Osteopenia, a side effect of Anastrozole: Any advice?

Dear momo03,

Thank you for your feedback.

My Calcium is good according to blood tests. I take 1,200 mg a day plus 5,000 IUs of Vitamin D3.

I went to PT for a year (2023-2024). I’ll have to see if my insurance will let me go again.

Now I’m exercising at home and have a personal trainer at a local gym that is now giving me adapted exercises for the osteoporosis, which feels much better.

And Monday morning I’ll be getting my first Prolia injection. Hopefully that will also help.

I will definitely check out the Alendronate (I don’t know what that is yet.)

I just found out from my trainer today that soy products have estrogen (or produce estrogen) and I’m estrogen positive (99%)!

And guess what milk I’ve been drinking for years? Soy milk!! (I just bought 2 half gallons of organic, unsweetened Silk soy milk and can’t find any takers! AH!

So I guess I’ll be drinking almond milk.

Thanks again for your response. Take care!

I am new to this (Have only been on this med for 4 months) but I worked in healthcare for years. I would rather deal with osteo issues than cancer stage 2 or 3, etc. I'm a lobular patient but I think I"ll feel the same if I were ductal. Just my two cents.

Research has backed off on the soy/estrogen connection, as that was the finding in mice, not humans. I have read that soy is ok, and may even be protective against bc. I do not want to give advice, I'm not a nutrition expert, but neither is your personal trainer. I would not take nutrition advice from them, if I were you. Do some research, talk to a nutritionist, doctor, etc.

Dear deb23,

I will definitely check with my endocrinologist and a nutritionist.
Thank you for your feedback!!

I'm interested, what does an endocrinologist do for you? I have not heard of anyone working with one.

I'm in a similar spot -- 2 yrs Anastrozole this July, ostopenia diag at 1.5 yr mark, I take some Calcium, 6000 Vit D + K2. I walk a lot, and have recently added a weighted vest to increase the load, hoping it helps.

I was not told about connection between Anastrozole and heart disease, cholesterol, or blood sugar!! Just finding this out, on my own, and asking for additional labs this week. Why does the patient have to think of, and request these ourselves??? That's a whole other post, I guess. Anyway ... if any labs are of concern, I will consult ND (integrative oncologist) to talk about adjustments to diet, exercise, lifestyle, etc.

I already eat mostly plant-based (by choice for several years, even before bc), walk 3-5 mi a day, and willing to adjust, add, or remove whatever is needed for my best health and immunity, without adding another med. Anastrozole is my only med, and I want to keep it that way.

Hello All,
I've been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis since 2006 but now after taking Anastrazole since 2021 my Rheumatologist is seeing more Osteoarthritis. Could be age related but my Oncologist has told me how Anastrazole can affect your bones. I'll see her shortly for a 6 month checkup. Sad to say but I feel like it's a double edged sword. Take the Anastrazole and have bone issues or don't and have cancer worries. I've been told to take Anastrazole for 10 years so that leaves me with 6 more years. Suggestions? Best wishes for all.🦋

There are bone soaring medications that can be prescribed, but they also have their own side effects. Zometa and Prolia are 2 I’ve heard of.