If it is true that if your estrogen levels are high, you will most likely have fewer side effects from anastrozole, why aren't our estrogen levels checked before we are prescribed the drug? I am 84, my estrogen levels are very low, I have had a very bad time with shoulder and arm pain and weakness. I stopped taking it more than 6 weeks ago, and I was three times given a form of prednisone to help the pain when no pain medications, except tramadol which made me sick, worked. The pain and weakness return as soon as I finish the prednisone. I have finally talked my doctor into prescribing a low dose of estrogen - I told him I would rather have the cancer return than go through what I had been suffering. For context, my tumor was very small, located away from any lymph nodes, and I did not have to do chemo or radiation. It was estrogen positive her-2 negative. I am hoping the estrogen will begin helping in a few days, as my doctor said it should.