Jeannie Bean, we’re all here for you, and cheering you on. Good Luck on your journey through this beast called cancer!

Queenmary25, the first estrogen blocker I was on was Anastrozole. It affected my cognitive function so badly I couldn’t think straight at all. I feared I was sliding into dementia. Lowering our estrogen can affect memory and cause confusion. I was afraid to drive even to my local grocery store because I didn’t think I could find my way back home. When I spoke with my doctor she switched me to Tomoxifin, within a few days of taking it I broke out in hives all over my body. We aren’t sure if it was the Tomoxifin causing an allergic reaction or not. But it wasn’t worth continuing with it when there are other drugs I could take. She then switched me to Exemestane. I’ve been on that for a little over a year now and it seems to be better for me. Most of us have done a trial and error method to finding something ‘tolerable’. It’s better than the other two drugs I was on. Exemestane has its side effects too, but for now I’m going to continue it. I don’t know yet if I will take it for the full 5 years recommended. I’m 67 and at this point, quality of life is very important to me. I want to enjoy my early senior years before other health challenges come my way. Talk to your doctor and see if another medication might be tolerable for you. All of us here on this thread fully understand your frustrations. We’re here for you! Let us know how you are doing Good Luck!

I don't know about the blood draw frequency but there are multiple studies addressing the breast cancer 'non-compliance' issue. Because approximately 50% of the women who begin taking aromatase inhibitors quit taking them with 5 years. The estimate is that 75% or so of that 50% actually quit taking them with the first two years. These numbers don't include the woman who are prescribed them but never start taking them. [I've posted links to articles elsewhere here. And anyone can search on Google Scholar for more.]

Also these numbers don't include the women who fill the prescriptions but don't take the drug but don't want their doctors to know.

My point is that there are a lot of women who suffer side effects that just are too difficult to add to their lives for any number of reasons. I hope that everyone who can benefit from them tries them, seriously and for a fair period of time. But I also hope that those who do and find the drugs intolerable know that they are not alone in that place.

I was that onr....now six years of feeling like cancer was nothing, easy,...only had lumpectomy.. I have cancer in lymph node requires removal..... Hasn't spread yet elsewhere... Am 85