Tamoxifen and Osteoporosis

I think I don't understand why your docs are telling you this.

If you were post-menopausal at diagnosis (yep, I didn't go through menopause until after 56), Tamoxifen doesn't hurt your bones. In fact, a frequently-prescribed bone density drug - Evista is a SERM like Tamoxifen. When I went on Tamoxifen, my gynecologist and endocrinologist both recommended that I go off Fosimax, as the two meds do the same thing. I experienced a gain in bone density after going on tamoxifen.

Now, the aromatase inhibitors DO suck estrogen out of your body - they are Femara, arimidex, and aromasin - and they do cause bone conditions.

Osteoporosis is not normal in our 50s - well, it's never good, but I know I wasn't a slightly built caucasian woman in my 70s or 80s when I was diagnosed! Something else is going on, and likely has been going on for a while - unless you have earlier dexa scans showing that you were osteopenic - that is, that your bone density was gradually going down?

If I were you, I would find myself a good endocrinologist who specializes in bones and osteoporosis. At menopause,  the normal drop of estrogen in your system can cause a sudden loss of bone density. This is pretty normal and tends to level out over the next few years.

Another cause of osteoporosis is a vitamin D deficiency. Mine was so low that my endocrine system was overproducing parathyroid hormone and pulling calcium out of my bones. I am back to normal D3 levels again (for BC survivors, this should be HIGHER than the 25-30 your internist may recommend) - my endocrinologist is very happy with my 45-50. Another cause can be a benign parathyroid tumor, which throws the same system out of whack.

Hope this helps

When I say I take vitamin D3, we jumpstarted me with 50,000 ius weekly for the first month, then biweekly, now monthly, plus 1-2,000 a day. With magnesium, Vitamin K-2, and a good multi-vitamin. And I go out for a 10-15 mins of sun at lunch-time. These conditions correct slowly.

Can I suggest the Bones, bones, bones forum further down the page?

I sometimes think most of us here could probably pass oncology boards; I really never thought that my bones would cause me problems!

Vit D will help rebuild bone.

Jo Ann, have you had tests to figure out what's causing the loss of bone? There should be a blood calcium test, a serum Vit D test, and a urine test. It's critical to find out where the bone calcium is going. It's not just being carried away to another dimension -- it's leaving your body via blood or urine. If it's going out in your blood, that means one thing and urine means another.

I believe, though I can't recall, that a thyroid test should also be ordered because certain thyroid problems can cause bone loss. 

how did that turn out for you ? Did you find a pill or cure for holy spinal isuues? Did you successfully finish tamoxifen?

Thank