Hi Rosa1935
My ongoing connection to this sharing relationship with all in this forum has tested my thoughts and decisions as I bounced around trying to come to some action that made sense to me. To remind me each day what my goal was I would write at the top of my date book how far away I was from the quality of life I believed was acceptable.

After many months of taking Anastrozole my side effects began and my daily calendar went from 100% slowly down. I went from deciding to work through each side effect with all the remedies I could come across for each issue - to realizing there were some side effects that were going to be part of my life going forward.

My right knee pain never left me and was told by all (both medical and anyone else who was kind enough to listen) that it was no doubt arthritis. When I researched arthritis there were a few suggested ways of dealing with that but was no ‘cure’.
The first week in April my doctor approved. 3 month hiatus. Immediately side effects such as chapped lips, cankers my mouth, carpel tunnel feelings in my hands, sleep issues, unexplained sadness, hair loss went away! The muscle/bone side effect continued and made me panic that if this indeed was arthritis- I was destined to endure this going forward in spite of Anastrozole. Fortunately my brain fog had gone and I was able to think!! I read that this particular side effect took much longer to go away after stopping and I waited. One and a half weeks ago I woke up and and had only a little pain in my leg/knee. Slowly each day has allowed me to believe this debilitating side effect may be gone. I have read nothing that gives arthritis this characteristic.
I think all of my advisors were willing to find logic in the arthritis option when there were viable alternatives to that theory.
For all those who have done fine on Anastrozole, I am envious!! There is just a vast majority of women who have suffered because of it and have had to work too hard to be listened to.