To all my female friends....

KierstenRx
KierstenRx Member Posts: 249
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi all,
Just wanted to share some info with all my female friends. This especially applies to any of you that have had pelvic radiation and were sent into premature menopause (also those already gone through menopause). My oncologist suggested that I get a bone density test since I am not taking hormones and am in full blown menopause (I elected to have a hysterectomy at the time of my resection). He said he wanted to get a baseline so we could watch for boneloss. Well I got my results back and I already have Osteopenia (bone loss that is heading to Osteoporosis).
My oncologist made some recommendations. Many of which we should be doing anyway. I was put on the drug Evista. I am to eat a calcium rich diet, take 600mg of calcium twice daily, vitamin D3 1000mg supplement once daily, weight train twice weekly, and do weight bearing exercise at least 30-60 minutes 5-7 days a week. Also restrict caffeine use and carbonated (especially cola) beverages. I know this is going to be a lifestyle change and I have been needing a good kick in the butt to start. I will admit I rarely have exercised over the years and my diet is less than stellar. Any of you have any good ideas or eating plans???
I wanted to share my news with all of you ladies so that if you have not had a bone density scan you could get one in the near future. I am grateful my oncologist recommended this because it potentially could have been 30 years down the road before I had one. I have already had 3 fractures (wrist, foot twice) Now I can take the necessary steps to prevent further bone loss.

Kiersten

Comments

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
    -2.7T.....chemo/rads to pelvis, hyster during resection....Actonel and calcium....my bones are more fragile than my 84 year old mom's....and she just recently broke her hip....

    Thanks for pointing this out, for we breast cancer survivors (once wasn't enough for me..lol),it's even more important to do a DEXA scan, those drugs to keep the cancer away can chip away at the bones...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • kirsten1
    kirsten1 Member Posts: 23
    #3
    Hi Kiersten..
    Thanks for the great info... I am starting to freak out..I did not have a hysterectomy with my resection....was not even mentioned as an option. Is this routine?? Any thoughts/experiences would be helpful.
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #4
    Hi Kiersten,
    It is good to know that you do not have full blown ostoperosis and that your doc gave you some good advice to nip it in the bud! Thank goodness for that! That is a pretty ambitious workout plan. I wonder what all is included in "weight bearing exercise"? Personally, I have an addiction to Diet Coke. I drink it alot less than I used to but I still drink it several times/week. yeek..Anyway, one thing you might try is hiking. I don't know where you live or if you enjoy the outdoors, but IMO it beats the heck out of going to the gym. I would think if you go for hikes with a backpack on for your water, snacks, etc. then that would be considered weight bearing? Isn't it? Well, anyway, best of luck to you. Also, I had good luck with the South Beach Diet...
    Thanks for the advice. I wonder how my bones are faring? My mother has osteoperosis and I don't want to get it!
    Thanks and good luck with your workouts...
    Take care,
    Susan
  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    #5
    Hi Kiersten,

    Interesting that you should bring this up. When I saw my GP week before last, I brought up the persistent bone pain I have had since chemo. The first thing she asked was if I had had a bone density test. I have not. She recommended it ASAP since I was perimenopausal before chemo and chemo threw me into full menopause. Then I had the hysterectomy which has put me in a permanent state of hot flash! At any rate, she put me on some painkillers but seems to think that I should not only have a bone density test, but also check for mets to the bone. A little scary, but I don't think that is the problem; typically, my type of cancer would go to the bladder, kidney or liver. But yes, once you have a hysterectomy it is a good idea to have the density test done. Thanks for the tips on supplements and weight training!

    Kirsten
  • davidsonxx
    davidsonxx Member Posts: 134
    #6
    kirsten1 said:

    Hi Kiersten..
    Thanks for the great info... I am starting to freak out..I did not have a hysterectomy with my resection....was not even mentioned as an option. Is this routine?? Any thoughts/experiences would be helpful.

    No having a hysterectomy with a resection is not standard. My radiation onc suggested I have my ovaries removed because the radiation prior to surgery shut them down. Since I probably have a genetic mutation that puts me at a higher risk for ovarian and uterine cancer I decided to have a full hysterectomy.

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