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Post by mammajamma on Oct 25, 2021 8:49:59 GMT
Does anyone take something more than calcium supplements for bone density? Like Fosamax, Prolia, etc?
I just turned 45. Thanks to cancer, I now have mild osteopenia. My oncologist prescribed Fosamax. I had the choice of daily or weekly, or an injection every 6 months. I initially chose daily (lower dose). Before I picked up my prescription, I see you have to take on an empty stomach, stay sitting up, and can’t eat or drink anything for 30 min. Coffee lessens it’s affects even 2 hours after taking it.
I have one Nespresso each day. This is something I look forward to when I go to bed. My husband is telling me not to do the daily. I really don’t want to have this pill over my head every waking day.
I started some calcium and bone builder supplements only 6 weeks before the bone density test. I don’t think that was long enough to make much change. The other option would be for me to delay the meds entirely and request a repeat bone density scan in 6 months.
I exercise 3-4x a week weight bearing exercise and I stand for 13 hours a day says my Apple watch.
Anything else that has helped you? I have to be on Lupron injections and Extemestane to block all estrogen for another 10 months.
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Post by KelleeM on Oct 25, 2021 8:56:38 GMT
I don’t know about the medicines your doctor recommended but can tell you that they are being far more vigilant than mine is.
I had chemo, radiation and am on year 7 of letrozole. I was diagnosed with osteopenia three years ago and was told to increase my calcium intake to 1200 mg a day. That, along with weight bearing exercises, was the extent of their recommendations.
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craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
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Post by craftykitten on Oct 25, 2021 9:00:21 GMT
I take Alendronic acid, Fosamax is a brand name. I didn’t like the daily tablets so I have the weekly ones. I must admit I never read the part about caffeine, so I’ve been drinking tea and coffee as normal, whoopsie. I’ve tried the infusions but tablets are just an easy part of my weekly routine now. Also my instructions said to have with a full glass of water, and I realised I was chugging a HUGE glass and it probably didn’t need to be so big.
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hannahruth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,616
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Aug 29, 2014 18:57:20 GMT
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Post by hannahruth on Oct 25, 2021 9:00:34 GMT
I had lunch with a group of friends that I worked with in 1972 and being older this was a topic of conversation. There were five ladies that have taking this type of drug and three had switched to having a six monthly injection.
With a monthly prescription it is $40 per 1x6 monthly but taking tables either 1x monthly or 1 x weekly the prescriptions are $40 per month. To them they thought monthly was the best and most most cost effective with the same long term results.
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Post by elaine on Oct 25, 2021 11:07:54 GMT
I also have osteopenia bordering on osteoporosis from chemotherapy.
I take daily calcium, but I also get an IV dose of Zometa every 6 months. Zometa is a bisphosphonate that is also used as a bone cancer drug. Research has shown that 1 infusion every 6 months for 3 years after finishing chemotherapy reduces the chance of breast cancer recurring in one’s bones.
I’m getting my 4th infusion in December. I had a DEXA scan earlier in the year, and my bone density is holding steady - not improving, but not getting worse. I also do weight bearing exercise in the form of walking or running daily.
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paigepea
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Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Oct 25, 2021 13:25:23 GMT
Diagnosed osteopenia in my mid 20s. It was very surprising. I started breaking ribs regularly and after the 4th time my dr sent me for a scan. The low bone density results were surprising for my age. The conclusion was that when I was born I developed NEC and was not expected to survive. At the time, babies my size did not survive NEC. I was born 2 lbs at 2 weeks early. I went home at 4 months weighing 10 lbs. It appeared I had no side effects but the dairy allergy (which lasted until about 6/7 years old) apparently affected my bone density.
I continued to break ribs when I had a cold (from coughing). I increased the calcium in my diet, started taking vitamin c/d, and started weight training 4x week. 20 years later, I no longer break ribs. I do worry about the future though.
My mother in law takes shots every 6 months.
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keithurbanlovinpea
Pearl Clutcher
Flowing with the go...
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Jun 29, 2014 3:29:30 GMT
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Oct 25, 2021 13:37:57 GMT
OMG I took one (monthly) dose of Actonel and had a horrible reaction. Doctor is trying to get the Prolia injections authorized by my insurance.
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Post by airforcemomof1 on Oct 25, 2021 14:48:48 GMT
I take the Prolia shots twice a year. Nothing else. The cost is approx. $1,500 per shot but Medicare and my supplement covers it. Actually I don’t know if Medicare pays the entire cost or if my supplement has to pay any of it.
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Post by scrapcat on Oct 25, 2021 15:17:47 GMT
I have no experience (yet) as I am just starting down this path... but if I were you, I would probably try to wait on the meds and give the calcium and exercise a chance then have another scan. If the osteopenia stays relatively same, I would not take medicine. I know of ppl that have osteopenia for several years that stays the same, due to side effects of meds. As long as you can live with it and don't start having a lot of other issues.
I am about to start on the lupron/letrozole combo and all these extra meds and side effects are my biggest concern. I keep saying I will try things, but if quality of life is affected too much, then I will have to weigh options.
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Post by janniepea on Oct 25, 2021 15:26:33 GMT
I had pretty severe osteoporosis following chemotherapy and was referred to an endocrinologist.
I took daily injections of Tymlos for 2 years. Going to a gym for strength training and walking a lot.
I’m done with the Tymlos injections and now I have Prolea shots twice a year.
I also take calcium supplements.
I don’t have osteoporosis anymore! I have mild osteopenia and hope to get out of that too.
It’s been so much work but so worth it. I had two broken bones in less than a year and now the risk of that has dropped greatly.
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melissa
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Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on Oct 26, 2021 0:09:39 GMT
I took Zometa every 6 months for 3 years as part of breast cancer treatment, I had flu like symptoms the first two times.
I had some osteopenia at the time but my most recent bone density was normal. I don’t take calcium, I just take D.
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Post by withapea on Oct 26, 2021 0:17:54 GMT
I take 1200 mg of calcium three times a day and get an Xgeva shot every 8 weeks. My issues are due to cancer. You could probably ask to delay it for six months and see if you can get results with your supplements/diet/ exercise regimen.
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