Osteoporosis!

I had the same problem, I am older than you so maybe that's why your dr suggested that treatment. My ONC switched me to Tamoxifen and have to say it definitely helped my bone issues; in fact, I am out of the danger zone for osteoporosis. Tamoxifen isn't as easy to tolerate as Arimidex but its helped the bond issues. 

Diane

I had severe osteopenia and I was diagnosed in my 40's too.  I exercise all the time and had no idea my bones were so bad.  I am being treated by an endocrinologist.  He put me in Atelvia.  I take the pill once a week and I take calcium and vitamin D daily.  I have had a 5 percent increase in bone density after one year.  I am still on it.  I cannot be. Switched from tamoxifen to an AI because of my bones

I understand what you're going thru. I am going on 4 years on Arimidex. Got osteopenia in the 2nd year of Arimidex and tried fosamax but stomach pains were bad from it. Switched to reclast infusion, but side effects of muscle pain and flu like symptoms were horrible for me on reclast. In the third year on Arimidex I went into full osteoporosis. I am getting Prolia injections twice a year to build bone. Prolia is expensive, but no side effects at all from it. I'll know if it's working when I have bone density rechecked in August. Good luck to you.

B123 - I also get Prolia injections and have had no side effects and receive an injection every six months.  It is a drug generally for postmenopausal, but speak to your doctor about it.  I was osteopenic at 45 from a total hyst/ooph, and I also fit the physical criteria - Caucasian, slight frame, etc., so may have developed it anyway.  I tried the oral meds but could not tolerate them as I have had reflux surgery.  Chemo and six months of AI drugs were enough to push me to osteoporosis at several measurements, so I started Prolia.  After 18 months I have normal measurements - not even osteopenic.

B123 - yes, I have reversed the density issue, for the moment.  I will stay on Prolia as long as I am on an AI - I have been on both Femara and Arimidex continuously since 2011.  I had no problems with approval by my insurance and this drug was ordered through and administered by my oncologist.  I have seen some people have difficulty with approval if they have it ordered by an endocrinologist.  Prolia works differently than the bisphosphonate drugs (Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax and Reclast) and it is a monoclonal antibody.  As we age sometimes out old bone removal mechanism speeds up and the new bone building mechanism can't keep up.  Prolia slows down that old bone removal and allows your own bone development to equalize the density.  It is important to remember that some of the side effects listed for bone density improvement drugs are experienced by people who take them at much higher doses or frequencies for bone cancers.

Like SpecialK I am on Portia.  I have had two shots and recently had my bone density test.  Last year it showed I had osteoporosis.  This time it showed my spine had improved and my hip had stabilized.  I will also stay on Prolia for the duration of taking ArImidex.  I had no problem with my I insurance paying g for.the Prolia.

First I hope you have been to your dentist for a full exam and informed her you are getting zometa.  My MO wanted the dentist ok before giving me the infusion.

Before, during and after, drink lots of water.  This seems to help minimize flu like symptoms.  I got very intense bone pain in one foot, ankle and lower leg.  This stayed with me at lower levels of pain for several months.  That, I believe, is quite unusual for the pain to linger.  I suspect I had a chronic problem that zometa exasperated.  

Edited to add:  If you feel tingling in your fingers, hands or toes, take calcium.  My MO said to "pop some Tums."  Zometa draws calcium out from the blood stream into the bones, so can bring on short term hypocalcemia.  Whatever you do, don't skip taking calcium before and after the infusion.

Thanks Doxie and Special K

If infusion is at 11 am will, will I be good to fly at 5pm that day? Have schedule trip 1 hr and 3 hr flight that day.

Why dental approval? Have my next cleaning end of July...hum

Was planning to ask dentist about jaw pain on left (rad side) is this AI issue?

Is your bone density holding now?  Are you taking any other supplements?

Again, thank you for your insight.

Cindy

B123 - Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva, Atelvia and Reclast are bisphosphonate drugs.  Prolia is a different class of drugs (monoclonal antibody) that works by a different mechanism.  I tried the oral drugs many years ago but I could not tolerate them since I have had a surgical procedure to correct reflux.