why do drs. push reclast

1. Reclast is not poison.
2. Osteoporosis can be inherited, but you can also get it from other factors.
3. You could have osteoporosis that requires treatment, and not even know it. The first symptom will be when you actually fracture something. Until then, you may very well feel "extremely healthy."

Do yourself a favor and at least get a DEXA scan so that you know what you're dealing with, if anything. Better for you to have as much information as possible. If all anybody needed was diet and exercise, hardly anyone would have osteoporosis.

You missed an important element. It is her ONCOLOGIST that is pushing for taking ReClast.

"Use in Cancer
Zoledronic acid is approved to be used alone or with other drugs to treat:

multiple myeloma and cancers that have spread to the bone
hypercalcemia (high blood levels of calcium) caused by malignant cancer
Zoledronic acid is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer."

If he is recommending an osteoporosis medication I assume that you've had a dexa scan and he must be concerned about the results. Can you tell us more.

Menopause seems to be the most common reason for developing osteoporosis....loss of estrogen and testosterone.

I didn't see that in her description of the issue. I'll circle back.

@pookybear01 Reclast or Zometa (both zoledronic acid infusions) are prescribed because aromatase inhibitors cause loss of bone density, and they are also supposed to have some protective effect against cancer spread to bones.

My doctors did not prescribe Reclast for me during my cancer treatment, because of concerns about atrial fibrilllation at the time. Net result is several spinal fractures. Believe me, they are painful and disabling.

If you change your mind, and do Reclast, make sure to hydrate well and ask for a longer infusion (one hour). You may also be able to get 2 mg instead of 5mg. You can expect that, like 40% of us, you might get a fluish reaction the first time but not after that.

I am sensitive to meds but Reclast has been okay for me (lower dose, long infusion) despite afib and kidney disease.

I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in 2021, it was successfully removed. Now cancer free. I have been taking anastrizole 1mg for 3 yrs. Now magically big pharma is pushing 7 yrs. instead of the original 5. I lost 19 lbs. and I am feeling so healthy. When I went to see my oncologist on 12/24/2024 he didnt even give a care in the world about my healthy living great diet and exercise. Instead just wanted to push reclast. I did further research into this MAGIC drug. To my horror it is poison to many. No family history of osteoporosis, yes I know the drug I am on can cause bones to become weak. I will take my chances and continue to live my life with proper diet and exercise. And I am looking for a new oncologist who listens to me.

@pookybear01 when I was treated with letrozole, 10 years ago, the recommendation was aromatase inhibitors for 10 years. I read that 7 was as good as 10 (and better than 5) years. I am actually glad to hear that 7 is now recommended, not 10.

However, I had a test called the Breast Cancer Index that tells us whether extending aromatase inhibitor therapy past 5 years has any benefit for us, individually- a yes or no response. It also tells risk of recurrence. I came out as high risk and no benefit. I really wanted to do 7 years but not if it showed no benefit.

My friends on Reclast are all doing fine. I am doing fine but I had a low dose and long infusion with IV hydration.

You could probably satisfy your oncologist by doing a Breast Cancer Index test (the MD should provide this) and by doing low dose Reclast. I assume your bone density is the reason for the Reclast recommendation? If your bones are fine or even mildly osteoporositic, avoiding Reclast might be wise.

People who have side effects are more likely to post on forums. With the reduction of estrogen below detectable levels on AI's, I don't think diet and exercise can prevent bone loss, but they may help some. And again if your bones are osteopenic, or even mildly osteoporotic, you might get away with not taking Reclast.

Without the Breast Cancer Index and if bones are okay or being treated, 7 years is a standard protocol and so I am curious if you find an oncologist who recommends less.

I have had gains from every drug I’ve been on- Forteo, Tymlos, Evenity, and now Reclast. No side effects.
I’ve been walking, jumping, lifting weights, taking supplements, eating an acid free diet and yoga daily for decades.
This did not save my bones.
Drugs did, though.
I’m regularly posting this because the unhappy bone drug patients are more apt to post. It scares the newbies.

Thank you yes it scares people I refused meds for osteoporosis for years because I thought it was poison and now I had 3 compound fractures in my spine. Now I just got my first Priola shot but was afraid of medication all along. Wish I did it sooner,!!!