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StephN · 07-25-2009, 02:19 PM

Hello Carolyn -

I am a "west coast girl" too. Live just south of you.

What many of us have found is that after chemo we get a baseline Dexa bone density scan and find that we are deficient in our bones. My onc told me that the chemo is part of the cause and can put someone at risk for osteoporosis over the line.

One other thing you might have checked is your vitamin D level, which many of us here have tested low. So, you will want to at a minimum get that level up and take probably more calcium than you might get now. (You can look up a few recent threads on this topis.)

Another thing you can take that is actually a bone rebuilder is called Zometa. It is by infusion and several of the gals here get it 2 or 3 times per year. Threads on this topic as well.

If you should be on an AI, then there are things to do to counteract the effect on your bones. So, look hard at your diet and make some changes if that would help. Youir clinic should have a nutritionist that could help guide you.

Small boned women are at higher risk anyway. Keeping the tendons and muscles in tone will help protect your joints.

Let us know how you do. And try to educate yourself about some lifestyle and diet changes that can reverse this trend with your bones.

07-25-2009, 02:19 PM	#3
StephN Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Misty woods of WA State Posts: 4,128	Hello Carolyn - I am a "west coast girl" too. Live just south of you. What many of us have found is that after chemo we get a baseline Dexa bone density scan and find that we are deficient in our bones. My onc told me that the chemo is part of the cause and can put someone at risk for osteoporosis over the line. One other thing you might have checked is your vitamin D level, which many of us here have tested low. So, you will want to at a minimum get that level up and take probably more calcium than you might get now. (You can look up a few recent threads on this topis.) Another thing you can take that is actually a bone rebuilder is called Zometa. It is by infusion and several of the gals here get it 2 or 3 times per year. Threads on this topic as well. If you should be on an AI, then there are things to do to counteract the effect on your bones. So, look hard at your diet and make some changes if that would help. Youir clinic should have a nutritionist that could help guide you. Small boned women are at higher risk anyway. Keeping the tendons and muscles in tone will help protect your joints. Let us know how you do. And try to educate yourself about some lifestyle and diet changes that can reverse this trend with your bones. __________________ "When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest." H.D. Thoreau Live in the moment. MY STORY SO FAR ~~~~ Found suspicious lump 9/2000 Lumpectomy, then node dissection and port placement Stage IIB, 8 pos nodes of 18, Grade 3, ER & PR - Adriamycin 12 weekly, taxotere 4 rounds 36 rads - very little burning 3 mos after rads liver full of tumors, Stage IV Jan 2002, one spot on sternum Weekly Taxol, Navelbine, Herceptin for 27 rounds to NED! 2003 & 2004 no active disease - 3 weekly Herceptin + Zometa Jan 2005 two mets to brain - Gamma Knife on Jan 18 All clear until treated cerebellum spot showing activity on Jan 2006 brain MRI & brain PET Brain surgery on Feb 9, 2006 - no cancer, 100% radiation necrosis - tumor was still dying Continue as NED while on Herceptin & quarterly Zometa Fall-2006 - off Zometa - watching one small brain spot (scar?) 2007 - spot/scar in brain stable - finished anticoagulation therapy for clot along my port-a-catheter - 3 angioplasties to unblock vena cava 2008 - Brain and body still NED! Port removed and scans in Dec. Dec 2008 - stop Herceptin - Vaccine Trial at U of W begun in Oct. of 2011 STILL NED everywhere in Feb 2014 - on wing & prayer 7/14 - Started twice yearly Zometa for my bones Jan. 2015 checkup still shows NED 2015 Neuropathy in feet - otherwise all OK - still NED. Same news for 2016 and all of 2017. Nov of 2017 - had small skin cancer removed from my face. Will have Zometa end of Jan. 2018.