@hopeful64 Not everyone has side effects from Anastrozole. If some have them, they are all different. We must listen to our bodies. I took Anastrozole for 2 1/2 years. What happened slowly was that my hip joint was hurting, I thought, Oh I've done something to overstretch it. Then an overall cloud throughout me started. It was slow, but I was noticing differences. I started paying attention to ME. Then I got a trigger thumb and started looking things up. Trigger thumb/fingers are a side effect. My oncologist said 'oh no it couldn't be that", I got a thumb brace and it went away after a few weeks. Then things progressed that I could hardly walk and get in and out of the car. I felt 80+ years old. I just turned 70. I stopped the Anastrozole 8 months ago and I feel like a million bucks. Back to exercising, yoga, walking (with a lift in my step), my outlook is great. I'm BACK!! 2 1/2 years is better than nothing I am and always have been active and living pretty healthy so all is good for me. I have my screening done every 6 months (MRI & mammogram) plus my physical exams with oncologist and surgeon. My Quality of Life is very important.
Pay attention to your body, it will talk to you. Talk to your doctor and be proactive with what you have to say to him. My oncologist just did not listen to me. He has since retired and I will be seeing a new on this February. Good luck Hopeful64. Stay strong and vigilant and do what is good for you.