Can aromatase inhibitors cause severe side effects?

Aromatase inhibitors can indeed cause challenging side effects that significantly impact daily life, and these concerns are very real for many patients in the HR+ HER2- community. It sounds like you've navigated quite a complex treatment path, and the frustration with quality of life impacts is completely understandable - many others here have shared similar experiences and may have helpful insights about managing these effects or discussing alternatives with their care teams.

Have you cycled through other aromatase inhibitors? I started on Letrozole, but side effects were horrible, then switched to Exemestane and doing much better. It is a secondary control to reduce your risk of recurrence. At least you have that. Talk to your doctors and tell them your issues. There are almost always other options. Best to you, also recovering, Kelli