Calcium and other supplements

[Naniam]

I am almost at my first year mark.  I was told to take 1500 mgs of calcium with Vitamin D daily and a multivitamin.  For the past 3 weeks, no more than that, all of a sudden my joints are so stiff and my knees and hips are giving me a fit.  Tuesday night lying on either side my hips hurt so bad, I just couldn't sleep.  There has been some confusion about calcium and other supplements.  What is the best calcium to take that will actually be used by the body?  What about soy and black cohash
should women who have had estrogen positive cancer take that.  I was very active, but the joint stiffness and pain is making that difficult.  At this point, all I can say is "I sure miss my estrogen"   Any suggestions would be appreciated

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Naniam:  Without evaluation, it is difficult for us to speculate on the cause of your joint pain.  However, if you are taking any medications such as aromatase inhibitors to block the estrogen, this could be contributing to the problem and your doctor may be able to help offer some suggestions on management.  In general, supplemental soy, black cohosh and other sources of phytoestrogens are not recommended for women who have had hormone sensitive breast cancer, however, normal dietary sources of soy are likely to be safe (although there are no well-designed studies that have answered this question).  There is no particular calcium or vitamin D source that we recommend.  However, we have attached two articles that include good information about both supplements.  The first is about vitamin D and the second about calcium.  http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp#h6 http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/guides/calcium.htm

[teddy1]

Hi, I read your post and was wondering if you are on any meds/   im on arimedex and i feel all the same joint pains . I also had taxatere and that give s  u tingling and numbness.  

be well

[Naniam]

I had Adriamycin and Cytoxan every two weeks x 4 treatments.  They gave me Femara to take, but with the joint pains and stiffness I have had, I havent' even started it and I don't know if I am going to.  The surgeon told me my chance of recurrence was very low.  I see my oncologist again in Oct.  I am going to discuss with him but for now, quality of life means more to me than just life.  I dont' think Femara would add much more to lower my chance of recurrence.  I just know I need some help dealing with my stiffness and joint pain. I had to stop estrogen and if this is the result - WOW!!

[Twocapes]

I miss my estrogen too!!  When my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, I dumped my Premarin down the toilet - boy oh boy I definitely should have weaned myself off.  Immediate hot flashes, aches and pains, and feeling miserable.  I still went on to develop breast cancer in 2004 and it was 98% estrogen and progesterone positive.  I'm on Arimidex now to help eat up even more estrogen - can't imagine where it's coming from as I had a complete hysterectomy in 1995, but I guess your body still makes it.  I've also heard that body fat will contribute to estrogen production.

[Naniam]

My oncologist told me the adrenal glands still produce estrogen.
It sure can't be much by my hot flashes!!!!!   I am almost a year out and all this joint pain and hot flashes just started; along with not being able to sleep.

[Twocapes]

HA - I always joke with my "hot flash" friends that we could pick up the phone and chat almost any time during the night!!

[gph]

I also will reach my one year mark with Stage 4 breast cancer and have experienced the bone aches and tingling sensations that come with treatment, but kind of just try to ignore them.  They seem to come from time to time and go away.  If they are particularly annoying I take a Tylenol or Advil to take the edge off. I have also found that when I am stiff that walking seems to loosen things up.  I have had occasion when I could barely get up and start on a walk, but after a short while things seem to come back to normal.  I always see some improvement by pushing myself just a little.