Congratulations Gelbel on finishing your bisphosphonate treatment! xxx 
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Unity-I’m so sorry to hear about your SE’s, but even more so that they no longer offer you a Dexa Scan. If you were on Letrozole or any other hormone treatment that is known to affect the bones, you may have a case to continue to have your bone health monitored. I completed Letrozole one year ago, but was still offered a Dexa scan this year. xxxx
I haven’t had a Dexa (bone health scan) at all even though I’m on Letrozole. At my three year appointment in October the Dr never mentioned having one either but then in her letter to my GP it said I should have one two years after stopping Ibandronic Acid ie for my five year follow up. I did ask her if I should take calcium tablets after stopping Ibandronic Acid tablets but she said it wasn’t necessary if my diet is varied. How can she know if I’ve never had a Dexa scan?!
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That’s a good Q. Linda and it highlights how each NHS Trust and “area” do things differently.
I don’t know how old you are, but I was 51 when diagnosed, and had my first Dexa Bone scan that year (one month pre-Letrozole) as a baseline measure of my bone health.
It can’t hurt to ask the Q. to your GP. Or, you can ask your team to write to your GP requesting a bone scan.
xxxx
Hi
I’m taking ibandronic orally daily without any side effects. Been on them for 2 years now. It’s a bit of a nuisance and still miss my early morning cuppa but I have a routine. I take it when I get out of bed then by the time I’ve showered, pottered about etc 30 mins has passed. I’m changing to 1 tablet weekly from April; not sure why. I have regular dental check ups with no problems to date
I hope it goes well for you.
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Hi Marla13. I am currently 65 so was 62 when I started treatment. I could try getting in touch with my GP but that is not an easy task. I might try and contact breast clinic but they would probably say after three years on IA it’s not of use! It certainly is very variable across Trusts but even between ex patients in the group I met in the Breast Cancer Now Moving Forward group. I appreciate we all have individual plans based on the type of breast cancer but some tests should be universal based on the drug.
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Hi @Linda_D73
I’m also on Letrozole and Zolendronic acid. I haven’t had a bone scan either as I was informed my trust say you are having the Treatment for bone density issues (Zoledronic) so you don’t need a scan. I did query this with them say8ng surely they should do a baseline scan to see where I was starting at but still no. I think it comes down to money!
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Hi, I am on a daily pill of Ibandronic acid and have been taking it for 3 months now with no side effects. Like you I was very scared of the long list of SE, but so far so good! The 30 minute wait before eating is not as bothersome as I expected, either.
No Dexa scan either, as not on Letrazole.
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Hi, I started taking Bisphonates in May 2023 after a bone density scan. My oncologist prescribed daily (as can help reduce chances of cancer spreading to bones). So I take Ibandronic Acid 50mg daily with 200ml water (6 hrs after any food). I then can’t eat or drink for 30mins and have to stay upright for 60mins. You are not meant to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (ie nurophen). Alongside them I take calcium / vid D supplements, EVACAL D3 1500mg chewable tablets x2 a day, pref morning & evening. 1st one at least 3hrs after the bisphosphonate (Not 2hrs bef/after spinach, rhubarb or wholegrain cereals!
So far I’ve had no side effects. Hardest thing was getting to grips with the above … but these were the instructions that came with the tablets and I follow them 
I’m allowed another bone scan after 2 yrs and am taking the tablets for 3 years. Dentist knows and if you need certain work I think you have to stop taking them.
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Thanks very much for sharing, Pengu1n. I’m glad you’ve not had any problems to date. 
I already take Levothyroxine, and wait 30 mins after taking it to have my AM coffee, so I’ll need to ask the GP or pharmacist how long after the Thyroxine do I need to wait before taking the one they decide to give me. 
xxx
Hi Naughty-I think you’re absolutely right-many of these decisions do come down to money.
On the positive side, it’s great that you’re on Zolendronic Acid. I had had three previous DEXA scans (2018, 2020 and 2022) and only this year did the breast cancer team suggest a bisphosphonate, even though I had had signs of osteopenia on previous scans. Having said that, this recent one was the first that pushed me out of osteopenia into osteoporosis (for my hip). The spine is still within the osteopenia range. 
xxx
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Thanks for sharing Coral1-I’m so happy to hear that you’ve not had any negative SE’s. xxx
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Hi Linda-I hear you on all that you wrote, and if you want my personal opinion-it doesn’t hurt to ask your breast cancer team.
So, just so I understand…the breast team wrote to your GP at your three year appointment recommending that you should have a DEXA scan two years after stopping Ibandronic Acid, but you never did have one? Did you want one? It’s really a personal choice, isn’t it?
I may be getting confused but if this is your 3 years post IA-it may still be worth asking them (but only if you care and want one)-some women aren’t too fussed.
Best outcome? Your bones are good! Worst outcome-your bones need a bit of help:). It’s really down to you and how concerned you are. If you are concerned, it’s worth asking.
One thing I’ve learned from my whole BC experience is that we have to ask, and we have to be our own advocates.
Whatever you decide to do, we’re all here, and behind you:).
It’s so true that there are differences across the country as to how they monitor us.
xxxx
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Hi Marla13
I take both Ibandronic acid and Levothyroxine too. You have to take the Ibandronic acid first (before any other medication) then wait for 40 mins(ish) before taking the Levothyroxine, then wait again before eating or drinking.
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Hi Bibblebean, thanks for sharing! I’m with you on the Evacal D3-we’re on the same dose:).
Re-your Ibandronic Acid-I assumed these were taken in the AM but from what you wrote, you have to take them 6 hours after any food-does that mean they are supposed to be taken on an empty stomach? Is that a stupid Q? 
I presume 6 hours post-food is so that the food is no longer in the system? or is it for the opposite reason-so that you don’t have an empty stomach? I’m trying to learn as much as I can about these meds:).
I want to ask my GP why he’s considering Alendronate for me and not Ibandronic as a couple of you seem to be doing well on the latter!
I’m really pleased to hear you are doing well and haven’t had SE’s.
I see my dentist on Thursday for the check up and am hoping all OK-I typically have good dental hygiene so my fingers are crossed.
xxxx
Hi @Marla13
Sorry for confusion but yes, on an empty stomach. I have mine when I get up. 30 mins later I have breakfast and at least 3 hrs after the Ibandronic acid I have the Evacal (depending what lunch is!)
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I have been on Alendronic Acid for 7 years and have had no side effects. When I started I had osteopenia throughout my body but my last dexa scan showed I now only have it in the left side of my neck, so it has worked for me. Hope this helps
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Hi @Linda_D73
I would ring your breast team as you should have open access to them rather than having to go via the GP.
It’s ways worth asking.
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Thank you so much for sharing this, Lizaki. That’s great to hear that the meds are actually helping reduce the osteopenia. I didn’t realise Bisphosphonates can reverse the damage, I thought they only serve to prevent further deterioration-that is great news! xxx
Super-thanks for clarifying, Bibblebean:).
xxx