Dear Karla:

I am so sorry for what you've been through for more than 1.5 years:( I almost feel your pain because I experienced similar aches and pains from taking one of the AIs also...

Have you tried physical therapy/occupational therapy to resolve these painful issues yet? They helped me tremendously! Here is my story... I started taking Anastrozole on 1/18/24; experienced loads of awful side effects such as: joint pain, trigger fingers, muscle pain all over my body, back pain, etc., almost immediately after taking this AI medicine. Apparently my old body still needs hormones to function adequately! Due to the fact that I declined the radiation treatments against my oncologists' recommendation already, I decided to continue taking Anastrozole - like you said, all AIs have similar side-effects, my cancerous cells are ER95%+, PR+, and Her2-, and taking any AIs is the only avenue for me to keep those hormone-fueled cancerous cells from popping up anywhere in my body:(. Toward the end of February, I developed an acute Lumbar spine issue, MRI showed troublesome issues along my Lumbar Spine, and my medical Oncologist referred me to a Spinal surgeon! I turned to my primary care physician for help, because the thought of spinal surgery sent chills to my bone:( Fortunately for me, my kind-hearted PCP recommended PT/OT for cancer patients' rehab for me to strengthen my weakened back, muscles, bones, & aching joints and gradually keep my fingers moving daily. The aches and pains are still there with much less intensity, but at least I can perform my daily functions normally.

Sorry for such a lengthy note, but I simply wish to share with you my personal struggling experiences to show there's hope to mitigate pain under any circumstances. Please bring up all your side-effects and discuss with your physicians - especially your PCP - to see if they'd recommend any viable solutions for you.

Best wishes to you all for the new year!