It has been a while since I posted. Just to update, I have just had a bone density test (my 3rd test). One pre femara which showed the bones of a young adult at 50+. The second test was done 18 months later and showed a decrease of 11% in my spine and 4% in my hip. I started on caltrate at this stage and have taken it daily since. 2 years on I had my 3rd test and I have had a 6% increase in my spine and very little in my hip. My radiation oncologist was surprised with such a big jump. Her advice was to keep on doing what I have been doing. I now have an appointment next week with my chemo oncologist as I am almost at the end of my 5 years on hormone therapy. He will make the decision as to whether I will stay on Femara or not. I am kind of hoping I can as it makes me feel a little more secure.

Thanks for posting about Femara. I have just begun really having started in September. I am encouraged about your bone density as I am similar to you with my first test showing bone density of a young adult which I was very pleased about. I am 54 and I was worried that I would suffer from taken Femara long term. I am currently on Caltrait and am exercising regularly. One think I'd like to know is whether you had aches in your joints. I have especially in my hips and knees which makes me walk like an old lady. My knuckles in my fingers are also sore. My Oncologist told me to persevere for 12 to 18 months and the aches should settle down. Was this the case for you? How is your energy levels now? I know it's still early days for me but I am so sick of feeling so tired all the time. Thanks for listening. Cheers Janey xxx

l' m 42 & l started Femara almost 2 years ago after an Orophectomy post BC. I had a bone density scan a couple of months ago after noticing back pain becoming worse over time. The results showed borderline osteoporosis in my lower back. After speaking with my GP about it & what she could do to help me she said that l didn't qualify for a bone strengthening med on PBS because l'm not over 75 & l don't have a fracture! Go figure! To be honest it didn't bother me even if l had to pay for it as long as it wasn't too expensive and l am working. l pay $35 month for Femara which is not a lot for the 'gift' of less reoccurance l believe! Anyway, l spoke to my onc about it and she was able to give me a script for the bone strengthener called Fosamax from the hospital pharmacy. lt's one tablet a week or the other option was one lV a year but that costs around $550. l'm trying the tablet first as it's $7.20 per month for the script. Don't understand how the Gp was carrying on about how expensive it was going to be! My onc says it takes a couple of years to strengthen my bones & l should feel less pain & reduce the risk of fractures. Also, going back to Femara, the side effects l was having have reduced quite a bit. l have very few hot flushes & not as intense but coming into summer again this may change. The pain in my arms and hands is not as bad. l still hobble around like an old lady as my legs & especially my ankles are stiff but it's doable. Hopefully this will all lessen when my 5 years is up on Femara. Maybe the Fosamax may help too. Who knows!

Hi Jill, This is Annie from BCNA. We sometimes hear women say they wish to continue their hormone therapy beyond five years for 'peace of mind', so you're in this regard you're certainly not alone. I certainly encourage you to let your oncologist know about your preference. As for bone health, we know this can be a real issue for women taking an aromatase inhibitor. It's great to hear that your oncologist is keeping tabs on your bone health. If you're interested, we have information on our bone health webpage which you may find useful. In a nutshell, if your bone density is reduced, it may be improved by increasing your calcium and vitamin D levels, and participating in weight bearing exercises. Of course, it's really important to speak with your doctor before adopting any of these changes. I see you're already on a calcium supplement and am glad to hear that has improved your bone health. All the best with your appointment Jill; please keep us updated. ~Annie

Hi Janey, Lovely to hear from you. Your story sounds much like mine. Yes I had all the aches and pains when I first started on Femara but probably more in my legs and feet, especially upon getting out of bed first thing in the morning. I also had 'trigger fingers' .Your oncologist is correct to tell you to perservere, as my aches and pains have settled down to bearable now. I do take a high strength fish oil daily to try and help with this. The fish oil lowered my blood pressure so I don't need medication for that now. I consider my energy levels are pretty good. Sleeping has been an issue since I finished my chemo in March 2009. Hot flushes every 2 hours. I could set the clock by them but they have settled in the last 6 months and I only get a few at night now. Fortunately I only need about 6 hours sleep to function which used to be unbroken sleep. Now I sleep for about 2 to 3 hours then wake hourly after that. Very annoying at times. I would love to return to those nights of unbroken sleep but I don't think that will ever happen. Sometimes it is hard to know whether aches, pains, tiredness, difficulty concentrating are side effects of medication, menopause, chemo or aging ( i am 55 now). I just try to go with the flow and think this is my new normal. Hang in there Janey, better days ahead I'm sure. The important thing is to stay cancer free. Cheers, Jill xxx

Femara & bone density | BCNA Online Network

13 Replies

nixbix
Member
12 years ago
l' m 42 & l started Femara almost 2 years ago after an Orophectomy post BC. I had a bone density scan a couple of months ago after noticing back pain becoming worse over time. The results showed borderline osteoporosis in my lower back. After speaking with my GP about it & what she could do to help me she said that l didn't qualify for a bone strengthening med on PBS because l'm not over 75 & l don't have a fracture! Go figure! To be honest it didn't bother me even if l had to pay for it as long as it wasn't too expensive and l am working. l pay $35 month for Femara which is not a lot for the 'gift' of less reoccurance l believe! Anyway, l spoke to my onc about it and she was able to give me a script for the bone strengthener called Fosamax from the hospital pharmacy. lt's one tablet a week or the other option was one lV a year but that costs around $550. l'm trying the tablet first as it's $7.20 per month for the script. Don't understand how the Gp was carrying on about how expensive it was going to be! My onc says it takes a couple of years to strengthen my bones & l should feel less pain & reduce the risk of fractures. Also, going back to Femara, the side effects l was having have reduced quite a bit. l have very few hot flushes & not as intense but coming into summer again this may change. The pain in my arms and hands is not as bad. l still hobble around like an old lady as my legs & especially my ankles are stiff but it's doable. Hopefully this will all lessen when my 5 years is up on Femara. Maybe the Fosamax may help too. Who knows!
nixbix
Member
12 years ago
l' m 42 & l started Femara almost 2 years ago after an Orophectomy post BC. I had a bone density scan a couple of months ago after noticing back pain becoming worse over time. The results showed borderline osteoporosis in my lower back. After speaking with my GP about it & what she could do to help me she said that l didn't qualify for a bone strengthening med on PBS because l'm not over 75 & l don't have a fracture! Go figure! To be honest it didn't bother me even if l had to pay for it as long as it wasn't too expensive and l am working. l pay $35 month for Femara which is not a lot for the 'gift' of less reoccurance l believe! Anyway, l spoke to my onc about it and she was able to give me a script for the bone strengthener called Fosamax from the hospital pharmacy. lt's one tablet a week or the other option was one lV a year but that costs around $550. l'm trying the tablet first as it's $7.20 per month for the script. Don't understand how the Gp was carrying on about how expensive it was going to be! My onc says it takes a couple of years to strengthen my bones & l should feel less pain & reduce the risk of fractures. Also, going back to Femara, the side effects l was having have reduced quite a bit. l have very few hot flushes & not as intense but coming into summer again this may change. The pain in my arms and hands is not as bad. l still hobble around like an old lady as my legs & especially my ankles are stiff but it's doable. Hopefully this will all lessen when my 5 years is up on Femara. Maybe the Fosamax may help too. Who knows!
Janey235
Member
12 years ago
Thanks for posting about Femara. I have just begun really having started in September. I am encouraged about your bone density as I am similar to you with my first test showing bone density of a young adult which I was very pleased about. I am 54 and I was worried that I would suffer from taken Femara long term. I am currently on Caltrait and am exercising regularly. One think I'd like to know is whether you had aches in your joints. I have especially in my hips and knees which makes me walk like an old lady. My knuckles in my fingers are also sore. My Oncologist told me to persevere for 12 to 18 months and the aches should settle down. Was this the case for you? How is your energy levels now? I know it's still early days for me but I am so sick of feeling so tired all the time. Thanks for listening. Cheers Janey xxx

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Femara & bone density

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