. 2mm IDC found 9/12 = 33 rads end 01/13, Oncotype 34. [L] IBC = TCx6 end 7/13, MX (remove flap), 44 rads (2x/day) end 10/13. Zoladex & Arimidex.
Dx
2/25/2011, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIA, Grade 2, 1/21 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
Dx
4/5/2013, IBC, Stage IIIB, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Dx
8/22/2013, IBC, Stage IIIC, Grade 3, 10/28 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Heidihill
Joined:
Nov 2010
Posts:
5,337
Latest activity:
Feb 24, 2021
Log in to post a reply
Nov 4, 2014 02:02AM
Heidihill
wrote:
YAY!!!
Dx
8/2007, IDC, Left, 2cm, Stage IV, metastasized to bone, Grade 2, 2/19 nodes, mets, ER+/PR+, HER2- (FISH)
Hormonal Therapy
3/24/2015 Tamoxifen pills (Nolvadex, Apo-Tamox, Tamofen, Tamone)
Meow13
Joined:
Oct 2013
Posts:
4,554
Latest activity:
May 1, 2020
Log in to post a reply
Nov 4, 2014 02:30AM
Meow13
wrote:
Fantastic news. So happy you are doing so well. I have 2 years to go.
Moderators
Joined:
Sep 2007
Posts:
23,749
Latest activity:
Feb 24, 2021
Log in to post a reply
Nov 4, 2014 05:25AM
Moderators
wrote:
We are delighted to hear the good news Natsfan!
You're giving hope to others who are in similar situations, so thank you for sharing it!
dltnhm
IL
Joined:
Dec 2011
Posts:
856
Latest activity:
Jul 25, 2020
Log in to post a reply
Nov 4, 2014 09:22AM
dltnhm
wrote:
Hurrah! That's fantastic news!
Age 48 @ diag. Left SS NS UMX, Sent.Node Biopsy & part. Axillary (Node) Ex., & DIEP recon. on 1/10/12; AC DD Chemo began 2/22/12 ended 4/4/12; Taxol 12x: infusions began 4/26/12 ended 7/11/12! Rads x28: 8/06/12 - 9/13/12; Tamoxifen began 10/01/12
Dx
11/23/2011, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIIA, Grade 2, 7/19 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Momine
Joined:
Dec 2011
Posts:
7,758
Latest activity:
Dec 2, 2019
Log in to post a reply
Nov 4, 2014 10:22AM
Momine
wrote:
Excellent!
Dx
6/1/2011, ILC, 5cm, Stage IIIB, Grade 2, 7/23 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Chemotherapy
6/20/2011 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Ellence (epirubicin), Fluorouracil (5-fluorouracil, 5-FU, Adrucil), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Surgery
9/13/2011 Mastectomy: Left, Right
Radiation Therapy
1/9/2012
Surgery
3/8/2012 Prophylactic ovary removal
Hormonal Therapy
4/1/2012 Femara (letrozole)
ruthbru
ND
Joined:
Dec 2009
Posts:
57,170
Latest activity:
Feb 24, 2021
Log in to post a reply
Nov 4, 2014 11:08AM
ruthbru
wrote:
Nats, I just copied your whole post on to the Arimidex thread. I was pretty sure you'd be okay with that, & it was nice to be able to pass some encouraging news along!
"Invisible threads are the strongest ties." Friedrich Nietzsche
Dx
2/2007, Stage IIA, Grade 3, 0/11 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-
NatsFan
In the Catoctin Mountains, MD
Joined:
Mar 2008
Posts:
3,726
Latest activity:
Nov 16, 2018
Log in to post a reply
Nov 4, 2014 12:22PM
NatsFan
wrote:
Thanks Ruth. I remember how upset I was when each DEXA scan showed the osteopenia getting worse. I wanted to give others who are facing this issue a concrete example that it's possible for bone loss to be reversed.
Mary
Dx
12/31/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIB, Grade 3, 1/15 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Blessings20…
CA
Joined:
Oct 2011
Posts:
4,237
Latest activity:
Jul 13, 2019
Log in to post a reply
Nov 4, 2014 12:53PM
Blessings2011
wrote:
Yay, NatsFan!!!!! 
Dx
9/15/2011, IDC, <1cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
Surgery
12/4/2011 Lymph node removal: Left; Mastectomy: Left, Right; Reconstruction (left): Tissue expander placement; Reconstruction (right): Tissue expander placement
Surgery
8/21/2012 Reconstruction (left); Reconstruction (right)
Hormonal Therapy
9/4/2012 Arimidex (anastrozole)
Hormonal Therapy
10/21/2013 Femara (letrozole)
proudtospin…
Usa
Joined:
Jul 2008
Posts:
5,928
Latest activity:
Jul 12, 2020
Log in to post a reply
Nov 8, 2014 07:23PM
proudtospin
wrote:
Nats, my congrats to you! I have had a similar experience and do confess that I too am diligent with my calcium, Vit D and the dang gym!
iris
Dx
6/2008, DCIS, Stage 0, ER+
Dx
2/2017, Left, Stage IV, metastasized to bone/liver, Grade 3, 1/1 nodes, ER+, HER2+
badger
Wisconsin
Joined:
Dec 2009
Posts:
35,003
Latest activity:
Feb 24, 2021
Log in to post a reply
Nov 9, 2014 10:46AM
badger
wrote:
Thanks, Mary, and congrats! I finish year five of tamox next June and per onc will likely go on an AI. Good to read a positive note. Will get a baseline DEXA and keep on walking. ♥
Find your calm. Move forward from this place.
Dx
12/22/2009, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIB, Grade 1, 1/4 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-
B00kworm
Joined:
Feb 2021
Posts:
3
Latest activity:
Feb 24, 2021
Log in to post a reply
Feb 21, 2021 10:08AM
B00kworm
wrote:
Thanks for posting, Mary. This is good news! I am 57 and 2 years into my 5 years on letrozole. Scan done right before treatment started showed good strong bones with all 3 readings well within the normal range. Eighteen months later, all 3 readings have shifted to the left on the scale, and 2 out of 3 showed a "significant reduction in bone density". All 3 readings are still considered "normal", but one of them is now right on the bubble between normal and osteopenia.
My MO said my BMD could get worse with time, so it's good to hear that re-establishing bone density is possible. I take my calcium and vitamin D and get my daily weight-bearing exercise in, so I am doing what I can on the front end to mitigate the damage. Hopefully I will see good results too once I come off letrozole.
Dx
7/10/2018, IDC, Right, 3cm, Stage IIA, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- (FISH)
Chemotherapy
10/22/2018 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Hormonal Therapy
1/15/2019 Femara (letrozole)
Radiation Therapy
2/25/2019 Whole-breast: Breast
MinusTwo
Houston, TX
Joined:
Apr 2011
Posts:
14,488
Latest activity:
Feb 25, 2021
Log in to post a reply
Feb 21, 2021 10:35PM
MinusTwo
wrote:
Bookworm - there have been no posts to this thread since 2014 so it's definitely inactive. Sounds like you're doing good things but you may not get a response.
2/15/11 BMX-DCIS 2SNB clear-TEs; 9/15/11-410gummies; 3/20/13 recurrance-5.5cm,mets to lymphs, Stage IIIB IDC ER/PRneg,HER2+; TCH/Perjeta/Neulasta x6; ALND 9/24/13 1/18 nodes 4.5cm; AC chemo 10/30/13 x3; herceptin again; Rads Feb2014
B00kworm
Joined:
Feb 2021
Posts:
3
Latest activity:
Feb 24, 2021
Log in to post a reply
Feb 22, 2021 01:46PM
B00kworm
wrote:
Thanks, MinusTwo. Yes, the moderators got in touch with me to point that out and suggested I start my own thread. I'll get the hang of this thing eventually. :)
Dx
7/10/2018, IDC, Right, 3cm, Stage IIA, Grade 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- (FISH)
Chemotherapy
10/22/2018 Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Taxotere (docetaxel)
Hormonal Therapy
1/15/2019 Femara (letrozole)
Radiation Therapy
2/25/2019 Whole-breast: Breast