Osteoporosis

Esspee

growstuff I am so sorry that you have had to face getting breast cancer and hope it is well and truly in the past now.

As you said, you had a genetic mutation which resulted in you getting breast cancer. I would call that a predisposition but that is irrelevant.

I was not implying that you drink alcohol or are overweight. I simply stated that just a regular glass of wine for example and being overweight are more risky than taking oestrogen. Please do not take these facts personally.

Everyone is different and every woman I know who chose not to go through menopause is highly informed and have made a decision they are comfortable with.

No! No! No! You don't seem to understand. It's not an inherited genetic mutation. I'm not predisposed to cancer. A random mutation caused the cancer and then it fed off oestrogen. Incidences of lobular cancer (which is what I had) have increased over the last decades, and there is a correlation with the use of HRT. Almost all lobular cancers are oestrogen positive.

I've seen the table of risk factors. It's correct that oestrogen is produced in adipose (fatty) tissues, which is why there's a connection - but it's the oestrogen which feeds the cancer, not the fat. There is also a very small correlation with drinking alcohol, but it's nowhere near the risk of oestrogen.

Thoro I go to Pilates, seated Pilates so I dint have to keep getting up and down which I can do but take some time. I go to one that is physio led

growstuff I am so sorry that you have had to face getting breast cancer and hope it is well and truly in the past now.

As you said, you had a genetic mutation which resulted in you getting breast cancer. I would call that a predisposition but that is irrelevant.

I was not implying that you drink alcohol or are overweight. I simply stated that just a regular glass of wine for example and being overweight are more risky than taking oestrogen. Please do not take these facts personally.

Everyone is different and every woman I know who chose not to go through menopause is highly informed and have made a decision they are comfortable with.

Skydancer:
High-intensity resistance training has the added benefit of influencing osteoporosis including improved strength and balance and increased muscle mass.

I have been doing it for 2 years, 3 times a week and the results my balance is now very stable, having built good muscle mass.

Thank you for this post. I have osteopenia, diagnosed recently after I fell and broke my wrist.
I also had major open heart surgery in July (dissected aorta).
I have recently started at a gym and am very nervous about going to the Pilates class I’m booked into tomorrow. I now feel a bit more confident knowing how good it will be for me!

I have to balance some risks, but personally I would rather the cancer doesn't return.

Esspee

growstuff

Esspee If you do that, please also remind them that longer exposure to oestrogen also increases their risk of certain forms of breast cancer.

Only in those pre-disposed to it*growstuff*.
Sometimes quality of life is more important. Actually I was told that one glass of wine of an evening puts you at higher risk than taking oestrogen, as does being overweight.

That's not true. I had extensive genetic testing and have had the results. I have a somatic mutation, which means that it's a random DNA error and not related to any predisposition. Incidentally, I haven't drunk any alcohol for years and I'm not and never have been overweight. My cancer was oestrogen positive, which means it was being fed by oestrogen.

growstuff

GrannyGravy Has the osteopenia got worse?

I've just been diagnosed with osteopenia in my hip after a DEXA scan. I've also been prescribed letrozole, an oestrogen blocker, to reduce the risk of my breast cancer returning. I already have a slight pain in my hip, although I don't know if it's related to the osteopenia.

I have appointments with my GP and the hospital next week and want to be prepared with as many questions as possible. I guess I'm going to have to balance the risk of a cancer return against developing full-blown osteoporosis.

I was on letrozole for 3 years for breast cancer and was put on calcium tablets to counter that it increases the chances of osteoporosis. My DEXA scan showed osteopenia, but it was thought when I eventually transferred to tamoxifen (which they said strengthens bones) that it might resolve. I'm still taking calcium tablets although I have finished taking tamoxifen. Not had a DEXA scan since, it would be interesting to know what's going on, but my hip pain has greatly diminished (crosses fingers and toes).

MissAdventure when I suggested my hip pain was down to the osteopenia it was dismissed because 'neither osteopenia nor osteoporosis cause pain' Well something was!

growstuff

Esspee If you do that, please also remind them that longer exposure to oestrogen also increases their risk of certain forms of breast cancer.

Only in those pre-disposed to it*growstuff*.
Sometimes quality of life is more important. Actually I was told that one glass of wine of an evening puts you at higher risk than taking oestrogen, as does being overweight.

Yes you are right Happygirl exercise does help pain no end, cycling is my main exercise with some walking and swimming on good days

I discovered that I had osteoporosis after a fall 6 years ago when I broke my arm in 5 places. I shouldn't have been surprised as both my mum and dad had it too. I take alendronic acid once a week plus vitamin D twice a day. I avoid pain by being active and walk 4 miles each day which helps me enormously

I have it as well, I was prescribed the weekly tablets but I had to stop due to my liver complaint. For two years I have been having a 6 monthly injection instead , called Denosumab and it seems to work well. I didn’t break anything when I was knocked off my bike and it fell on top of me. As for pain, well I get pain but I have three major conditions that cause pain so I don’t know

Thanks GG13. I'll have a look.

2 and a half years ago I had a bad fall, fracturing 3 vertebrae. I suffered with my back before then, but it`s been much worse since, and a few months after the fall I was told that I have osteoporosis, as well as osteoarthritis that I already knew about. I take an Alendronic acid tablet once a week, if it`s doing me good I haven`t noticed.

growstuff

Skydancer

I've got osteoporosis and take a weekly tablet. What are easy to do weight bearing exercises please? I haven't been advised to do this.

I'd like to know that too. I know walking is supposed to be good. My balance is terrible because I have diabetic neuropathy in my feet, so I struggle with some exercises, although I'm researching what would be possible.

growstuff if you could get to a Pilates or Callanetics class hopefully the instructor would be sympathetic to your capabilities.

The classes I go to have an age range of 40+ years with a variety of abilities all of which are taken into account and exercises adapted to suit.

Skydancer

I've got osteoporosis and take a weekly tablet. What are easy to do weight bearing exercises please? I haven't been advised to do this.

I'd like to know that too. I know walking is supposed to be good. My balance is terrible because I have diabetic neuropathy in my feet, so I struggle with some exercises, although I'm researching what would be possible.

Skydancer

I've got osteoporosis and take a weekly tablet. What are easy to do weight bearing exercises please? I haven't been advised to do this.

Walking, cycling, resistance exercises with a band or using light weights, Tai Chi, Pilates or Callanetics are all good.

I've had osteoporosis now or maybe 5 years? It does not hurt at all - the only pain I've experienced is from broken bones (both wrists, and a hip). I took alendronic acid until I broke my hip and I was 'moved up' to Denosumab which is great as it only involves an injection every 6 months!

I've got osteoporosis and take a weekly tablet. What are easy to do weight bearing exercises please? I haven't been advised to do this.

My mother had pain with osteoporosis but mostly because she had fractures in her vertebrae.
I had early treatment for it, it was reduced to osteopenia and my last bone scan was normal for my age.
I do do tai chi-excellent for weight bearing because of transferring from one leg to another and started Pilates in lockdown.

No it hasn’t growstuff I broke my foot and ankle just over 5 years ago and had my bones checked and they were no worse.

I have put on a bit of weight due to my intake of milk (mostly in latte’s) and cheese and muscle weighs more than fat. I feel
much better without the weekly tablet, as I already have stomach problems due to prescribed steroids over the last 50+ years for asthma.

GrannyGravy Has the osteopenia got worse?

I've just been diagnosed with osteopenia in my hip after a DEXA scan. I've also been prescribed letrozole, an oestrogen blocker, to reduce the risk of my breast cancer returning. I already have a slight pain in my hip, although I don't know if it's related to the osteopenia.

I have appointments with my GP and the hospital next week and want to be prepared with as many questions as possible. I guess I'm going to have to balance the risk of a cancer return against developing full-blown osteoporosis.

Esspee If you do that, please also remind them that longer exposure to oestrogen also increases their risk of certain forms of breast cancer.

I was diagnosed with osteopaena (sp) (beginnings of osteoporosis) nearly 27 years ago.

I took the alendronic acid tablet once a week, I had terrible side affects and after several meetings with GP took the decision to stop. He advised a diet high in dairy and vegetables and weight bearing exercise.

I find that if I keep active, go to the gym along with lots of stretches I am pain free 90% of the time.

Thank you.
It's not too much of an issue, yet.

I just need to keep repeating that it doesn't hurt to myself.