Anyone have Osteopenia from Aromatase Inhibitors? Treatment?

ctmbsikia

Oh yes, I was sent to the dentist as well.  Another grand...…………  LOL

Good luck gals.   I take Vit D weekly, and work on balance and weight bearing exercise.  Calcium supplements give me headaches I can't take those.

bennybear

I have been stable with osteopenia for years. Last bone density showed some improvement. Fast forward to three months on Anastrozole, a broken elbow and three months Aromasin with Fosama . My MO didn’t want to do a bone density for another year but my pcp ordered one and surprise I now have osteoporosis, lost ten percent of my spine! My MO is surprised that it happened so quickly and to this degree. It is not typical apparently but now I am off the hormone suppression. Thankfully I found out before further damage.

So Ifyou are worried insist on testing.

stephilosphy00

Hi ladies, do you guys know if I can pay out of pocket to get a DEXA? I was told by my onc I am only allowed to have DEXA every other year according to my insurance which just doesn't sound right!

ElaineTherese

Before I began Aromasin, I was borderline osteopenic. After two years of Aromasin and Zoladex, the dexascan showed that I had full-blown osteoporosis and was at a high risk of bone fracture. I did Fosamax for six months before MO figured out how to get my insurance to pay for Prolia. I've been on Prolia for 18 months, and will have a dexascan in June. I'm hoping the dexascan shows that my bone density is increasing.

Fosamax wasn't bad; it was inexpensive and wasn't terribly inconvenient. But, I'll never know if it would have worked because MO switched me to Prolia.

letsgogolf

stephilosph… I believe that is correct with most if not all insurance plans. DEXA is paid for every 2 years

Spookiesmom

Actually it's Medicare causing the issue. They will only cover a DEXA every 2 years, and insurance companies follow their guidelines. I knew I was due this year. Made appt 2-3 days before the 2 year ago date. My insurance wouldn’t cover it.

ElaineTherese

My doctors have told me that the two-year dexascan schedule makes medical sense. Bone density doesn't change very quickly; whether or not Prolia or a biophosphonate is working may not become apparent until the two-year mark.

shortcake42

My DEXA before BC was normal. A year and a half on anastrozole and DEXA showed osteopenia. Took Fosamax for 3 months and had horrible stomach problems. Prolia was too expensive, but will try NotVeryBrave's suggestion about contacting Amgen. I took Calcium for years and vit D. Onc said Calcium levels were too high so cut back. He also told me that the osteopenia and the aches and pains in my legs are just old age.

Brandi1616

Hi all

I'm 55 and just found out I have osteoporosis. I had 3 years on tamoxifen and then switched me to anastrozole for the last 4 years. Now since I have osteoporosis doc swiched me back to tamoxifen and wants me to do fosamax. I have acid reflux, burping and sometimes it does come upmon me. Does anyone know that after you take pill and stay upright for 30 min. Will it hurt me to have acid reflux after that. Im really scared it will hurt something and dont want to worry all the time about it.

Has anyone had the other medications and how did u do? Anyone stop them and have any side effects?

Thanks for the help

Brandi

muska

Hi Brandi, I am in my fourth year of Prolia. No side effects so far.

CindyNY

Dexa in May showed osteopenia in hip (neck). Saw PA at MO office today. She's setting me up with an endocrinologist and she believes he can get me a dexa scan yearly. Yet to be seen but I hope so. I have had a lot of bone loss since being on anastrozole. She mentioned Prolia, and how it's been shown to ward off mets. Hoping endocrinologist isn't going to be pushing medicine yet. That's my long story short.

I don't smoke, I work out hard a minimum 3x a week, but more often than not, 5x a week; I barely drink, I'm a normal weight, I eat a lot of yogurt (OK ice cream too!), take calcium supplements - Calcitrate w vitamin D. I just don't see where I can have a lifestyle change to help anymore than what I already do. Wish this drug didn't mess with us so much, I feel like we've been messed with enough.

HUGS!

bennybear

I recently had some excellent news. After a year off the AIs and a year of Fosamax my latest bone scan shows I have regained all the bone lost and a little more. So relieved to now be again in the osteopenia category!

ElaineTherese

After two years on Prolia, my bone density improved from osteoporosis to osteopenia.