Bone scan osteopenia?
 

Does anyone else have osteopenia from treatment or aromasin? My onc. Is talking about having me go back on zometa once a year. Anyone else taking a yearly dose? Thanks for any advise .

Re: Bone scan osteopenia?
 

I am on Femara and I have osteopenia now. I get a reclast infusion every 2 years

Re: Bone scan osteopenia?
 

I think it is generally accepted that the AIs like Aromasin worsen the lessening of bone density that often is part of ageing. I developed osteopenia after several years on Arimidex. As I am on Denosumab anyway, I hope that it is keeping this problem under control.
An annual dose of zometa sounds like a good plan, and of course you need to watch calcium and vitamin D levels, as well as trying to do weight-bearing exercise.
So many women have osteopenia - I hope it doesn't cause too many problems for you.

Re: Bone scan osteopenia?
 

Thank you ladies for your response. One thing that is worry some to me is I have been taking 2000 mg vitamin D a day all along?

Re: Bone scan osteopenia?
 

I went from osteopenia to osteoporsis after switching from Tamoxifen to Femara. I had once IV of Reclast, and then after I finished my 2 1/2 years of Femara I redid the bone scan. Back to osteopenia... my endocronologist is very happy with this result, wants me to continue on Vitamin D3 ( I take 4000 IUD/day) 1200 mg. calcium and 1000 mg. magnesium. Is holding off for now on another Reclast IV, will see next year what my bone scan shows.

Osteoporosis runs in my family (my mother and her 2 sisters both have it) so I figured I would be certain to have it too - at some point. I had osteopenia before treatment, but the docs all feel the Femara definitely brought on full blown osteoporosis. As others have stated, this is a common s/e of AIs. But I am living proof it can be reversed after cessation of Femara and/or having the Reclast (or Zometa) infusion.

all the best
caya

Re: Bone scan osteopenia?
 

Hi,

I had osteopenia before I started on Femara the first time (early menopause, family, etc). Took all the usuals - Fosamax, Actonel.

Had my first Reclast injection about 3 years ago and I've been holding my own in spite of 5 years on Femara. Had another injection just about 4 months ago since I am back on Femara again for the foreseeable future. Figure to do Reclast every 2 years.

I also exercise, take 2000 mg of D3 and 1500 mg of calcium.

Re: Bone scan osteopenia?
 

At work we have a wellness program where you put the heel of your foot in this contraption and they told me I had Osteopenia. Arthritis does run in my family...Anyway, they told me to go to my primary doctor with all my results and the 3 things they detected were high cholesterol/tryclerides (sp) and Osteopenia. My doctor said well that test is not real accurate but he ordered some type of X-ray (I cannot remember what they called it-it was like 7 years ago). I thought it was a waste of a test but I did it anyway and sure enough it showed I had Osteopenia.

I haven't taken anything for it, but I do remember he said to take so many mg of vitamin D with magnesium/zinc in it, I think. Now, since this cancer deal, I think more about my health which prior I took for granted.

If I knew exactly how much and what kind of Vitiman to take I would. I am glad you asked this question...Call me lazy I don't want to figure it out I just want to be told what to do. :)

I did read when I started taking the tamox that it helped with your bones, so I thought oh GOOD!!

Re: Bone scan osteopenia?
 

I am 48 started this stuff at 46, and I was not in menapose, but forced into it with chemo. However, I read somewhere I think that it can reverse too after done with chemo.

I don't know what Zometa is?? How do they check Vitamin D levels, do doctors do that?

And there are injections you can get for osteopenia???

Re: Bone scan osteopenia?
 

I have my vitamin d checked in blood work. It was 11 when dx. Has never been over thirty now. I love hearing the treatment rebuilds your bones! I'm defiantly upping my D and 1 iv a year sounds good to me. Although we have settled in zometa just yet. Peace my friends

Re: Bone scan osteopenia?
 

I had Osteopenia and have been having a twenty minute once yearly iv of Zometa for the past three years, my last Dexa showed a huge improvement so its really paying off and I plan to continue on this med.

Re: Bone scan osteopenia?
 

Thank you everyone! I love that I can reverse the osteopenia ! You made my day!

Re: Bone scan osteopenia?
 

I developed it during treatment. Saw a bone specialist who had me on Actonel and whatnot. Calcium and Vit D. I improved following treatment and he discontinued the meds saying his goal had been to get me safely through treatment. Mission accomplished!
Keep the faith