Breast Cancer/Osteoporosis/Heart issues? How to decide on which meds??

Posted by rene1636 @rene1636, Oct 15, 2022

I’m 62, And the hits keep on coming…..My Oncologist ordered a DEXA scan prior to giving me hormone suppression treatment for my ER/PR+ DCIS to check my bone density since hormone suppression can cause additional bone loss. The results were Osteoporosis. Now she wants me to take a bisphosphonate along with the hormone suppressor. To add on this I had a Heart Calcium CT test since the hormone suppression & osteo meds can add/cause heart problems. I also have borderline high cholesterol, a horrible family history of heart disease & a benign Adenoma on my kidney adrenal gland which adds to my concern before I start taking any treatments. The CT scan showed some problems with blockage so I also have an appointment with a cardiologist (11/1) to help advise which meds for Osteoporosis, blockage/cholesterol & DCIS would be better for me to take to avoid any other heart complications. From researching the involved medications it seems that what I take for one condition could lead to complications with another condition. Also as icing on the cake, radiation for the DCIS was recommended which is another potential heart & bone killer. I really don’t know what direction to go in at this point & I’m hoping someone else in the group may have found the same situation. I feel like it’s down to a choice of suppressing the hormones to avoid future cancer since my cancer type feeds on them & your bones need estrogen, meds to build bone for the Osteoporosis OR avoid them to help keep my heart healthy & hope for the best. I don’t want BC again but I also obviously need my bones & heart to be ok, without them I’ve got nothing.
Do I need an Endocrinologist now too? The Oncologist said there was no need to check my hormone levels before taking a med? What if they’re low now & a hormone suppressor isn’t needed? My Parathyroid hasn’t been checked for contribution to bone loss? They’re throwing meds at me like a pharmacy, VitaminD3 (blood level was 13), hormone blockers, cholesterol meds & now osteoporosis meds, all before I even get to the Cardiologist! Shouldn’t there be tests for these conditions before throwing a medication down our throats? Are there any natural remedies that work for any of this?
My heads spinning. I think I need a doctor “organizer”, lol. One moment after another, one foot in front of the other…………..

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justforjoyce | @justforjoyce | Jan 22 9:03am

Hi. I’m in a similar boat. I had DCS and IDC double mastectomy last week. I’m taking Tymlos for osteoporosis which is severe. Now the discussion is going to be whether I treat the osteoporosis or I treat the breast cancer. I also have very high cholesterol and amount of statin for that.It’s a terrible dilemma to be in. What did you ultimately decide to do? I hope you’re healing and feeling well.

justforjoyce | @justforjoyce | Jan 22 9:12am

Hi. I’m in a similar boat. I had DCS and IDC double mastectomy last week. I have been taking Tymlos for osteoporosis —since before BC diagnosis — which is severe. Now the discussion is going to be whether I treat the osteoporosis or I treat the breast cancer or how I treat both. I also have very high cholesterol and take a statin for that.It’s a terrible dilemma to be in. I hope you are all feeling better and healing well.