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02-02-2007, 11:26 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Millstadt, IL
Posts: 19
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Osteopenia?
I had a bone density scan last week and the onc called today to tell me I have osteopenia. I was told to start Caltrate and Fosamax. Is this possibly caused from being on Femara or from the chemotherapy?
I have no one in my family that had or has this.
Did this happen to any of you from the chemo or Femara?
__________________
Linda2
DX 6/2005
Stage IIA, Grade I
ER/PR +, HER2 +++
Lumpectomy on Left breast 7/2005
No lymph nodes involved
4 cycles of A/C
12 weekly doses Taxol and Herceptin
33 Rads
Herceptin for one year ended 12/2006
Femara for 5 years
NED as of now
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02-02-2007, 01:48 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 6
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osteoporosis and arimidex
Hi
I was on Arimidex for 6 months and then had a dxa scan, it revealed severe osteoporosis in spine and hip which was quite a shock. I was then taken off Arimidex as I am only weakly pr+ and er-. The thinking seems to be that I may have had some osteoporosis to start with and it was accelerated by chemo, steroids and arimidex. Guess I'll never know! I am currently taking Protolos (strontium ranelate) and calcichew.
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02-02-2007, 02:25 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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I was diagnosed with Osteopenia after finishing treatment for primary disease in 2000, but as I had gone through menopause somewhat early (periods ended in early '97, when I was 43 yrs. old), the jury's out on whether chemo accelerated the process or not. Anyway, I excersise and take calcium supplements, and so far it hasn't progressed to Osteoporosis. I was on Fosamax for less than a month as I couldn't tolerate it, but will probably try again if/when I HAVE to take something.
VERY IMPORTANT to do weight-bearing excersise for at least 30 minutes daily, and do take those calcium supplements, it helps!
<3 Lolly
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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02-02-2007, 04:17 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ireland
Posts: 3,463
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Question?
Can I ask any of you ladies if you had any symptoms or pain before your scan with this?
I had a bone scan today but results will take a week along with a dexa scan last week for back pain.
I'm of course scared the cancer has spread but just wondering if it has'nt may be this could be the culprit?
I've been taking Arimidex since Sept last year.
Thanks
Tricia
__________________
Tricia
Dx July '05 IDC 1.9cm Triple positive 3/9 nodes positive
A/C X 4 ..Taxol/Herceptin x 12 wks then herceptin 1 yr
Rads x 36 ..oophorectomy August '06
Currently taking Arimidex..
June 2011 osteopenia/ zometa x1 yearly- stopped Zometa 2015 as Dexa show normal bone density.
Stopped Arimidex July 2014- Restarted Arimidex 2015 for a further two years on the advice of my Onc.
2014 Normal Dexa scan
2018 Mammo all clear, still NED!
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02-02-2007, 04:51 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,843
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You might like to search on omega three DHA EPA and bone density on this site and NCBI. On NCBI the last two lines or so of the summary are a good place to start.
I have posted some links on this site to trials that suggest higher omega three consumption may help with bone density issues.
Omega six is the other half of the omega three issue. Posts can be found by clicking on search above and entering your search terms.
Complex as usual, and cannot be taken out of the context of wider diet etc.
Also see posts on magnesium and calcium re calcium.
Please talk to your advisors about dietary changes.
Please come back if you do not find what you want.
RB
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02-02-2007, 10:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,756
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RB has good suggestions as usual  I do take a balanced Omega 3-6-9 supplement, along with extra Magnesium plus extra Vit. D, in addition to the calcium.
I had pain in my left hip and lower back for several years before the diagnosis of cancer, and then the subsequent diagnosis of Osteopenia(which was in hip and several lower vertebrae).
__________________
Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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