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Posted 11/27/2009 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi: I have done some research and some places advise that my husband should be on some kind of protection for his bones. I found the drugs are a bisphosphonate drugs (such as zometa, aredia, fosamox and actonel).

As soon as my husband was put onto lupron he was told to take calcium with vit D and he has been very faithfull in this, but he has lost muscle mass and I am wondering what is happening with his bones. Anyone out there give me any suggestions for what they have done. Thanks in advance.
Posted 11/27/2009 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Only a bone density test would tell you how much, if any bone loss there may be. Me personally? I would do everything including weight bearing excersises to delay the need for anything other than vitamins. Light lifting and walking, swimmming, tennis, yoga.....things to keep energy levels up and muscles moving. These are the exact recommendations for a woman's good health as we (gently) age :>)

swim
Posted 11/27/2009 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
My husband has been on some form of hormone therapy since February 2007. Although his bone scans have been normal, our current oncologist recommended bone density testing. This did show some osteoporosis and she recommended Zometa infusions every six months. We also hope that this may fight any mets to the bone that are too small to be picked up on the scan.

The Zometa causes some mild achiness but for him no severe side effects.

I think you are right to be concerned.
Posted 11/27/2009 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kak,

I have been on Lupron since Apr. 2009.  From the beginning, I have been on a supplement consisting of Vit. D, Calcium, Magnesium, Strontium, and Boron on the recommendation of my uro.  The product is called Prosteon and is available from Theralogix in Rockville, Md.  I should emphasize that I cannot personally recommend the product and have no definite info that it is helping me.  However, I will continue to take it. My uro says it's the best supplement that he knows of.

In addition, though, it is important that your husband get regular exercise (don't overdo it) such as walking, swimming, etc. and light weight lifting.  I use a treadmill and lift 5 lb. weights for a few minutes using various motions.

Check with your uro to see if supplements will suffice.

Gene in Md

Posted 11/28/2009 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kak,
The day I started hormone therapy I was prescribed Fosamax. Supplementing alone is not sufficient to stop the onset of osteoporosis according to my oncologist. After 2 and a half years, I stopped my HT and still take Fosamax until my T levels are back to a normal range. Unfortunately that could be quite some time so for now I try to remember to take the Fosamax prior to church on Sundays. The suggestion of a DEXA scan is a good one. I would ask for it to get a baseline of his bone density. And I would check it annually.

There is a reason to not prescribe it however. Bisphophonates can cause necrosis in bone tissue such as the jaw bone. If you take bisphonates, you MUST monitor its use.

Tony
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