Chemo-Induced Osteoporosis:beating it naturally?
 

In about May of last year, I fractured 3 ribs by levering the hedge clippers hard against my chest to cut through an inch-thick rose branch. I had a bone scan then that showed up the 3 fractures, two where I levered against my chest under my arm, and one on 6th rib closer to the sternum. Plus severe osteoarthritis in an right elbow I broke during chemo in 2014 and in my spine and in my left shoulder. I would have liked a full report but the GP only asked about my ribs.

Now I just had a BMD DEXA scan and assessment. It shows that I have T-scores of 3.3 for my lumbar spine (osteoarthritis) 1.5 for my femur and total hip, and 1.1 for my forearm(all in the mild osteopenia level).

I have been daily taking two or three of my 1000 VitD3 tabs plus 1500 glucosamine (to protect against/treat the osteoarthritis) plus 1000 vit E plus a general vitamin supplement, swimming and walking once or twice a week, etc for the osteoarthritis which I am sure was miminal before treatment but hit hard during/after chemo of docetaxol, carboplatin and herceptin. Trying to eat healthy, v little alcohol, one coffee a day, no carbonated drinks, minimal starch and sugar, eating cheese eggs' fish and chicken plus lots of vegs and fruit much of it from my own garden. Ongoing heartburn an hour or two after eating which is reduced when i go without wheat products or sugary things, and with smaller meals etc.

My cancer diagnosis was non-hormonal tumor, only HER2+ so I am not on Aromase Inhibitors or tamaxofen or similar.

Reading further now, I discover that my own chemo regime significantly affects bone density in many women. Esp the Lumbar spine. So what I have is drug-induced osteoporosis/osteopenia, which I believe must be different to the normal osteoporosis of aging. I am looking for ways to reverse it and strengthen my bones naturally through diet and exercise because I am not impressed by what I have read about the medical treatments for osteoporosis i.e. that they make heartburn and reflux worse, and add to bone density by reducing breakdown of bones, not by increasing new bone growth, and may in fact not make any difference to bone strength even if BMD is improved. Like using strontium compounds which are denser than calcium so increase BMD without really helping at all.
I have a rebounder (this exercise is meant to really help) and plan to use that for 10min blocks several times a day. And to do more walking. I am trying to find out about forms of calcium that can be absorbed well, and how exactly to balance calcium, magnesium, VitD3 and all the other nutrients needed to rebuild healthy bones.
I would love to know other people's experience of things that help, and thoughts and ideas and research.
best wishes
Jessica Vivien

Re: Chemo-Induced Osteoporosis:beating it naturally?
 

Hi Jessica-
I had my first bone density test after chemo and Herceptin was finished. I was DX with osteoporosis in my hips and spine and osteopenia in my wrists. I was 51 at the time. I tried increasing exercise and calcium intake thru foods. A year later my numbers were worse. I have started getting Prolia shots every six months - just had my 4th last week. I will get another bone d test this summer to see if anything has changed. I haven't had any side effects from the shots but I am not a big fan of needing to get them (or taking any drugs for anything). I was thinking of seeing a nutritionist to get a better handle on how to treat this by eating a better balanced diet if possible. I had one doctor tell me to stop doing any "risky" activity. I stopped seeing him! I look forward to hearing what you come up with to treat osteo and anything the panel might have to offer as well.

Re: Chemo-Induced Osteoporosis:beating it naturally?
 

Hi Jessica,

I too will be following this thread for ideas. I broke my leg last April when my horse spooked and ran me into a tree, twisting my leg until my tibia and fibula snapped.

I had a bone density test in 2013 showing osteopenia, not surprising given that I went into chemopause at 42, and also having taken aromatase inhibitors for 14 years. My oncologist prescribed Zometa for me to be given twice a year for 3 years, but I stopped after the second infusion because I had an extraction with implant planned and was very afraid of getting osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Just had another bone density last week, and my osteopenia is worse, but still not yet osteoporosis. I'll be 63 next month, and I'm not willing to give up my horseback riding, as it is truly my therapy, so I'm always looking for ways to help my bones! I do take my calcium and vit D supplements, but doctor warned they are not as ideal as dietary sources. There is some concern that excessive use of calcium supplements may be harmful and a risk for coronary artery disease. Sheesh!

Re: Chemo-Induced Osteoporosis:beating it naturally?
 

Hi

The website - saveourbones.com - might be worth looking at. It has some good info, exercises etc.

Juls

Re: Chemo-Induced Osteoporosis:beating it naturally?
 

Hi, thanks so much for your input Donna, Kim and Jules. I realise there must be an enormous number of other people with this problem, maybe enough to interest researches somewhere already working on bone metabolism.
I will let you know when I have more info to share
Jessica

Re: Chemo-Induced Osteoporosis:beating it naturally?
 

Hi;

I've been doing the Zometa every 6 months for ~ 12 years and it has definitely stabilized my Bone Density. Although I still unexpectedly broke a few ribs last year.

I was 42 when I started chemo and hormone suppression and shortly thereafter was diagnosed with osteopenia.
At the2x per year level of Zometa I have had no dental problems. I believe the concern for ostecranosis of the jaw may be more of an issue if someone is taking Zometa every 6 weeks.

Like Kim I am not about to give up on my risky behaviors.....just back from a great bucket list ski trip in the Canadian Rockies. Out did myself and managed to do 30k vertical feet on my last day. For those who remember Ester, she would have been proud of me!