Rx Prolia, Aromasin, and potential metastisis

Anonymous

Dear all,

Just got back from my regular check up and all was normal, but my onc. wants me to get a 2x year Prolia shot. I had a DEXA scan earlier this summer which showed mild osteopenia. Not completely unusual for a person my age, but because of my active exercise regime she thinks it's probably related to the Aromasin I take. I found an article on breastcancer.org that says Prolia has an added benefit of further protecting my bones from any little c, should it ever go there, which I like more than protecting my bones against osteoporosis! . Is anyone else getting these shots and if so, any side effects?

Claire in AZ

SpecialK

Yes, I have been getting them since 2012, when my regularly scheduled DEXA showed that I had moved from pre-diagnosis osteopenia to borderline osteoporosis after chemo and just six months on Femara. I get the injection twice a year in my MO office, have zero side effects and my bone density has improved to a normal measurement after the first 18 months. My MO originally prescribed Prolia to deal with the density issue but the study info on improved fracture rates and bone met prevention just reinforced the decision. I have had no push back from insurance because the injection is given in the MO office, I just pay a regular office visit co-pay. I like the mechanism of this drug over bisphosphonates - it slows the old bone removal process and allows the new bone creation process to catch up, thus improving the density in what seems like a more holistic way to me - JMHO. Bisphosphonates coat the bones to strengthen them and can make them more prone to fracture due to a decrease in elasticity. Because you are so active I would be a little concerned about that possibility.

KBeee

I also am on Prolia to help decrease metastasis and prevent osteoporosis since I am thin and very active. No major side effects. I get a mild rash for a couple days and my face breaks out horribly the first month. That's it

Anonymous

Ew, both side effects sound undesirable. I am also concerned about the possibility that prolia affects immune systems negatively. I read that somewhere and since I think cancer is related somewhat to immune system compromising, I am leery of taking it. Any info on that claim, anyone?

I want protection but not over-treatment.

Claire

SpecialK

I can say that in the 4 years I have received Prolia, I have not been sick - no colds or flu, or any opportunistic infections

newfmama

I've had a couple of injections and had no noticeable side effects (could be masked by all of the Letrozole SE's). I've been nervous about going to the dentist based on the TV commercial hype. My MO & naturopath recommended twice yearly injections. Here is a link to a study my naturopath shared with me.

http://www.esmo.org/Oncology-News/The-Impact-of-Ad...

toomuch

I developed significant osteopenia 3 years after my oophorectomy and treatment with Arimidex. I've gotten Prolia every 6 months x 4. My bone density improved the first year and then remained stable. I haven't had a single side effect from the Prolia and I haven't experienced any significant infections since I've been on it.