osteopenia and zometa

everyminute

Good news - I get to keep getting Zometa

Bad news - I have osteopenia

Questionable news - don't know what Zometa will do for me (risk of recurrence wise)

Dr is switching me to Arimidex - I have done two years of tamox (as an extensive metabolizer which we also found out probably means nothing) - hope I handle it well.

Happy Holidays all!

Pure

I do Arimidex and have no issues except with the bottoms of my feet in the moring. Give yourselfa couple of weeksto adjust.

Wha tis osteopenia?

everyminute

Osteopenia - bone loss, precurser to Osteoporosis.  Probably from hysterectomy and chemo. Was hoping not to have it since I exercise and have had 2 years of Zometa

KerryMac

Wow, I am so sorry to hear that.

I would have thought that you of all people would have super-strong bones from exercising. And the Zometa....thats quite depressing actually. Once again, you think you do do everything right, and yet.....yada yada yada.....

I am due a bone density in the new year. my last one was perfect, it will be interesting to see what 2 years of arimidex and an ooph will have done to me. 

Mamita49

My doc told me that Quebec does not recognize the metabolizing test, but he thinks that it is a good thing to be an extensive metabolizer), thats why I had to pay 600.00 for that test . ( Got 80% back from my insurance)

Anyhow, I kinda believe its a good thing, adding + to my outcome.

My Onc wants me to wait til I am 100% post-menopausal to ad the Zometa.

One ?

If you had a hysterectomy, how come you were still on Tamox.

I was told, if I have that, I need to switch right away to Arimidex......??? 

everyminute

You can take tamox pre or post menapausal.  You can NOT take take AIs if you are pre-menapausal.  My doc wanted to give me the most time on something so wanted to give me a few years of tamox first.  She was thinking 5 years of tamox and then 5 years of AI but recent research showing AIs are slightly better and the fact that we may be able to take more than 5 years made her switch up early.

JacquelineG

Hi Mary,

sorry to hear about Osteopenia but it's probably good to know early on and watch it. This is one of those things I believe in 5-10 years they'll probably have a great drug to treat it --- we'll be OK!

 I'm doing the same as you -- will start Arimidex in January after 2 years of Tamox with no side effects other than the hot flashes (which i'm sure i'd have anyway after chemo and ooph!). I'm a little nervous but both Kerry and Pure seem to have few SEs so that's great! and as Kerry said, every percentage counts :-)

good luck!

Claire_in_Seattle

Mary... 

You will probably laugh, but some of the groundbreaking research into osteoporosis is going on in your back yard.  The two states for orthopedics are Vermont and Washington.  They are doing a lot of research into this at the Vermont Medical Center.  One of the orthopedists involved is a Dr Huber who practices at Copley Hospital in Morrisville Vermont.  (Putting ski accident patients back together etc.)  One of the things he and his UVM colleague are working on is injecting bone strengthening agents into the femurs of women with weak bones to prevent hip fractures.

His counsel to a friend of mine was not to even worry as this whole area is moving forward and we will have a ton of treatment options available in ten year's time.

So while I am concerned about maintaining bone health, I am not stressing it to the degree that I could be.  I do need a dexa scan at some point however.  I came through menopause with normal readings as got a baseline done five years ago.

Glad though that you are doing Zometa....and that you do benchmark exercising.

As for the AIs, the research I read was Tamoxifen for 2 years, followed by 3 years of AIs.  This is another moving target so could change by the time either one of us gets to the five year mark. - Claire

Claire_in_Seattle

The achiness I have from anastrazole is in no way equal to the achiness I have from doing sports.  So no worse than keeping ibuprofen with me and Aspercreme for my knees.

I will let you know how x-country skiing goes, and plan on going Saturday on the (relatively) easy course.  Thought a good idea prior to taking the chairlift up a mountain than be unable to get down!

Beverly11

Sorry to hear about osteopenia Mary.  That just seems so wrong based on your lifestyle. 

The zometa findings are very confusing.  I am waiting to hear back from my dr. as I have had my hormone levels tested and they are indicating that I am in menopause. 

 Keeping informed gets to be a job in itself. 

Bev

Jainey

Hey Everyminute,

I am just new here on this site ... but, I see that you have been on Tamoxifen for a couple years ... my Naturopathic Oncologist has told me that I dont need to take T for ER pos but instead has me on some supplements and good old Fresh ground Flaxseed in the am and pm. I had no use for the side effects etc of Tamox ... Jainey

Mamita49

Just one $,

Why are there three different meds on the market for post-menauposal.

Femera, Aromasin and Arimidex........

Dont get it. Could you explain.

Thanks 

KerryMac

Different companies make them, that's all. Aromasin is different than the other two, and is normally prescribed after 2-3 years on tamox. But they all seem to be as effective as each other.

AnacortesGirl

My onc put me on Aromasin from the get-go.  Never had tamox.  It's chemical make up is based on a synthetic steriod and it supposed to be easier on the joint pain.  However, it is not a steriod.  Since I've never had Femara or Arimidex I can't compare the joint issues.  Mine are usually minimal but I have had days where one or both hip joints are pretty achy.

And I just got the call from the onc's office.  Regence ins. approved my Zometa for tomorrow!  The irony is that tomorrow is my last day on Regence and then we start Aetna on Jan 1.  And we already know that Aetna won't approve it.  So at least I get 6 more months.  Maybe new studies will be released by then and the ins companies will change their minds!