@francine6829 wow you got interview! We are given names or just given an oncologist

@francine6829 That's great that you interviewed them. I had a very good male doctor assigned to me, but he did not do well in communication. At the medical center I go to, one can switch physicians with no problem or backlash. I looked at all of their CVs on the web site and chose a female doctor and she is quite good at communicating, in fact, about 2 hours after my MRI brain, she notified me via e-mail that it showed no tumors! Also, we had a phone appt and I told her regarding headaches on and aches from anastrozole and she advised she liked to start with this and then we can always make changes. I hope all goes well with your new oncologist – be proactive and you'll do just fine.

I have such ridiculously thick hair, my hair dresser said not to take biotin and told me I'm not thinning at all. I went for a second opinion for chances of endometrial cancer and ob/gyn said he did not see anything but sent a bunch of slides to lab. He said many women have hysterectomies but felt I'm doing fine with just having sore knee bones and gaining 10 lbs the last two years. It's been interesting, I had another abnormal mammo, then biopsy and it was benign, so tamoxifin is working!! Just please keep up with vitamin d-3, it's important to stay in the high numbers.

@gwinter
We all are entitled to multiple second opinions, and oncologists are generally quite accommodating in that regard. I chose to go to three oncologists… each from a different oncology group… and grilled them on the appropriateness of my treatment plan and all my questions. It helped to get a better handle on this wacky journey known as breast cancer.

I did too, it was good for me to get the facts from different sources.

After being on it since October 1 I didn't take my pill last night and will not until I see my oncologist next week. The leg pain is awful and I am having trouble walking it is an effort to do anything. I'm 65 and to think that I'm going to be this way for 5 years is just overwhelming. Quality of life? I was in pretty good health until breast cancer I was active and fit. I am considering stopping it for good and if I don't get some relief I will because I'm not living I'm existing. Has anyone found a balance on dealing with the pain from this drug.

Jeannie- where on your leg is the pain? Both legs? In my case, it’s knees. I have arthritis and I think this makes it worse

Hi Francine,
Yes the knees have been terrible. Especially my left knee on the inside where your knees would meet. At times I feel as if it will give out and I will get a shooting pain. For the last week it has been my legs and tingling which would wake me up as if I have restless leg. The pain is not relieved with Advil. Only if I rest and lay down do they feel better but as soon as I get up they feel weak. How long have you been on the medication.

@jeannie53 I tried anastrozole twice for 3 weeks only. I have never felt so much pain! My oncologist was upset with me because he felt I had not given the meds enough time! I explained to him I was 65 active and have 4 grandsons. I kayak, fish, swim….QUALITY of life is more important sometimes and I firmly believe some oncologists don't get that!
I am going to try aromasin but start at every other day!
My 2 lymph nodes and marginal tissue were clear and I was stage 1A and I feel my oncologist is trying scare tactics! Timing to find a new oncologist!
You wait and see what yours tells you.

@gwinter
I also was stage 1 lymph nodes clear and had to have a second surgery to clean up the margin. Funny thing I felt great until I started the medicine. My husband and I just retired in November so I feel like it's some kind of joke we can finally relax and enjoy the things we kept putting off because we always worked. Now what! I will see what the doctor says but I will also look into a nutritionist, supplements eating healthier and exercise. I have not been able to walk much or exercise because I have felt so crappy.

@gwinter, – Where was your pain? I'm having the worst pain I've ever experienced in my hip, upper leg and knee. I had an MRI yesterday and my stenosis has worsened and there is multilevel degenerative change. Now that said, I'm 74, and have had back issues for years (never knee) so Who knows if Arimidex has made the problem worse. I'm seeing my spine doctor on the 9th.

I feel like I was exactly where you are now. It's been nearly 4 years on Arimadex and no recurrence. I pushed through and stayed on the drug religiously. I forced myself to continue weight class and swim aerobics, figuring I couldn't hurt anymore than I already did. I think my body has quit fighting it, and the pain is gone. My advice is to stay with it. If got better for me, hopefully it will for you too. I love my pain free life again and treasure every day at 71!