Broken ankle
i broke my ankle between ending chemo and commencing radiation. Am now on Fermara. Did anyone else have bone density issues from bc treatment. Ortho says he thinks bones weakened by chemo. Still...
Forum Discussion
@Romla has it all correct. My bone density after chemo and 2 years on Tamoxifen (Tamoxifen can cause bone issues too, especially if you are premenopausal) was low but really plunged after I had my ovaries removed and started Femara. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and my doctors suggested Prolia. I was not keen on more medication unless I had no alternative so I found The Bone Clinic.
They have a research based (through Griffith Uni) weightlifting program for people with bone density issues. I saw their dietician and exercise physiologist before beginning the program. From what I have experienced it is definitely possible to improve your bone density even while going through treatment and/or while on aromatase inhibitors. Following their supervised program (just 2 weight sessions a week)for the last 12 months I have improved my bone density by 9.72% at the spine and almost 4% at the hip. I no longer have osteoporosis. I plan to continue on this exercise program while monitoring my bone density as I still have 6 years of Femara ahead of me.
As well as improving my bone density I feel so much better while undertaking everyday tasks. It has improved my flexibility and I now realise that I struggled to do certain movements not because I was getting ‘old’ (I’m only 51!) but because I lacked strength after going through treatment. I had lost muscle and bone. Building muscle again has meant my muscles have sent signals to my bones to grow stronger too (that is what the research has shown happens).
This program is suitable for most people but it is important to see an exercise physiologist who can assess your situation. It is one of the best things I have found to help me recover after treatment. I walked and swam a lot but in my experience this is not enough to counteract the effects of treatment. I needed the weights to rebuild my muscle and bones. Just ask your doctor about seeing an exercise physiologist (a GP plan, forget what they are called, can get you 5 visits covered by Medicare).
They have a research based (through Griffith Uni) weightlifting program for people with bone density issues. I saw their dietician and exercise physiologist before beginning the program. From what I have experienced it is definitely possible to improve your bone density even while going through treatment and/or while on aromatase inhibitors. Following their supervised program (just 2 weight sessions a week)for the last 12 months I have improved my bone density by 9.72% at the spine and almost 4% at the hip. I no longer have osteoporosis. I plan to continue on this exercise program while monitoring my bone density as I still have 6 years of Femara ahead of me.
As well as improving my bone density I feel so much better while undertaking everyday tasks. It has improved my flexibility and I now realise that I struggled to do certain movements not because I was getting ‘old’ (I’m only 51!) but because I lacked strength after going through treatment. I had lost muscle and bone. Building muscle again has meant my muscles have sent signals to my bones to grow stronger too (that is what the research has shown happens).
This program is suitable for most people but it is important to see an exercise physiologist who can assess your situation. It is one of the best things I have found to help me recover after treatment. I walked and swam a lot but in my experience this is not enough to counteract the effects of treatment. I needed the weights to rebuild my muscle and bones. Just ask your doctor about seeing an exercise physiologist (a GP plan, forget what they are called, can get you 5 visits covered by Medicare).