Radiation is definitely a bone hazard interrupting the DNA of rapidly dividing cells. Chemotherapy causes actively dividing cells to become senescent. Those senescent cells produce chemicals that induce bone death which further damage areas of bone. Aromatase inhibitors, like Anastrozole, lessen the bone protective estrogen.
But you can't skip the cancer treatment.
I didn't fracture. I had rectal cancer and the radiation path was directly through my femur head. After a (one time only) dexa T score of -5.6, I stopped researching (and hesitating). I suspect that the inspiring dexa measured an area of edema or fat infiltration post cancer treatment that resolved before it could fracture.
I was osteoporotic before cancer treatment because of age loss of estrogen.
I'm on my third year of Forteo.
I expected side effects. I have low blood pressure, so for my first week of injections I had the BP cuff handy. In the first seconds I'd lose 20 systolic points, but didn't feel anything--no dizziness, no loss of balance. Within seconds of the first reading the pressure begins to rise for me over the next two hours. For some it takes four hours. I was careful for a week or so.
But I do like morning tea on the roof.
Some people so have side effects. Forteo acts quickly to draw calcium from your bones, kidneys and digestive tract into your bloodstream. This in turn rapidly dilates your blood vessels. The increase in calcium can cause nausea. The widening blood vessels can cause headache and dizziness. You might try having something salty and something caffeinated to
constrict the blood vessels. It is good to be well hydrated to increase serum volume to counteract the increase in vessel volume. I started with a blue corn chip and then turned a green olive.
You might ask your endocrinologist to order bone markers before beginning and one or two months after starting treatment. I like the marker P1NP, but also CTX.
I can't write enough good things about this drug.