Breastcancer.org: Bone Health Section

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/bone_health/loss.jsp

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/bone_health/measuring.jsp

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/bone_health/breast_cancer.jsp

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/bone_health/keep_bones_strong.jsp

Hope these are linked now.

I want to direct you to the work of Dr Miriam Nelson of Tufts.  She did the pioneering work in strength training and the importance of staying fit as we age.  This is a summary from work done more than 20 years ago.  It made a major impression on me at the time as was reviewed in Prevention Magazine.

This is from the Strong Women website:

My study followed 40 postmenopausal women for a year. All
were healthy, but sedentary; none was taking hormones. Half the volunteers - the
control group - simply maintained their usual lifestyle. The others came to the
Tufts University laboratories twice a week and lifted weights.

Most women begin to lose bone and muscle mass at about age
40; in part because of this, they start to slow down. And that's exactly what
happened to the women who didn't exercise. One sedentary year later, their
muscles and bones had aged, and they were even less active than before.

The women who lifted weights changed too - but in the
opposite direction. After one year of strength training, their bodies were 15
to 20 years more youthful.

• They became stronger - often even stronger than when they
  were younger.
  
• Without drugs, they regained bone, helping to prevent
  osteoporosis.
  
• Their balance and flexibility improved.
  
• They were leaner and trimmer, though eating as much as
  ever.
  
• The women were so energized, they became 27 percent more
  active.

I would love to see a forum titled Bones-Weight Training or something like that for us to exchange info.  Glad I spotted this thread.  I want to do this, but am concerned about doing it "right" especially because I am already having lyphemdema issues and I do not trust the over zealous young trainers at our health club.

kayebe

How about us lat flap ladies?  I have plenty of strength, but if I overuse my left arm, my breast distorts.  (under the muscle and thin rads skins)

How can we lift weights?  If I do, the "iron bra" comes back.

Hi Rosieo.  I've learned that not even many doctors are familiar with Prolia yet, so I wanted to tell you what I know.  I had my first Prolia injection in December, 2012.  To be honest, I didn't really have any side effects.  I was a little more tired than usual, but I was blaming it on Femara.  When I went for my next injection six months later, I was informed that my insurance would not cover it because of the cost.  So I had to take Fosamax.  I could only tolerate it for 7 weeks.  I had debilitating back pain, so much so that I was convinced I had mets somewhere.  Coincidentally, my tumor markers went up at the same time.  Had a bone scan, everything was fine.  Onc took me off that for a month, then went on to take Actonel.  It was not quite as bad but the same exact symptoms.  I decided I would rather risk a fracture than feel like that all the time.  After failing two oral bisphosphinates, my insurance covered Prolia and I had an injection in January.  Again, fatigue - but really no other side effects.  So at least for me, this is tolerable.  I'll have a Dexa scan this month to see if it's working.

Good luck to you and if you have any other questions, I'll be happy to tell you anything I know.  

Tracye

Hi Ladies

I started having Denosumab [prolia] injections in January this year and they have worked really well making my bones much stronger.   Before diagnosis of metastases in pelvis when sitting in the bath I felt my coccyx very sharp and  I was uncomfortable on sitting in a chair without a cushion.  I already knew I was osteopenic and Denosumab has made a difference without any noticeable side effects.  I can recommend it .