Breast cancer treatment and osteoporosis

Please keep us posted on what you learn about Zometa from your doctor. My endocrinologist didn't recommend but would have deferred to my oncologist if she felt strongly. Fosamax seems to be first line treatment but with stomach pains it sounds like infusion would be better. Good luck! I just started Fosamax yesterday as Letrozole put me deep into osteoporosis at 58 yrs old and only one year into the AI. xoox

I have been on Prolia for the past 4 years- no side effects. I was diagnosed with stage 1 ER+ breast cancer in July. My endocrinologist who originally prescribed the Prolia said I couldn't be on a better drug for osteoporosis since Prolia has been shown to prevent cancer cells from going to the bones, which is one of the places breast cancer cells like to go.
He did tell me though that when I stop getting the injections, I would need to immediately follow up with something like Reclast or Evenity to prevent the risk of bone fractures from stopping Prolia.
I don't know how long he wants me to continue on Prolia, but I believe it is responsible for the lack of damage to my hip bone after a fall and a diagnosed hip fracture. I was able to heal completely after 6 weeks of non-weight-bearing on that leg.
I started taking anastrozole after my recent mastectomy and will see what my next bone scan will show in August. They told me that the bone loss, if any, would be very slow and they would have plenty of time to decide whether or not to switch me to tamoxifen.
Wishing you the best.

My doctor prescribed reclast just for this reason because Fosamax can upset a tummy if you already have digestion issues

Thank you so much for your reply, it will help me decide what to do.

I heard about Zometa on a support group who had invited a doctor from Mayo to speak about Survivorship Plans. Will see what my doctor says. Good luck on the Fosamax.

Thanks for your post. I get very bad muscle and lower back pain for 3-4 month. And getting the Prolia every 6 this gives me only a 2 month window where I do pretty good. Now they put me on Statins due to high cholesterol. Let me know how you feel after a couple of month. Hope you continue with minimal side effects

I attended a great session on osteoporosis yesterday by a Mayo endocrinologist / bone specialist. Unfortunately he did not share his presentation with audience. There are multiple drugs and I am not knowledgeable on who should take what. Some of new ones are very expensive. He did emphasis if taking something, do not stop without consulting your provider, for some drugs you need to transition to another med.

As far as vit, the two he did have on chart was:
Calcium 1200 mg daily including food
Vit D, 25 mcg

In addition, what ever you can do to eat healthy, exercise, including weight bearing exercises and improve balance. The goal is to prevent falls which could result in broken bones.

Laurie

I take 2-3,000 units of D3 every day. The 3,000 was while on Tymlos.

The drug options:

Forteo and Tymlos (bone builders)
bisphosphonates like Fosamax, Actonel, Reclast (anti-resorptives)
Prolia (anti-resorptive)
Evenity (both bone builder and anti-resorptive)

I want to thank everyone for their comments to my earlier post. I should have mentioned I’ve been on anastrozole for 10 months. I’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis; lost over 2 inches in height and had four spinal fractures. i’ve just completed all the bloodwork for the second time and i’m going to give Reclast a try even though I am nervous I am hopeful. Thanks again for all the related experience, research sharing and ideas. I feel like I’ve made an informed decision
Jas

Has anyone who has been on Zometa had bad side effects?

What is the safest med to take to help the bones while on Anastrozole? So worried about jaw necrosis and fracture risk.