Side Effects?

I felt a bit miserable (fluey) for about 2 days, but then I was fine. People say the first one is the worst, after that the SE's are less. But, for me, it was a small price to pay. Seems there is more research showing bisphosphonate benefit.

BTW - anyone else notice that their nails have got super strong after Zometa?

Kim - if he won't go for the Zometa, he may give you Boniva. You are on Femara I think - so you could get it as a preventative for bone loss - and the evidence seems to support the oral bisphosphonates too.

Kim, have you had a bone scan? If you've had a baseline done, great!. I had a bone scan almost two years ago (end of January) just before I was diagnosed (I was already in menopause and I've been checked for bone loss before). I'm having another one next week that is specifically requested because I've been on Arimidex for a little over a year. If they see any loss I will be able to get a bisphosphonate prescribed, no problem, from either my onc, GP or OB/GYN.

Start with a request for a scan. You can have another dr prescribe it (like your OB/GYN). They may have to use that as your baseline, if you haven't had one before. But then another can be requested in about a year (with a medical reason, your insurance should cover it within their usual two year period) because you are on an AI.

Kerry - you're right - I am on Femera right now with Zoladex injections every three months (getting my ovaries out is another frustrating story!!)

I had a bone scan last February and everything was great there.  With all the new research coming out on Zometa I don't understand why his is so laid back about it all.  January 4th is my appt day and as I said before, if he still says no, then bye-bye.  I'l find someone else who will listen to my concerns instead of talking to me in riddles.

NancyD  - So your saying my family doctor can perscribe this as well?  If that's the case, if my onc says no on the 4th, then I have an appt with my family doctor on the 8th so I'll follow up with her then too!  So frustrating.  I don't understand why some oncs are for it and some are against it! 

Kim,

Your family dr can prescribe it for osteoporosis prevention...so you may need another bone scan first to compare with the one you had last February. If they see deterioration, the it's likely you will get the prescription.

Nancy

I started the SWOG clinical trial a few weeks ago and was assigned to the clodranate arm. My oncologist was not comfortable prescribing Zometa but she was okay with me participating in the trial. So far no side effects and for me the pills aren't a problem at all - I take two when I first wake up, and don't eat or drink for an hour. I have school aged children so I'm spending that hour getting them ready for school and I'm never really able to get myself breakfast then anyway!

She was uncomfortable prescribing it because it's not standard protocol. Unfortunately we live in a litigous society and I think that prevents some doctors from thinking outside the box and taking risks. She made an offhand comment that she worried that if the cancer were to spread and I was on zometa, then it would go somewhere other than the bones, where it would be harder to treat. I thought that sounded a little nuts but then I know someone whose doctor (different than mine) told her the same thing. I'm willing to take my chances.

Thanks Nancy D for confirming that.  January 4th is now only a couple of weeks away, so I am waiting with baited breathe to talk to him.

I also printed off some info on the LBBC website that talks about bisphosphonates for early stage breast cancer so really, there is no excuse why he can't give it to me!