Morning all!
Well got my cast off on Monday and went for bone scan today.......late stage osteopenia.......borderline osteoporosis......she can't say whether or not it was caused by Chemo but she said that chemo can cause it!!!! OC the gift that keeps on giving😓😓😓😓😓
As Debs would say bit of a pants day today!!!!!
Dx
Oh no!! What a pain in the a*rse. Is there anything you can take to help strengthen your bones?
As I have gone into early menopause (yeah, like 15 years early!! Thanks for that, OC), my GP has said I will need bone scans to keep an eye on them.
I'm in the same boat after I broke both ankles last year. I now take alendronic acid once a week. Take care and good luck 😊 Carole Herbert
It's not fair is It? I'm so sorry. Are there supplements to help your bones. I know weight bearing exercise is meant to help. Let us know what you've been told to do. X
Sorry luv, life can be a b...h,OC does just keep on giving,as I struggle to get up the stairs,have my afternoon nap because I am as usual knackered and start back on another diet 2 months before I see my onc to convince him I'm taking his advice seriously!
I don't know what to say to make you feel better, you might have got it anyway,but,you are still here with us and may not have been without chemo.
I just wish you well and positive vibes on your journey
Carole xxx
Ah ya Carole I have now had some time to think about it and I will be fine it just kind of hit me hard cos it's not something you can get rid of! Calcium supplements and Vit D so hopefully that will as the Radiographer said "stabilise" it!
Onwards and Upwards!!
Dx
What a pain. Like seriously what a pain. Calcium and vitamin D. It is said the best source of vitamin D is the sun. Another good reason to threat urself to a few days away. Take care and I will catch up with u soon. L
Sorry to hear this D, big hugs to you xxx
Oh what joy... Not!! Bloody OC has a lot to answer too. Did they say take supplements, do weight bearing exercise? You've got me thinking now... I broke my ankle in 3 places 2 yrs ago and there's a weakness there.. perhaps I'll ask the question when I see my Onc next... Yep another poxy pants day! Big hug Michelle xx
Thanks Michelle!
Have to go to GP to get prescription for Calcium and Vit D! Not sure how that works my friends mum has it and she gets a Vit D injection every few months but I don't know how mine will work!
I am at the gym and have been working hard until I broke the wrist but as soon as I can i will be back there again as it seems that weight training is great for the bones!
Dx
The cancer that keeps on giving, I like that! Hopefully there are supplements you can take as the last thing you want now is to keep breaking bones.
Ask your doctor about vitamin D3 and calcium supplements, possibly also with vitamin K2 (which directs the calcium to your bones rather than your arteries). You can probably get the calcium and vitamin D3 on prescription, but will probably have to buy the vitamin K2 for yourself. Holland & Barrett's carries it. Doubtless other health food supplement shops do too, and probably some chemists as well.
Hope you find something that works for you!
Barbara
Ya Barbara next stop GP for Calcium and Vit D supps will ask about the Vit K too!
Thanks a mill!
Dx
It's vitamin K2 rather than vitamin K that you need to be taking! My GP was happy for me to take it, but it wasn't something that she could prescribe.
And no, I hadn't heard of it before I read about it either, but apparently if you don't get enough of it any calcium supplements tend to add to the plaque in your arteries rather than heading for your bones, and it is very difficult to get enough of it while eating a modern diet. Eating free range eggs is one natural source - beef and dairy products from grass-fed cows is another.
You can read about it in this book: amazon.co.uk/Vitamin-K2-Cal...
Cheers,
Barbara
HI D I am sorry to hear this but yes I agree with your diagnosis, chemo can go on giving. I hope you will see your gp and arrange a dexa scan, I am having one next week due to my hip trouble. I know I had wear and tear but now feel worn and torn. Last scan showed osteopeaenia but not a lot, this won I expect to show more. I was on calcium but then because hyper something or other ie too much calcium in my blood. I was told to stop taking anything with calcium and then it was all forgotten about. It reared its ugly head before the wedding and xrays showed bone loss. So now on physio and hoping it will help. I have onc next Monday and will ask him can I go back on calcium if dexa scan shows up worse than five years ago. I think you can get an injection or monthly infusions and will I tell you where you get the monthly infusions, in the chemo unit on a Friday!!!!
Hey Joan!
The scan I had today was a dexa scan! Apparently I have osteopenia but it's very close to the border between osteopenia and osteoporosis so she said not to hang around and get the supplements ASAP! Have to go to the GP so not sure how I will get the Vit D I just thought it would be a pill or capsule but it would seem that's not how they administer Vit D! Will have to wait and see! Thank goodness they are a great bunch on the Chemo unit if that's where I will be going!!!!
Dx
Oh the radiologist told you there and then, last time around they told me go back to my gp but hope to get someone nicer next week, Usually they do go through with you what you should be eating etc but I was unlucky a few years back. Sorry hadnt read the other posts about the radiographer, I will explain about the mineral lose on the left side and hopefully will get more information thanks for that
Ya Joan she gave me a general verbal report which she told me she would before she did the scan! She will send the scan results back to the orthopedic consultant in the hospital and to my GP who will work with me then to get supplements etc sorted! Hope you get it all sorted too!
Dx
thank you for that, my friends have got advice before leaving the unit, I havent had a scan in five or six years so god knows what is going on, Last radiologist was dismissive but hopefully I will get a nice person on Tuesday next. I had bought Vit D so started that today, it cant do any harm, My physio seems all over the place, she is asking me am I doing the exercises she told me and twice now my reply is you didnt tell me. So have to do foot exercise with a golf ball and today was told to do ten press up like cat stretches to strenghten my lower back three times a day. Wondering when I can fit in meal times haha.
Oh Mate that is pants. 😞 What is the plan? Did your doctor discuss Vitamin D and Calcium? Yes I read that bone weakness can be brought about by chemo and don't forget hormonal changes play a role. But you can take steps to prevent it getting worse. Just don't go falling about all over the shop without wrapping yourself in at least two duvets until there is some improvement in bone density xx.
Debs xx
Ya DM just hit me hard cos I suppose I was hoping breaking the wrist was just a fluke but dya know if I am honest I didn't think I fell hard enough to break it so it explains that at least!!!
Have to go to GP for prescription Calcium and Vit D not sure what that will entail yet! She said hopefully that will stabilise it!!! I am going to hit the gym like a lunatic too resistance training is supposed to be great for the bones!! Will have the duvet on hand just in case😂😂😂😂😂
Hope you are feeling better!!!
Dx
I'm ok mate thanks. Really impressed with you doing the gym thing. I thought I was doing well walking Dolly around the block. Yes, in a strange way, breaking your wrist was an early warning... Perhaps your guardian angel has a sense of humour..
Debs xx
I've also been diagnosed with quite bad osteoporosis, but taking Alendronic acid once a week has actually repaired some of the bone loss as well as keeping it at bay. Also underactive thyroid and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, don't know if they're linked, but ever since the OC reared its ugly head, there's been one thing after another. On the plus side I've now been in remission from 3c high grade aggressive for 3 years so not all bad !!
Love kaz xx
Thanks Kaz!
Well done on the 3 years that's fab!
Ya the bone issue is a bit of a blow but if I hadn't broken my wrist I prob wouldn't have found out until it was worse so have to think of it that way!
Will ask the doc about that Alendronic acid!
Thanks again!
Dx
That's the attitude lol !! Good luck with it all xx
And don't forget about the humble tinned sardine.....lots of calcium and Vit D amongst other good sounding things. I try and have at least one tin a day. Don't buy the more expensive kind without bones as I think the calcium comes from the bones.
Thanks Jan!
I am going to have to develop a taste for them as I don't have one at the min! But will give them a go!
Thanks a mill!
Dx
They were recommended to me when I had three pelvic fractures from being knocked off my bike by a car. Although my x-rays showed no real signs of osteoporosis, I was apparently a "prime" candidate for it. Small and thin, with small hands (size 6.5) and small feet (size 3). This long before I had the chemo which, from what I've read from the replies to your post, puts me at more risk.
I had to slowly work up a taste for them, but I can even eat them in the morning now, toasted on home made bread from my bread-maker! So, I'll keep eating my tin of sardines with fingers crossed, but not too hard, in case I break them!
I love your posts, they always make me smile!
I'm sorry Ro hear about that D but there are a lot of drugs out there that can radically slow down osteoporosis
Oh D...I've just seen this. I'm sorry to hear this, but perhaps you can look at some holistic options/supplements that look at strengthening your bones. My auntie has the same diagnoses due to having both her ovaries removed before natural menopause and not taking HRT...I'll ask her if she found anything worth while taking. As someone else mentioned, weight bearing exercises can help (but please take guidance on that and perhaps with the help of a professional PT).
Sorry you had a pants today...hope today is better. Sending you a big ((hug)) through the airwaves xx
Thanks Mrs A!
I had a little pity party yesterday but I am over it now! I have been going to the gym weight training so will be continuing with that! Had to do less with the broken wrist and can't do anything much for another 6 weeks but and doing lower body work so hopefully this will help with the bones! I am going to try and get natural versions of whatever supplements the GP says I have to go on and have starting increasing my milk intake!
Hope you are well today!
Dx
Bless you D...we're all allowed a pity party from time to time! Just glad you're feeling better 
Keep up the great work (despite your broken wrist you nutter!) & yes, take advice from your GP re: supplements. Fingers crossed a multi-attack works wonders for those bones! 👍🏻
I'm doing good ta...think I've been over done it a little after my good news but taking a step back from it all & forcing myself to rest up xx
Sorry to hear that D.i am sitting here in the chemo ward having the steriods pumped into me and a proven side affect is osteoporosis...you post will make me more alert . Thanks
Hope your feeling OK this evening after your Chemo and good luck for the next few days and after!
Dx
Hi HogswartsDK and Kaz14
Congrats. Kaz on your 3 years remission. Keep going on this!!
Hogswart I was diagnosed with osteopenia abt. 6 months ago. I was prescribed Calcichew tablets 1000mg calcium and 800u vit D in one tablet. It is very easy to take orally. I will be looking now at vit.k2 for maximum absorbtion to bones.
Gwen
Hi Dee,
Great to hear you got your cast off and good you got results from Dexa scan at once even if they are not what you wanted to hear.
I was diagnosed with osteopenia in 2008 and prescribed Adcal- D3 lemon chewable tablets which I take twice a day. When I had a repeat Dexa scan In 2013 the osteopenia had not progressed at all so I think the tablets must be doing their job.
Hope you can get to see your GP soon.
All the best,
Barbara
I had OC when I as 40 and was advised not to go on HRT so yes I have osteopenia too.. I take ADCAL and I should have had another bone scan but can't face it at the moment.. when everything settles down after my scan.
amazon.co.uk/Reversing-Oste...
I got this when I was disagnosed with osteopenia. x
Update on my mum's PPC diagnosis
Some light at the end of the tunnel....
Scan on my leg done.
