I have also been osteopaenic - still am or have got worse? The Tamoxifen taken after primary cancer 13 years ago for 5 years was helping to weaken my bones (blocking oestrogen does this) and my GP later put me on Fosomax to increase bone density. It definitely helped but was just for 5 years. Now for mets in bones I am taking Arimidex (blocks oestrogen) and at first took Bonifos(sp?) - 2 large tablets an hour before eating & staying upright throughout - but changed to Bondronat, which was easier - 1 small tablet & half an hour. I decided to try out the infusion, Zometa, once a month to avoid the need to take the daily (nuisance) tablet. I had such debilitating pain in my upper back lasting almost the whole month, apart from the slight flu-like symptoms for a day or so, starting a couple of days after each infusion, that after 3 infusions with the same reaction each time, I went back to the Bondronat with no side effects at all. I don't even have mets in that part of my back - just the degeneration of the spine, they're calling osteoarthritis. No one else seems to have had a reaction like mine so it's odd. On Arimidex & Bondronat I feel normal and healthy and hope they'll go on working for a long time. I've never used Femara but all the different oestrogen blockers are bad for bones. I also take Calcium & Vitamin D tablets every day - not to be taken at same time as Bondronat! All the best, Nellie
