QUestion about bone mets

marie5890
marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
edited June 2014 in Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis

What are the drugs used to fight bone mets?

And how effective do they tend to be? (I know this question has a lot of variable, but a ball park general idea would be great)

Thanks Ladies.

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Comments

  • alex56
    alex56 Member Posts: 136
    edited September 2011

    Hi Marie:  I was diagnosed in Dec.'09 with stage IV BC with mets to bone.  I am on generic Arimidex and get a monthly Zometa infusion.  I've been stable for over a year so these two treatments are doing what they are supposed to do and have been very effective so far.  Mets are not melting away, but they're not spreading either.  I have no pain to speak of and just take tylenol when I need it.  My quality of life is excellent and I'm doing all the activities I used to do, and then some.  My biggest complaint would be fatigue at the end of the day.  The first couple of Zometa treatments are rough, but they get better.  I also take lots of calcium and Vit D.  Are you getting ready to start this kind of treatment?

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  • sandilee
    sandilee Member Posts: 1,843
    edited September 2011

    My bone mets were discovered this summer.  I had been on Aromasin.   My onc put me on Faslodex instead, as well as Xgeva, a bone strengthener.    Both Faslodex and Xgeva are injections ( rear and arm), so no IVs yet for me.   I hope they are efffective, but having just started, I don't know yet.

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  • annafrederik
    annafrederik Member Posts: 66
    edited September 2011

    In my case, chemo to shrink one of the tumors, then radiation and now Herceptin and a bisphosphonate monthly. I have a lot of bone mets and it's my understanding that not everyone gets chemo for bone mets. I needed it to shrink a tumor on my spine that was weakening my arms and legs.

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  • tammie
    tammie Member Posts: 738
    edited September 2011

    I'm curious as well dont hav much insight as i was just dx'ed earlier this month with bone mets from skull to toes pretty much..I was given zometa in the hospital and have been put on tamoxifen, apparently continue monthly infusions of zometa.I'm also recieving 10 rounds of radiation to my neck and left hip to help with pain...I'm curently takin 15mgs of extended release morphine 2x a day for pain..The pains much better and im amazed as i dont seem dopey on the morphine..Doubt i was of much help but curious to see what others have to say..TY ladies and big hugzz..Tammie

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  • marie5890
    marie5890 Member Posts: 3,594
    edited September 2011

    Thanks ladies for posting your different treatments

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited September 2011

    I'm on Femara (aromatase inhibitor) and Aredia (bisphosphonate) for bone mets. I've been on this treatment for 16 months and I'm stable.

    Leah

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  • nancyh
    nancyh Member Posts: 2,644
    edited September 2011

    All sorts of chemos and hormonal therapies are used to treat bone mets.  Zometa (or another bisphosphonate) is usually given in addition to help rebuild the bone.   As for effectiveness, it all depends on the individual.  I did great on Abraxane/Avastin for 8 months, switched to Femara and was stable for about 18 months before mets progressed.  On to Xeloda/Cytoxan now.  My oncologist assures me we've got plenty of other treatments to try.

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  • Pegs
    Pegs Member Posts: 198
    edited May 2012

    I'd like to know what kind of symptoms you have with bone mets, my lower back has been bothering me for about a month now, off and on, but some days it really hurts, if I move a certain way .  i don't know if i should see my family doc or onco doc, how do I know if its bone mets or just a pulled muscle?  It seems every pain i feel my mind immediately thinks its spread.  my legs ace too, can that be from tamoxfen?  I am very nervous and not sure what to do.

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited May 2012

    Hi Pegs the leg aches could definitely be a SE from the Tamoxifen and so could your back problems. If you have an appointment with either of your docs it would be a good idea to let them know what's happening so they can keep an eye on whats going on.  

    With bone mets the pain is a constant one and has a tendancy to wake you at night as well.

    Hope this helps a little.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy 

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  • stellaratovsky
    stellaratovsky Member Posts: 618
    edited May 2012

    I was diagnosed today with bone mets. I think you should have it checked out. I thought it was my disc or a nerve. The pain started in my lower back it went to the hip and than to my leg. It goes away when I pop 3 advils. Some days it don't hurt but when it hurts it really hurts mostly at night. I am in total shock or even denial. I don't know how to feel at this time. My doctor did say there is so much treatment out there you could live a very long life with this. It is also possible to be Ned.

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  • stellaratovsky
    stellaratovsky Member Posts: 618
    edited May 2012

    I was diagnosed today with bone mets. I think you should have it checked out. I thought it was my disc or a nerve. The pain started in my lower back it went to the hip and than to my leg. It goes away when I pop 3 advils. Some days it don't hurt but when it hurts it really hurts mostly at night. It was horrible news I can't stop thinking about it. I don't know anyone who

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