But @A MyBCTeam Member Do you realize that these AI's can stop working when Breast cancer cells create their own fuel source? Articles suggest they stop working in 1 out of 3 women. Breast cancer drugs stop working when tumours 'make their own fuel'
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/177133/breast-c...
This allowed the cancer cells to effectively make their own oestrogen, without relying on external sources of the hormone, explained Dr Luca Magnani, co-lead author of the research from the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial: “For the first time we have seen how breast cancer tumours become resistant to aromatase inhibitors. The treatments work by cutting off the tumour’s fuel supply – oestrogen – but the cancer adapts to this by making its own fuel supply.”

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A MyBCTea...

@A MyBCTeam Member:that's not how it works. Joint pain in the beginning is normal due to the drop in estrogen, but often the body settles into it and the pain lessens, not increases. Just like normal menopause - a lot of women have issues in the beginning like hot flashes, joint pain etc but it lessens/goes away over time. Doesnt mean their menopause is reversing or anything, it just means the body has settled into it. Pain/no pain are not indicators of whether or not a drug is "working" -only way you could know with certainty if the amount is staying level is through bloodwork. I have no side effects and my blood work is checked regulary and my estrogen is nil. Some women take these drugs and have absolutely no side effects at all - doesn't mean that it's not working. Some women have chemo and have a far easier time with it than others - doesn't mean that it's ineffective. Some people's systems are just built differently- that's all.

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A MyBCTea...

There is no relationship between side effects, and the drug working. Some are just more lucky. Anastrozole can weaken your bones, and you have bone Mets, correct? Are you getting a bone modifier? Zometa, Xgeva? I have neither, but my patients seem to tolerate Xgeva quite well. It is a monthly, or 6 week injection.
Wishing you well!

Hi Barbara I took the drug for 10 years. To start with mood swings but no bone pain. Have been off it for the last 10 years. I now have bone pain and a few Urine infections due to my vagina being very dry. I now take replens which helps a great deal. Would I take it again. I sure would as you can see I am here after after a double mastectomy over 30 years ago. I wish you well in your recovery

Barbara66 - The estrogen that is produced by body fat is what the Anastrozole is targeting. That's why it is usually only given to post-menaposal women because estrogen from ovaries is no longer the issue after menopause. Aromatase inhibitors like Anastrozole lower estrogen levels by stopping an enzyme in fat tissue (called aromatase) from changing other hormones into estrogen. So the drug is stopping estrogen from being produced by your body fat. I have been on this drug 10 months. I have some achy joint days and some not. I feel fortunate that I do not have it constantly. Since you are not having any (or not much) pain, that doesn't mean it is not working. But if you really feel unsure, ask the Dr. to do blood work to measure your estrogen levels. That might give you peace of mind that it is working.