1. < Breast Cancer

Zometa infusions to help prevent bone loss from cancer treatments

Posted by trixie1313 @trixie1313, Jun 13, 2019

Has anyone had Zometa infusions to help combat the effects of aromatase inhibitors (bone loss). I have osteoporosis of my spine and osteopenia of the hip and am told I need this to prevent future fractures.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Aug 8, 2021

I will add my experience to discussion.

When first diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 2018, they did a bone density test, I was diagnosed with osteopenia.

I had lumpectomy, radiation and chemo, then AIs. While on AIs I had Zometa every 6 months. I did feel little sick after Zometa. Sort of like a mild flu the next day. I just made sure I did not plan anything on days after infusions.

Due to side effects of AI, I stopped last year. The oncologist order another bone density test and no change from one in 2018, good news. Was it because of Zometa, maybe. No way to know for sure. I do take a calcium and D3 supplement daily. But I did that prior to breast cancer,

Had discussion with oncologist about need for Zometa if not taking AIs, he told me it had minor benefit but my chance of reoccurrence of breast cancer after radiation and chemo is low. I told him I will think about.

My oncologist finished his fellowship and is no longer at Mayo Rochester and I forgot to ask my new oncologist about. I have my yearly imaging tests in few months and will ask then about pros and cons of continuing Zometa.

Laurie

REPLY
2 replies
ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Aug 8, 2021
In reply to @roch "I will add my experience to discussion. When first diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in..." + (show)
@roch

I will add my experience to discussion.

When first diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 2018, they did a bone density test, I was diagnosed with osteopenia.

I had lumpectomy, radiation and chemo, then AIs. While on AIs I had Zometa every 6 months. I did feel little sick after Zometa. Sort of like a mild flu the next day. I just made sure I did not plan anything on days after infusions.

Due to side effects of AI, I stopped last year. The oncologist order another bone density test and no change from one in 2018, good news. Was it because of Zometa, maybe. No way to know for sure. I do take a calcium and D3 supplement daily. But I did that prior to breast cancer,

Had discussion with oncologist about need for Zometa if not taking AIs, he told me it had minor benefit but my chance of reoccurrence of breast cancer after radiation and chemo is low. I told him I will think about.

My oncologist finished his fellowship and is no longer at Mayo Rochester and I forgot to ask my new oncologist about. I have my yearly imaging tests in few months and will ask then about pros and cons of continuing Zometa.

Laurie

Jump to this post

@laurie: thank you for the very specific information regarding AI, and Zometa. Each individual post, with different individual results/causes for taking Zometa, gives me/us a better idea of what this medication can or cannot do, how it impacts you, and so on. Clinical trials and general treatment protocols only go so far.... the people undertaking the treatment are the ones who deal with the side effects/effectiveness.

REPLY
1 reply
omega20 | @omega20 | Aug 9, 2021
In reply to @roch "I will add my experience to discussion. When first diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in..." + (show)
@roch

I will add my experience to discussion.

When first diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 2018, they did a bone density test, I was diagnosed with osteopenia.

I had lumpectomy, radiation and chemo, then AIs. While on AIs I had Zometa every 6 months. I did feel little sick after Zometa. Sort of like a mild flu the next day. I just made sure I did not plan anything on days after infusions.

Due to side effects of AI, I stopped last year. The oncologist order another bone density test and no change from one in 2018, good news. Was it because of Zometa, maybe. No way to know for sure. I do take a calcium and D3 supplement daily. But I did that prior to breast cancer,

Had discussion with oncologist about need for Zometa if not taking AIs, he told me it had minor benefit but my chance of reoccurrence of breast cancer after radiation and chemo is low. I told him I will think about.

My oncologist finished his fellowship and is no longer at Mayo Rochester and I forgot to ask my new oncologist about. I have my yearly imaging tests in few months and will ask then about pros and cons of continuing Zometa.

Laurie

Jump to this post

Thanks so much for your input. I start Zometa on September 3, and your info is very helpful. I started anastrozole on Jan. 4th. (supposedly for 5 years). Thanks again.

REPLY
ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Aug 12, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "I just spit coffee across the room. Lol. Sorry. I take natures bounty brand just because..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

I just spit coffee across the room. Lol. Sorry.
I take natures bounty brand just because my pharmacist recommended it, and I love my local pharmacy. Calcium 600+D is the dose my doctor recommended, you should ask your doctor as the recommended dose could be different for you. I had not heard about the vitamin K but that does not mean it isn’t valid. I live in the Pacific Northwest so my doctor has added a vitamin D prescription once a month. I guess I don't get enough sunlight. I am definitely less afraid of these infusions than I am of breaking more bones and having them not heal well.

Jump to this post

@auntieoakley : Thank you for the brand/dosage information. I will try this for now until I discuss with my oncologist. Can’t hurt, for sure. I miss my annual visit with my son in Portland. Love the Pacific Northwest, have been all over Oregon, good part of Washington, and Northern California. It’s a dilemma, isn’t it? On one hand you need sunscreen by the gallon, not just in the summer, on the other hand you might want an artificial light source the remainder of the year to keep your mood and spirits up.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Aug 12, 2021
In reply to @ellerbracke "@auntieoakley : Thank you for the brand/dosage information. I will try this for now until I..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

@auntieoakley : Thank you for the brand/dosage information. I will try this for now until I discuss with my oncologist. Can’t hurt, for sure. I miss my annual visit with my son in Portland. Love the Pacific Northwest, have been all over Oregon, good part of Washington, and Northern California. It’s a dilemma, isn’t it? On one hand you need sunscreen by the gallon, not just in the summer, on the other hand you might want an artificial light source the remainder of the year to keep your mood and spirits up.

Jump to this post

I spend hours outside every day, and I am still Vit.D deficient every time. I am less deficient every time now that I take a separate supplement. I am a very bad girl, I never wear sunscreen, even as I slather it on a pink nosed horse. Lol. I never burn and the heaviness makes my hot flashes worse. I have had a bit of S.A.D in years past, but now I take 100 mg of Zoloft and keep a full spectrum light above my chair. Don’t tell but I stole it from my parrots stash of bulbs. I love the northwest but it is certainly changing the last few years. Maybe that is true everywhere.

REPLY
vsunshine18 | @vsunshine18 | Aug 14, 2021
In reply to @ellerbracke "@Laurie: thank you for the very specific information regarding AI, and Zometa. Each individual post, with..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

@laurie: thank you for the very specific information regarding AI, and Zometa. Each individual post, with different individual results/causes for taking Zometa, gives me/us a better idea of what this medication can or cannot do, how it impacts you, and so on. Clinical trials and general treatment protocols only go so far.... the people undertaking the treatment are the ones who deal with the side effects/effectiveness.

Jump to this post

what is AI?

REPLY
1 reply
ellerbracke | @ellerbracke | Aug 14, 2021
In reply to @vsunshine18 "what is AI?" + (show)
@vsunshine18

what is AI?

Jump to this post

@vsunshine18 : AI is the abbreviation for Aromatase Inhibitors, a group of medications that suppress Estrogen in the body. Estrogen-receptive cancer cells are deprived of their main source of growth/energy, vastly reducing the chance of this particular type cancer coming back.

REPLY
1 reply
vsunshine18 | @vsunshine18 | Aug 14, 2021
In reply to @ellerbracke "@vsunshine18 : AI is the abbreviation for Aromatase Inhibitors, a group of medications that suppress Estrogen..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

@vsunshine18 : AI is the abbreviation for Aromatase Inhibitors, a group of medications that suppress Estrogen in the body. Estrogen-receptive cancer cells are deprived of their main source of growth/energy, vastly reducing the chance of this particular type cancer coming back.

Jump to this post

Thank you.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Aug 14, 2021
In reply to @vsunshine18 "Thank you." + (show)
@vsunshine18

Thank you.

Jump to this post

Welcome to connect. A community where we can get and give support and share information about all things medical. Are you a survivor of cancer? If you forgive my bit of silliness above. I would love it if you could tell me some about your journey.

REPLY
sequoia | @sequoia | Sep 1, 2021
In reply to @omega20 "I will be starting Zometa on Sept. 3rd (every 6 month thereafter). I have taken anastrozole..." + (show)
@omega20

I will be starting Zometa on Sept. 3rd (every 6 month thereafter). I have taken anastrozole for 6 months. My doctor recommended Zometa because it is suppose to help with stopping breast cancer spread to the bone. I wish I had more info to share.

Jump to this post

@omega20 , I am starting Zometa today 9/1. I’ve been on Anastrozole for 2 years & no one mentioned bone density meds to me. When I did my bone density in May I found I had moved from Osteopenia to Osteoporosis! Saw my oncologist in June he never recommended any treatment to me. It has taken me this long to research this and thanks to this forum snd all your posts that are so helpful & change Oncologists to finally get some treatment. I’m hoping my Zometa infusion goes well for me. I’m not having side effects from Anastrozole thank goodness.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.