Osteoporosis

deerxing

I am a Hodgkins lymphoma survivor having undergone chemotherapy (MOPP) and cobalt radiation 47 years ago. I a DEXA scan every three years to monitor my bone density. The last one I had was three years ago, I don’t recall what my score was, but I was still in the osteopenia stage. My current scan showed a 20% decrease in my bone density. This is pretty extreme. I am active, fit very healthy. I don’t understand this change. I saw an endocrinologist and they did further testing of my thyroid and other blood levels to see if there was an explanation but everything checked out. Now the doctors want me to take a reclast as they say, this is very effective. My concern is that there’s nothing to explain why my bone density has changed so much in three years, I’m not sure this medication will be effective without finding the root cause. Wondering if anyone else out there has had any similar Experiences and what has been done, was it effective? I’m also very open to alternative options PEMF therapy, though I don’t know if the magnetic component of this treatment would be good for me.

po18guy

Sorry to hear this. The web has this to say:

[QUOTE]Osteoporosis is caused by a combination of factors that lead to a decrease in bone density, including aging, hormonal changes (especially decreased estrogen in women after menopause), and lifestyle factors such as inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake, lack of exercise, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. Certain medical conditions and medications can also contribute to the development of osteoporosis.[/QUOTE]

It seems to be a combination of factors that all conspire to weaken bone structure. The good news is that strides have been made as far as increasing bone density. I went from normal density to osteoporosis fairly quickly when using high-dose steroids as immune suppressants after a marrow transplant. Worse is that I developed osteonecrosis (Bone death) in one hip as a direct result of those necessary steroids.

My wife has also developed early osteoporosis in her 40s, from a variety of causes. She used Fosamax (Alendronate Sodium) and later received several infusions of Reclast. She strongly urges using common pain killers, as the bone growth process can involve some soreness or pain. For what it is worth, she receives yerly DExa scans. Here is some info on Reclast from the Mayo Clinic.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/zoledronic-acid-intravenous-route/description/drg-20066951

deerxing

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726809#Comment_1726809

Thankyou for your response. I really appreciate your perspective.
I am just puzzled because outside of being 3 years older since my last scan 3 years ago, I have not taken any medication or done anything (that I am aware of) that would have caused such a significant decrease. My lifestyle is and always has been very healthy. Has the reclast been effective for your wife?

Thanks again

po18guy

Even healthy individuals over 50 suffer from bone density loss. If you were treated 47 years ago, I would imagine that hormone changes might be involved in your case - lay opinion. Do you have an endocrinologist? Checking those levels might yield the primary cause.

My wife states that she benefited from Reclast - having completed the 3-year course which was prescribed for her.

deerxing

I do have an endocrinologist and all of the testing they have done was inconclusive. I am very glad to hear that your wife benefited from the reclast. I was considering alternative medicine options (PEMF therapy, supplements) in place of reclast but am now reconsidering. Perhaps I will use these alternatives to complement the reclast. Thank you so much for responses.

Best wishes to you and your wife.

tom1953

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726814#Comment_1726814

One alternative that po18 mentioned, Fosamax (Alendronate Sodium) may be effective. It was very effective for me. I was diagnosed with Paget's Disease of the bone at about the same time I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins's lymphoma. The orthopedic oncologist was talking hip replacement and bone repairs with screws. I was offered reclast or Fosamax as an alternative. Due to the hassles getting dental clearance for the reclast, I went with the Fosamax with the intention of doing the reclast later. I did so well on the Fosamax that I ultimately did not need the hip replacement, screws or reclast.

deerxing

I really appreciate this knowledge. I am not a good candidate for the fosamax due to the digestive side effects it causes.