Who is managing your bone health, oncologist or endocrinologist?

@celestebradham how very frustrating! My oncologist has taken care of all things having anything to do with the AI and all that comes with it! It’s unfortunate that yours is trying to push it onto someone else for some reason. Advocate for yourself!! If this oncologist won’t listen and take action, you may need to find another one who will. Best of luck yo you and prayers!

@mistymar Thank you very much--this is very helpful and I appreciate it! I am also thinking a Calcium with Citrate is the way to go-- calcium supplements seem particularly complicated. :). Have also started a strength training program, which I am really liking. My best to you! Patty

@californiazebra

I did that too..........about 15 years ago...............trouble was that I took calcium carbonate and it just doesn't dissolve......I have had no problem with calcium citrate...............
The kidney stone was sooo sooo horrible. I do take vitamin d and potassium and magnesium........"gummy form" since this is less crystaline.........and better dissolved.

@marceen
Good info. Thank you! I honestly prayed to die during that kidney stone it was so unbearable and I can’t take any pain meds. I do take vitamin D gummy and just started magnesium glycinate powder so I can control the dose.

@californiazebra
The rest of the story is that I went to a large hospital in oregon...........well, the urologist zipped me in and ho hum, we just have an opening in the operating room tomorrow......I am a second option person. What got me was that he said he might have to replace a stent. "Then" the stent might have to stay in for the rest of my life.......So, I got got a second opinion at OHSU (a teaching hospital) . I suggested myself a muscle relaxant - well - a muscle relaxant is standard for me with a stone (well the side muscles in the urethia are "sorta" the same) (think chevrolet vs ford- ha) Second opinion doc agreed with my suggestion and yes, 12 years later, I am still ok. Docs don't like suggestions..... but can you imagine a plastic stent up there???? The secondary opinion doc said "we never do a long term stent"...........Calcium carbonate does not dissolve ....period.
It pluggs up..............

@californiazeThe story goes on...........when the doc try pushing bone density meds.......
I have a stack of research studies with the side effects.........nope. Prolia was one thousand dollars a month.
Yes, strength is good. I did Osteostrong for a year, but the cartilage in my knee gave out....the body knows best..........vitamin D is needed too..... Osteostrong has a weight resistance program.
The other story is that my parathyroid was acting up......the docs delayed 3 years and my bone density was going down every year. Parathyroids are the size of a pea and they control the breakdown and build up of bone. It ended up I had only one bad one and the Norman Clinic took it out - I am stable now. This is not a job for a "general surgeon" because it is so delicate and they just want to take out everything..........another story. Norman Clinic was totally great and my supplement insurance paid for almost all.

@marceen
You’ve done a great job advocating for yourself. It pays to do research and second opinions are very valuable especially when you’re questioning what the first doctor is saying. Glad you’re doing well.

I looked up vivactin that I took 25 years ago and it is calcium carbonate. I will definitely look into calcium citrate. Thanks for the info! 🥰

@californiazebra Another funny story - but somehow logical.............
I had the big calcium carbonate (by the way look up and see how it is made)........but, I put about 3 or 4 saucers on the table and put a calcium carbonate pill in. The fluids I put in the saucers were sparkling wine, coke, water, and coffee.
I waited about 24 hours...............well, it just didn't dissolve. So this clunky stuff just couldn't logically dissolve in your stomach......I told the docs that, but maybe they don't like patients that think. Ha.

@marceen look into vitamin K2. No one ever mentioned it - just the calcium and d3. But apparently taking vitamin K2 works with them to move the calcium into the bones instead of the kidneys and vascular system. Should help prevent atherosclerosis and kidney stones. Best taken with food and in the morning.

Yes, I take potassium and magnesium...........a gummy version since it is halfway dissolved.
I live in Oregon, so Vitamin D is important.............we don't get sun like california.

The big indicator for the osteoclasts and osteoblast levels is the PTH in your blood........this controls the cycle (parathroid). The test has to be evaluated fairly quickly and it is more expensive so regular docs might pass on this. But it was my "self pay" blood test that found out my calcium/pth was off kilter.

Immediately after the Norman clinic removed my "one" bad parathroid (at the norman clinic) my bone loss went back up to osteopenia level. Whereas before, it was going down for 3 years - docs never checked this one tiny gland that controls the calcium distribution/metabolism.....

Walk in lab (on line) has lots of tests.............varied cost and self pay. They use exactly the "same labs as hospitals" use. In oregon we have lab corp and quest. These days, it seems one has to take care of themselves - behind the curtain is usually the cash cow for the docs and medical facilities...........

Also - bla bla. I take thyroid meds (only 50 mg) but the direct to consumer program with ABBVIE saved me tons of money. No docs recommended this either...............