Taking AI since 2006 and
 

Hi All,
Like many of you I am taking Femara going on 9th year.
We have heard the expanded time frame from 5yrs. to now 10 years.

My onc was also giving me zometa infusions - on my last visit he said he would halt the zometa and wanted me to see an endocrinologist. I have an appointment - for this month. In the meantime I was curious those of you on the long history of AI over 5 yrs. what has your onc. done with bone health?

I am feeling fine with no severe side effects.
Just a bit concerned that i did not have zometa on my last visit with Onc.

best to all.
jean

Re: Taking AI since 2006 and
 

How often do you have the zometa infusions? Dosage?

Re: Taking AI since 2006 and
 

Hi Susan,
Once per year and the infusions would take 15 20 min.
not sure of the dosage.

jean

Re: Taking AI since 2006 and
 

I have been on Arimidex 8.5 years. When I had my ovaries removed, I had my first Dexa scan that showed the beginnings of osteopenia so I started Zometa every 6 months. I also started being very serious about vitamin D. I don't know what my starting level was but since others in my immediate family tested low, I figured I did too. My levels are now above 60 and when that happened, my DEXA scans started reading normal so I don't get the Zometa anymore (my insurance probably wouldn't pay for it anyway since I had a normal reading). My onc thought this was amazing and never saw a woman who was ostenpenic change to normal especially with an ooph and an AI. He said while on an AI a good DEXA result is no change.

However, my mother is on an AI too and has bad osteopenia. She may actually have osteoporesis. She had been on Fosamax prior to bc and does Zometa now. She has been on an AI over 9 years and I have been pleading with her to stop because she broke a rib twice - one time from coughing too hard. She needs to be careful and I think enough is enough with the AI.

My mother also goes to an endocrinologist but she also has low thyroid (prior to bc) and benign adrenal tumors (but they cause a bit of havoc for her due to fluctuating adrenal hormone issues).

Re: Taking AI since 2006 and
 

When my Dexa two years ago showed Osteopenia my Onc suggested a once yearly iv of Zometa which really helped as my last Dexa showed great improvement.