Bone problems?

[Bangersandmash]

Had radiotherapy 16 years ago for anal cancer, am taking calcium and vitamin D as concerned about future hip arthritis, bone breakages. Am 66. Anyone else had experience of thinning bone density? Would like to prevent this. Many thanks.

[Bluegenie]

Hi Bangersandmash (great user name),

I had radiotherapy 18 years ago for anal cancer. An x-ray many years ago showed radiation damage to my pelvic bones. On the advice of a specialist I've been taking high strength vitamin D (30μg) daily. I love dairy and cheese, so get plenty of calcium from my diet, but I have also recently started taking a multivitamin supplement which contains 20% of the RDA of calcium.

All I can say is, so far so good. I've not got arthritis or had a fracture. I hope the same will be true for you.

Bluegenie

[Bangersandmash in reply to Bluegenie]

hi bluegenie, was taking 10ug of vitamin D, so will take higher dose. I try to avoid any lactose as I think this contributes to diarrohea for me. Thanks for your input, take care.

[Hopeful-one]

Hi BangersandmashI had osteopenia (ie bone thinning) in pelvis following radiotherapy for rectal cancer 14 years ago. I took calcium and vitamin D for some years, then just vit D. On last bone density scan 5 years ago the results were in normal range, so the supplements do work. Can you get a density scan if you're worried?

All the best

[D_Cymro]

Hi. As part of my treatment for prostate cancer I was on hormone deprivation for a couple of years, and although male, experienced calcium loss as a result. My wife (and I do now!) manage our osteoporosis/osteopenia using a non-animal source of calcium, along with supporting minerals and vitamins (D3, boron, B12, magnesium, etc) called AlgaeCal. You can boost its effect by taking strontium as well (Strontium Boost), which works with calcium in the body. She has increased her level of exercise, including weight-bearing ones, and has managed to reverse her quite severe osteoporosis for her age. I do the same thing, but just have osteopenia, so my problem is less severe.

[Perido]

Hi Bangersand mash

I had radiotherapy in 2017 for cervical cancer. A CT-scan in 2020 showed compression fractures in two of my lumbar vertebrae; a subsequent DEXA scan showed I had low bone density (osteoporosis) in my hip and spine.

I'm 66y old and have a family history of osteoporosis but my oncologist said it was likely the radiotherapy had probably contributed to the lumbar fractures.

I'm taking alendronic acid plus supplements including Calci-D-Min and Viridian vitamin D3/K2. I take half the recommended amount of Calci-D-Min and otherwise rely on a good diet. I get blood tests to check my vitamin D levels and adjust my supplementation accordingly. I also take regular weight bearing exercise albeit I'm not able to do as much as I would like because I have lymphoedema (from my cancer treatment) in a leg/foot which is fairly debilitating for me.

I'm think I may need to increase boron (prunes are a good source) and magnesium intake and I'm also wondering about taking more vitamin C. Not sure how anyone can really know what is optimal supplementation, I'm just doing the best I can - it's a work in progress.

I was very unsure about whether I should take alendronic acid but my bone density scores were very low (T scores -3 something) and I decided I would regret not taking it should my bone density decrease even more, plus I'm assured there is reliable evidence that it reduces the risk of fracture.

I read that it isn't just good bone density that helps reduce the risk of fracture but also bone quality. Oestrogen helps with bone quality which I discussed with my doctor who prescribed me 25ug transdermal HRT.

I'm due a DEXA scan next year to check on my progress.

x

[Nanny23 in reply to Perido]

I would be very careful taking estrogen if you had cancer. I had to stop estrogen immediately when I got breast cancer. My cancer was estrogen positive.

[Perido in reply to Nanny23]

My oestrogen was prescribed by my gynae-oncologist. Apparently OK with the type of cancer (cervical) I had.

[Nanny23 in reply to Perido]

my gynecologist prescribed mine too. I had breast cancer in my family history. I never should have been prescribed that.

[Mariecapp]

Hello. I take a medication called Boniva. My Dr also advised me to take a calcium supplement and vitamin D3. I had fractures of my femur head and both sides of the back of my pelvis from chemo and radiation, but thank God that they are healed. I had a bone density test done a few mos ago and I have osteoporosis on my left femur head and my lumbar spine. But this is due to my age. (73) I am still very active and I am a daily runner. I refuse to let these things that I have affect me. Best to you

[Vailgirl]

Hi friend. I had radiotherapy and chemo

17 years ago for anal cancer. I am very active but have now developed osteoporosis and arthritis in my hip. Im sure the radiation has caused this as no one else in my family history has arthritis. Osteoporosis does run in my family. Ive started taking calcium which i had avoided. For so long due to stomach issues. Someone on this thread mentioned Algaecal and strontium which are great. Unfortunately w my inability to eat high fiber due to PRD, i cannot digest this supplement. I also have early stage kidney disease and stronium is contraindicated for this. I continue to take calcium, vit d, k2, magneisum and have added in weights to my exercise routine. In the US no one knows about PRD so ive had to figure all out on my own Keep moving and exercising!

[Romian]

Hi, I also have some osteoporosis. I started with 1 injection of prolia in the USA and I left for France before the second one. And 3 days ago there was the official list of the dangerous medications in the french media. Prolia, the wonder drug for osteoporosis is on that list. Beware.

[USAPRDA]

Can you provide your source for info on Prolia dangers and/ or paste the actual article?