When I started on Anastrozole - after about 4 months, my hands , toes and shoulders hurt so much. I insisted that the drug be changed at about 6 months - she sent me to a Rheumatologist to make sure the hand pain (at a 7 by then) - was not arthritis. It was not. Finally changed me to Exemestane close to 1 year on the first drug. It took 10 or so weeks, but the pain in my hands faded to a 1, from a 7. Each person had different side effects from different drugs. I made my 5 years last November. I urge you to have a frank discussion on the drugs with your doctor. Good luck.