osteoporosis

[suzan w]

Just had a DEXA scan done last Friday and my already terrible bones (severe osteoporosis dx in 1998, many years before breast cancer) are getting worse. This is a direct result of chemo, and ARIMIDEX...I have been on arimidex since Oct. '05, so still have 3 1/2 years to go...I am taking Fosomax, fish oil, calcium with D. I walk 5 miles a day. Had more tests done on Fri. to see if I am absorbing the calcium and D and am waiting for the results. The doctor (a bone specialist) has a few ideas up her sleeve...maybe a yearly Zometa (?) or some other injection. Wondering if anyone else is also dealing with severe osteoporosis and what you are doing about that?

[Becky]

I am getting Zometa IV every 6 months. My last DEXA in June showed no progression in 2 years so I will probably only get the Zometa once a year (no other treatment (ie: Fosamax) except for calcium with D). I also run 5-6 times per week for a total of 28 miles per week. I was very happy. I will probably go on Fosamax or something like it after Arimidex is over as then, the loss won't be as severe as now.

[R.B.]

You might like to look at some of the posts on this site about balancing the omega three and sixes.

I have seen several suggestions the improving omega three intake may assist with osteoporosis.



http://www.worldwidehealthcenter.net/articles-422.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=PubMed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=15885581&ordinalpos=4&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsP anel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

[AlaskaAngel]

Suzan, you are probably already doing this, but just in case -- reducing salt intake can help because salt intake can cause you to pee out more calcium. The other possibility is to make sure you are not trying to take the calcium one time a day but spreading it out because you can only usually absorb so much at a time. Another suggestion that Gina felt was especially important was taking enough magnesium.

AlaskaAngel

[sassy]

I am taking yearly Zometa. My onc felt very strongly that in addition to the bone building benefit, the Zometa would have a preventative benefit also.
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[harrie]

I am due for a bone density test. A leary. I have had osteopenia for about 4 yrs now and was prob due to my taking Tamoxifen. I had TCH and now doing herceptin and talking Arimidex, so I am somewhat concerned as to why my next DEXA will show.
I take 1500 mg of calcium daily.
Maryanne

[R.B.]

Omega three helps ovariectomized rats to minimise bone loss.

This is one of a number of trials suggesting the omega three will help reduce bone loss.

RB

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?itool=abstractplus&db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=abstractplus&list_uids=12798659

"Recent investigations indicate that the type and amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) influence bone formation in animal models and osteoblastic cell functions in culture. In growing rats, supplementing the diet with omega-3 PUFA results in greater bone formation rates and moderates ex vivo prostaglandin E(2) production in bone organ cultures. A protective effect of omega-3 PUFA on minimizing bone mineral loss in ovariectomized rats has also been reported. The actions of omega-3 fatty acids on bone formation appear to be linked to altering osteoblast functions."

[TSund]

Hi Suzanne,

I am not an expert, but, as I recall:

Magnesium is where a lot of diets (and doctors knowledge and recommendations) fall down, and without it the calcium does not end up being absorbed in the correct way, and in fact can lead to calcium excess causing bone PROBLEMS rather than help. The magnesium should be one of the more potent kinds. (Glycinate or Magnesium malate I believe?) Do some internet research on magnesium and bone loss correlation.

Magnesium blood tests are famously inaccurate. There is a blood serum test that is more accurate but STILL may not represent what is truly present in the tissues.

Weight-bearing excercize is also important to bones. I believe Vit C and zinc help calcium absorbtion?

Hope this helps...

TRS

[BonnieR]

Susan and Becky, wow, how did you find the stamina to walk so long and far? My dog and I used to love a lengthy neighborhood walk but is all I can do to get around the block now. It really tires me....
Maybe I am expecting too much, too soon (3 months out of surgery).It is extremely hot here in the desert and I have had alot of other physical demands associated with moving, etc.
I guess I answered my own question. Need to take it one step at a time....one baby step at a time....

ETA: I had stopped Prempro shortly before my diagnosis and was in early osteopenia as a result. Wonder how that looks now. How long after treatment begins do you start getting bone scans again?

It looks like I am replying to all the threads here this morning!!

[harrie]

Bonnie,
The chemo can really compromise the RBC count and until it is back up there, you feel the lack endurance while exercising. It has been 3 months since my last TCH tx and my endurance level is fine now.
I think after 2 months it felt pretty good already.
Maryanne

[TSund]

Susan,

It might be interesting to get your pH reading. I saw an article recently that suggests that a body that is too acidic (easy for we on Western diets) will leech phosphate from the bones, which is essential for binding with calcium to create dense bone structures.

I'd be interested if anyone else has more info on this

TRS

[R.B.]

Test strips are not very expensive. Here is an example. You may get cheaper I have not looked. They can last quite a while.

PH is very important.

Here is a useful link with explanation I have just found and it has an understandable food chart.

http://www.trans4mind.com/nutrition/pH.html

RB