Osteoarthritis and Arimidex????

I read this thread with interest, is anyone on, or been offered a biophosphate?  Since they have now been shown to be of help with prevention of breast cancer and other cancers, my onc has been on my case to take one.

I am osteopenia, (could be due to small bones) but am about to get a scan and my onc is really pushing me to go on one of these drugs as it affords more safety from bc and recurrence of bc.

I am on arimidex, (1 1/2) years, so will be interested to see what my new bone scan shows.

I do NOT want the biophosphate!  It will have a SE (casually, he tells me this) of feeling like I have the flu.  WTF?  And I'd take this, why?  Also a minute chance of bone necrosis of the jaw (1-2%) so I'd need to get me to the dentist beforehand.  His feeling is that since I could not have radiation, it affords me yet another level of protection.  I did have a mtxmy, and the cancer was node negative, but he is hyper conservative and wants to keep me safe from recurrence.  I think perhaps he may be jumping the gun.

What's you gals take on these things?  Anybody on them, and your pros/cons?

Katie, so sorry about the knee! My SIL just had hers done, and if it helps, it was a very easy arthroscopic procedure and she was back teaching school within three weeks.  Had some PT, but good to go now.  My hubby has osteoporosis in both knees, he takes glucosamine/chondroitin and fish oil, he'll be looking at knee replacement in the future we hope, distantly, but never know.  That operation has come a really long way with minimal down time, so don't worry too much if you need to go there.

Good luck ladies, and let me know what your oncs had to say re: biophosphates etc.

Hi anniealso,  twelve months ago my doc put me on bonefos oral but unfortunately after three weeks my stomach decided it didn't like it so have not taken it since.  I had a bone density scan only a week ago and my thigh is still on the normal range but my spine has just moved past the normal and into the osteopenia range all be it very close still to the normal level.  The only thing that my GP and I agree on as to the reason for such a good scan at this point in time is the fact that I take Vit D3 and have done for a very long time. My doc high fived me he was so pleased with the result. 

Hope your scans are all good.  chrissyb

The vast majority of people over a certain age have arthritis.  I had a knee MRI for an non-related reason and was told I had some, but it wasn't causing my symptoms.  How do you know it wasn't there before?  The "little stiffness" was probably it.  I was told that if everyone over the age of 35 had an MRI of their spine, well over three fourths would show arthritis.  I'm not saying the AI hasn't accelerated the process, just that it probably didn't start from scratch.  Good luck.  

Hi to all,

 I talked with a dentist who said never to take biophosphates He explained that it is like putting  tefflon over the bone but having the bone underneath crumble. He really felt stongly about how the drug companies are promoting that drug and not letting the public know the terrible side effects. So that is one dentists opinion and it shook me up just hearing him talk about it. Meadowlark 

It does but it doesn't.  Arimidex is not the direct cause, it's the indirect cause.  Because of the lack of estrogen and it's effects, you then get the secondary effect on the bone from the estrogen lack.  Kind of nitpicky, but it's important to realize that you're seeing what what would happen in the future, earlier.  So someone who wouldn't develop osteo, would not, someone who would,  will. Suxs, doesn't it?

I was just diagnosed with moderate osteo arthritis in my hips.  I never had many issues before taking arimidex.  I was feeling great after finishing the radiation and healing from the burn by my collarbone.  Since I have started this crap, I have cramps in my right thigh, stiffness and pain in my hips if I sit too long when i stand up, can hardly get up from my desk chair.  I work and am on the computer all day.  I am taking multi vitamin, vit d, calcium and vit d, glucosamine and fish oil as well as the arimidex.  I hate taking this drug.  I am an upbeat person but this daily pain is starting to take it's toll on me.  

Hello Beiciamom3:

In reply to your question regarding Arimidex and osteoarthritis I will tell you that I have ad extensive pain from Osteoarthritis. I've been taking Arimidex for 3years in September. I've had a hip, knee and shoulder replacements. I've also had scarttered stroke. I knew when I had a stroke, but only 1, not several. Found out about the others when I had a shoulder replacement 2 weeks ago. Fortunate I have an excellent Orthopedic surgery. No pain with the knee and shoulder replacement, just a little pain with the hip.

I've been wondering if the osteoarthritis was caused by Arimidex. One is expected to take so much poison if they have had. Cancer, I'm not surprised to hear other are having problems from that medication.

Well 2 more years on. Arimidwx. Idon't have many more joints to replace

Grannyvee