Have just been reading NICE guidelines and see that everyone should have a base DEXA scan before starting Arimidex. I do not think I have had one. I started Arimidex at beginning of January of this year. Wondered if everyone else has had a baseline DEXA scan.
Hi Starfish
Yes I had a DEXA scan about three months after starting Arimidex. It showed that my bones were thinning (they probably were doing it anyway regardless of the Arimidex). So now I take Adcal D3 daily and have IV bisphosphonates every six months. It is called Zometa. When I had a second DEXA scan recently it showed some improvement. As far as I know you should be having a DEXA scan. Not sure if it is age related - bone thinning normally is. I am 57 now.
Cheers
Dilys
Sounds like I will have to ask. I am also 57 by the way. Does a DEXA scan also show cancer of the bones?
Hi starfish , I have been taking Arimidex for 3 months now…and had my first Dexa bone scan last Friday, my Oncologist arranged it all …I have to wait for the results now.
I am already taking Calcium and Vitamin D3 tablets…they were prescribed along with my Arimidex from the beginning.
You can always ask your BCN about it, I am sure she will be able to help…
Hugs, Jill
Hi Starfish
I don’t think that a DEXA scan shows bone mets. Just thinning or not. Like Jill it was all done through the oncologist. Quite seperately I have had a bone X-ray but don’t think it shows anything much.
Go and ask your oncologist! Where are you? Mine is in East London.
Take care
Dilys
xxxx
Another taking Arimidex, I too had DEXA scan last Oct. They are so efficient that I only got results when I saw and asked breast nurse 6 weeks back and she said there were signs of thinning and I should talk to my GP about suppliments, I am yet to do that, they are not bothered so why should I.
It is all a lottery in terms of what treatment you get, including follow up inspite of NICE guidelines. Yes I am a bit of a cynic.
Yes I would suggest you ask Onc. or GP to ask Onc.
All the best Alice
Hi. I have been having bone density scans every six months while I’ve been on Arimidex. Bone thinning picked up about a year ago so now I take calcium and vit D twice a day and alendronic acid once a week. I think this scan only shows bone density I think you have to have a different sort of bone scan to see if there is any spread. Best wishes to you all. MrsMammaduck
hi ladies,
I’ve been on arimidex 3months now have hot flushes nd night sweats a few aching joints.
I asked about bone scan when i went for my mapping out they said i’d have one when i start my rads, then was told i’d have to wait a month before i start rads.
I’ve started taking cod liver oil tablets with vit D hope this mite help.
sunset x
Hi Sunset
Think it might help. Vitamim D is good and I also take cod liver oil tablets (self prescribed) to help with any aches and pains. Which I don’t really have to be honest. May be the cod liver oil helps? WD 40 springs to mind!
Love to all
Dilys
xxxx
I had my Dexa scan Oct 07 and started Arimidex the following month, I see my oncologist 4 monthly and in March they ordered a follow up scan ~ this was cancelled by the radiology dpt as they thought I didnt need it yet
I go again this Wednesday and will find out when I will get one. I would agree with the other replies and ask your oncologist. Good luck. R x
I had a DEXA scan within 4 weeks of starting on Arimidex (having been on Tamoxifen for about 17 months).
At 53, glad to say that for my age/weight/height my bone density is normal.
However, the aches and pains in my joints (especially hands and feet) which developed during chemo (finished Sept 2007) worsened significantly with Tamoxifen, and have worsened even more, and I am on my 4th 28-day pack of Arimidex.
When you think what some of us have gone through in terms of treatment and drugs, is it any wonder?
This is a subject close to my heart as I’ve been hobbling about with a stress fracture to my left fibula for a month now that I did just by STANDING ON IT! I’ve now had a DXA scan that shows all my bones are absolutely rubbish - treatment for this yet to be decided. I should have insisted on a scan 15 months ago when I started on Arimidex, but my onco doesn’t seem to order these routinely. I would certainly insist on it with the benefit of hindsight. I can still hardly walk and am having to use a wheelchair - crutches are out because of the risk of lymphodema and I have managed to avoid that so far!
Many thanks for all your replies. I intend to ask for one. It hasnt so far been offered.
Well I had my appointment yesterday and my Oncologist wasn’t happy that his request for a follow up scan had been bounced ~ I will be getting another soon. He also suggested that I measure myself every month ~ marked on a door [like we do with children] as that would be a good way to see if I was shrinking!
Starfish you ought to have one at the start of your treatment so you have a base line ~ as you say ask! good luck!!
Hi Rosieposie
What? You need to follow that up my love. Or your oncologist does. Don’t think bone thinning makes you shrink until it is very serious indeed. Just get the scan!!!
Much love
Dilys
xxx
I also read I should have a bone scan when starting on aromatase inhibitors, so asked my oncologist when she changed me from Tamoxifen to Aromasin after 2 years. She said research had shown that Tamoxifen helps to build up bone density so they didn’t need to do it until after a year for people who had been on Tamoxifen. However, my Mum had osteoporosis and my sister was recently diagnosed with the early stages, so I was anxious and she arranged for me to have one after a couple of months on Aromasin.
In fact, my bones were fine - but I have been taking calcium and Vitamin D supplements since the menopause 10 years ago.