DEXA bone scan and Letrozole

Hi Liszt4u

Yes, yes and yes.

I've done the tamoxifen first time letrozole the second time.

There are times in the night when I think I'd rather wet the bed than put my feet on the floor to walk to the loo.

I've spent two years having surgery for arthritis and bunions so I could walk pain free. Now I'm back to square one

I've just got back from holiday and hubby thought that a four hour walk round  site seeing shouldn't be a problem followed by an easy 3 hour stroll the following day. When I mention pain he just mutters about the surgery and perhaps I should loose weight! My hands are not great either.

When I went for radiotherapy appointment, a really nice guy, we ended up talking about this. I've had radiotherapy before so didn't need the chat about that.he said the oncologist might be able to help with this and some say that the side effects decrease over time. Also that even some makes are better than others.

So you are definitely not alone. As far as family are concerned, I'm afraid I've just started to say no I can't do that today and I try to spread stuff out. I walk so far then turn round and go back alone if I have to. Hubby is starting to realise he has to do some things on his own or in a different way. Taking trams into cities instead of walking in and planning routes rather than wandering.

So can't give much advice but at least you now know you are not alone.

P.S. When I find the man who thought it was a good idea to pave the streets of Europe with four inch cobbles I'm going to break his feet with a big hammer into small pieces. Because that's what my feet feel like when I walk on them

Hi 

J was exactly the same with letrozole and she was lucky enough her GP scripted Femara.

She was also taking Meloxicam and Amitriptyline to help with the joint pain relief along with the usual Adcal+ D3

As for the Dexa scan she was given one prior to starting, her 2nd was around 6-8 months in, and she had her 3rd and last at around 2 years after that.  After her 2 year scan she was given Alendronic Acid also called Fosamax (a bisphosphonate at one tab per week)

Two yearly is the recommended time frame for Dexa re-scans.

She was glad when her 5 year sentence was up; she was offered another 5 years worth but declined saying she wanted some of her mobility back.

"Women with no weakening of bones prior to aromatase inhibitor therapy will have a follow-up scan around one year after starting therapy, and then every one to two years. If the scan shows that you already have some bone weakening, your doctor may order a type of medication called a bisphosphonate. These therapies have been shown to protect the bones from bone loss in women taking aromatase inhibitors. If the bone density remains stable, scans can then be done every two years."

As for you being urged to complete long hikes, you are going to have to learn to put your foot down (gently) and just say Not Today 

Take care, G n' J