Anastrozole has ruined my bones.

Hi There

I was diagnosed with stage 2 Oestrogen positive Breast cancer in 2016. After just 3 round of chemo, my ping pong ball sixzed tumour had disappeared and the cancer had left my lymph noed. After 8 rounds a mammogram had showed that though I was clear, calcium depositis on my breast might flare up into cancer and so I had a full mastectomy of the right breast and had 14 nodes removed. The nodes came back clear and the breast was cancer free though I did have dome precancerous tissue. I had had a complete pathological response which considerably increased my odd of not having a recurrence, After some months I had my healthy breast reduced from an f to a c cup to match my new implant and the removed tissue was completely cancer free. I then began anastrzole with zoladex injections to stop my periods. I also took part in the palbocciclib trial from 5 cycles until it caused my to reject 2 implants and developed sepsis.  

After a year on Anastrozole a dexa scan showed that I had gone from moderate osteopenia -1.7 to osteoporosis -2.6. I was horrified. I asked the oncologist what my chances of recurrence were. She said 5 to 10% if I take the anastrozole and 7 to 10% if I take nothing.  So I stopped taking it. I worry that I have gone against my oncologist but if I keep taking that drug I reduce my chanced of recurrence by 2% but will definitely ruin my bones. I haven't told my oncologist yet

  •  

    Hi Acelynn,

    I'm not sure about any meds tricking the body regarding oestrogen but my hair is no thinner 13 years later on Anastrozole and I'm 58 now.  I do use Plantur 39 shampoo and the hair tonic inbetween shampoo days.  The conditioner doesn't contain any of the active ingredients so I use a different one.

    My hair was dead straight before chemo and it's been curly ever since and I love it!

    Stick with the drug as it does improve after a few months, that's if you do feel a bit stiff at first that is, I didn't.

     

  • Hi annechristine,

    I hope you don't mind me asking but I just started taking anastrozole 4 weeks ago and ibandronic acid almost 2 weeks ago. I was diagnosed in nov 2020, had 6 rounds of chemo followed by smx and SNB on 25th May 2021. 

    At my follow up appointment I was told the cancer had all gone but still put on the drugs mentioned above. I too was not given a DEXA scan and when asked was told it is because of the ibandronic acid. 

    I have had some side effects since I started the drugs;  muscle pain, bowel problems and a sudden change in my eyesight (which the medical team are saying is not due to the drugs!). Yesterday I had pain in my ankle joints, wrists, hips, elbows and knees. The pain is still here today and my knees are definitely swollen.

    Having read the comments from others on these drugs i am considering stopping but as you are the only one who seems to be on the ibandronic acid too, I wondered how you have been getting on. Are you still taking the drugs and have your side effects eased?

     

    Thank you in advance,

     

    Julie x

     

  • Hi Julie,

     

    I too experienced very similar symptoms whilst on Anastrazole and so switched to Tamoxifen a year ago and find this much better, hardly any side effects. I am still taking Ibandronic acid.  

     

    Caroline x