Hi everyone,
I have been on tamoxifen and zoladex injections for nearly two years now, was told I should take vitamin D/calcium tablets to help keep my bones strong and healthy. I was just wondering should I be having a bone scan to check that everything is ok.
Am I being a bit over the top !!
Karen
xx
Hi Kaz,
its kelly from the pink ribbons! I have been wondering this myself, although I’ve only been on Tamox since nov and Zoladex sinc jan. I did ask my trials nurse a couple of weeks ago and she said that I’ll only get scanned if I have any symptoms.
Well, as it happens I have been getting certain aches and pains lately, I know I’m poss being paranoid but after what happened to julia I’m not taking any chances. My gp reckons it may well be due to the Tamox and Zoladex but has referred me for an urgent appt with doc agrawal as he thinks I need a bone scan just to rule anything sinister out.
By all accts if it weren’t for my aches and pains I wouldn’t be getting any scans. I’ll be interested to see what replies you get from ladies being treated elsewhere,
Take care and hope you are doin ok,
Kelly
-x-
Hello ladies
I had a DEXA scan a couple of months after starting Arimidex (you could call it the post menopausal version of Tamoxifen) as it is known to cause thinning of the bones. A baseline was established through this scan so that if I do have any deterioration of bone density then it can be measured although I’m not sure what they’d do about it, perhaps give me bisphosphonates.
Meantime I take Adcal D3 which is extra calcium with D3 which helps you to absorb the calcium and it is available on prescription, very easy and not unpleasant to chew.
To my knowledge Tamoxifen does not have any reputation for causing osteoporosis or any level of depletion of bone density.
D.
My understanding was that Tamoxifen protects the bones (as opposed to Arimidex which does the opposite). I don’t know about Zoladex.
Hi D,
my onc told me that Tamoxifen combined with the Zoladex is defo indicated in osteoporosis which is why I have been put on calcichew tabs. I believe its the Zoladex though rather than the Tamox,
Kelly
x-
My friend who was on Tamox many years ago who’s in her 70’s (ie post menopause) was taking calcichews, she’s still got good strong bones.
Hi All
I had chemo, am finishing herceptin and started Arimidex last November. I had a bone scan (DEXA) a month or so ago and was called back in very fast. Apparently there is signficant deterioration of the bones. I now have the Adcal with vitamin D and am starting on 6 monthly infusions of bisphosphonates. No idea really whether it was happening anyway (am 56 and post menopausal) or if any of the treatments caused it. But is seems to be controllable. I wasn’t aware of it at all.
Good luck
Dilys
Hi Karen
I was on zoladex for 2 years (finished 1 year ago) and am still taking tamoxifen. Kelly and roadrunner are both right. My onc told me that as zoladex puts you into a false menopause there may be some thinning of the bones. However he also said that tamoxifen is good for bone density. (Maybe they cancel each other out). Whilst I was on the zoladex I took a calcium/vit d supplement and made sure I did weight bearing exercise (when I had the energy!). I don’t take the supplement now. I didn’t have any before/after bone density scans so don’t know what the effects of all this are.
Hope this helps
fantan x
If you have a bone density scan would that reveal any bone mets? Or does it only show any osteoporosis?
You’d think they’d recommend everyone to take extra calcium etc. I’ve never been told anything about this at all.
Sarcath
As far as I am aware Tamoxifen protects the bones, it’s Arimidex that’s the problem. I have just changed from Tamoxifen to Arimidex, had no problems on Tamoxifen, but Arimidex after a month is awful. Constant aches and pains. Just started taking Pregabalin for the aches and pains and it is helping, but worried about bone density and future osteoporosis, as I’ve had hysterectomy with removal of ovaries as well.
Hello all
I’m 42 and had a Dexa density scan before starting on Zoladex and Femara. I had an allergy to Tamoxifen which is why I went onto the aromatose inhibitors.
The scan was for a baseline record and it was my hip area that was zapped. I don’t think it would detect any mets. The radiographer gave me a leaflet about calcium rich food (other than dairy due to high fat content) but the onc has never suggested upping my calcium intake. I’ve self prescribed a calcium and vitamin D supplement anyway - as well as glucosamine and cod liver oil for my joints, and starflower and evening primrose for the night sweats! i also try and do weight bearing exercise now and then!
Hi all
Breast Cancer Care have published a booklet about bone health and breast cancer called ‘Osteoporosis and breast cancer’ which some of you may find helpful to read, it is available via the following link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/bcc_osteo_web_0.pdf
If you have any further queries or wish to talk things through with our specialist nurses, please call our helpline on 0808 800 6000 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm. If you prefer you can email your questions to our ‘Ask the Nurse’ service which is on the homepage.
Best wishes
Lucy
princess18,
I am also under Mr Agrawal and I have been taking Arimidex and CalciChew since last Sept. I have terrible aches and pains, so was sent for a bone density scan 2½ months ago because of them and I’m happy to say, the results came back as very good… my bone density for my age is well above average. So that’s one less thing to worry about. Osteoporosis is more likely to occur for those who were diagnosed as ER++ and take an Aramose Inhibitor like I do.
Hi
I’m 29 and on zoladex, tamoxifen and calcichew tablets - have been on since May 08 after chemo and mastectomy ,then had a bone density scan in February and was put on alendronic acid - a bisphosphonate due to there being a significant deterioration of the bones. It’s due to the zoladex. I have also had to up my calcium tablets to 2 a day. I have to take this tablet weekly with instructions that involve taking it on an empty stomach standing up for half an hour with a glass of plain water ( no mineral water allowed) and then eat something before you can stop being completely upright, no major side effects except sensitive teeth?? - they recommended me having another bone scan in about 18 months once off the zoladex and to see how they are then.
I would recommend having the density scan
Best wishes
Hannah
Hi! I finished 2 years of Zoladex in Dec 2007. I am still on tamoxifen for another 2 years. Never took calcium tablets. I am mainly on a vegetarian diet with no diary but I eat eggs ( dont like dairy much anyway) .Bone density scan a month ago showed no bone loss and well above average for my age.