biophosphates to prevent bone mets

michele u · 04-04-2006, 09:12 PM

After reading the article on this subject, i went and had a bone density test. This test can be done at the same time a mammogram in our hospital. it's a special xray of the leg and pelvis. After chemo and after menapause we can lose bone density fasting the normal. I went to have the test and i was in need of a biophosphate. My lower back and left pelvis was bad. I'm going to start Boniva the once a month pill for bone strength. And maybe the added bonus of preventing bone mets someday. There are alot of oral pills out on the market right now for this. Actonel Fosamax weekly. Something to think of asking for from your dr.s

Yorkiegirl · 04-04-2006, 09:23 PM

I have been taking Fosamax for over a year now. I was dx'd with Osteoporosis
about a month before I was dx/d with BC, strange since I was Pre-Menapauseable.
I have just recently had to stop taking it, as it was giving me problems, aches, bloating, heart burn. I am going to be off them a month and try something else.

Vicki

CherylS · 04-05-2006, 04:02 PM

After talking to my onc., and subsequently scheduling a bone density test for next week, I was of the impression that the only biophosphates available in the US were infusion drugs with Clodronate being the only oral one at present and not available here yet. I think Zometra is one of the IV drugs?? My oncs reasoning in doing the bone density was to look for density loss in order to justify one of these drugs for insurance coverage. Looking at Michelle's post I am wondering if Boniva and Fosomax are in the same class as Clodronate. Anybody have this info? And if so, why the big delay in FDA approval for Clodronate. It was submitted to them in Jan. 2005 and has been being used quite extensively in Europe, Canada and the Middle East. Thanks.

Barbara2 · 04-05-2006, 08:23 PM

Cheryl, I believe the following to be correct:

There are many types of bisphosphonates:
1) pills: such as Fosamax (alendronate) and
Actonel (risedronate)
Boniva
These are comonly used in osteoporosis.

2) intravenous: such as Aredia (pamidronate) or
Zometa (Zoledronic acid)
These are comonly used in metastatic breast cancer.

Clodronate is also a bisphosphonate. I've read where, when it is used in early breast cancer, it may reduce the risk of developing bone mets.

But the other bisphosphonates I've listed have been beneficial in bone mets too, and also help reduce fractures and high levels of calcium in the blood.

It is not known for certainty yet if the oral bisphosphoates will reduce recurrance, but (I believe) studies are being done now to find this out. So, being as Clodronate is not available in the US, why not take one of the other oral bisphosphonates that are offered here? There is probably no difference.

Hope this is helpful.

Blessings, Barbara

sabpri · 04-05-2006, 08:35 PM

I was diagnosed with questionable mets to the bone (long story, but every scan showed something different) so they treated me as Stage 4 with mets to bone. I was given Zometa with chemo infusions and now have it every other Herceptin treatment now that I am done with treatments. My latest scan showed what was once lytic lesions are now no where to be found, and apparently those don't ever go away, so we are thinking it may have never been a lytic lesion to begin with. Anyway, talked to my Onc today and she said she will leave me on the Zometa and if scans again are clear in August then we will drop to Zometa every 8 weeks, as we will never be 100% sure if the mets were not there and she feels that in 5-10 years everyone will be getting Zometa prophalactively to prevent mets to the bones.

Becky · 04-06-2006, 05:10 PM

I have mild osteopenia. I get Zometa every 6 months for that. My onc and I are happy to read the results of IV biophosphates preventing bone mets.

I felt happy to be ahead of the game for once.

Best regards

Becky

suzan w · 04-08-2006, 12:50 PM

Hi to Yorkie Girl...I was on Fosomax for 2 years with alot of the same side effects that youd escribe. Switched to Actonel, with no side effects. For what it's worth!!! I recently switched back to Fosomax (my onc. says there is slightly more benefit with Fosomax over Actonel-and I have severe osteoporosis) with no recurrence of the side effects.