Glucose & Cholesterol higher on Arimidex?

ByFaith

I've taken Arimidex just short of 4 years before my oncologist and I made a mutual decision for me to take a break this past June. I'd started in 2010 with Femara and soon after developed very major depression (and I'd been on an antidepressant for several years). The decision was made to switch to Arimidex. I soon develop a lesser breakthrough depression with Arimidex, and no antidepressant changes or therapy helped. I just lived with it, preferring Arimidex to quality of life. (Also developed osteopenia near osteoporosis and other side effects such as trigger fingers, etc.) I don't want to take Aromasin and can't take tamoxifen.

My depression turned quite major again this summer (on an antidepressant as always) and nothing helped. My oncologist said it was okay to stop after nearly 4 years, but I decided to take a longer holiday and try to get better. I stopped this past June and may resume, undecided. Depression is coming under control. 

During the time I was on hormonal therapy, my cholesterol and glucose rose. Glucose jumped from the 80s to 100 and stayed there. Cholesterol is now considered borderline high (but luckily with great ratios, high HDL ("good cholesterol ") and great triglycerides). Still, overall higher than pre-hormonal therapy. I follow a very healthy, (near vegetarian by choice) organic diet with rare red meat, limited, low-fat sweets and I don't overeat, never have. However, I rarely exercise due to a difficult chronic illness. I had that chronic illness pre-hormonal therapy and my glucose and cholesterol were much lower despite lack of exercise. I am 4 years older since starting therapy (57), but somehow don't feel that's the reason for the rise in values given my overall diet. 

I've been off therapy for 2 months now and this week's glucose and cholesterol were the same. Glucose 101, cholesterol virtually the same, but still not normal like before hormonal therapy. Friends say "You're getting older," but the jump in glucose and cholesterol distinctly started with Femara/Arimidex.

Is hormonal therapy known to raise glucose and cholesterol? 

Could Arimidex be the cause for this week's glucose and cholesterol results 2 months after stopping it? I've heard that stress can elevate glucose readings, and I have been under an unusual amount of stress, this past month in particular at a very high level. Could that affect glucose results?

P.S. I do know I'm extremely blessed to have been DX'd with DC at an early stage and with no recurrence. I hope this post doesn't come off sounding petty, because I do count my blessings daily and know how lucky I am. Just trying to overall improve my health, hence this post. Thanks. 

Spookiesmom

My cholesterol has stayed the same. My A1c has moved up a bit. It could be your pancreas is slowly decreasing insulin output. It happens. Or maybe your liver is dumping more. Time to see your endo?

lbrewer

higher cholesterol is listed on the arimidex label as a side effect 

ByFaith

Hi Spookiesmom and lbrewer,

You and others may notice I deleted my original post. I did so because I found I was obsessing too much about my health. I'm very prone to health-related anxiety and need to focus on something else as well as to help others. I knew if I kept the post up, I would check for replies, so I deleted it. 

I won't be checking this post anymore, so perhaps the moderators will take it down. Poor judgment on my part to not think before I posted, but I do appreciate your very kind and informative replies. 

Thanks again. Hugs to both of you!