significant bone loss with femara - Cancer: Breast Message Board

green2005 · 02-28-2009, 11:01 AM

I've been taking Femara for 2 years and take a bone density test annually and have significant bone loss especially in lumbar spine. I cannot take Fosamax or Boniva, etc because of chest pain. Take my calcium and Vit D and have been checked recently for Vit D deficiency and it is in normal range. Should I stop taking Femara before I get osteoporosis which I am just .3 points away or risk a fracture. I also have severe wrist and trigger finger pain and body stiffness, muscle and joint pain and fatigue. I also am high risk for BC recurrence even tho my tumor was only .6cm and no positive lymph nodes and took 4 rounds of Chemo and 33 of radiation. What should I do?

leea1206 · 03-01-2009, 02:34 PM

I have been on Femara almost a yr and was on tamox for 1.5yrs. That is a hard question and you are so right about all the SEs of these aromatase inhibitors. - I have the joint aches and stiffness too.

I did not get bone density testing (my choice) as I knew I did not want to take the Fosomax or any of the others, d/t SEs (the one that concerns me the most is "jaw necrosis" - Supposedly rare, but I have known several people on this that have had jaw/dental issues).

Anyway, since you are at high risk for recurrance, I don't know if I would want to risk it. It is good your vit D is in normal range. These are the things I learned from visiting another br ca site re bone loss:

-Are you able to exercise? Any weight bearing exercise including walking is good. I have read some get very good results with wt training 2-3 times/wk.

-Also, some oncs are recommending higher doses of vit D:
-Vit D 2000mg/day.
-Calcium 1500mg/day.
-Magnesium (very important for bones) 500mg/day. For better absorption, it is supposed to be taken at a different time than the calcium.

You could ask your doc. if these amounts are Ok to take. Also, I have read some Oncs. are rxing Evista which preserves bone and protects against breast cancer at the same time. (Kind of like tamox but with less SEs).

Anyway, if you can I would really step up the exercise and see if upping your vitamins/minerals is OK with your doc.

Leea

remark46 · 01-01-2010, 09:27 AM

Dont stop femara,if u want to change ask ur uncologist Im on Femara about 9 months and now have onset of osteo,I figured it was genetic! I have weight gain,hot flashes as a result from Femara,I would not stop concidering the alternative. As for the Osteo. more milk,cheese and vegatables for more calcium

LaurieFB · 01-08-2010, 11:11 PM

If the problem with the fosamax was from esophageal/gastro irritation, there is a bisphosphonate (Zeledronic acid) that is given by I.V. every 6 months or so. It is often given to women who can't tolerate the oral bisphosphonates.There have also been a number of studies that have shown it also reduces the incidence of breast cancer reoccurance.

LaurieFB · 01-08-2010, 11:15 PM

I forgot to mention that I really upped my D3 intake (I take about 3000-4000 a day) and my joint pain, trigger finger, etc have really improved. I take a number of other supplements (fish oil, Zylamend) but the D seemed to be the most helpful.