I have just had my 5 yrly review with my bc surgeon. A recent DEXA bone density scan showed significant bone loss since my previous one, before I started Arimidex, which was ordered by my gastro in the light of 30 yrs of steroids for Crohn’s which is known to deplete bone density.
I have been on Arimidex since Feb 2004 and my surgeon said he wants me to continue with it because I had lymph node spread. I have osteopenia, osteo-arthritis in both hips, hands and feet and had 2 spontaneous fractures in my feet last summer. However, he surprised me when he said he is referring me to a Professor of Endocrinoloy who has an interest in bone depletion/fractures due to Arimidex. I am already taking a weekly bispho, Alendronic Acid, plus twice daily Calcichew/Vit.D. I had read an online artice from The New England Journal of Medicine (guess I can’t give the URL here unfortunately) of a study called The Horizon Pivotal Fracture trial which concluded that a once-yearly infusion of zoedronic acid during a 3 yr period significantly reduced the risk of vertebral,hip and other fractures. Hip fractures reduced by 41%.
My surgeon said he knows zoledronic acid infusions are being done at my hospital, Derriford in Plymouth but he doesn’t know much about them. Guess that is why he is referring me to Professor Wilkin.
I am curious to know if anyone else on Arimidex,has seen an endocrinologist, and what the outcome was. I haven’t got the appt yet.
Thanks for any insight.
Liz.