Hi I am new here and have lots of questions running through my mind.
I am taking Anastrozole (Hormone therapy for early breast cancer that is bad for bones as it lessens oestrogen). Have been diagnosed after bone scan as osteopenic. Told I should take Prolia or Zometa a bisphosphonate. I don't like the sound of either of these especially as I have got to 70 and never had any health issues or needed to to take any medication before. These drugs sound like they could make me very unhealthy.
I would not take Prolia. Once you start you can not easily stop due to the risk a rebound fractures. Many oncologists will not prescribe Prolia for that exact reason. I have friends (breast cancer survivors) that were given a one time infusion of Zometa to keep their bones strong while taking aromatase inhibitors and those who did nothing. Please research.
One should NOT be prescribed bone meds for osteopenia, which is merely a description of normal bone thinning as we age. Please have a read of my story, a few years old so some of the links may not work, but the "bones" of the account are what I did and you may get some useful information. Because of your other health issues please run ideas past a trusted healthcare giver, or research reputable sites online.
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
Thank you for your reply I read your story.
I have done lots more reading have shared info with family and discussed pros and cons with them. I have had discussions with pharmacist, naturopaths, my dentist they all skirt around the issues or want to sell you something (not the dentist) and have decided I am going on the alternate route and going to tell Dr's I won't be taking the drugs suggested by them. And request another bone scan later on down the track after a couple of years on the Anastrozole . I didn't have a bone scan before I started the Anastrozole so can't compare which is a shame.
Taking already the vitamins you suggested .
On a lighter note apparently coffee and wine aren't good for calcium depletion but you have to have a life don't you Thank you ❤️❤️
I agree. For me life without tea wouldn't work!
Hi again I was just wondering how you know that bone meds should not be prescribed or ostenopina. All the information I can get before I talk to Dr's the better Thanks
This link is quite an interesting read abut osteopenia and treatment: verywellhealth.com/osteopen...
This paragraph is lifted from the link above:
"There are many factors to consider before treating osteopenia, and this is currently a controversial and hot topic. If osteopenia is combined with fractures, it's likely that treatment can make a difference. It's less clear whether treating osteopenia without fractures is beneficial."
The sentence you quoted is along the lines of what American Bone Health advises consumers. Your doctor should not prescribe you an osteoporosis drug solely based on a T-score between -1 and -2.5 (osteopenia range). Treatment with a medicine should address fracture risk, which is based on a lot of factors besides T-score (already having had a fracture is a major factor in favor of starting a medicine). We invite everyone to use our Fracture Risk Calculator assessment tool to get a fuller picture of their risk profile (it's validated for use in the U.S., so those outside the States might not get an accurate result). americanbonehealth.org/calc...
What Kaarina says. Plus, in my case (and I'm not alone) I have been able to reverse bone thinning without resorting to medication. Nutrition and exercise are much safer. It's also a good idea to have secondary causes of osteoporosis eliminated as possibilities before starting any medication.
americanbonehealth.org/bone...
Doctors have often been taught that you can't reverse bone thinning without medication but too many people have shown this is not true. If you start early enough (i.e. at the "low bone mass" or "osteopenia" level) you may well be able to reverse bone loss naturally. The only side effect from that is over all better health! I should add that I have seen posts on forums like this from people who have followed methods similar to what I do, who have improved their bone health even from a measurement of "osteoporosis". The person I mentioned in my story, my inspiration, had been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
Hello, thank you for joining us. American Bone Health prefers saying "low bone density" instead of osteopenia because the latter sounds like a disease, when it really should be considered more of a wake-up call that you need to pay attention to your bones. Numbers don't tell the whole story; you should talk to your health care provider about your risk of breaking a bone. I suggest using American Bone Health's Fracture Risk Calculator tool, which takes into account lifestyle, medical history, medications you've taken, and other factors. You can take the result to your doctor to discuss. americanbonehealth.org/calc...
That's interesting Mark, but couldn't the same also be said of "osteoporosis"? I understand (from an orthopaedic consultant, and also read elsewhere) that more people with a diagnosis of osteopenia have fragility fractures than do people with a diagnosis of osteoporosis. If you've already had a fragility fracture, your risk of future fracture is likely to be considerably higher than someone who hasn't fractured, even if your bone density is better than theirs. I find both terms misleading and, though I understand the desire to prevent fractures happening in the first place, I believe it's much more accurate to give a diagnosis of osteoporosis based on someone having had a fragility fracture rather than on their bone density, even when other risks factors (such as family history for example) are taken into account.
We happen to agree with you. Part of our advocacy is getting physicians to take a broader view and treat osteoporosis based on risk factors (and you're correct, a previous fracture is a huge risk factor for future fractures) rather than the strict World Health Organization definition of -2.5 on a DXA scan.
Firstbigdecision: Your instincts are right on, in my opinion. I wouldn't take ANY of the bones meds as the side effects are not worth it. You'll get really good advice on this site!
hi To be honest I'm not finding any good advice . no one is saying anything going or bad . hormone therapy could cause me to get osteoporosis I want to know how others have found these drugs .
why wouldn't you take these drugs
Hi, zalendronic acid infusions are used for post menopausal breast cancer patients to stop the cancer spreading to the bones. It is also prescribed if you are taking aromatase inhibiters as they thin the bones, so it has two uses. Tamoxifen does not cause bone thinning but it is not as good and has worse side effects. I would speak to your oncologist about all your concerns.
I tried to take Fosamax...but after the 2nd pill, I was in a restaurant and couldn't swallow! I coughed out the food that was in my throat...never took another one. HeronNS has really interesting posts...she's on this site and has responded to you, I believe? She's on the UK site also, which is where I went first...lots of good advice!
Thanks but no one who on hormone therapy has responded only those who have osteoporosis which I don't have but could get with the therapy. I would like to hear more about the bisphosphonates given via infusion.
I would not like to take the oral medication like you tried.
Is Prolia worth the risk. 
Want to stop Prolia 
Prolia and Blood Disorder
Discontinuing Prolia
Prolia
