Hello, I have just joined the Forum and would like to know if anyone has experience of taking Ibandronic acid tablets or infusion.
I’m 78 and was diagnosed with grade 2 cancer which had gone into two lymph nodes. I had a mastectomy in October and recovering well from this. My treatment plan is 10 years on Anastrozole and a daily tablet of Ibandronic acid to reduce the risk of cancer in the bones and help prevent bone thinning. I’ve since found you can have six monthly infusions instead of the daily tablet. Haven’t started on anything yet due to my Consultant going on sick leave and another one looking at my case.
I feel confused by the many pros and cons of treatments and sometimes feel is it really worthwhile at my age ! I feel fine at the moment on no treatment but know I cannot live with the guilt of going against medical advice. Would be grateful for anyone who has experienced this.
Hi @ellen2 welcome to the forum. I’m sorry you have to be here but you will find a lot of support and wisdom along the way. I haven’t been offered bone strengthening treatment as yet even though I’ve been on the aromatase inhibitor, Letrozole, for two years. My next DEXA scan is in January so that may well change if osteopenia is detected. I wanted to say to you, that whilst you should definitely try the treatments prescribed for you, it might be worth asking the oncologist to use the Predict tool with you to indicate how efficacious they will be for you. This would mean that if you have any difficulty with side effects, you could factor this information in to your decision-making process as to whether to continue with the drugs. Fingers crossed that you tolerate the drugs well, as many do, but please be prepared to have a conversation with the medics if you don’t. I’m 69 and of a vintage that was brought up never to question a doctor but it is my firm belief now that we should each be a partner in the decision-making that affects us and, as many older ladies on the forum would attest, there is an argument which places a greater value on the quality of life over everything. So my recommendation is to have a discussion with your oncologist about taking the drugs up front and then further along the line if you aren’t happy with the outcome. I wish you all the very best for the future.
My Mum is 83 and is on the 6 monthly infusions. She has had 3 and is doing well . Best wishes.
Hi ellen2,
I’m 69 and was diagnosed 4 years ago. I’m on anastrozole which can affect bone density. I opted for 6 monthly infusions and am about to have my 8th, last 2 will be next year. I prefer the idea of a 15 minute infusion to a daily (in my case it would have been daily) tablet that has the possible side effect of harming the oesophagus and stomach (slight risk- all treatments have possible side effects), needing to be taken standing up, don’t bend or lie down for 30 minutes etc. But that was me deciding which I’d cope better with- we’re all different. The 6 monthly infusions can have side effects too, and extra care has to be taken with your teeth. I had to have an extraction last December so it was in dental hospital, but all was fine. And I have no side effects after the infusion (some feel a bit fluey for a day or two. Plus last year’s DEXA scan showed a 4% improvement in my bone density- I’ll take that!
Good luck with whatever you decide is best for you.
I don’t have experience taking this, but did learn (via reading/discussion) a bit about the various bone hardening treatments out there to help me have more informed discussions with my oncologist as well as a rheumatologist I was due to see earlier on this year.
As you’ve mentioned there are several different types of bone hardening treatments, and they can serve dual roles. i.e.
a. Prevent further reduction in bone density if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis.
b. Reduce the risk of cancer spreading to the bones if your individual cancer risk profile is higher. When I questioned my oncologist, she mentioned that from an oncology perspective they would typically only recommend bisphosphonates bone hardening treatment in the form of 6 monthly zoledronic acid (also referred to as Zometa) infusions if you have had chemotherapy as part of your treatment plan.
c. For some bone hardening treatment may be recommended because of both a. & b. i.e. because of having chemotherapy as a result of having a higher cancer risk profile and thereafter having an Aromatise Inhibitor such as letrozole or anastrozole which are known to reduce bone density when taken over 5-10 years. There is also the fact that women lose bone density as you age, and with the menopause and there are so many other individual variables such as genetics which is why no two individual treatment plans can be compared / are the same.
The reason I did my research on the topic was because I was prescribed letrozole as part of my BC treatment plan, but the baseline DEXA scan that was done 3 months into starting it indicated that I had osteopenia. Long story short I decided to stop letrozole after 8 months on it due to a combination of immediate side effects such as joint & muscle pain/significant fatigue and longer term side effects such as further reduction in bone density. These decisions were taken after consulting my GP, then a rheumatologist along side my oncologist. I am now on Tamoxifen and am due to have my second DEXA scan 1 year on from starting Tamoxifen, recommended by the rheumatologist who mentioned that in some this drug can act as a bone hardener. I expect to have a discussion on the results after this to determine if I should consider bisphosphones or not.
When I was speaking to the rheumatologist he mentioned that if prescribed, the type of bisphosponate he would recommend would be the infusion rather than oral tablets due to the fact that I sometimes suffer from acid reflux (and this is one of the side effects of the oral tablets).
So they will take your existing medical conditions into considerations when making recommendations of type of treatment, so do make sure you mention/remind them of any if you have any existing medical conditions.
Sharing the above in case it is of help in your decision making process.
xx
Have just seen your post, I started on the daily tablets but they gave me real bad acid heartburn. Was changed to 6 monthly infusions and apart from feeling weary everything else was good. Had these for 2 years now a distant memory.
Good luck with your decision 
Hi, I take letrozole, similar to anastrozole, and will take it for another 5 years. I’ve also taken alendronate, 70 mg., once a week for the last 3 years. I make sure to drink a full bottle of water and wait at least 30 mins. before eating breakfast. So far I’ve had no side effects from the alendronate.
I get the Prolia shots which are every six months. I have only had one so far as I just started this whole breast cancer journey in Apr. DMX end of May with DIEP flap. I am on Anastrozole (which I have to say I stopped taking), and have had one shot. I am on the fence on all of the side affects. I am meeting w/my oncologist again or possibly switching as this one doesn’t budge from the typical medical process map.
Just my opinion though.
Thank you everyone for replying. I had a telephone call with the Oncologist and she has agreed I can have the six monthly infusions. - have to have some dental work before-hand though. I’ve also said I would try the Anastrozol but did say quality of life was the important thing and she agreed, although saying there were other tablets to try if that particular one caused problems. I’m not starting until after Christmas as feel as though my life is going to be very changed and not for the better! Best wishes to everyone