Hi all. I received a diagnosis of osteoporosis 2 days ago after falling and breaking my ankle. Dexa score 2.8. I just cant believe it. I’m 56 and had breast cancer last year so have been on Letrozol for 6 months, but before that was always active and fit. I could really use some advice on establishing an exercise regime to strengthen bones. Want to give it my all but realise I need to be careful. Does anyone have any tips? Should I perhaps consult a physio? My oncology nurse also said I could consider switching from Letrozol to Tamoxifen as it has less impact on bone health. But they’ve given me really little info on which to base my decision so feeling a little lost. Has anyone ever faced this dilemma or have any sources of info?. Thanks for any advice. After beating cancer then getting this diagnosis I’m feeling rather defeated at the moment.
Hi Beck
I know just how you feel. I was diagnosed this time last year after a fall on ice led to a fractured risk. Spine -2.7 and osteopenia in hip, trabecular score not too bad/average for age (67). I had been doing strength training x3 per week for about 16 yrs. May be last year or two I coasted with the weights, but now I’m on it!
I found a personal trainer at the gym I go to who had experience of training those with bone health issues, especially from cancer. Now I’m increasing weights every 4-6weeks.
Currently on Binosto 1x per week, but reluctantly!
Osteo nurse said I was probably OK still doing star jumps, so I do impact work a couple of times per week .
Take a look at:
The LIFTMOR study;
Honest Clare on YouTube, rebuilding my parents; and
Jocelyn Wittstein and Dr Lisa Moore PT on Instagram. I’m off for a walk today but will try and send you links if you don’t find them
You do start to feel better and less fragile
Thanks you so much GeordieMeg. It’s good to know I’m not alone. I’m still in the overwhelmed, where do I start phase. Don’t even know what a trabecular score is. So far have just had one phone call from the nurse with dexa scores for my spine and hips (all showing osteoporosis ) and advice to eat more calcium, take vit D and do gentle exercise. So glad I discovered this forum. Will check out the links and talk to my gym. Enjoy your walk 
Forgot to say: Fracture Liaison Nurse said my prescription would be sent to the pharmacist so I immediately contacted my GP clinic and told them I wanted a GP appointment and that I had questions that I doubted a pharmacist would be able to answer. Get your GP to go through your Dexa results with you and put your scores into context. You probably already thought of that, I know, and it’s really awful that at a time you need to be insistent it also the time you feel least able to do do.
Thanks for the advice. I actually hadn’t thought of that. So far everything has been via the hospital ie fracture clinic followed by my oncology nurse. Never thought to contact my GP. Will do that now.
Btw, I’m not located in the UK. Am a Brit living in the Netherlands. But sounds like I’m facing the same kind of problems I see on lots of posts here. Lack of info and being left to figure it out for yourself.
Hi, I can’t give advice on switching medications - the ROS helpline might be better placed for you to discuss pros/cons about this.
But as someone else has said - Brick House Bones - a facebook support group run by. Dr Lisa Moore (a US physical therapist) is good. Dr Lisa Moore has a series of free you tube videos with exercises based on the Liftmor trial & at beginners & more experienced levels. She also has paid for versions, which I use & they are excellent. She also gives advice on lifting safely etc.
Thanks Cade. I was actually just watching a Brick Hoise Bones video. Really helpful. Gives me hope and something I can focus on.
And I’ll contact the ROS helpline about my meds. As this is all so new to me, I wasn’t sure what to post where. Thanks for the tips
Hi Brck
Just in case you haven’t found them, here are the two links I mentioned:
Rebuilding Mum and Dad 2 videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEh1akDooZc
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nH3o8aHkEZ0
LIFTMOR Study
Hope you find them helpful.
I’m feeling just the same. I have been on letrozole 6 months after being diagnosed with breast cancer in July. Then sent for a DEXA scan which showed I had osteoporosis in the spine. It’s like a double blow. I am being urged to have the zoledronic acid infusion but I keep putting it off as I’m worried about future problems with teeth - and general health. I’m taking vitamin D, having my calcium intake from what I eat and drink. As for exercise, I’m following the ROS exercises on YouTube and doing them on a regular basis. The cancer nurses persuaded me to stay on letrozole when I asked them about tamoxifen . My head is so mixed up with it all.
Hi Lena. It’s a real double whammy isnt it. Hope you’re doing ok. I’ve had one infusion of zoledronic acid four months ago. Again, wasn’t given any info or choice about that. Just told it was standard practice if you’re on Letrozol. So far no side effects except feeling flu like the next day. And managed to speak to my oncologist 2 weeks ago who advised I switched to tamoxifen, though with very little discussion of pros and cons. I made the switch about a week ago with no adverse effects so far, but am still not sure I’m doing the right thing. What reasons were you given for not switching? It’s such a dilemma. Take care
Hi Beck, Good to hear that you haven’t had too many problems after having the infusion. It’s always reassuring to hear a positive experience. I have been agonising over getting this infusion for months now. I’m mainly worried about having teeth problems while I’m on it as my back teeth are quite heavily filled and bound to need extractions in the future! I have asked a couple of times about possibly changing to tamoxifen - but they always talk me out of it. I am 68, so perhaps they just think letrozole will be better for me. I have really got to make a decision soon about treatment before my bones get worse 
It’s been such a blow to get breast cancer and then told you have osteoporosis all in such a short space of time! Glad the tamoxifen isn’t causing any bad side effects for you. It sounds like you have got a good plan for bone health now x