Experiences with tooth problems concurrent with Zometa treatments

I am nor sure. I've been totally blessed. I haven't had any treatment for about a year. I go in April 22 for my next scan. Hope and pray it is a good one.

I have stage 2 cancer and had a mastectomy. I did not have chemotherapy or radiation - as my margins were clear and there wasn't any cancer in the lymph nodes. I am taking anastrozole and have an appointment for a zometa infusion. My dentist will not give me dental clearance for the infusion until I have major dental work completed. (With insurance this comes to $8,000.) My question is - has anyone take anastrozole and opted not to take the zometa?

I did not take the zometa initially because my dexa scan said my bones were fine. But after a few years they were not and I began the infusions. Compression fractures are very painful and destroy quality of life, I did not want that. It is important to have all that dental work first. Because your jaw bone will get the medicine too. @windyshores might be able to add to this conversation as well.
Did your doctor order a dexa scan to check your bone health?

I refused Zometa. I felt the side effects particularly regarding the jaw are not worth the slight improvement regarding fractures. The study is noted in the AI discussion. I believe it was posted by callaloo.

I'm approaching the same decision in a few months. One of my friends did not do Zometa and instead saw I believe an endocrinologist that recommended particular exercises, etc. that have allowed her to continue having good bone scans. She's younger than I am, and I'm not sure how much that has played into her positive results, but might be worth a try!

@kareneileen
Can you delay the zometa for a month or so and get the dental work done? I ask because a friend of mine took anastrozole for five years but didn't start zometa until year four when a DEXA showed that she was in the early osteoporosis phase.

I was in my forties and had been on tamoxifen for 5 yrs and anastrazole for 3 before I started. I am still a very active person, according to Mayo Clinic endocrinologist I talked to at a conference, he said walking was the best. I still clock several miles a day on my own feet. My amazing oncology doctor started them when he felt it was more beneficial than harmful in my case. Full disclosure………….I spend at least part of every day in the barn. Cleaning stalls, exercising and riding horses, etc.

Hi Karen,
I'm wondering what you had to decide in the end? Did you get the dental work done? When will you be starting anastrozole?

I have been taking anastrole, but won't be taking the zometa infusion. I will be getting a bridge in a few weeks. It's so hard to decide what to do??!!

If you have osteoporosis or risky osteopenia, I would get the dental work done and then consider a biphosphonate, either Reclast or Zometa. Perhaps your doctor can work with you on doing a partial dose and monitoring bones.

I had osteoporosis for 11 years when I went on Femara for cancer. My doc did not want to give me a bisphosphonate due to another health issue. I could not tolerate Forteo despite trying hard. My bone loss the first year on Femara was significant and then lessened (but continued at a lower level).

I fractured two years after finishing my 5 years of Femara due to one unwise movement. I am now on Tymlos. There were three lumbar fractures in all, very painful and disabling.

Without knowing your current bone density, I cannot comment, but my main message would be that there is more flexibility in treatment if you ask. I would look into partial dosing with monitoring, if you do not yet have osteoporosis but are borderline.

ps There are studies that say that bone-building drugs like Forteo, Tymlos and Evenity are less effective after bisphosphonates or Prolia. Nevertheless, bisphosphonates are still front line and insurance doesn't cover the others until you fail the first ones or fracture.