Muscle Girls... was a Bone Density Test recommended for You?

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Bella Luna
Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Morning All,

I had a bone density test done yesterday. It was a snap! It took about 10 minutes. It was so much easier than an MRI.

My doctor recommended I have one on account of the treatment I received( chemo, rads, Tamoxifen) over the course of time. I am 45 years old, premenopausal, and had two lumpectomies. I have to say my monthly has not come back.

Just a suggestion... you might want to ask your doctor about the test if it hasn't come up in conversation. I know each Survivor is different. I am just saying.

Take care, God bless.
BL
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  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #2
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    Yes, I had one last year
    Yes, I had one last year after I completed lumpectomy, chemo and rads. I am a litle older than you, 56 (okay a lot older) and postmenopausal. My onc recommended it because I was going to begin taking Arimidex. I agree with you that that particular test was one of the easiest.
  • sparkle1
    sparkle1 Member Posts: 242
    #3
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    MyTurnNow said:

    Yes, I had one last year
    Yes, I had one last year after I completed lumpectomy, chemo and rads. I am a litle older than you, 56 (okay a lot older) and postmenopausal. My onc recommended it because I was going to begin taking Arimidex. I agree with you that that particular test was one of the easiest.

    Yes my doctor wanted me to
    Yes my doctor wanted me to have one before I started Arimidex. It came back normal. She said she wanted to keep an eye on it because one of the side effects of arimidex is bone loss.
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    #4
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    MyTurnNow said:

    Yes, I had one last year
    Yes, I had one last year after I completed lumpectomy, chemo and rads. I am a litle older than you, 56 (okay a lot older) and postmenopausal. My onc recommended it because I was going to begin taking Arimidex. I agree with you that that particular test was one of the easiest.

    Had dexascan
    I had a dexascan done. I ask my Onc. about it because osteoporosis (sp?) is so bad on my Mom's side of the family. My Mom has it, sister in early stages. My scan came back good. One of the easiest scans I have had really fast and easy...... and you do not have to undress from the waist up and put a gown on. I have heard that to many times this past year! lol God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • Jean 0609
    Jean 0609 Member Posts: 2,462
    #5
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    I just had one too
    My onc wanted me to have it since I was starting Femera.

    xoxo
    Jean
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    #6
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    Pretty standard to order a Dexa before starting Arimidex
    I am post menopausal by a few years.I have osteopenia already but before beginning Arimidex, they ordered another to provide them with a baseline before beginning the new medication.It was also recommended that I begin increased Vit D and Calcium supplements.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #7
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    My oncologist told me she
    My oncologist told me she wants me to have one yearly while on the arimidex (which will be for the rest of my life or until the arimidex stops working). My bone density improved a little last year--I guess because I am on zometa infusions. I also have a thyroid condition that makes me higher risk for osteoporosis, but, so far, just osteopenia.
  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598
    #8
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    Just had mine
    I dont know how often I'll get them though. Had one April 10'. Had bilat masts,chemo and rads. Last herceptin Sept 10'. When I started this little adventure I was premenopausal. Just took 4 months to make me post-menopausal. Lol On femara now to keep me that way.
    Scan in april and then one in Jan. are virtually unchanged. No osteoporosis, just osteopenia. Little thin. Get your bones checked girls. Happy your scan came back good too. Katz
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #9
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    What is a muscle girl? And
    What is a muscle girl? And yes, I have had the bone density test. It was easy and my bones were great!


    Hugs, Angie
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #10
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    Angie2U said:

    What is a muscle girl? And
    What is a muscle girl? And yes, I have had the bone density test. It was easy and my bones were great!


    Hugs, Angie

    The Story behind Muscle Girl
    It's a term I coined for myself and other Survivors. I am referring to the kind of Muscle( Strength) that can't be seen, it's earned. And, Sister, we have more than EARNED IT! In short, we are bulging with muscles you can't see.

    That's just my opinion. Thanks for asking.
    BL
  • gagee
    gagee Member Posts: 332
    #11
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    MyTurnNow said:

    Yes, I had one last year
    Yes, I had one last year after I completed lumpectomy, chemo and rads. I am a litle older than you, 56 (okay a lot older) and postmenopausal. My onc recommended it because I was going to begin taking Arimidex. I agree with you that that particular test was one of the easiest.

    had one right after
    had one right after lumpectomy because of arimidex. off arimidex for good i hope. miserable med for me. tons of side effects. good luck to you all.

    diana
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #12
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    Every other year...
    Since finding that I became osteoporotic after treatment...

    I now take Actonel and calcium supplements...

    Dutch hugs, Kathi
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #13
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    Glad to hear you all are
    Glad to hear you all are getting your bones checked. I take vitamin D daily and I make sure to have my yogurt and cheese several times a week. But I have cut back on milk drinking. Also... I do weight baring exercises 3-4 times a week. My Temple is STRONG!
    BL
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #14
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    I've been getting bone
    I've been getting bone density scans at least annually for probably 15 years. (Long before the nasty Beast and all the treatments) I went through menopause naturally at 44 - I have a strong history of it on both sides of my family so test we do. So far while it is close has stayed consistant all the years. Have even taken a couple of hard falls over fences (jumps) with Doe (Hubby's horse) and though it took longer for all the aches and pains to leave than it did when I was young - they did all heal on their own and no broken bones. So guess I'm doing OK. (Actually last scan was in Oct and will be done again in June.)

    Susan
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #15
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    KathiM said:

    Every other year...
    Since finding that I became osteoporotic after treatment...

    I now take Actonel and calcium supplements...

    Dutch hugs, Kathi

    I had the bone density test,
    I had the bone density test, and, got to keep my clothes on. LOL I don't take calcium supplements either.

    Hugs, Diane
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #16
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    Bone Density scan and Fosamax
    I just had my first one last week and my Onc. office called in a prescription for Fosamax so I guess I must have osteoperosis? Took my first one Friday. I have a follow up with the Onc. on the 20th, but the Fosamax caused severe joint pain so I am going to call tomorrow to see if there is something else I can take.
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #17
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    CypressCynthia said:

    My oncologist told me she
    My oncologist told me she wants me to have one yearly while on the arimidex (which will be for the rest of my life or until the arimidex stops working). My bone density improved a little last year--I guess because I am on zometa infusions. I also have a thyroid condition that makes me higher risk for osteoporosis, but, so far, just osteopenia.

    Yes, I also got the test and
    Yes, I also got the test and my bones were just fine! I don't know if this is an age test or not, but, I think it is, and, not related to having breast cancer, but, am not sure.
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #18
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    elm3544 said:

    Bone Density scan and Fosamax
    I just had my first one last week and my Onc. office called in a prescription for Fosamax so I guess I must have osteoperosis? Took my first one Friday. I have a follow up with the Onc. on the 20th, but the Fosamax caused severe joint pain so I am going to call tomorrow to see if there is something else I can take.

    How often are we suppose to
    How often are we suppose to get one? Every few years? I never asked my doctor.
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #19
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    Bone Density Test Results
    I have good news! I got the results of my bone density test last week. My bones are in good shape! I am happy to say that part of my anatomy is ok. It's one less thing to worry about. I take Vitamin D tablets and I also do cardio and weight baring exercises. I think they are helping.

    Best of luck on your journey dear Sisters!
    BL
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #20
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    Bella Luna said:

    Bone Density Test Results
    I have good news! I got the results of my bone density test last week. My bones are in good shape! I am happy to say that part of my anatomy is ok. It's one less thing to worry about. I take Vitamin D tablets and I also do cardio and weight baring exercises. I think they are helping.

    Best of luck on your journey dear Sisters!
    BL

    Congrats on your good news
    Congrats on your good news Bella Luna!

    Hugs, Debby
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #21
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    DianeBC said:

    How often are we suppose to
    How often are we suppose to get one? Every few years? I never asked my doctor.

    How often for bone density tests
    How often depends on how your first test turned out and what kind of treatment you are getting. If your bones are absolutely within the normal range and you have finished treatment, don't do the test more often than the general public. If you are taking a bone thinning medicine like aromasin, arimidex, or on-going chemo, you may want to recheck bones every two years to make sure they are not getting weak. I had one place that was in the oesteopenia range (not dangerous but borderline). The second bone scan two years later showed a definate downward trend I didn't like. I insisted that we begin Fosamax as well as calcium supplements, weight training, and vitamin D3 (1000 to 2000 units a day in the winter, discontinued unless joint pain in the summer). We continued the density tests in two years. The one last fall showed that the intervention above worked great! My bones are back in the normal range and I am about to quite taking the BC meds next week. Today I see my primary care doc and I'm sure he will take me off the Fosamax too. In two years we will monitor things again. I don't want to live through BC and then die of a broken hip!

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