I couldn't tolerate the AI type drugs (but then I can't take most drugs...too many allergies and negative reactions). At my last oncology follow up my new doctor said I should just move on because some people are so sensitive to chemicals and I am one of those people. If there is a side effect, I'll get it. That can be very frustrating because I can't use most antibiotics, pain meds, etc. That said, most women experience side effects of some type with the AI's because they remove the hormones from your body and those same hormones which feed the cancer have protections for your joints, heart, etc. It's a classic double edged sword for sure. Before you stop taking the AI's discuss with your doctor and see if another drug might be easier for your body to tolerate AND ask that they test your hormone levels (not once but initially and about 6 months down the line) to see how high your Estrogen and Progesterone and Testosterone levels are. The AI's prevent the hormones in your body but your body may be ramping way down anyway (mine certainly have). The AI's can eliminate hormones and therefore the fuel for the cancer. Even if you hormone levels are extremely low, they are still there.....so there is risk the hormones will start the cancer back up and building. It's nice to know where your hormones are sitting however. I'm grateful I had an oncologist who suggested that when I was unable to tolerate the AI drugs.
Another consideration - If the AI's make you feel awful all the time you can choose not to choose them. There is a 'quality of life' consideration with all treatment. You have to weigh the current and on going issues the drugs cause with the longer term hope the drugs will stop the cancer from recurring. I chose not to take the drugs..........only time will tell what that means. It's a worry for me but other than the cancer worry, I feel generally pretty good every day.. I may be trading today for tomorrow, don't know yet but that was my decision.