Arimidex w/o bone density med

My mother, aged 72 years old was diagnosed with breast cancer 1 year ago.  She has had a lumpectomy, two positive nodes, chemo (meth,5FU & Cytoxan)  and radiation tx.  She has endured treatment well enough until she began taking Arimidex.  She is having a lot of knee pain.  Her low bone density puts her at risk for fracture but she is very afraid of the side effects of the medications used to increase bone density and flat out refuses those types of meds.  At present time, she is taking Vitamin D and Calcium.

Is there something else she can take to increase her bone density besides the commonly used drugs now marketed for increasing bone density?

I am at a loss because the Arimidex can cause further bone loss, but without it she would be without benefit of an estrogen blocker.  Help!  

[SueYoung55]

Those are side effects of the Arimidex. See if your mother can tolerate fish oil or cod liver oil to take with her vitamin D & calcium. It's good for her and it should help her body process the vitamin D and calcium better. It doesn't taste good though :)

Best wishes

[bluebutterfly2222]

The excellent supplement ( which is also recommended for heart health and for mood improvement in people with unipolar or biploar depression) suggested by the previous poster is also available in capsules.

One type dissolves  further down the GI track but is more expensive. The cheaper one is more likely to cause "fish burps," but here's a helpful hint: try freezing them, to create your own delayed-release product.

[Karen99]

Thank you very much for your suggestions.  

[zouzi]

What do you know!  we learn everyday a bit more in this FORUM!!! Thanks SueY and Bluebutterfly for the excellent advice! I'll go buy my fish oil !!!..

[SueYoung55]

I hope it doesn't seem too simple Karen. It does work believe it or not. Lots of us have calcium and vitamin D deficiencies due to chemo and estrogen blocker medications, let alone menopause!

You're a good daughter to help her with simple solutions that work without causing new side effects. God bless you both.

[SueYoung55]

You are so funny Sue! I can't remember what day of the week it is but I know things like fish oil... life is odd, yes? :)

Regardless, this is a holiday for the company I work for so I'm POSTING like a mad woman!  and bothering bluebutterfly with messages! LOL

[bluebutterfly2222]

Besides bone density issues, another reason for considering increased consumption of fatty fish such as salmon, mackeral and sea trout (or supplementaion with fish oils?) is that Omega 3s may be protective against breast cancer.

A study discussed in the June, 2009 issue of the Jounal BMC Cancer found that postmenopausal women who consumed more that 0.1 g of EPA and 0.21 g of DHA (which are Omega-3 fatty acids) each day from fish reduced their risk of breast cnacer by 62 %.

A related  thread, "Omega-3s and Breast Cancer", has been started.

[bluebutterfly2222]

Sorry, the  new thread is actually : "Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Breast Cancer Protection."

[Karen99]

I do appreciate your comments and very much believe that the "KISS" approach is often best:  Keep It Simple Silly.

I take cod liver for MS.  What I know about fish oils is that they reduce the inflammatory process.  Initially, inflammation is protective but then can turn destructive.

Any hints are appreciated because I am knowingly ignorant on the subject of breast cancer.  My grandmother also had BC a very long time ago, but she was 50 when she was treated with radical mastectomy and radiation.  I am asking my aunt to be tested for the gene marker.  

My mom is in good health.   She took no meds before her dx.  While her age is not in her favor I am hoping her otherwise good health will see her through.

Thanks again ladies.  

[SueYoung55]

Your Mother would be a great choice for the blood test for BRCA mutations as she has cancer. Ask her Doctor if they would be willing to do it next time they pull her blood, BUT check & see if it's covered for her with insurance/medicare or whatever coverage she has. If your Mother should test and come back positive, the subsequent testing for other family members is MUCH less expensive since they know what specific mutation to look at first.

Just a thought :)

Best wishes!

[Karen99]

Thank you.  :-)