Osteoporosis

Drained6513
Drained6513 Member Posts: 82
edited July 2017 in Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity

Hi, I just finished up on my weekly Taxol in March and am still on Herceptin every 3 weeks til December.  I also have Osteoporosis.  I have managed to just be taking calcium with Vit. D drops along with magnesium and other vitamins.  The bone specialist a few years back said because of my age, I'm only 56, that was ok to do for now. 

Just did my bone density test recently again, and one side has a little bit more bone loss.  The Oncologist said I could have a slight bone loss with the Taxol I did.  So that may be it. 

I am going to see a specialist coming up again re my osteoporosis.  I have been putting off taking medication for the bone loss, for fear it will affect my teeth?  Has anyone taken any of these medications for the same thing and has teeth issues?  I am in good health otherwise.  I was told by the specialist a few years back it won't happen unless I'm unhealthy and have to be on a lot of it?  I got dental implants 10 years ago and sure do not want the bones in my jaw shifting to cause problems with my implants.  Any comments?

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Comments

  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited June 2017

    ONJ is a possibility, but an extremely remote one if you don’t get invasive dental work (implants, extractions, deep root planing, root canal) w/in 6 mos. of treatment, practice good oral hygiene, and are on oral bone drug or a semiannual anti-osteoporosis tx like Zometa or Prolia (as opposed to high-dose monthly Xgeva shots for Stage IV patients).

    However, spinal compression, rib and hip fractures are a definite and much commoner risk of NOT treating your osteoporosis (or even osteopenia once you go on aromatase inhibitors). At 56, you were already laying down much fewer new bone cells (osteoblasts) than pre-menopause, and far fewer than that now. I’m 64 and my last DEXAScan before starting AIs showed osteopenia—and my bone specialist said “doing nothing is not an option; supplements & exercise counts as ‘doing nothing’.” But you already have osteoporosis—you should start real bone treatment yesterday.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited June 2017

    Hi!

    I'm on a biophosphate (Fosamax) after my AI gave me osteoporosis (and I'm not even 50!). Yes, I know it can cause osteonecrosis of the jaw, but I've never had any interesting dental work done (yet). Unless my teeth seriously deteriorate, I feel OK taking Fosamax. It's better than being at "high risk of a fracture" as my dexascan report put it.

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  • Drained6513
    Drained6513 Member Posts: 82
    edited July 2017

    Hi, isn't osteonecrosis of the jaw rare?  Isn't that if you are on a high dose of biophosphate?  Because all your teeth are natural, does that mean your teeth are safe from these drugs?  I as well, would rather have treatment on my bones, as I am only 56, but would like to keep my teeth in tact as well.  I mean how many women, ppl have to take these drugs and I don't see anyone walking around with awful teeth?  I had osteoporosis before I was diagnosed with BC. The Taxol made it slightly worse apparently.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited July 2017

    Yes, ONJ is rare. I have met several women on this board who have taken biophosphates and have had no problems. But, the teeth thing. Yes, I'd really like to be able to keep my teeth!!!! The first time something feels funny, I'll put a call into my dentist.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited July 2017

    Drained - there are a number of threads discussing bone loss from chemo or hormone therapy. Search for Prolia to get more information

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