The one main contributor to increasing bone density, besides Reclast, is probably that I’m taking tamoxifen which is known to be bone protective in postmenopausal women. Evidently the reason is the positive estrogenic response it provides through the body, while blocking estrogen receptors in the breast. I am 2 years post breast cancer surgery.

I tried lifestyle changes before starting alendronate. I increased exercise, weight bearing exercise, and eating enough food high in calcium. Calcium supplements irritate my stomach. None of this stopped the bone loss progression.

I believe estrogen has a highest positive impact on bone health. But I cannot use it because of breast cancer, and family history.

The MD Anderson rheumatologist says the increase in bone density was due to the Reclast. He would like me to continue on it as it also reduces the incidence of bone metastasis. He is happy with my calcium numbers and said just keep doing what I’m doing (eating high calcium foods) if I don’t want to take supplements.

I also see a local endocrinologist who actually orders the Reclast, she has not said much about what is driving the bone density increase (Reclast, tamoxifen, or combo). But it’s a question I’m going to discuss with her because if I only will receive 3 infusions it seems to me pushing the last one out a bit will extend protection.

I have been following the Mediterranean diet, and started adhering to it much more closely since the cancer diagnosis.