HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Chemo-Induced Osteoporosis:beating it naturally?

Kim in CA · 03-12-2018, 06:13 PM

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!

03-12-2018, 06:13 PM	#3
Kim in CA Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: California's Gold Country Posts: 404	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! __________________ Diag. Feb 1997 4.5cm IDC <10%ER+, PR-. 5 out of 36 nodes +. Mastectomy followed by 3 rounds Adriamycin/Cytoxin. 5/1997 Hi Dose Chemo w/ Stem cell rescue. Spent 4 weeks in isolation ward. Then 6 weeks radiation. 9/2001 widespread mets to liver. 8 mos Taxotere/Herceptin brought me almost to NED. Stop Taxotere & add Femara . 11/2002 liver resection to remove spot that turned out to be necrosis. Officially NED! 7/2003 Tumor markers rising add Xeloda Disastrous reaction, 8 days hospital, but tumor markers came back to normal! June -Dec 2004 UW Vaccine Trial. 7/2005 MRI single 11mm brain met 8/2005 Gamma Knife. Brain MRI @3 months NED! 2006-2011 brain/body still NED 8/04/11 Taking Herceptin break, will monitor with tumor markers. 6/20/12 Tumor markers begin to rise. CA15-3 is 31.3 and Her2 Serum is at 17.1 Decide to repeat in one month. 7/23/12 CA15-3 now 49.3 Her2 Serum 26.8 8/6/12 Back on Herceptin CA15-3 now 76 Her2 Serum now 49 11/7/12 Add weekly Taxotere for 4 cycles 2/2013 Stopped Taxotere added Perjeta. MRI shows approx. 50% reduction liver mets. CA15-3 still elevated @ 55. Will continue on just Herceptin & Perjeta. November 2014 Continuing on Herceptin, Perjeta, and Femara indefinitely. Guess I'm NED again, but watching those tumor markers carefully! Dec. 2015 PET scan reveals mass in perirectal area of abdomen.biopsy confirms. Still Her2+, but no longer ER+. Bye bye Femara Jan 2016 Begin Kadcyla March 2016 PET scan shows tumor now barely visible, still NED everywhere else. 2016/2017 continue Kadcyla November 2017 brain MRI reveals small focus of T2 hyperintensity with possible 4mm enhancing nodule. Short term follow up MRI suggested. Stay tuned...