Anyone have Osteopenia from Aromatase Inhibitors? Treatment?

Yes I do! Im 30 y/o with it. My close BC friend who also has it encouraged me to take this supplement called GROW BONE manufactured by Garden of Eden. It supposed to help maintain osteopenia so that it dissent develop in to osteoporosis. To be honest I have soo many supplements in my home im overwhelmed. Im going to start this this week.

There are alot of great reviews from bc survivors and beyond. Best wishes.

After my first two years of AI treatment, my next DEXA Scan showed Osteopenia. I have since had two Prolia injections, six months apart.

I do not know why different Doctors recommend different treatment plans for these findings.

Here is another (bone health related) thread that may be helpful.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/120/topics/864433?page=1

Thank you for the info. I just had a baseline DEXA scan and just started in Aromasin. Results show osteopenia and one spot in my spine with osteoporosis. Looking at options now so this thread Is perfect timing.

Interesting. I had my first DEXA scan after chemo and surgery were done. It showed Osteopenia but nothing was discussed for treatment. I recently asked my MO about it. He went on and on about how he thinks it should be treated rather than waiting for Osteoporosis. Then he deferred to my PCP for any treatment or follow up.

I had a DEXA scan last year before DX and I failed this test too.  I have osteopororis in my femour neck (or hip) and osteopenia in the other 2 places they test. My MO is recommending Prolia.  First injection will be in Feb. 2019.  Can't get another DEXA 'til end of 2019, so we'll see if it helps.

For anyone with a cost issue - it's worth checking the manufacturer website for any programs theo offer. I was able to get a deal on Neupogen shots when I needed them. Even though I have pretty good insurance, the copay as a "specialty drug" was really high. With the program - it was only $10.

I have osteopenia as well. Showed up with my first dexa scan when I was about to start letrozole. My MO wanted me to start Prolia, but of course my insurance denied it and said I hadn't tried any of the other oral bone strengtheners. So I am taking fosamax (think that's what it's called). I take it weekly. Have no idea if it's helping or not as I probably won't have another dexa scan for another year. Not sure why my MO wanted to start with Prolia first.

Nancy

I had very mild osteopenia before starting Arimidex that worsened on Arimidex despite regular exercise. Started Prolia about two years into Arimidex. Had DEXA scan after two years of Prolia - bone density better than before BC treatment.

I have no side effects from Prolia and my MO recommended I continue it for now - primarily because of very reassuring study results with regards to bone mets prevention.

Somebody asked about Prolia injection costs. Many private insurances cover it 100% (subject to policy deductible) for women who are on AI after BC diagnosis. This is a specialty medication distributed through specialty pharmacies. The contract cost of an injection was $1,172 under my policy and it was fully covered by my insurance.

When I was on private insurance they didn't pay for it until I met out of pocket. They treated it as medicine even though I had to go to the infusion center at the hospital. That was in 2012-2014.

Medicare and AARP pay my zometo infusions totally now

One might be able to further reduce costs if you self-administer it. You can save time & $$ if you don't go to the clinic to get the shot.

Prolia comes in self-injectable syringe that is very easy to use. With your MO's approval you can do it at home.

Had my DEXA scan last week just got results today I too have osteopenia in both hips. I just started anastrozole 1 mg daily and D-3 50,000 unit once a week for 12 wks. I was DX with breast cancer in Feb 2019 first left then after double mx also had it in right invasive mammary carcinoma do to both IDC and ILC

That is a positive result muska!  I'm happy for you!!

I have osteopenia and osteoporosis diagnosed last fall as a baseline when I started my AI.  I have had an annual dose of Reclast (no side effects at all) and am taking 1200mg of Calcium, 3,000IU of Vitamin D and 400mg of Magnesium.  Hopefully, that along with exercise will keep it from getting worse or dare I hope that it even improves?!?  

Right around my bc diagnosis I also had a DEXA.  Showed osteopenia in my spine and osteoporosis in my hip.  My MO mentioned Prolia on my 1st visit with her.  I was not interested at the time, more worried about getting on the AI and having any side effects.  I'm not sure how insurance works, whether you have to be a high risk of fracture to be approved or what's up.  My Prolia claim was denied this past February saying that this drug was not an approved treatment for osteoporosis, even though the diagnosis on the claim was the BC and I'm being treated with the AI.  So, I am in a holding pattern until my next DEXA which will be due in December this year-(again, insurance reasons, DEXA covered every 2 years!)

Meanwhile, while on a visit to my regular Dr, I saw the NP who said I am awfully young to have this diagnosis of osteo. and I should be getting some sort of treatment for it. (I'm 57).  She then informed me that your parathyroid gland can be a factor in  OS.  She ordered the PTH (parathyroid hormone blood test) for next visit.  Your parathyroid regulates the amount of calcium in your bloodstream, so if it's not working right, it will take the calcium from your bones.  Most patients will show high levels of calcium in their blood, mine is still within normal range although a couple readings have been over 10.   Another holding pattern, not sure if I have this, I'm guessing not.

I can't say where the parameters lay in what the approved treatments are, and what insurance companies will cover, and how it all relates to hormone therapy.  I'm Ok waiting for now.   To date, this is my experience.  I have no clue what will happen with my bones!