Hi PB
I started Anastrazole on 1 January 2014 and switched to Tamoxifen at the end of September. I'm 64. I believe I gave it my best shot. The joint pain, which had started in my fingers, spread to my wrists, knees, hips and lower back and was slowly getting worse. My mood swings were terrible, the constant irritability was starting to make me feel very unhappy. I also suffered from vaginal atrophy. I finally contacted my BCN, who talked to my oncologist, who suggested I tried Tamoxifen. I've been on it for about 7 weeks and the joint pain has subsided considerably and mood swings have settled down. I feel happier in myself. Not sure about the atrophy yet. However, I am suffering from fatigue and some hot flushes, although nothing I can't cope with so far. It seems there are some SEs associated with both drugs, and it's a case of deciding which ones you can live with. So far Tamoxifen wins for me. It works in a completely different way to Anastrazole and when I next see the oncologist in March, given that I'll be taking it for 10 years, I shall be asking which drug she believes gives me the best chance of survival. I hope that helps. Good luck. xx
