Breast Cancer & Bone Health Before & After Treatment

While bone loss is part of aging for many people, breast cancer treatments may lead to bone loss no matter your age. Learn about causes of osteoporosis in breast cancer Survivors and ways to help prevent and slow down bone density loss. Arielle L. Heeke, MD-- a Breast Medical Oncologist at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute--shared her medical insight and advice on this topic in Feb 2023. We offer it here for your viewing & learning pleasure.
www.carolinabreastfriends.org
‪@CarolinaBreastFriends‬

[@juaquiene7726]

This is a subject that really concerns and effects me. 65 yr old post menaposal her2+ with a 2.7 cm tumor 3 affected lymph nodes. Finished neo adjuvant chemo, lumpectomy, radiation more chemo. I have a preexisting condition of needing a double hip replacement so severe I'm wheelchair bound till I hope to get surgery. I just had the infusion of hydronic acid treatment. Have refused any hormone treatment as the severe muscle joint pain as a side effect. Is intolerable. Any advice is sure welcomed bet there is others like me.

[@BubbleBurster-nv1vl]

I wish someone had responded to you. I am triple positive, (estrogen, progesterone HER2 +). One lymph node removed. I forget the exact size but about the same size as yours. I am 66.
The thought of any chemo repulses me. It's pure poison. I skipped radiation and chemo prior to the lumpectomy. I had twenty days of proton targeted radiation, face down. It was more protective of my organs. Now it's the chemo question again. My husband says I should "date" chemo. I am scheduled to get a port in a week. I am extremely nervous about that.
Last October, the 21st to be exact, I had a double hip replacement using the anterior approach. It was fine. I had no restrictions in movement. I was walking and going up steps the first week. To leave the hospital I had to go up steps and some how I did it. I stayed over for one night and the surgery was three hours. The leg swelling was terrible but it went down. The swelling is needed and a sign of healing. I would highly recommend that approach over the lateral or posterior hip approach, since no muscles and ligaments are cut and healing time is shorter. Prior to surgery and after surgery, AVOID inflammatory foods! Swelling will happen but it will be less. Only about 5-10% of doctors do the anterior approach but it is well worth having that approach. I also took the HealFast vitamin and that aided healing and I surprised the doctor on how quickly I healed.
I purposely had both hips done prior to investigating the left breast problem that showed up on the xray. I was tired of falling down. Both hips were completely deteriorated. It was readily seen on the x-rays. I used Dr. Baione at University Orthopaedic Associates (UOA).
uoanj.com/joint-replacement/anterior-hip-replacement-2/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAVhQvzlaFhjnyRMPaXRHz3wmXvOIoa430vMbWXgb0N2yJhTLQ_ejqc4aAv_5EALw_wcB I do not benefit by stating his name. He was truly wonderful!
I had no pain after both hips were replaced at the same time. All I had was leg muscle stiffness. I took some Tylenol the first couple of days and then stopped that. For me, oxycodone was not needed. I used a walker for the first month because of balance concern. Next I used a cane for another month. I had physical therapy for the first two weeks at home then went to a an outpatient facility. They were wonderful. All you have to do is be diligent in doing your exercises and walk! Walk, walk walk!
I had waited four years to have this done due to bladder cancer. I am finally in remission thanks to BCG treatment working. I love my bladder doctor. I was having robotic surgery every four months. I also have M.S. that was discovered with a head shot of my thyroid. That was over twenty years ago. I was diagnosed with Grave's disease and the lesions showed. I rejected radiating my thyroid and stayed on PTU till I leveled off. I finally found an honest Endo and was informed I would eventually go hypo.
I rejected Ribif for the M.S. and controlled it through diet and supplements (B vitamins) and never looked back. I now have Hashimotos and an absolute idiot for an Endo. Armour thyroid works for me and he openly shows disdain at my not wanting Synthroid. I don't have the misery of endless weight gain that is standard with Synthroid. My mother had Hashimoto's, had an unnecessary radical hysterectomy, being on Synthroid and finally that jerk of a doctor wanted her to go on anti depressants because Synthroid didn't agree with her. She finally changed Endos after that insult, was properly dosed on Armour, dropped the weight and felt normal again.
I am concerned about how chemo will affect my M.S. and thyroid. I can't get straight answers. I do want that "quality of life" they talk about but as drug free as possible. I don't have a death wish but I also don't want to just be a living breathing person who can't stand to be around myself, burdens others and tests their patience because of feeling so miserable from side effects. When I went through menopause and all I had was some brain fog and upping the omega 3's and vitamin D3 and K2 took care of that. Vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 ensure that calcium is absorbed easily and reaches the bone mass, while preventing arterial calcification. It keep your heart and bones healthy. The side effects from the drugs they want me to take, horrify me. Vitamin D3 is also a hormone that most people are deficient in. All they seem to want to do is layer you up with drugs and then more drugs for side effects that taxes your liver and kidneys.
I would recommend a KETO diet. I have been on that without knowing it for years! Avoid sugar, carbs, junk food, refined and processed foods. I am now considering the Mediterranean diet. DIET MAKES A DIFFERENCE! The majority of doctors ignore that. In medical schools they are lucky if they get four hours of nutrition. There is an unhealthy relationship with medical schools and pharms. I would also NOT recommend the COVID shots or the newer one they are coming out with in September of 2023. Focus on strengthening your immune system and eat healthy.
We never got COVID and never get any flu shots and never got the "seasonal" flu. I know of many people that have health problems from the mRNA shots. In the U.K. and other countries they are offering compensation for the damage it caused to their health and those that died from it via heart attacks. Ivermectin and HCQ worked in not getting COVID. My neighbors used it and they were fine. The J&J COVID shots are banned AFTER the supply is used up due to heart issues.
I hope something here is helpful. Again, I wish someone had answered your question. I am looking to replace my doctor GP with an integrated functional approach M.D.. I'm so tired of the allopathic approach that most have. We need less drugs and healthier eating and exercise - just walking can make a huge difference. It also helped me do well with my radiation treatments. Even though you are tired, weirdly I had less fatigue and felt better after simply walking. I know some women truly suffer and I feel terrible for them.
Take care and I will pray for you.
Yes, God is very real.