how many are on bisphosphonates?

Options
kimt
kimt Member Posts: 40
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer
how many are on bisphosphonates?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • kimt
    kimt Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2010

    I'm just curious how many of you are taking any bispohosphonates to reduce chance of recurrence?  I'm on Tamoxifen and talked with my doc about adding bisphosphonates, either IV twice a year or pill form.  They say insurance will not pay for the IV form for early state cancers for reduction in recurrence yet - BUT they are giving it to all of their patients with no insurance!   So they obviously think it has enough benefit to give it for this purpose and benefits outweigh the risk.   

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited February 2010

    Yes.

    Im on Zometa 4mg IV 2x a year.

     Been on it since July 2008. Ive had 4 infusions to date....2 more left.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 12,401
    edited February 2010

    I will be asking my onc about it during my next appointment in March.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Morgan513
    Morgan513 Member Posts: 664
    edited February 2010

    I'm in the trial and on ibandronate.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kimt
    kimt Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2010

    So,is that the recommended treatment plan - 2x a year for 3 years?  Did insurance cover it for you, if I can ask?  thanks!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited February 2010

    I am on Zometa, 2x a year for 3 years. Insurance has paid for 3 infusions so far.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • stephanie1
    stephanie1 Member Posts: 131
    edited February 2010

    I am in the trial and on clodronate daily - because it is a study I get them for free and they ship to me.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited February 2010

    I've been taking Actonel since November, as I have slight osteopenia.  If it reduces the chance of recurrence, that's a bonus!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited February 2010

    I was diagnosed with osteopenia after 20 months on Femara.  This allowed me with insurance coverage to start Zometa infusions twice yearly.  I get my 3rd infusion next week.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Abbey11
    Abbey11 Member Posts: 335
    edited February 2010

    I'm taking Boniva for osteopenia.  I also hope it reduces my chance for recurrence.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ICanDoThis
    ICanDoThis Member Posts: 1,473
    edited February 2010

    I'm one of those annoying people who was already on a bisphosphonate (Fosamax) when I was diagnosed, because I already became osteoporotic before menopause. So, I'm not so enthused about bisphosphonates are a preventative.

     I'm now on Boniva and Tamoxifen, and am post-menopausal. My gynecologist thinks the Boniva is overkill for bone health, because of the tamox, but my endocrinologist thinks that the bisphosphonate is pretty important. I see my onc in April - maybe she can be the tiebreaker.

    This is all so complicated, because Tamoxifen and Evista are SERMs, and Tamoxifen has been tested and approved for cancer recurrence prevention, but not for bone health, while Evista is approved for bone health, but not cancer recurrence prevention, but, from what I can tell, they both seem to do the same thing. Maybe it's a marketing thing.

    And now Fosamax has been shown to increase the likelihood of Esophageal cancer, which my husband has just finished treatment for, so oral bisphosphonates scare the snot out of me.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crazy4carrots
    crazy4carrots Member Posts: 5,324
    edited February 2010

    Sue -- I'm really sorry to hear about your DH's bout with cancer.  It must be SO uncomfortable for him.

    As was explained to me, the best way to avoid any esophageal problems while taking a bisphos is to drink tons of water after taking the pill, to wash away any residual effect. I know it's a worry, and more so for you because of DH's dx and tx.  But, I also know that osteoporosis can be extremely painful, with no cure or even effective tx, so I guess we have to weigh our options......

    BTW, for those of you getting zometa injections, just wondering why your doc chose that method (and why my doc chose the weekly pill?)

    Linda.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • helenkilber
    helenkilber Member Posts: 18
    edited February 2010

    My onc is giving me Zometa monthly via IV and has been able to get insurance to pay for 7 out of the 8 patients he is doing this for.  Get him/her to call!  I'm in Oregon FYI so he is probably getting auth from Blue Cross/Regence, Pacific Care, ODS and other local insurere.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • valarie
    valarie Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2010

    I keep reading twice a year. I may be remembering wrong but I think my Dr. said once a month. Has any one else heard of this? We are waiting to see if my ins. will pay.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2010

    My insurance won't pay....grrrr...I am 45, stage 1 - having a dex scan (bone density?) on Weds. as well as my 3 month onc. appt.  My onc. appealed the denial and included recent studies showing the benefit for stage 1's.  She recommends 2 zometa infusions a year (at least that is what she rec. for me).

    Linda - I don't  know why she chose infusion over oral and will ask.  Sue - sorry about your husband. It is really awful that you would both have cancer at the same time.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kimt
    kimt Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2010

    Valarie - my onc said they give Zometa once a month for bone mets but for early stage, to reduce recurrence risk, they give it twice a year.

    She said they only had one or two patientswhereinsurance was paying, though - these were ones with osteopenia.  She thought insurance might pay for one of the pills for me like Boniva, since I had an ooph, so it could be justified on the basis of my being sent into surgical menopause.  But I'm not sure which I'd rather do.  Interesting, though, that some of you are getting insurance to cover it or docs will appeal.  I will take this up with them at my next visit, if not before!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sukiann
    Sukiann Member Posts: 310
    edited February 2010

    I just had my second iv infusion of zometa last week.  My insurance pays for it.  I get it twice a year.  No side effects this time.  Yay!!!!  I've heard that some insurance companies don't pay and others do.  I don't understand this.  I'm just happy that mine does but it doesn't seem fair to the others who don't get it paid.  I'm sure it is unbelievably expensive.  What isn't when it comes to health care??

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DaylilyFan
    DaylilyFan Member Posts: 80
    edited February 2010

    I'm on Boniva, not the pill but the IV infusion quarterly.  This started about six months before the cancer diagnosis because the bone density in my spine went from osteopenia to osteoporosis per my DEXA scan a year ago.  I have GERD & a hiatal hernia, so the IV works better for me than pills, even weekly ones.  My insurance pays 70% of the negotiated amount, which comes down to about $150 out-of-pocket every quarter.  When I told this doctor that the med onc would probably prescribe Tamoxifen, she said I should stay on the Boniva.  No one has mentioned that Boniva might reduce the cancer risk, though.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jteach
    jteach Member Posts: 199
    edited February 2010

    I am participating in a 3 armed trial where we all get a drug...no placebos.  I'm taking 1 50 mg ibandronate daily for 3 years to prevent recurrence/ mets.  Good luck to all of us, ladies!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nene2059
    nene2059 Member Posts: 270
    edited February 2010

    I am taking Boniva and Zometa. I am getting the Zometa 2x a year and have had one infusion so far and the se's were terrible the next day so I am praying the next time I get it they will not happen.  I was taking Boniva because of the DEXA Scan I got after my surgical menopause so that I could take an AI showed major osteopenia and some osteoporosis.  They gyno put me on the Boniva and when she sent the notes to my onc he said let's do the Zometa now as well.  So I take both. I take the Boniva once a month.  Both docs think that studies will show that all bisphos will help prevent recurrence.  Time will tell I guess but I am glad to hear that others are getting the Zometa only 2x a year for prevention as well. Does anyone else get nauseous on Boniva?  I have taken it two months now and each time I have a few days after of low grade, annoying nausea.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Marion
    Marion Member Posts: 207
    edited March 2010

    Hello ladies,

     I started taking Zometa two months ago and will be taking it for the next 3 years as part of a clinical trial. Since it is a clinical trial, it is all paid for... I did not have to ask for my insurance to pay for anything. The clinical trial will also pay for me to get a CT scan.

    I get a Zometa infusion every month for the first six months, then one infusion every three month for 2 1/2 years.

    I did have very strong side effects after the first infusion: high fever, very fatigued, in bed for 2 days. Now I have to be on Tylenol for 2 days after each infusion to avoid getting bad side effects again. Did anyone get bad side effects from Zometa?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandilee
    sandilee Member Posts: 1,843
    edited March 2010

    " ... so oral bisphosphonates scare the snot out of me."

    I'm with you, Sue.  I have osteoporosis, but I won't take these drugs.  Too many bad outcomes, and they have recently been reporting people breaking their femurs after 5+ years on the drug.  

    I'm waiting for something better. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories