Hello,
I am currently taking Tamoxifen after all my other treatments are done. My Oncologist has told me to take 100mg vitamin D for ever.
I have read that our bones are more fragile now and keep forgetting to ask my Onc. if I should add a Calcium supplement.
Has anyone been told my their Onc that they should either take calcium or avoid it?
If it is yes, were you told a particular dose?
Thanks, Julia
Hi Julie,
This is Annie from BCNA. While you are not visiting your medical oncologist until next year, speaking with your GP can help. Your GP can provide you with information on bone health, including whether or not you need to be taking a calcium supplement. We do know that certain breast cancer treatments can reduce bone density, so it's a good idea to speak with your doctor if you can.
We also have some information on our bone health webpage that you may find useful.
~ Annie
Hi Julie,
This is Annie from BCNA. While you are not visiting your medical oncologist until next year, speaking with your GP can help. Your GP can provide you with information on bone health, including whether or not you need to be taking a calcium supplement. We do know that certain breast cancer treatments can reduce bone density, so it's a good idea to speak with your doctor if you can.
We also have some information on our bone health webpage that you may find useful.
~ Annie
so maybe the best thing is to just eat more calcium rich foods then
so maybe the best thing is to just eat more calcium rich foods then
My oncologist wants me to keep my vitamin D levels up, so I take a supplement, so that I make sure my reading is always over 100. I think you should check on the calcium supplement, there is a lot of negative talk around it re causing heart attacks. A friend of mine is a heart physician and he does not recommend taking calcium, only vitamin D.
Janice
My oncologist wants me to keep my vitamin D levels up, so I take a supplement, so that I make sure my reading is always over 100. I think you should check on the calcium supplement, there is a lot of negative talk around it re causing heart attacks. A friend of mine is a heart physician and he does not recommend taking calcium, only vitamin D.
Janice
My oncologist didn't insist I take calcium but suggested it might be a good idea. I am on tamoxifen now but she would like me to switch to an aromatase inhibitor later and the AIs, because they block estrogen production, can lead to brittle bones. I'm sure though that taking a calium supplement even if you never go onto AIs is probably a good thing for your bones.
However, I did read somewhere on the internet that calcium supplements can inhibit the absorption by your body of tamoxifen. Can't remember the source of that information and haven't asked my oncologist if it's accurate but just in case I always make sure to leave a few hours in between taking them. I have my tamoxifen first thing in the morning and my calcium supplement later in the day. I just take one of those Caltrate supplements. I also take vitamin D (and a few other things.) Good luck, Janet.
