Do any of you ladies taking an AI along with calcium of some description have bone and joint pains, or is it only the ones who have not had calcium supplementations who suffer? I have just started taking Letrozole (Femara) and because of my Mum’s history, I asked to take calcium as well, although my bone density scan showed normal density for my age (55).
I am hoping that by taking calcium, it will reduce the amount of thinning and possibly any pains, but I would like to find out from your experiences whether they are connected or not?
I have been taking Femara(Letrozole) for 6 months and the onc prescribed a calcium and Vitamin D supplement from the start to ward of bone problems. I had a bone density scan before I started and everything was OK. I do have some joint pains, the only real problem ones are in my hands.
I have the calcium tablets and arimidex plus zoladex jabs monthly as I’m pre-menopausal and have done since I swopped from tamoxifen.When they did a DEXA scan there were signs of osteoporosis which they think was chemo induced as I’m only 44. I have a few small bone mets being treated with a bone strengthening drip monthly and this can affect the calcium levels as well. I get stiffness and aches in my joints rather than actual pain but I’m retired now so not doing as much.
Hi Anne, I started Letrozole in june/july and was prescribed Adcal-D3,2 to be chewed daily to strengthen my bones,Im 57 and to the best of my knowledge dont have a bone problem before or since BC.I was given a bone scan at the end of my rads,not because anything sinister was suspected but because I kept moaning about my shoulder blade keep aching,the result being the old chestnut,wear & tear. But having said all that,I only take one of these bone tablets or else Id be overdosing on vitamins cos of my beloved cod-liver oil.
Best wishes, Mags xx
Hi All, great to hear your advise on this thread. Ann I am about to start Femera in the new year. I have a bone scan tomorrow to do with all of this but i have not been told about any calcium etc hopefully will be told with the results of this. Karen xx
Hi all
I was on Tamoxifen for 2 years, then went on to Arimidex this year. The oncologist also prescribed AdCal, despite my bone scan indicating that my bones were very strong. I’m 52.
Whilst I feel better on the AI than I did on Tamoxifen, I do have very bad aches and pains. They are at their peak first thing in the morning and I struggle to get down the stairs. I also have to manipulate my fingers to get them moving. Once I get up and going, it all calms down, but if I sit for any length of time, I stiffen up again. (I commute for 2 hours a day and then sit in an office, so this is not good!).
I saw my surgeon this week and mentioned the problems; he said that I had to be on one or the other and it was up to me which one had the least problems. I went for the Arimidex.
I am sorry, but for me, the calcium tablets have not helped the ahces and pains.