Bone Density -Poor

tdonnelly · 10-11-2009, 12:22 PM

HER2 Friends,

I recently had my first Bone Density test since treatment. My hip area was <1. The Spine was -0.9. I am now taking 2000 units of D3 and 1000 mg of Calcium. Due to ongoing lower back pain I will also be having a Bone Scan. Unfortunately the constant nausea - 4=months now is worse with all this Vitamin D and Calcium. Prilose never helped with the nausea.

Is it the Radiation treatments that affected my Bone Density or the Chemo/Herceptin? No one has said.

Having moved to WI; I will be seeing a new Oncologist. She is not Board Certified. Although the site has been accredited. How can an MD prescribe Chemotherapy without being Board Certified?

Take Care,
Tami

tricia keegan · 10-11-2009, 03:03 PM

Tami,

Do you take hormone therapy? I take arimidex and my first dexa was poor so I started fosamax but had to stop due to nausea.
I increased my exercise regime and found the next year i showed a big improvement.

I think the menopause and lack of estrogen obviously effects out bones quickly and if taking hormone therapy this accelerates it.

tdonnelly · 10-11-2009, 03:12 PM

Hi Tricia,

I don't take hormone therapy. I am hypothyroid and take Levothyroxin daily.

Tami

fullofbeans · 10-12-2009, 04:00 AM

Sorry to hear. Little diet tips that makes a difference long term: don't forget to replace sugar with Xylitol (check wikipedia article) . Eat sardines (calcium from bone) don't try to get it from milk. Avoid sugar and processed food, white flour ect..(as always).

Daily little changes can make a difference long term..but unfortunately I do not know if there is something that could be done fast

fullofbeans · 10-12-2009, 04:02 AM

More:

Xylitol and Osteoporosis
Another exciting benefit from xylitol is its role in reversing bone loss. Studies in Finland found that xylitol maintained bone density in rats that had their ovaries removed. Without ovaries, oestrogen levels plummeted and so did the bone density in rats that were not given xylitol. However, in the rats that had ovaries removed and were given xylitol, bone density actually increased.10 Another study showed that xylitol was effective in decreasing age-related bone loss in older male rats by 10 per cent.11
In an unprecedented action, the Finnish researchers made bold recommendations for human application of their studies. They suggested that an effective human dose would be about 40 grams daily. The scientists speculated that xylitol's bone density enhancing properties are due to its ability to promote intestinal absorption of calcium. Including xylitol in one's diet is certainly an enjoyable way to reap the benefits of greater bone density, along with other health benefits.

fullofbeans · 10-12-2009, 04:07 AM

And again..

Xylitol Reverses Bone Loss in Old Animals

In this recent study, 24 rats were given Xylitol in their diet for twenty months. At the end of this time, they were euthenized with carbon dioxide. The bone mineral content and volume of the bones was evaluated by several sophisticated analytical techniques.

The tibial (lower leg bone) density of control animals averaged 1.560 g/mm3, while the density of the tibias of the Xylitol-fed animals averaged 1.725 g/mm3, indicating a Xylitol-induced increase of bone density of nearly 10%.

The authors stated that Xylitol consumption resulted in significant protection against aging-related loss of bone, and The preserved bone volume indicates an anabolic and/or anti-catabolic effect…caused by Xylitol. They concluded: A continuous moderate dietary Xylitol supplementation leads to an increased bone volume and to an increased bone mineral content in the long bones of aged rats. This indicates a Xylitol-induced protection against aging-related osteoporotic changes.

Xylitol Mechanisms and the Neuroendocrine Theory of Aging – Another Receptor Sensitizer?

The scientists speculated that xylitol’s bone density-enhancing properties were due to its ability to promote intestinal absorption of calcium. They pointed out that calcium absorption is impaired with aging. They believe that this is due to an age-related intestinal resistance to 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3, and by an age-related decrease in intestinal vitamin D receptor concentrations. I think this is similar to the age-related loss of receptor sensitivity and associated hormonal resistance observed in many other receptor systems. (9)

The scientists proposed that Xylitol’s efficacy in enhancing calcium absorption and utilization may be independent of the apparent vitamin D resistance. It may be the mineral absorption- and utilization-enhancing effects of Xylitol combined with its H. pylori-killing effects that result in Xylitol’s ability to reduce the number and size of cavities. Some cavities have even tended to fill in. Of course, it may be that Xylitol acts as a vitamin D3 receptor sensitizer, enhancing the effects of vitamin D (see Table 2).

http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?ProdID=717

harrie · 10-13-2009, 12:32 AM

Fullofbeans, that article is very interesting. Recently I have taken a couple of classes on osteoporosis at dental conventions. Nothing was mentioned of the benefits of xylitol on osteoporosis or osteopenia. Interesting. They talked about the biophosphanates, exercise, Vit D, cal, etc.

Yorkiegirl · 10-13-2009, 05:46 AM

My last Bone Density done in February, still shows a decline in bone density. My hip's are now -3.4, and my spine is now -4.4.
It just keeps getting worse, even tho I do take Actonel, Vit D and calcium and I do exercise (weight bearing ) and nothing seems to help. I am ER/PR negative, I have estrogen in my system so that right there is big cause of my problem. I just have to be very careful especially with my back.

imdavidson · 10-14-2009, 06:36 PM

It seems like a lot of people who have bone loss are ER positive and so have taken anti-hormonal drugs which would account for the loss of estrogen that leads to porous bones. But I'm curious to know how many of us have bone loss since treatment who are ER negative and never had aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen. If you're ER- did that happen to you? Do you think the chemo by itself can cause it too??

Yorkiegirl · 10-14-2009, 06:41 PM

If you read my post which is above your's you will see that I am ER/PR negative and my bone density keeps getting worse.

imdavidson · 10-14-2009, 07:15 PM

Vicki, I meant generally speaking -- I'm going to try to find some research on this...

Lori R · 10-14-2009, 07:18 PM

Tami,
I am er/pr- and measured as osteopenic following all of my treatments last year. I don't recall the exact score.

I believe it was due to the Chemo more than the radiation. But, I don't know why I believe that. I can't say that I recall my Dr. actually attributing my bone density status directly to the chemo only.

But.....the point is (sorry...this took a while), My onc put me on a monthly dosage of Boniva. Boniva is taken in pull form and hasn't caused side effects that I am aware of.

Also, I am concerned about the accredidation status of your Dr. Is your location isolated? Thus, access to a certified Oncologist isn't viable? I encourage you to locate a specialist in this very complicated matter. (As a test, see if your Dr. prescribes Boniva)

Lori

Has your