What was your Oncotype score? Stopping HRT does not reduce estrogen levels below detection level because adrenals continue to produce estrogen. Many of us have cancers that were fed by estrogen, and had never done HRT.

I would need more information on your tumor and tests to express an opinion but for me and many others I know, side effects were tolerable and changed over time, often for the better. Of course I respect the experience of those who did suffer significant side effects, but even then, after weeks or a few months, those side effects may (or may not) improve.

@cadunkin, I moved your message about "being on the fence" about hormone therapy to this existing discussion so you can review the previous posts and connect easily with other members talking about:
- Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/arimidex/

@windyshores answers your specific question about stopping HRT and reducing the chance of metastasis.

A discussion with your oncologist can help to understand your personal risk of recurrence. Not all women experience difficult side effects from hormone deprivation therapy. You might also ask your oncologist about the differences between the drugs and the most common side effects, dosage, etc.