osteopenia

jinky, it seems to me that your doc should have ordered another DEXA bone density scan by now.  My insurance pays for one every 2 years, for menopausal women who are at risk of osteoporosis.  At your age, you are certainly at risk; plus there's the pre-existing osteopenia and the 4 years of Femara.

It's true that your bones might be okay.  I've read that women who have normal bone density when starting an AI are less likely to lose bone density on the AI than women who start out with thin bones. My med onco ordered a baseline DEXA scan when I started taking Arimidex 3-1/2 years ago, and it showed I had mild osteopenia -- barely below the "normal" line.  Neither my med onco nor the osteoporosis doc she had me consult wanted to put me on a bisphosphonate drug at that point -- they both wanted to wait and see.  They told me to take calcium citrate and Vitamin D3, play outside in the sunshine, and get lots of weight-bearing exercise.  Let's just say I try...

My follow-up DEXA scan after 2 years on Arimidex showed no change -- I'm still osteopenic, but it hasn't gotten worse.  So, everyone is still taking a wait-and-see approach.  I have another DEXA scan scheduled for Fall 2012, after more than 4 years on Arimidex; and I'm hoping things are still stable.

You won't know unless they check, though... right?  Hugs...

otter

Not being a medical doctor, I would strongly urge you to get a Vitamin D blood test and a follow up DEXA scan.   Ihad to fight tooth and nails to get Vit D blood test and finally got it from my endocrinologist. Interesting is my Primary had to write a referral for the endo, but would not order the (simple) blood test herself.    

jinky ~ I recently went to a Naturopathic doctor for a similar concern about osteopenia, after my PCP and own research didn't yield any good, natural help.  And she did a number of things I believe will help. First, she put me on a supplement that's a blend of minerals, including boron, that are needed to properly process the calcium citrate & magnesium supplement I was already taking (along with 2000 IUs of D).  She also checked my thyroid and other hormomes, and I'm now on a natural thyroid stimulating supplement and 2 other hormones that she explained affect metabolism and calcium absorption.  

I'm now convinced that no amount of calcium/magnesium/D3/weight bearing exercise alone would have impacted my osteopenia, but I'm hoping this more comprehensive, holistic approach will.    Deanna 

I have osteopenia also and take calcium with D and also get zometa treatments every 6 months. I just had my Vitamin D level checked in August and it was in the 40's. I don't know what is considered normal. What is normal? Is mine high or low. The Dr didn't say anything about it. I will get another dexiscan Aug.2012.

Dee

Sorry, yes I had a DEXA scan. I've had stage two breast cancer, but there is so far no fear of mets, so had not yet gone down the road of understanding that kind of terminology. Quite frankly, I freak out if I read too much until/unless I have to know. Thanks for clarifying.

anniealso,  Aim for 1000-1200 mg. or calcium daily, taken separately in two doses of no more than 500-600 mg. at a time.  At each dose, take your magnesium with it (a 250 mg. tab each time should be fine.)

If you are still "backed up" taking that amount, perhaps make some dietary changes, like more fruit, veggies, fiber, water, etc.

Otter,  I was told I was "osteopenic" when I got my baseline screening.  Reading my report, I noticed it was "just barely" like .5 of a percentage point.  I take the above doses of calc. & mag. and won't know until early next year how I've done in the past two years.  I am not that concerned at this point.

Osteopenia ia a vague type of label, especially on the first (baseline) scan you get..   It is based on the values of a mythical average woman.  We might not all fit the mold perfectly.  Some of us may naturally have slightly less dense bones and do just fine never progressing to osteoporosis.  Good to ask if your levels are just slightly lower than the "norm."   I think what is important is to have a baseline DEXA scan done, and then monitor it to see if you do have a trend toward bone loss.   In the case of women just slightly "osteopenic," that will be more revealing than  just the initial value alone.

anniealso, I heard that we should have ~1200 mg of calcium daily including our food. (I get 700-800 mg/day from my diet and don't even drink milk!) Calcium is highly insoluble and taking too much can lead to kidney stones and other probs. Our body can only absorb 500-600 mg at a time. The nutritionists I spoke to said it's much better to get it from food.

Osteopenia is based on the mythical 30 yr old woman. The Z-score (age-rated score) is the one that's more important but as others have said, it's an average so being a little below is no biggie.

thanks all, for the good advice.  I quit the chewables two days ago and have already seen my stomach calm down.  I wasn't really counting the food!

I'm going to stay away from supplemental for a week or so, count it in my foods, and see where we go.  When I reintroduce it, I'll know.

As per the osteopenia: my GP is against biophosphates, and if one must, only for 5 years.  After 5 years on them, they have a worseing effect on the fractures one might (might) get.

The average 16 year old girl is mildly osteopenic, she told me!  And it may just mean you are small boned.

thanks,all

DFCE1994: Did you see any improvement for your osteopenia with Zometa?

I will start soon Zometa and im searching for more info...

Did you had any side effects? How many times fid you had?