Can I just ask if everyone taking Anastrazole or other similar hormone treatments have been prescribed either phosphate tablets or biphosphonate infusions to help protect bones. I am asking as my onco wont prescribe anything but I thought it was standard practice as I believe it also helps to ward off bone mets. Look forward to hearing what you have to say. Thanks
Hi Daisydi I have been on anastrozole for 16 months and was given a dexa scan 2 months after I started on them. Because the results of the dexa showed osteoporosis of the spine and osteopenic left hip I was prescribed bisphosphonates by my onco. Have you had a dexa scan to measure your bone density they usually do this before prescribing bisphosphonates. In my case the bisphosphonates caused intolerable side effects, just to add not everyone gets these, so I was given Denosumab Prolia injection every 6 months, only had one up to now but so far no bad side effects. If you are concerned I would ask for a dexa scan to determine your bone strength. I also had a bone scan to make sure there were no bone Mets as I was experiencing shoulder and arm pain, this came back clear. Unfortunately I think it all depends on whether your onco thinks you need these tests, but I would certainly ask again. Good luck Fezzy
Hi daisy di
i have been prescribed anastrozole ( not started taking them yet tho) and was initially told I’d have oral bisophosphonates but because of the side effects and the faffing around I asked about iv infusion, he agreed and I go for it next Wednesday.
I asked about the bone scans and was told back in the day when bone meds were not routinely prescribed then, yes, bone scans were done as a matter of course but now that most people seem to get the bone stuff as they also prevent bone mets, there’s no need for scans as were already being treated - does that make sense?
lf he won’t prescribe them ask about the dexa bone scan. According to nice guidelines if you are prescribed anastrozole or simulate and NOT the bone stuff, you should have regular bone scans.
hope that helps xx
Hi daisydi
I think it is a postcode lottery. Where I am it was prescribed calcium and vit D with letrozole, as a standard. I then was diag with thinning bones and only then prescribed alendronic acid.
Other areas are different and I know of some who automatically had the infusions once on hormone therapy for post menopausal women. No infusions available where I live!
HTH x