Change in Bone Density wuery

I don’t know if that is normal for Anastrozole but it does seem quite a high percentage decrease in bone density.  I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2019 and have been on biophosphates more or less since then. I had a Dexa in 2019 so am not due another until 2024. I have only just been diagnosed with breast cancer so have only been on Anastrozole for three weeeks.If my bone density decreases by the same amount as yours  I will not continue with Anastrozole. I was told because I have been taking biophosphates plus high dose Vitamin D and calcium tablets I should be ok. Have you been taking biophosphates?  It is so scary.

Evajean 

Thank you for your reply and I am so sorry that you have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I was never prescribed biophospates - I was told when I received the first bone density results in 2018 that my bone density was very good, which is why I am shocked at the 9+ % decrease, it sounds a lot. It may be worth us both asking what % benefit anastrazole is giving against recurrence.  Yes, it is very scary.

It must be purely down to the Anastrozole. There is nothing you can do about the last five years but lots that can be done to stop any further deterioration. It is scary going on biophosphates but I am fine with them now after a little hiccup at the start but I tolerate a monthly tablet of ibandronic acid really well. I expectyou will be put on Vit D and calcium too but my breast surfeon said my Vit D levels were excellent so that was a bonus. Most people have low levels of Vit D so it was nice to have something positive in all this cancer chat. Let me know how you get on at your Osteoporosis clinic.

Evajean x

Just out of interest what was your T score for your hip?

My left hip at last Dexa was -2.2

I wish I knew Evajean. When I went for my results the person I was due to see was off sick and the person who was standing in thought I was there for a routine check up.  When I explained I was there for results the person went to find out.  She came back around half an hour later, apologised and said she wasn't qualified to give results or answer my questions.  She said she would make an appointment with an oncologist (mine has retired) to go through the results with me and discuss my anastrazole questions.  Five days later I received a copy of the letter sent to my GP and thats when it said decrease of 9% etc.  The letter also said I had been referred to the Osteoporosis clinic.  Thats all I know.  Ive been googling 9% decrease etc but everything refers to T score and Ive no idea yet what mine is.  My oncologist appointment has come through for 17 November so will find out then.

Sorry, I must have missed your reply and just spotted it.  My report from the hospital detailed my hips and spine density.  Your oncologist might be able to put your mind at rest.  If it was me I would also contact my GP, he would have your original Dexa scan which should have T scores.   I didn’t know I had a problem with my bones, it was pure chance it was discovered. . I was booked in for a colonoscopy and the hospital had loan of a CT scanner that they were trialling for bowel scans. Out of the blue I had letter from fracture clinic saying I had a fracture of my T12 in my spine. The radiologist had spotted the fracture andreported it. I was so shocked but my GP said you can fracture your spine in many ways, sometimes just by a violent sneeze!. I hadn’t had a fall so it was very weird. I had a Dexa scan and thats when I was put on osteoporosis treatment. My bowel scan was fine but without that I would not have discovered my osteoporosis.