Severe osteoporsis in just 18 months on Arimidex

Sydneyluv

On March 21 I fell on a ceramic tile floor breaking my knee cap. Surgery two days later revealed that I have severe osteoporsis. The surgeon said my knee cap was in smithereens and my bones are mush! Right now I'm in an inpatient rehab program, just graduating from the walker to a cane. And I'm planning on selling my beautiful many staired house to move to a ranch, just for safety. I'll be here another week and won't be able to drive for many more weeks as its my right knee that's broken.

I was dx with stage one, grade one IDC, Estrogen positive, and started on Arimidex 18 months ago following a lumpectomy and internal radiation therapy. At the time I had a bone density scan done and I had very stable mild osteopenia and no one was particularly concerned about my bones. I have never heard of bones deteriorating so fast on Arimidex. Anyway, I'm pretty concerned and shocked about this news. I will be following up with a bone specialist as soon as I can. I'm interested in learning other people's experience with this particular problem. Does bone repair itself if Arimidex is discontinued. (I have stopped it for now until I have a better idea of what's going on.) Forteo seems to be the drug of choice in this case. What has been your experience? Do people stay on Arimidex with this severe side effect? I am not a candidate for tamoxifen either due to another problem. I am 72, still working full time. Thanks for any advice you might have to offer.