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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Breast Cancer / March 2007Woo-hoo! I through with RAD treatments & got an all clear
I've been out of contact with this ng but have been thinking of all of you. (my IP changed from RR to Comcast and I couldn't see any posts from mid-Jan until yesterday.) Since that time, I finished my radiation treatments for BC, have gotten an all clear on my follow-up CT scan with my Onc and have started my Arimadex (sp?). Since the CT included the whole torso this was a good report for my additional Adrenal primary. And all this with absolutely no fatigue from the radiation. I go back to the RAD Onc in a month and my primary Onc in 3 months for another scan. God is good --- all the time! I'm wondering since I've never had a bone scan and the Arimadex can cause bone loss whether I should have a bone scan or not. I don't want any more radiation that necessary but at the same time it might be helpful to have a benchmark. Marsha > I'm wondering since I've never had a bone scan and the Arimadex can > cause bone loss whether I should have a bone scan or not. I don't > want any more radiation that necessary but at the same time it might > be helpful to have a benchmark. Do you mean "bone density test", maybe? That's the usual test for osteopenia/osteoporosis. While there's radiation involved, in at least one common type of scan, it's a very small amount. (More info at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bone-density-tests/WO00024 , including comparison to bone scan.) The bone scan we sometimes get to detect bone mets (or hidden fractures & some other conditions) is a different critter, a nuclear medicine test in which one is injected with a small amount of radioactive tracer, then scanned. My doctors wanted me to have a baseline bone density test around the time I started on Tamoxifen, and my insurance covered it even though I wasn't the usual age at which it's done. (I'm now on Arimidex and haven't had a follow-up scan since switching.) I've had two or three bone scans, too. Ann T. Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email >"A.P. Thorsen" wrote (& other posters said same) > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bone-density-tests/WO00024 , including > comparison to bone scan.) I did mean the bone density test, something friends and family suggested for me after age 50 (but before all my cancer was found). > The bone scan we sometimes get to detect bone mets (or hidden fractures & some > other conditions) is a different critter, a nuclear medicine test in which one > is injected with a small amount of radioactive tracer, then scanned. I did question why they didn't do that with me given they found a second primary (adrenal) with the initial C/T and Pet scans. Hopefully I'll never need one???? > My doctors wanted me to have a baseline bone density test around the time I > started on Tamoxifen, and my insurance covered it even though I wasn't the usual > age at which it's done. (I'm now on Arimidex and haven't had a follow-up scan > since switching.) I've had two or three bone scans, too. That was my presumption for a baseline bone denisty test, given that some osteoporosis and scoliosis runs in my family. That on top of the Arimidex might be a reason. But as y'all can relate, I don't like going to doctors anymore -- nothing personal; I love all my doctors, just tired of being stuck! Marsha >That was my presumption for a baseline bone denisty test, given that some >osteoporosis and scoliosis runs in my family. That on top of the Arimidex [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Marsha The bone density test is quite pleasant, relatively speaking. <g> You just lie on a bed, they stick a block under your legs, and then they move a camera thingy over you. You are never closed in. And not a needle in sight. Marilyn > I've been out of contact with this ng but have been thinking of all of you. > (my IP changed from RR to Comcast and I couldn't see any posts from [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > want any more radiation that necessary but at the same time it might > be helpful to have a benchmark. --------------- Ann already answered your question, but I just want to say I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. Eva What wonderful news. I think you mean a bone density scan ( that measures the thickness or strength of bones)which is different than a bone scan ( which is used to detect cancer). Glad to see you back online > I've been out of contact with this ng but have been thinking of all of > you. [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Marsha Hi Marsha. So glad you are finished with your radiation and the scan looked so good. Best wishes for continued good health! Barb >I'm wondering since I've never had a bone scan and the Arimadex can >cause bone loss whether I should have a bone scan or not. I don't >want any more radiation that necessary but at the same time it might >be helpful to have a benchmark. > >Marsha Hi Marsha, I recommend the benchmark. I was diagnosed with BC five years ago this month and am now on my fifth year of Arimidex. My hospital recommended the dexa tests (bone density) after the second year of Arimidex, and the tests showed borderline osteoporosis in my hip and spine, so my doctor has given me Fosamax. My second test showed some improvement with the Fosamax. I've had one since but won't find out the results until November at my annual checkup. My mother also has osteoporosis, so I don't know which is to blame, or both. It can't be too bad, because I live in a snowy, icy area, and fall down at least once every winter, although generally on my more padded areas. My own private dexa test. I haven't had a single problem with Arimidex, by the way. Welcome to the group. Marilyn |
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