Dex Scan?

CarolleeLouise
CarolleeLouise Member Posts: 10
in Breast Cancer #1
I am new here. I am a fairly new survivor too, less than year. I am taking the med. "anastrozole"(been on it for the past 5 mos) - which makes me feel nauseous, extremely tired, aching feet &/or extremely hungry-- weird eh? Got a appt. card from my oncologist, that I have a Dex scan scheduled. Can anyone tell me why I would have that done? Thanks so much!

Comments

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #2
    As I understand it -
    a Dexa test is a bone density test to determine rather or not you are dealing with osteopenia or osteporosis. It's very simple - just x rays of hip area to check the bone density. Should be done if your're taking a med for ER+ as they are very hard on the bones.

    Just had my latest done in June and found out that after 1 1/2 yrs on Femara I'm now osteoporosis so on Fosamax.

    Susan
  • mckevnic
    mckevnic Member Posts: 71
    #3
    DexaScan
    I am also fairly new here and have gotten great advice from others. Thought I would pass on my words of wisdom to you since I can totally relate to your post. I too am taking anastrozole (Arimidex) since Dec 2010, I have already had 1 dexascan and I think the doc said it will be annual. As the other poster said it is a test to determine bone density and if you have osteoporosis. The test is an xray and measurements, painless. My doc recommended that I take 1200mg calcium and 800iu Vit D daily.

    Hope that helps!
    Chris
  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
    #4
    CarolleeLouise
    Hi CarolleeLouise,sorry we had to meet like this,(Hello) I'm on femara only been on it about a month and im getting a dexa scan thursday Aug.18 I'm having pain in my groin and hips when i get up i have a had time walking,i already had osteopenia in that area so my gynogologist is checking that out for me and she actually told me to take the 1200mg of calcium with vit.D along with an additional 1000mg of D she said it would be ok and if they find that i have osteoperosis then i would go on fosamax or somthing like that. Your oncologist is doing the right thing checking your bones these meds for Er positive cancer is rough on our bones plus the chemo does a number on the bones also.keep us posted. MOLLYZ
  • CarolleeLouise
    CarolleeLouise Member Posts: 10
    #5
    mollyz said:

    CarolleeLouise
    Hi CarolleeLouise,sorry we had to meet like this,(Hello) I'm on femara only been on it about a month and im getting a dexa scan thursday Aug.18 I'm having pain in my groin and hips when i get up i have a had time walking,i already had osteopenia in that area so my gynogologist is checking that out for me and she actually told me to take the 1200mg of calcium with vit.D along with an additional 1000mg of D she said it would be ok and if they find that i have osteoperosis then i would go on fosamax or somthing like that. Your oncologist is doing the right thing checking your bones these meds for Er positive cancer is rough on our bones plus the chemo does a number on the bones also.keep us posted. MOLLYZ

    Thank You
    Thank You, Molly! It really helps to have people that are going through or have been through this too! I really appreciate the insights and support!

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