As best as I can tell, from both your profile and what the research says, you should be exactly where you are presently, that is, taking Tam. Study shows that taking tam in the first two to three years following chemo is the most effective drug at preventing relapse in premenopausal women, the time when LOCAL recurrence is most likely to occur. Tam is great at thwarting tumors development in breast tissue, which, we all have some, even those of us who had them ripped off.
When the risk shifts sharply down for local recurrence, there remains a steady, low-but present risk for mets, and an AI/ovary shut down proves the best therapy to stave it off.
What's interesting about your Zolodex shot is that it's 4 xs a year instead of monthly. I wonder if your onco's intent is to minimize your estrogen output without completely shutting down so that you retain some of benefits because of your age. an AI would bring quite a hit to your bones, where tam does not, and it's best to only do it when the benefit outweighs the risk.
I think this would be a good talking point at your next visit. Your Onco sounds pretty astute, and very well may have a plan in place that is balancing your future bone integrity with risk reduction. I wouldn't be surprised if you'd go another year or two before completely shutting it down and moving to AI.
((Hug))

You don't necessarily feel pain from bone mets. but the bone building Zometa causes arthritic like pain for a few days to week after the infusion.

yes, just last week I found out I was stage IV. He says a lesion on my pelvis grew some since August of 2015, so he is treating me for bone mets. I will have another petscan in 2 mos. I'm on monthly Zometa, (20 minute) infusions, for a YEAR. THANKS FOR THE HUGS.. I NEVER TURN DOWN HUGS AND GIVE THEM OUT FREELY.. SO huggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

My onc tested my blood several times on Tamoxifen and my estrogen kept increasing. I chose to have my ovaries removed during my exchange surgery. Through my belly button. Glad I did and it was an easy heal.
Lupron injections were not working for me.
Just switched from exemestane to Arimidex due to severe aches and pains. I think this drug will treat me the same way.
I was also put on a bone pill, taken once per week because of a new study showing less mets to bone on this drug. I hope it works.

Hello Ladies. I had a hysterectomy in 2004. They left me with one ovary. Got all my breast cancer treatments behind and ONC started me on Arimidex. In the beginning I was ok. A little bone pain. 2 1/2 months later I was feeling horrible. I couldn't get out of bed. I would eventually but everything hurt. I suffer from Chronic post pain nerve related from surgery and the treatments did no favors. Now this devil pill. The mornings for me are horrible. I do get up and it is slow. Go for my coffee and get outside with coffee and walk driveway to get feeling better. I was taken off Arimidex and Sunday I start Letrozole. Any info from our warriors on Letrozole?