Vitamin D, breast health and Femara

taleena
taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am still here lerking in the shadows... things have been relatively crazy for me lately... lots of problems at work (I think they are trying to get me to quit)...so lots of stress... but I am still here... reading... and keeping track of all my warrior sisters.

I just thought I would share some information that I learned last week... I am taking part in a new study that is going on at the cancer center where I am seen for treatment. It is believed that large amounts of vitamin D may reduce some of the bone and joint pain that is a side effect of Femara.

I learned that normal vitamin d levels in adult women should range from 30 to 80 with a recommendation of 60 for good breast health... mine was at 18... (I think this is important info for all of us)... I had no idea... completely clueless...

Everyone in the study is given over the counter vitamin d supliments to take, on pill form and the other chewable (taking one of each every day)... I think we all need to be taking these... (see if your dr. can tell you where your levels are)... then one group is given the placebo and the other 30,000 mg of vitamin d (get to take these on Sunday once a week)... I will be curious to find out if the study comes out conclusive...

Well that's it... for good breast health get your vitamin d levels checked... shoot for 60..

I pray that all of you are hanging in there... doing well... taking time to enjoy all that comes with the holidays....

♥ & Hugs,

~T

Comments

  • m_azingrace
    m_azingrace Member Posts: 399
    #2
    Vitamin D
    Thanks for sharing this information, taleena. My oncologist started me on Femara in August, and at the same time, told me to take calcium supplements and vitamin D. I haven't asked what my D level is. He's pretty on top of everything, so if it were low he would tell me to increase it. I was already taking vitamin D along with a multivitamin, and he seemed pleased about that.
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #3
    Some oncs are not so
    Some oncs are not so proactive about vitamin D - mine isn't. I had to request a vitamin D test and he did not go for it, so I asked it of my radiation onc doc and she okayed it. My levels were fine, thank goodness. I guess I'm saying, don't anyone assume that the test is included in your blood work. Check! ; } Lynn
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #4
    VITAMIN D........
    Good info Taleena! My cancer center is doing a study on low levels of Vit D relating to breast cancer......They believe there is a direct link........Mine was 16......I now have taken three rounds of 50,000 units once weekly and daily Calicium with D and a D-3 in addition..Mine is now normal but they told me to continue this from now on.The best source is the sun with obsorbtion the best on the face and hands, which is where MOST women use sunscreen.... I was told to try and be in the sun for at least 15 minutes a day...winter time gives the least, obviously.
  • sausageroll
    sausageroll Member Posts: 415
    #5
    MAJW said:

    VITAMIN D........
    Good info Taleena! My cancer center is doing a study on low levels of Vit D relating to breast cancer......They believe there is a direct link........Mine was 16......I now have taken three rounds of 50,000 units once weekly and daily Calicium with D and a D-3 in addition..Mine is now normal but they told me to continue this from now on.The best source is the sun with obsorbtion the best on the face and hands, which is where MOST women use sunscreen.... I was told to try and be in the sun for at least 15 minutes a day...winter time gives the least, obviously.

    Interesting
    Interesting Taleena and thank you. I did know about Vit D and breast cancer. I recently had a visit with my diabetes Dr and he tested my Vit D . It was very low and I was on 50,000 units once a week for 6 weeks. I now just take it every other week along with the supplement added to Os Cal. You have reminded me that I must make sure I get it tested soon.

    How long will you be on the test re Femera? I love to know the outcome.
  • jk1952
    jk1952 Member Posts: 613
    #6
    sausageroll said:

    Interesting
    Interesting Taleena and thank you. I did know about Vit D and breast cancer. I recently had a visit with my diabetes Dr and he tested my Vit D . It was very low and I was on 50,000 units once a week for 6 weeks. I now just take it every other week along with the supplement added to Os Cal. You have reminded me that I must make sure I get it tested soon.

    How long will you be on the test re Femera? I love to know the outcome.

    This is very interesting, T.

    This is very interesting, T. My PCP included a Vitamin D test with my other blood tests in 2008, and it was quite low, even though I was taking a vitamin with D and calcium with D. Within 6 months, a recurrence of breast cancer was found. Even with additional supplements, my level is only at minimal normal, so I'm very interested that they recommend mid-normal for good breast health.

    It is really quite difficult to get enough Vitamin D from sun if you live in the northern part of the US. It makes it even more important to have the proper testing. And, don't forget that your PCP is always there to look after your total health and well-being.

    Joyce
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #7
    jk1952 said:

    This is very interesting, T.

    This is very interesting, T. My PCP included a Vitamin D test with my other blood tests in 2008, and it was quite low, even though I was taking a vitamin with D and calcium with D. Within 6 months, a recurrence of breast cancer was found. Even with additional supplements, my level is only at minimal normal, so I'm very interested that they recommend mid-normal for good breast health.

    It is really quite difficult to get enough Vitamin D from sun if you live in the northern part of the US. It makes it even more important to have the proper testing. And, don't forget that your PCP is always there to look after your total health and well-being.

    Joyce

    Taleena
    Thank you for the info.
    I am taking D3, last test it showed 36.
    I am very sorry that you are having stress and pressure at work. Unfortunately, many people are not sympathetic and employers sometimes do not treat cancer survivors well. YOu know under the law breast cancers patients should be protected under employees with disability act. Maybe you need to talk to the lawyer?
    Hugs
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #8
    sausageroll said:

    Interesting
    Interesting Taleena and thank you. I did know about Vit D and breast cancer. I recently had a visit with my diabetes Dr and he tested my Vit D . It was very low and I was on 50,000 units once a week for 6 weeks. I now just take it every other week along with the supplement added to Os Cal. You have reminded me that I must make sure I get it tested soon.

    How long will you be on the test re Femera? I love to know the outcome.

    I found it interesting
    I found it interesting too... it looks like I will be on the Femara for 5 years... normaly it's one for women who are post menopausal... they are using the Zoladex injections on me to medically enduce the menopause... (joy joy)... and the Femara goes with it for a bonus..lol.. I will be in the study for 6 months... on the plus side they provide the Femara and the vitamin D suppliments... so, I figured why not do the study.. I'll let you know what the results are in the end...

    Hugs,

    ~T
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #9
    taleena said:

    I found it interesting
    I found it interesting too... it looks like I will be on the Femara for 5 years... normaly it's one for women who are post menopausal... they are using the Zoladex injections on me to medically enduce the menopause... (joy joy)... and the Femara goes with it for a bonus..lol.. I will be in the study for 6 months... on the plus side they provide the Femara and the vitamin D suppliments... so, I figured why not do the study.. I'll let you know what the results are in the end...

    Hugs,

    ~T

    Taleena, I'll be on Femara
    Taleena, I'll be on Femara for 5 years too, already been 2 months. I was fortunate that my onc told me to take extra calcuim plus D. (I haven't had a D test but a few months ago I had a blood workup and had too much calcium. I may request another one to see where I'm at.) Lately I've starting have shoulder and hip pain which could be a side effect from the Femara. Sounds like a good study you're in. Femara is very expensive. Thanks for being in the study. Don't let the bad guys at work get to you. Hope things go better for you.
  • crselby
    crselby Member Posts: 441
    #10
    Sunrae said:

    Taleena, I'll be on Femara
    Taleena, I'll be on Femara for 5 years too, already been 2 months. I was fortunate that my onc told me to take extra calcuim plus D. (I haven't had a D test but a few months ago I had a blood workup and had too much calcium. I may request another one to see where I'm at.) Lately I've starting have shoulder and hip pain which could be a side effect from the Femara. Sounds like a good study you're in. Femara is very expensive. Thanks for being in the study. Don't let the bad guys at work get to you. Hope things go better for you.

    femara & Vit D * calcium
    Please tell me that if you're in a study regarding Femara, they pay for it, not you!

    Also, Sunrae, shoulder and hip pain can result from too MUCH calcium. Been there, done that, unrelated to BC. Ask your doc about that.
  • sausageroll
    sausageroll Member Posts: 415
    #11
    crselby said:

    femara & Vit D * calcium
    Please tell me that if you're in a study regarding Femara, they pay for it, not you!

    Also, Sunrae, shoulder and hip pain can result from too MUCH calcium. Been there, done that, unrelated to BC. Ask your doc about that.

    Sunrae
    My hips and shoulders are the worst areas for me too Sunrae...although knees are close behind. I am hoping it does not get worse as I would like to stay on Femara if possible. I find that once I get moving it is not so bad..but hard to sleep at night...but hopefully all in a good cause!!
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #12
    sausageroll said:

    Sunrae
    My hips and shoulders are the worst areas for me too Sunrae...although knees are close behind. I am hoping it does not get worse as I would like to stay on Femara if possible. I find that once I get moving it is not so bad..but hard to sleep at night...but hopefully all in a good cause!!

    Oh, another thing my onc
    Oh, another thing my onc said is to keep exercising. So a few days ago I started moving a little more, small walks and arm and shoulder exercises. I really think its helping as I'm not as stiff. Hope you get relief soon. Sometimes I do have to take a pain med at night to get some rest.
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143
    #13
    Thanks for the info, Taleena
    My doc. says that the jury is still out on whether there is a real link between Vitamin D and breast cancer. I asked to be tested a few months ago and my level was 20, which she says is normal, but according to the paperwork with my tests, it is "insufficient." She is not concerned about it though and told me to take over the counter Vitamin D at 2000 IUs a day. I asked to be re-tested during my last workup, but she didn't go for it. I will ask again when I go in February. Yes, we all need to be our own health advocate. Had I not asked, she would never have recommended the test and I would not be on Vitamin D pills today. Thanks for the important reminder.

    Mimi
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #14
    mimivac said:

    Thanks for the info, Taleena
    My doc. says that the jury is still out on whether there is a real link between Vitamin D and breast cancer. I asked to be tested a few months ago and my level was 20, which she says is normal, but according to the paperwork with my tests, it is "insufficient." She is not concerned about it though and told me to take over the counter Vitamin D at 2000 IUs a day. I asked to be re-tested during my last workup, but she didn't go for it. I will ask again when I go in February. Yes, we all need to be our own health advocate. Had I not asked, she would never have recommended the test and I would not be on Vitamin D pills today. Thanks for the important reminder.

    Mimi

    Mimi, It's interesting...the
    Mimi, It's interesting...the different responses to Vit. D testing, eh? The good thing is that it is a simple test, and if your primary oncologist won't order it, probably another doc will. xoxoxo Lynn
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143
    #15
    lynn1950 said:

    Mimi, It's interesting...the
    Mimi, It's interesting...the different responses to Vit. D testing, eh? The good thing is that it is a simple test, and if your primary oncologist won't order it, probably another doc will. xoxoxo Lynn

    other sources
    Yes, Lynn, actually my radiation oncologist is really into Vitamin D levels and such, so I can always go to her. It's a bit like going to dad when mom says no, isn't it?
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #16
    mimivac said:

    other sources
    Yes, Lynn, actually my radiation oncologist is really into Vitamin D levels and such, so I can always go to her. It's a bit like going to dad when mom says no, isn't it?

    : ) Exactly!

    : ) Exactly!
  • IMDavidson
    IMDavidson Member Posts: 5
    #17
    Vitamin D info on Oprah's site
    Here's some good info on the topic: http://www.oprah.com/article/health/womenshealth/20090826-orig-christiane-northrup-vitamin-d
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #18
    IMDavidson said:

    Vitamin D info on Oprah's site
    Here's some good info on the topic: http://www.oprah.com/article/health/womenshealth/20090826-orig-christiane-northrup-vitamin-d

    IDN but my vitamin D level
    IDN but my vitamin D level was in the toilet dont know the number, just prior to being rediagnosed. I will push foa normal number for me and my girls. I think htere is something to it. and what is the harm keeping your number normal or within normal range?
  • crselby
    crselby Member Posts: 441
    #19
    mimivac said:

    Thanks for the info, Taleena
    My doc. says that the jury is still out on whether there is a real link between Vitamin D and breast cancer. I asked to be tested a few months ago and my level was 20, which she says is normal, but according to the paperwork with my tests, it is "insufficient." She is not concerned about it though and told me to take over the counter Vitamin D at 2000 IUs a day. I asked to be re-tested during my last workup, but she didn't go for it. I will ask again when I go in February. Yes, we all need to be our own health advocate. Had I not asked, she would never have recommended the test and I would not be on Vitamin D pills today. Thanks for the important reminder.

    Mimi

    still no answer
    After reading these timely posts, I had one more question to ask my med onc at the appt yesterday: Tell me what you know about Vitamin D's role in breast cancer recurrance. Apparently I have a doc who 'goes by the book' when prescribing treatments. If a big study hasn't shown the pill/procedure to be of significant value, he won't do it. He said this study was small (not a lot of women) and therefore not conclusive. But I could take up to 2000 mg of Vit. D if I wanted.
  • shortscake
    shortscake Member Posts: 228
    #20
    doctor
    My doctor office called to day and told me he wants me to start taking vit d for the next 12days 50,000units they left a message so i didn't get a chance to ask why.

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