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Anastrozole and osteoporosis

Posted by darlenef @darlenef, 1 day ago

I am 72, and after a suspicious area was found on my annual mammogram this spring I ended up getting a biopsy, then a partial mastectomy. Histopathology showed atypical ductal hyperplasia, which is considered pre-cancerous. I was told I have a 22% chance of getting breast cancer in my lifetime. Both my surgeon and another breast surgeon I consulted recommended I see an oncologist about starting tamoxifen. But when I saw the oncologist last week, she recommended anastrozole instead. All 3 doctors were aware that I have osteoporosis. I am very worried about anastrozole worsening my osteoporosis and causing fractures (as well as other side effects). I have been getting a Reclast infusion once yearly for osteoporosis, but I don’t know if that is sufficient to prevent worsening of my osteoporosis. I have an appointment with an endocrinologist in August. I would appreciate hearing about everyone’s experience with using anastrozole with pre-existing osteoporosis.

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sharon35981 | @sharon35981 | 6 hours ago

Worked out with a trainer 2000—2011. Started HRT in 2003. Diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2005. Broke two bones in my feet on a leg press in the gym in 2005.

In 2021, I was diagnosed with ER+ BC. Had lumpectomy, radiation, and lympnodectomy and started anastrozole in 2021. Since 2021, I’ve had a compression fracture in my spine, a decompression fracture in my spine, a broken rib getting a breast MRI, and a broken humerus in two places from a fall this year. My shoulder still hurts, and I am unable to drive my car. My hair is thinning; my nails are terrible with chipping and breaking. In 2021, I had a knee replacement and in 2023, I had a hip replacement. I recently started collagen peptides one and MSM. I passed on bone building shots. I also take strontium citrate. I wish you the best with your decision.

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1 reply
briarrose | @briarrose | 4 hours ago

For those of us seniors who develop BC the decision to take Anastrozole is very difficult. I just started in June.
The first few weeks were fine. Now having diarrhea every day...and joint pain. My last DEXA Scan in 2023 was normal. My breast oncologist ordered another scan in September, I will be on this drug for 3 months then.
I am trying to be proactive as I can. Walking, squats, back exercises, hand weights, climbing stairs, diet high in calcium, maybe a personal trainer, and, of course, supplements. However, I am a heart patient also (ischemic disease) and coronary artery disease. A big risk factor in taking this drug, it can induce a heart attack or stroke, yet my cardiologist gave the go ahead to take Anastrozole. And calcium supplements not recommended in a woman with heart disease. Between a rock and a hard place.
sharon35981, your experiences with this drug horrific!
darlenef, I hear you loud and clear! What kind of testing did you have stating a 22% chance of BC in your lifetime? To my knowledge & maybe wrong, tamoxifen is for pre-menopausal women(??)
My story is long but I had a bilateral mastectomy with 1 positive lymph node. Oncotype testing revealed chemo would be ineffective for me and since I lost both breasts (both had cancer) radiation not needed also.
Only Anastrozole was recommended. I hope you get lots of good answers to your question, darlenef, which can help you with your decision. My breast surgeon told me that 25% of women stop the Anastrozole before the 5 year plan. All the very best...with a really tough decision.

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1 reply
darlenef | @darlenef | 2 hours ago
In reply to @briarrose "For those of us seniors who develop BC the decision to take Anastrozole is very difficult...." + (show)
@briarrose

For those of us seniors who develop BC the decision to take Anastrozole is very difficult. I just started in June.
The first few weeks were fine. Now having diarrhea every day...and joint pain. My last DEXA Scan in 2023 was normal. My breast oncologist ordered another scan in September, I will be on this drug for 3 months then.
I am trying to be proactive as I can. Walking, squats, back exercises, hand weights, climbing stairs, diet high in calcium, maybe a personal trainer, and, of course, supplements. However, I am a heart patient also (ischemic disease) and coronary artery disease. A big risk factor in taking this drug, it can induce a heart attack or stroke, yet my cardiologist gave the go ahead to take Anastrozole. And calcium supplements not recommended in a woman with heart disease. Between a rock and a hard place.
sharon35981, your experiences with this drug horrific!
darlenef, I hear you loud and clear! What kind of testing did you have stating a 22% chance of BC in your lifetime? To my knowledge & maybe wrong, tamoxifen is for pre-menopausal women(??)
My story is long but I had a bilateral mastectomy with 1 positive lymph node. Oncotype testing revealed chemo would be ineffective for me and since I lost both breasts (both had cancer) radiation not needed also.
Only Anastrozole was recommended. I hope you get lots of good answers to your question, darlenef, which can help you with your decision. My breast surgeon told me that 25% of women stop the Anastrozole before the 5 year plan. All the very best...with a really tough decision.

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briarrose,

I think the 22% was a combination of my being diagnosed with atypical ductal hyperplasia and having 2 aunts and a cousin on my mother’s side who had breast cancer. Because of these factors, I’m considered high-risk.

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darlenef | @darlenef | 2 hours ago
In reply to @sharon35981 "Worked out with a trainer 2000—2011. Started HRT in 2003. Diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2005. Broke..." + (show)
@sharon35981

Worked out with a trainer 2000—2011. Started HRT in 2003. Diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2005. Broke two bones in my feet on a leg press in the gym in 2005.

In 2021, I was diagnosed with ER+ BC. Had lumpectomy, radiation, and lympnodectomy and started anastrozole in 2021. Since 2021, I’ve had a compression fracture in my spine, a decompression fracture in my spine, a broken rib getting a breast MRI, and a broken humerus in two places from a fall this year. My shoulder still hurts, and I am unable to drive my car. My hair is thinning; my nails are terrible with chipping and breaking. In 2021, I had a knee replacement and in 2023, I had a hip replacement. I recently started collagen peptides one and MSM. I passed on bone building shots. I also take strontium citrate. I wish you the best with your decision.

Jump to this post

Oh, that’s just horrible! I hope the Reclast infusions I’ve been getting yearly will protect me from a fracture if I decide to take anastrozole. .

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