HELP and support please

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kthackham
kthackham Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi Everyone, I need your advice and support if you dont mind.. Im 4 yrs out with BC, finally starting to feel less exhausted and getting my life back after my last surgery in July to remove my implants that were making me so sick. My life is finally starting to improve and im happy... here is my dilema...
Osteoperosis has set in pretty bad. Drs are scared i will fracture my back, I broke my wrist this last week mopping my floors. All the calcium meds taken in mouth make me very sick so drs have given me only 2 options.
1. forteo - shots in the body for 2 yrs and causes cancer in lab rats, all the information scares the hell out of me as no one knows yet if it yet causes cancer i humans... its too new they say..
2. zometa - This is given in infusion style.. my oncologist likes this one best and wants me to have it 2 times a year. The dr even fought my insurance to get en to pay for hit as he is terrified ill break my spine..BUT... the side effects are horrfifying... fluid in lungs, shortness of breath, fainting and severe low blood pressure when mine is already so low as it is..and dead jaw... loosing bone in jaw...
what do i do? im only 40... im a busy mom with 2 busy teenagers and no time to be down again sick as hell. I want to forget it all and wait... but if i wait i can break somthing more serious than my wrist. I knew you all would understand how i feel... thanks for your help..

Kath

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  • Susan956
    Susan956 Member Posts: 510
    #2
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    Can't give you advice... Haven't hit this wall... But wanted you to know that we are with you in spirit. Hope you and your Doctors come up with a good solution. I think we all understand the feeling of just wanting it to go away... the thought of just one more treatment or drug added sometimes gets us all down.

    Take Care... God bless...

    Susan
  • LesleyH
    LesleyH Member Posts: 370
    #3
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    Hi Kath,

    You poor thing. Your body has taken a knock. I have not had Zometa, but I do know a couple of people who have. Zometa is also given to women with bone mets. I believe the side effects you describe are rare and mainly in women with bone mets. I may be wrong. I did a quick medline search. I can look at it more carefully if you like. I have access to a medical research database. I think if it was me, I'd go for the Zometa.

    Hugs and best wishes.

    Lesley
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
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    Kath,
    Have you seen a rheumatologist??? Or is this treatment coming from your ONC? I have osteoporosis, and I am STRONGLY REQUESTING such a referral....
    Hugs to you, I'm searching, too! 50-year-old, Kathi
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398
    #5
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    Unfortunately there are plenty of us fighting the side effects of all our treatments for many years to come. Even though I knew the harsh reality of all my treatments I figured if I was going to fight I would fight with all they had out there even knowing some of the 1% chances of certain things. Who would of thought that I would get them all and arthritic conditions and nerve ending and nervous disorders are now my constant companions. I had one disease cancer now have had to learn to live many diseases though doctors gave me little chance of getting back to a more normal life. I was still as sick as the day I was told I had stage 3 cancer 6 years later and wondered if things would ever be different.
    Sometimes we have to look outside of medical community and find alternatives. Sometimes we have to work hard at gaining quality back into our lives or stay stuck in it. My choice was to get working out and getting this body into shape even though I was nauseated and exhausted wondering how I would even begin. If in pain that needs to be addressed before one can move on and forward in their lives. Pain can rob us from full lives and often because Doctors are not listening.
    Tara
  • DebRoa
    DebRoa Member Posts: 31
    #6
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    Can you take Actonel or Fosomax? These help rebuild the bone. You mentioned Calcium only-not those meds. Can you take tums? Do you drink milk? Eat cheese or yogurt? Just wondering. If you can get some density back some light weights will help maintain it. My mom has osteoporosis. It runs in my family so I am super cautios. I am so sorry you are dealing with this.

    deb

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