What happens when you stop taking anastrozole?

Hi! I also have osteoporosis and am taking Anastrazole, but I am new to it. My doc informed me there is an alternative to Fosamax. Fosamax is not well absorbed. The alternative is a once a year, 15 minute IV drip. I have not yet had it but I understand the side effects are nearly non existent. I hope this helps.

What is the name of the medicine in the drip?

@meomurian the drip may be Reclast, which, like Fosamax, is a bisphosponate but bypasses the GI system since it is IV.

Thanks. That’s what my sister had after her year on Evenity ended. I thought she went a number of times (monthly?) to get the Reclast infusion.

I just stopped and went back to my normal self. No more hot flashes. Stopped gaining weight. Hair loss slowed down good luck. Happy I completed five years

I am taking anistrozole for another 2.5 yrs after my double mastectomy. No chemo, no radiation. Double pos.
I just had my second bone scan and am trending towards increased bone loss. "Least significant", but I'd love to not be on it at all.
I'm told my hot flashes will subside if go off it.
I believe the risk of my cancer recurring is very minimal since I wasn't recommended for chemo at all and I've had all my breast tissue removed.
Looking for some recommendations.

Hi @phlebotalot041, whether to stay on an aromatase inhibitor or not is an individual calculus weighing the pros and cons, i.e, reducing chance of recurrence vs managing side effects and quality of life. It is a personal choice best made with your oncologist. There may be other options for you that you can talk about such as trying a different aromatase inhibitor. Your oncologist can also share the realities of potential risk of recurrence according to your diagnosis specifically.

Have you talked to your oncologist about trying a different aromatase inhibitor or taking a treatment break to see if the hot flashes go away?

I have not tried either of those suggestions...for any length of time anyway. I did fail to take it one day and I didn't have a single hot flash that day.
I'll take a break from it for the week and see how that goes. Then I'll consult with my oncologist again next month.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer.

@phlebotalot041, please consult with your oncologist before pausing medication.

What do you do if your oncologist never will not tell you what your chances are if you go off the meds. I am on my second oncologist who spends 6 minutes with me and tells me how well I am doing. I have been on three of the meds and have had all the different side effects depending on which one they are. I got rid of the joint pain, but gained the weight gain, depression, hair falling out and melt downs. I just sent my current oncologist a message, however there is no way I can make the decision on whether to stay on this med or not because he won't even tell me if he considers me at high risk or not if I go off. I had a lumpectomy 1 year ago, Onco score was 43. Chemo that nearly killed me. Radiation. Last diagnostic mammo was negative. I was originally stage 1A . No node involvement. MRI negative. Blood work says I have low WBC and platelets after 1 year. I guess thanks to the chemo. Tumor markers within normal range. Recent MRI of my lumbar spine doesn't see any tumors or fractures, however I have osteopenia and tons of bone spurs and narrowing causing horrible sciatica. I too have grandchildren I want to stay alive and active for. I exercise through all the pain. I am normally very stable in the head, however, this is beyond the point of exhaustion. Frankly, if I never see another physician again I am good with that. I can't eat a thing without gaining weight.