Hi ladies
I was found to have Osteopenia after a DEXA scan I had when I was switched from Tamoxifen to Aromasin. I have been prescribed calcium twice daily and Alendronic acid 70 mg weekly. My T scores from the scan were really not too bad ( -1.4 in the hips and -1.7 in my spine)and having done a little research it seems to be highly unusual to prescribe anything other than calcium along with dietary advice. I don’t think I have ever questioned any part of my treatment before but I’m really not comfortable with this at all and my GP agrees with me.
I took my first tablet this morning and it was ok but, without wanting to sound pathetic, I only have one day off a week and I hated having to wait half an hour for my morning coffee! My Sunday is special to me and I feel like it’s being disrupted for no good reason. I’d really appreciate your thoughts and experiences.
Kate x
Having had a family history of osteopaenia/osteoporosis and watching my Mum and big sister really suffer with hip replacements etc. I stupidly did ignore my diet requirements but now it has developed into full blown osteoporosis with fractures x2 in the last year. Wish I’d taken more care of my bones earlier as 13 months of physiotherapy since each fracture has made me focus too late…
30minutes wait is not that long…
I try and take special care of something for 20/30 mins and then I’m rewarded with breakfast. Feel very virtuous afterwards!
Try and see it as part of a new routine.
Welsh girl
Hi Kate,
It seems to me that quite often it is the ‘peripheral’ things connected with BC that upset us so much - the hair loss, hair growing back grey or curly, weight gain and serious conditions such as lymphoedema and osteopenia. When you have been so much it seems like the final straw.
I am taking a calcium and vit D supplement, and despite having my ovaries removed, am staying on Tamoxifen at present, to try and help my bones. They will do another dexa in 18 months. I was very interested in what Welsh Girl wrote - sound like very wise words, written with the benefit of hindsight. I know I have had a very ‘devil may care’ approach to the osteopenia, on some level thinking perhaps that I would be delighted to live long enough to develop osteoporosis! But if taking yet more pills is distressing, think how much worse fractures, physio and severe lifestyle restrictions would be.
I was also interested in what you say about delaying your coffee. Is that after the supplement? I have not had any advice about avoiding food or drink for 1/2 hour.
I am developing a different routine and lifestyle these days (lymphoedema and osteopenia) but I try and see it as a positive thing. Enjoy your Sundays, and the decades of Sundays ahead,
Tracey
X
I agree about the extra things connected with bc that upset us. I am lextrozole and they said it would reduce the calcium in the bones so had to have a bone scan. I then received a letter to say I have “severe osteopoenia” and need to go on alendronic acid and calcium. I thought I would be all right, no history of osteoprosis in the family, ate well and took exercise, so it was a bit of a shock. That letter made me cry. I thought it was a routine drug then received a letter from GP with prescription and a message to read side effects very carefully and now I just think more drugs, more side effects, I could just sit down and have a good yell . . . Going to ring Drs for an appointment to see if there is any way around it.
I have been on Alendronic Acid and Adcal D3 for several years now as mu first DEXA scan showed I was osteopaenic. Most people with ostepaenia wouldn’t be on Alendronic Acid, but it is often recommended for those of us on Aromasin/ Arimidex or Femara because of the effect that they can have on bone density. In the first year my scores improved a little and have been stable ever since, so I do think it is worth taking it. I have had one very complicated break to my arm in this time, but I was told that anyone who fell like I did would have broken their arm!
Tracey - it is the Alendronic Acid that needs to be taken 30 minutes before you have anything to eat or drink.
All the best
Anne
Thank you Anne x