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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Profile picture for phonso @phonso

I asked AI about this article and it looked it up for me. It pointed out the weaknesses of the article and that the research took place in the 90's when there were much less treatments (Tamoxafin) and surgeries. In addition, it reassured me that my Graves was not a factor since I had an ablation and my thyroid levels are managed with Levoxyl and kept within good and normal levels. I think my current breast cancer and osteoperosis concerns are more related to tumor size, Oncotype score, Receptor status, stage 3, surgery, chemo, radiation Bone status is what is driving my attention and I will continue to concentrate on the fact that I had no node involvement and lumpectomy, chemo (Oncotype 43) radiation and on Anastrozole while monitoring every 6 months with onco and mammo and now 3 years out with no recurrence is the best thing to work on with the cancer side and the Prolia for another couple of years followed by oral for a year or two along with DEXA that could change that plan. When consulting AI about actual reporting of Prolia side effects I got the true percentages and they seem reasonable, although you have to ask for present actual percentages and not the side effect percentages reported while research for approval was going on since there is an increased incidence of back pain that was not included in the initial finding. Thanks for the article. It actually encouraged me after I researched it, and got rid of the scary part of the title.

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@phonso I believe I misunderstood the intent of your post. Good that you found answers you wanted.

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Profile picture for Chris, Volunteer Mentor @auntieoakley

@phonso I took prolia for a few years without a single issue. My doctor told me ahead of time that I needed to keep my calcium up and stay hydrated.
Honestly this forum can bring so much encouragement and support, but it can be a double edged sword. The people who do the most posting are the people who are having trouble, that doesn’t mean that everyone has issues with these treatments. I hope this can put into perspective how much anxiety you can get when you only hear from the people having side effects. The people who don’t have any issues just aren’t here posting.
I have definitely felt that treating my bones is very important because a broken hip or a broken back can be the thing you don’t recover from. Side effects from some of these drugs and the lack of estrogen has been a drag but I can and do live with it, and the time it buys me with my loved one is worth it.
I have also taken zometa, as has my husband with zero side effects.
Have you had any issues with the prolia?
What specifically concerns you about your treatment?

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@auntieoakley I don't think I have had issues, it's more of what might happen that causes the anxiety along with the thought of being between a rock and a hard place. It's is doubly hard since I am experiencing the issues that Anastrozole causes, especially joint pain and the nearly identical issues that are mentioned with Prolia. So, not sure Prolia or Anastrozole are the culprit. Sometimes the joint pain is so intense that I consider stopping one or the other or both at any given time.

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