I've been taking Arimidex for approximately 8 months now. Arimidex is one of the "hormone therapy" drugs that have received a lot of attention in the press.
At this point in time, it is only given to post-menopausal women with estrogen receptive tumors. It can have loads of unpleasant side effects - none of which I seem to have been cursed with, thank goodness.
However, it might (does?) accelerate bone loss and thus might (will?) accelerate my slide into osteoporosis. I had a bone density scan done in June. I lost a lot of bone density in one year. If I keep losing that much every year, I'll be a jellyfish in no time.
But...I am still within the normal range for bone density. Maybe this next year won't produce the same drop in density. Maybe the chemo and the surgically induced meno whomped me good and now I'll just gradually lose bone density like (almost?) every other post-menopausal woman.
How did I take this news? Not well at all. It has taken me two months to write about it - what does that tell you? At least this problem is not as urgent as cancer. It's an issue and it needs my attention but I can take my time and figure out what I really need to do. I don't want to stop taking Arimidex.
I take calcium and do weight-bearing exercises. Do I do enough? I don't know yet.
When I started my breast cancer blog, I was in heavy-research-mode. There are shelves full of books about osteoporosis and a gazillion websites about same. I haven't gone into heavy-research-mode on this yet. I will. I just haven't been ready.
What am I ready to do? Go ice-skating and skiing and do anything else that someone with weak bones would have to avoid.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
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1 comments:
I have ready many complaints on various blogs about joint and bone pain and sleeplessness in those who take Arimidex. It is good that you do not have those problems. For those suffering joint and bone pain from taking Arimidex, I have some news. My doctor(s) recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements which have helped me and will probably help you. It seems Arimidex may inhibit your ability to absorb Vitamin D and thus inhibits your body’s ability to absorb calcium(?) Anyway, get your blood D levels tested and don’t be surprised if they are low. Ask your doctor how much calcium and vitamin D are right for you. Also, a moderate exercise program (swimming is great) will help with sleep.
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