Recent Foot Fracture - Bone Density Scan

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littlebird75
littlebird75 Member Posts: 120
edited April 2015 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

About 2 weeks ago I suffered a "sesamoid" fracture of my left foot. This is the 3rd fracture in the last 12 months. I have been taking arimidex for the last 4 years so I suspected bone density loss might be part of the reason for these recent fractures, specifically this foot fracture that seems to have appeared for no reason at all. I had my Dexa scan toady and it hasn't been read yet, however it shows a 13-14% bone loss from the scan I had just under 4 years ago. Based on what I see online, the numbers indicate osteopenia at the least and osteoporosis in some areas like my lower spine. 

The thing (as I'm sure you know) about having had cancer, is you never take anything for granted - like having a small foot bone fracture for no apparent reason. I fractured 2 bones last summer after a fall and I suspected bone density loss at the time - but since I'd had a fall - my oncologist said there was nothing to worry about. Now it seems I am indeed suffering bone density loss greater than someone my age, weight and ethnicity should. 

Does anyone have experience in this area? I'm thinking I should discontinue the arimidex to prevent more bone loss and I'm unsure if there is a way to reverse the damage that has already been done. I only have 15 more months till the end of my 5 years adjuvent therapy so I'm thinking it should be ok to stop the pill in hopes to prevent future bone loss. I suffer many side effects including hot flashes, hair loss (my hair so thin that people at work *mean people* make fun of my thinning hair), joint pain, dry eyes, dry girl parts...Just looking for personal input from others in the same boat. 

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2014

    littlebird, until you hear from other members who have experience with bone loss, and the other side effects of aromatase inhibitors, there is some information at the main Breastcancer.org site about Bone Health that may be helpful for you.

    We'll never understand the *mean people* you've had to deal with at work! Hmph!

    • The Mods

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  • littlebird75
    littlebird75 Member Posts: 120
    edited April 2015

    My saga continues. Thinks have gotten worse. I've posted photos of severe damage in my knee in this newest post, about halfway down the page: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/790338?page=297

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  • new2bc
    new2bc Member Posts: 559
    edited April 2015

    littlebird7,

    I am very sorry about your fractures and bone loss. I have started Arimidex 3 months ago and had osteopenia before I was diagnosed over two years ago. I had my second bone scan before I started Arimidex which still showed osteopenia. Did you take any calcium, Vitamin D, or other bone supporting medications while taking Arimidex? I am scared I will be in the same situation after 4 years.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2015

    I was osteopenia (Thanks to a huge family HX on both sides) for yrs before starting Femara/letrozole which I have been on for a bit over 5yrs and will be on it 'forever'. I am now osteoporosis and have been on Fosamax to a bit over 3 yrs. I did succeed in breaking 3 bones in foot when I slipped (wearing flip-flops) in mud about 3/yrs ago and 2 yrs ago last Jan. I slipped on a dog bone in our hall and did a "really good job" on wrist when I landed on my posterior. I have taken several much more 'nasty' falls since with nothing more than minor bruises where I hit rocks.

    Affording to what I am told it is very important to be sure to get weight bearing exercise to fight the effects of osteoporosis. (I get plenty.) Also getting D, calciumand keeping correct Mg/Zn/K ratio.

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  • new2bc
    new2bc Member Posts: 559
    edited April 2015

    Kicks,

    How much calcium are you taking and what is the correct ratio for magnesium, zinc, and vitamin k? Thanks.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2015

    Not Vit. K but potassium which is K on the Periodic Table.(Mg is magnesium and Zn is zinc.). I don't remember what the ratio is between the 3 as it has to be checked via blood work to see where your levels are at. Mine is checked now every 6 mths when I see my PA and it is always within appropriate range. My Mg and Zn stay where they should without supplementing them but I have to take K (potassium) to keep it up in the normal range. 1/2 way through 12 weekly Taxol, my K 'tanked' so had to go on mega doses of it to it up. 5 yrs later, keeping it up is still an issue but not quite as much. It is very important to be sure what your levels are before trying to supplement them as especially with K, too much can be as deadly as too little.

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