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Breast cancer patient also with osteoporosis: AI, Prolia and Reclast

Posted by bunnymoon @bunnymoon, Apr 4, 2024

Im new to this site. Please forgive if this topic addressed previously. I am to start an aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) but I have osteoporosis. Plan is for me to start every six months Prolia shots. Of note I’m 58, postmeno, was on HRT for menopause symptoms and osteoporosis. The HRT didn’t help my bone density.

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soggybones | @soggybones | May 18 8:50pm
In reply to @triciaot "@soggybones I had osteoporosis before cancer. My ob/gym tried to get me to take alendronate for..." + (show)
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@soggybones I had osteoporosis before cancer. My ob/gym tried to get me to take alendronate for years but I was, stupidly, resistant. I had finally decided to try it, had stomach irritation from Fosamax, and was getting ready to schedule a Reclast infusion when the DCIS was found. I waited about 9 months after surgery to try the infusion. I’ve had 3 annual ones so far. Will see the endo in July. Although 3 infusions is often recommended then a med vacation, I believe because I’m still within the first 5 years after cancer they will continue to recommend yearly infusions. I don’t like taking meds of any kind, but if it will protect me from bone mets in case I have a recurrence, I’m all for it.
I am also on 5 mg tamoxifen. I was thinking I could maybe do just 3 years of tam with the latest research saying its protective. But because my sister had breast cancer I think the 5 years is what they want me to do. Will be going in for scans of all kinds on the 27th/28th.

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@triciaot Wishing you good results on your scans! This can all be so scary!

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cmb93 | @cmb93 | May 19 8:30am
In reply to @soggybones "@sherrilei Did you have osteoporosis before going on an AI? I have osteoporosis now and I'm..." + (show)
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@sherrilei Did you have osteoporosis before going on an AI? I have osteoporosis now and I'm trying HRT for my osteoporosis and menopause symptoms. I'm already at a 20% risk of breast cancer and I'm told a 4 year course of HRT won't increase my risk. I'm just wondering what women with osteoporosis do if they end up developing estrogen + breast cancer. The AI's really weaken your bones.

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@soggybones I hear you! I listened to a podcast interviewing Dr. Belinda Beck out of Australia. Her Onero program sounds like a solid researched based plan for safely building back bone density. I’m going for an eval with a local PT this week. The Onero website has a map of locations across the US that offer this program. You can see more about it from others here:https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/onero-program-for-bone-building/. Blessings to you as we get stronger through sharing resources! You are not alone!

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prarysky | @prarysky | May 19 9:48am
In reply to @wews "@sherrilei I spoke with nutritionist who works with breast cancer patients and she said it is..." + (show)
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@sherrilei I spoke with nutritionist who works with breast cancer patients and she said it is fine to eat soy - tofu and other products. It isn’t going to interfere with treatment or being on an ai med. So I am surprised the oncologist said you could have soy milk only once in a while?

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@wews I'm confused too but guidance on soy products is confusing in general. Soy in foods seems to be yes. Soy in any supplements seems to be a no.

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susanmfc | @susanmfc | May 20 6:58am
In reply to @maymore "@soggybones, if you are at high risk for breast cancer and have osteoporosis, there is a..." + (show)
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@soggybones, if you are at high risk for breast cancer and have osteoporosis, there is a medication specifically for you called Raloxifene. Of course, it is not without possible side effects. I actually had BC and have been taking it for nearly a year now, and it has been better than any of the other drugs I’ve taken, which had horrible side effects, including Prolia, Fosamax, Evenity, and Tymlos.

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@maymore Glad I read this. Thanks for posting. I’m 4 months post op from early stage breast cancer. Low recurrence risk according to tests etc but as I also have osteoporosis, I’m on tamoxifen vs AIs even though I’m 70. I have avoided all bone meds previously b/c of side affects but may have to reconsider at some point in the future if my scores continue to worsen.

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sherrilei | @sherrilei | May 22 5:16am
In reply to @soggybones "@sherrilei Did you have osteoporosis before going on an AI? I have osteoporosis now and I'm..." + (show)
Profile picture for soggybones @soggybones

@sherrilei Did you have osteoporosis before going on an AI? I have osteoporosis now and I'm trying HRT for my osteoporosis and menopause symptoms. I'm already at a 20% risk of breast cancer and I'm told a 4 year course of HRT won't increase my risk. I'm just wondering what women with osteoporosis do if they end up developing estrogen + breast cancer. The AI's really weaken your bones.

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@soggybones
I have osteopenia, and my hipbones are thin. So I have to
Really work hard at exercising.
Lifting weights and eating a calcium rich diet. The anastrazole
Is not good for my bones either.

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maymore | @maymore | May 23 7:34am
In reply to @prarysky "@wews I'm confused too but guidance on soy products is confusing in general. Soy in foods..." + (show)
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@wews I'm confused too but guidance on soy products is confusing in general. Soy in foods seems to be yes. Soy in any supplements seems to be a no.

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@prarysky—Yes, everything I've read says soy is great as long as it's non-GMO and organic! I drink Edensoy, which is delicious and it has 12 grams of protein in a cup and eat organic tofu twice a week!

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sherrilei | @sherrilei | May 23 2:05pm
In reply to @maymore "@prarysky—Yes, everything I've read says soy is great as long as it's non-GMO and organic! I..." + (show)
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@prarysky—Yes, everything I've read says soy is great as long as it's non-GMO and organic! I drink Edensoy, which is delicious and it has 12 grams of protein in a cup and eat organic tofu twice a week!

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@maymore
I’d love to eat more soy
But I have a hard time with recipes
So, I add it to scrambled eggs
I’d love any suggestions you ay have 😉

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maymore | @maymore | May 23 4:40pm

Yes. You can press it (I always buy the firm or extra firm) and then slice it thinly, like in quarter-inch slices. Spice it up (heavy on the spices), and then fry it. It’s delicious that way. You can also coat it in cornstarch and then pop it in the air fryer, which gives it a nice outside crunch. Then I pour a soy sauce mixture over it.

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prarysky | @prarysky | May 23 6:08pm
In reply to @sherrilei "@maymore I’d love to eat more soy But I have a hard time with recipes So,..." + (show)
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@maymore
I’d love to eat more soy
But I have a hard time with recipes
So, I add it to scrambled eggs
I’d love any suggestions you ay have 😉

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@sherrilei I stir-fry a mix of veggies (bok choi, pea pods, carrots, broccoli, etc) that I either dice separately or sometimes find as a pre-cut mix of several veggies. Ideally, I'd throw in a bit of fresh ginger and garlic clove into the oil before stir-frying but have been skipping this recently. Just trying to simplify but that tastes best.

Then I add the tofu. If I have any left over chicken, will throw that in too. Toss a few minutes. I add just a bit of Trader Joe's Soyaki which is a type of teriyaki sauce. Again, if on hand, will throw in peanuts or walnuts. Could even add orange segments. If taste buds are wiling, can try throwing in dried cranberries too. Sounds weird, I know, but whatever tastes good to you in combinations with tofu. All over some brown rice or quinoa.

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sherrilei | @sherrilei | May 24 6:02am

This sounds delish! I’m definitely gonna give it a try
I appreciate you sharing too. ❤️

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