so I've come to that point to begin Femara. As a result of chemo I have also developed osteo. My oncologist views were to start Femara I'm 51 have been menopausal for 4 years. I'm a bit hesitant to start as I had so many side effects from chemo but it does make sense with 2 tumours removed lympths involved hormone positive. Question 1 side effects you all did or didn't experience. Question 2 I've researched prolia injection side effects don't seem appealing to me especially since bone pain etc are one of them and it stays in system for 6 months so once you've done it I guess your stuck with effects, and that it can lower immune system. I had neuglasta shots twice during chemo and hated the after effects. I'm still nowhere near my pre treatment exercise level so I feel more bone pain will further interfere with my exercise which is so important to me physically and mentally. Experiences please? Good and bad

Dad is on injections every 3 weeks for his bone cancer as well as his chemo treatments. He gets it done to the skin of his stomach and I think they also add a vitamins booster in the same injection. Not sure if his symptoms are from the injection or just plain cancer but he says getting out of bed in the morning is painful but once he's up and moving about he's ok. He is 76 and doesn't use any mobility aids and lives by himself in a little unit. He's doing ok on his treatment.

I finished my chemo back in November. In January this year, I turned over in bed and fractured a vertebrae and rib. Then diagnosed with Osteo. My oncologist thinks I may have already had it and chemo made it worse. He immediately put me on Allendronate Sodium, a once a week pill. I didn't have time to read up about it, but I have now. It's a biphosphonate, NOT good at all. The side effects can be awful. If you read up about it, it can burn the osophoeghus, cause reflux, give bone /joint pAin (side effect I have experienced) and give necrosis of the jaw bone. As my dr pointed out, there is minimal chance of this, however there was 1% chance of having lung problems with chemo and I got that! Yep, probably scared. Biphosphonate stop old bone from dissipating into the body, so new bone growth grows over the top of old brittle bone. Like building a new house on top of rubble. I have downloaded a book by Dr Raymond Hinish, called The Osteoporosis Diet. Well worth a read and will explain benefits of diet and exercise the natural way. I have also joined a Facebook site called, osteoporosis the natural way. I believe it's an American site but people hav e joined from all over the world. my advice would be to read up about it all first and decide what you want to do. best of luck Linda xx

Meant to say I am also on calcium supplements with Vit D3, magnesium , copper, manganese and go walking every day. linda x

HI I have osteo take prolia had 2 doses with no bone pain. I had horrible side effects with bone pain from my chemo. I am triple negative so no ongoing meds for BC management. I am happy on it as I broke my wrist it took 10mths to heal.

Hi I have been on Femara for two and a half years. Admittedly my bone density was pretty good when I started. It is still OK. I take calcium and Vitamin D supplements. I have no bone pain (creaky knees but I had them before cancer!). I was 67 when I started on Femara. Good luck whatever decision you make.

Femara, prolia injections osteo | BCNA Online Network

16 Replies

Alsopt
Member
10 years ago
Thank you Robyn and Kath I'm definately one for researching now I'll read it and take the extras I believe it's sure a minefield post active surgery chemo and radio hugs
Alsopt
Member
10 years ago
I guess I've got to weigh up my options thank you
Alsopt
Member
10 years ago
Sorry to hear that Sandra I hope you get some relief soon
Alsopt
Member
10 years ago
Thank you
Alsopt
Member
10 years ago
Thank you that's good to know
Alsopt
Member
10 years ago
Thank you Linda
Alsopt
Member
10 years ago
Thank you Brenda I hope your dad improves
primek
Member
10 years ago
I looked up this book and was alarmed at some of the claims just in the promotion of it. I have since researched the author. Please note he is Dr in pharmacology. ..ie a pharmacist.

http://cutthefatpodcast.com/about-us/meet-ray-hinish

Now whilst many of his diet suggestions are already recommended in Australian Standards for osteoporosis prevention he actually is possibly making some claims based on no research and unduly scaring people against medication that has proven to reduce fractures.

The diet suggestions are good, but there are many more good books out there too. It's hard to know but I err on sticking with "best practise" and researched results.

Wish you well for your quest for good bone health.

Kath x
Robyn_W
Member
10 years ago
Hello:) I also was diagnosed with osteoporosis,after chemo( advanced osteo).I was put onto prolia injections,6 monthly,and I had 3.The side effects were minimal,but during this time ,I read the book by Dr.Raymond Hinish.The osteoporosis diet.It is VERY interesting.Armed with the information that I had read,I went to see a nutritionist,and was more or less told that what the book says is correct.It simply is not enough to just get an injection and think that all will be well.It is far more involved than that.I didn't get my last injection,and I have been eating what I now believe to be a good diet for my osteo,and I also take supplements.I take, one vitamin K2 daily,3 vitamin D,and 4 bone matrix support.(eagle brand) As for my diet,I drink AT LEAST 2 litres of water daily,2 cups of spinach or kale daily,an orange every day,a small tin of salmon each day,with the bones in it,lots of veggies,and plenty of protein.For breakfast each day I have raw oats,10 walnuts and bran.I walk a lot,and I try to walk stairs each day.I have my bone density test in July,and I am hoping that there will be an improvement.You can be sure that I will post the result on here.Dr.Ray Hinish says that there is really no need to eat cheese,yoghurt or milk,if you have all the other necessary things in your diet.Green vegetables are VERY important !!!It is about the balance of what you eat,and if you just pop a calcium tablet,for instance,there will be no improvement.For our bodies to absorb calcium from food,we need to eat the CORRECT things together.Get a copy of the book,you can download it on Amazon.It is well worth it!!! Cheers Robyn.xox
primek
Member
10 years ago
I guess you have to weigh up the risks but having had a Grandma with 2 broken hips and a mother with compression fractures of her spine (just thtough normal menopayse) resulting in a dowagers hump. ...I'm quite keen to take the medication to reduce the risks following breast cancer treatment . My mother had 2 falls a couple of years after being on it and sustained no fractures which I believe greatly improved her outcomes. I guess you could try it and if you do not tolerate then stop.