Ok Tamoxifen

carkris
carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Need some pushing, I have to start my Tamoxifen and am dragging my feet, I notoriously do poorly with meds and am nervous. I just finished treatment and am starting to feel somewhat normal, and I know there is no turning back. I am trying to look at it as an improtant ally in my fight and I know I need it. I just hate it.
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Comments

  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #2
    tamoxifen
    I don't about you ... but my oncologist told me there was no decision to make. I needed to take tamoxifen ... and that's all there is to it. So ... I started about 4-5 months ago and so far I don't think I've noticed any problems ... unless my achy knees could be a side effect. But ... then again ... I was out in the yard weeding and on my knees a LOT ...

    hugs.
    teena
  • pattimc
    pattimc Member Posts: 431
    #3
    Go for it!
    I've been on Tamoxifen since June 2009. Honestly, I've only had hot flashes and I seem to have a few more aches and pains. But nothing major. I'm sorry you've had problems in the past with your meds, but maybe this time it will be OK. You're right, this is an important ally in your battle....You can do it!

    I pray that all goes well for you!

    Patti
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #4
    tgf said:

    tamoxifen
    I don't about you ... but my oncologist told me there was no decision to make. I needed to take tamoxifen ... and that's all there is to it. So ... I started about 4-5 months ago and so far I don't think I've noticed any problems ... unless my achy knees could be a side effect. But ... then again ... I was out in the yard weeding and on my knees a LOT ...

    hugs.
    teena

    no there is not a decision
    no there is not a decision just putting in my mouth is the hard part. thanks for the encouragemnt.
  • greyhoundluvr
    greyhoundluvr Member Posts: 402
    #5
    Carkris
    I think I get it - before my diagnosis with BC, I was very proud that I didn't have to take much of anything in the way of medications. I took supplements and my doctor used to laugh at me saying that they should fuss at me but I was just so darned healthy. All of that kind of went out the window. You get through the surgery, you get through the chemo, you get through the rads but it is never completely behind you. I'm not where you are yet but I have had to adjust to the fact that apparently I didn't know as much as I thought I did all those years ago. Birth control pills - oops, that was probably not my best move. Supplements - my onc says only if they are manufactured by a company that also makes prescriptions because they have seen some cause permanent neuropathies. Benadryl - my old standby for sleepless nights?? That came off my list last week when my onc told me there are new studies that show that excessive antihistamine use can cause immune suppression and, what else, contribute to cancer. And my oncs aren't on the 5 year plan for Tamoxifen or whatever version I am ultimately put - they both say that they are leaning towards continuing these meds indefinitely. Soooo, I am already trying to readjust my thinking. I know that I am lucky to be ER+/PR+ and if this will help me avoid this cycle again, then bring it on.....

    I hope you areone of those folks that doesn't even know they are taking it - best of luck!
  • Christine Louise
    Christine Louise Member Posts: 426 Member
    #6
    Yeah, me too
    I'm sorry you're having to do this. I hate that I have to start Tamoxifen soon, too. I dread it -- mostly fear of mood swings and depression. And hot flashes, of course. Multiple surgeries and chemo don't bother me as much as stuff that messes with my head and emotions. Don't know when exactly I'll start, but I just finished chemo this week. Oh, kiddo, let's hold each other's hand, take a deep breath and leap in. You first!
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #7
    If you have problems on
    If you have problems on Tamoxifen you can always stop taking it. As for me my onc ended up switching me to Aromasin (after determining I was in menapause) and after 2 1/2 years I stopped that. For me it just wasn't helping that much. When I asked how much the answer was slight. I have read that Tamoxifen stops working after 5 years. You should be sure and see your OBGYN for regular check-ups while on it.

    I am adding that my onc didn't know if the Tamoxifen was causing my spotting but because of my family history also is why he switched me.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #8
    Marcia527 said:

    If you have problems on
    If you have problems on Tamoxifen you can always stop taking it. As for me my onc ended up switching me to Aromasin (after determining I was in menapause) and after 2 1/2 years I stopped that. For me it just wasn't helping that much. When I asked how much the answer was slight. I have read that Tamoxifen stops working after 5 years. You should be sure and see your OBGYN for regular check-ups while on it.

    I am adding that my onc didn't know if the Tamoxifen was causing my spotting but because of my family history also is why he switched me.

    It is not going to be worse than induced menopause
    I know how do you feel. If Chemo stopped your periods and you overcome hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that Tamoxifen will not make it worse. Chemo induced menopause and its symptoms was the worst side effect of Chemo for me. When those symptoms subsided with time I felt much better. Being on Tamoxifen for 14 months myself I can assure you that the worse of Tamoxifen is associated with menopausal symptoms. Yes, you do need to see gynecologist for check up and vaginal ultrasound before start of Tamoxifen and then continue every six months to monitor endometrial lining. Yes, you can!!!!
    Good luck
  • aisling8
    aisling8 Member Posts: 1,627 Member
    #9
    New Flower said:

    It is not going to be worse than induced menopause
    I know how do you feel. If Chemo stopped your periods and you overcome hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms that Tamoxifen will not make it worse. Chemo induced menopause and its symptoms was the worst side effect of Chemo for me. When those symptoms subsided with time I felt much better. Being on Tamoxifen for 14 months myself I can assure you that the worse of Tamoxifen is associated with menopausal symptoms. Yes, you do need to see gynecologist for check up and vaginal ultrasound before start of Tamoxifen and then continue every six months to monitor endometrial lining. Yes, you can!!!!
    Good luck

    I feel the same way
    about Arimidex. The bottle's here. I finished rads today. I'm supposed to start. So worried, though, about all the side effects. I'm just fine right now. Why on earth would I want to pop a pill that could potentially make life ickky. BUT, it's supposed to reduce chance of recurrance, keep me free from more cancer so it's just part of the journey.

    I'm starting Friday. Gotta at least try it, you know. Care to join me?

    Victoria
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #10
    carkris said:

    no there is not a decision
    no there is not a decision just putting in my mouth is the hard part. thanks for the encouragemnt.

    Good luck carkris! I still
    Good luck carkris! I still haven't taken mine either.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #11
    aisling8 said:

    I feel the same way
    about Arimidex. The bottle's here. I finished rads today. I'm supposed to start. So worried, though, about all the side effects. I'm just fine right now. Why on earth would I want to pop a pill that could potentially make life ickky. BUT, it's supposed to reduce chance of recurrance, keep me free from more cancer so it's just part of the journey.

    I'm starting Friday. Gotta at least try it, you know. Care to join me?

    Victoria

    glad there are other people
    glad there are other people on this board who get it. i am taking it for 2 years then switching. I saw my gyn and she didi not order an ultrasound. I want to see a doc who treats cancer surviviors more often and I am looking into this. besides I have never liked her.
  • chipoo
    chipoo Member Posts: 32
    #12
    I just started taking
    I just started taking Tamoxifen 2 weeks ago and so far I don't notice any side effects. You may not get any side effects from it. My thought is, I will do anything I can to prevent my cancer from coming back.
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #13
    chipoo said:

    I just started taking
    I just started taking Tamoxifen 2 weeks ago and so far I don't notice any side effects. You may not get any side effects from it. My thought is, I will do anything I can to prevent my cancer from coming back.

    Well took it this morning, I
    Well took it this morning, I am looking at it as my ally. this disease does not discriminate or care. so I have to fight it with everything. I didnt come this far to wimp out now, keep talking to yourself, keep talking to yourself.......... thanks for letting me prattle on you guys are awesome!
  • shaggy420
    shaggy420 Member Posts: 28
    #14
    carkris said:

    Well took it this morning, I
    Well took it this morning, I am looking at it as my ally. this disease does not discriminate or care. so I have to fight it with everything. I didnt come this far to wimp out now, keep talking to yourself, keep talking to yourself.......... thanks for letting me prattle on you guys are awesome!

    Ok so is this a medication
    Ok so is this a medication everyone gets on after being diagnosed with BC? Or you have to go through chemo or radiation to be put on this? And what if I am already in menopause what will happen then? I was taken off my hormone pills and put on Pristiq for the hotflashes and nightsweats, doesn't seem to be helping much though. My poor kids are being freezed out of the house. lol.... I just keep reading about all these different meds people are on and I am confused if or when I would have to start taking any of these. My breast surgeon hasn't really told me about any medications, just that I might have to have chemo since I had a total hysterectomy when I was 32. But I won't know until the pathology report after surgery.
  • tabfreckles
    tabfreckles Member Posts: 2
    #15
    tgf said:

    tamoxifen
    I don't about you ... but my oncologist told me there was no decision to make. I needed to take tamoxifen ... and that's all there is to it. So ... I started about 4-5 months ago and so far I don't think I've noticed any problems ... unless my achy knees could be a side effect. But ... then again ... I was out in the yard weeding and on my knees a LOT ...

    hugs.
    teena

    achy knees
    I have been on tamoxifen for only 3 months now and the achy knees are aweful. I have never had knee pain until after starting the tamoxifen.
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #16
    shaggy420 said:

    Ok so is this a medication
    Ok so is this a medication everyone gets on after being diagnosed with BC? Or you have to go through chemo or radiation to be put on this? And what if I am already in menopause what will happen then? I was taken off my hormone pills and put on Pristiq for the hotflashes and nightsweats, doesn't seem to be helping much though. My poor kids are being freezed out of the house. lol.... I just keep reading about all these different meds people are on and I am confused if or when I would have to start taking any of these. My breast surgeon hasn't really told me about any medications, just that I might have to have chemo since I had a total hysterectomy when I was 32. But I won't know until the pathology report after surgery.

    Shaggy, the short answer
    The short, generalized answer is this:

    Tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker that is nowadays given mostly to premenopausal women. Aromatase inhibitors (Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin) are estrogen blockers given to women who have already gone through menopause, whether naturally or because of surgery or treatment.

    Most oncologists will wait until you've finished most or all of your treatment before starting one of these drugs -- my oncologist started me on Tamoxifen after I was done with chemo and before I started radiation, but said I could wait until after radiation if I wanted to.

    Of course, everyone's individual medical situation is different, and different doctors use different protocols -- but this is in general how it works.

    Traci
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #17
    TraciInLA said:

    Shaggy, the short answer
    The short, generalized answer is this:

    Tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker that is nowadays given mostly to premenopausal women. Aromatase inhibitors (Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin) are estrogen blockers given to women who have already gone through menopause, whether naturally or because of surgery or treatment.

    Most oncologists will wait until you've finished most or all of your treatment before starting one of these drugs -- my oncologist started me on Tamoxifen after I was done with chemo and before I started radiation, but said I could wait until after radiation if I wanted to.

    Of course, everyone's individual medical situation is different, and different doctors use different protocols -- but this is in general how it works.

    Traci

    In my case I am 50 but was
    In my case I am 50 but was having regular periods, had one during my first chemo, then no more. the docs said they cannot say for sure if I am in menopause now and was diagnosed premenopausal. therefore I will take tamoxifen for two years then switch to arimedex. It is unlikely I will get another period but I could. Actually I am unsure if they put everyone on an estrogen blocker now, it used to be only if your tumor was estrogen positive. New studies have shown a particular bone drug to help prevent recurrance by 36 percent, so i will also take that twice a year IV. the name escapes me. any cures out there for chemo brain?
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #18
    carkris said:

    In my case I am 50 but was
    In my case I am 50 but was having regular periods, had one during my first chemo, then no more. the docs said they cannot say for sure if I am in menopause now and was diagnosed premenopausal. therefore I will take tamoxifen for two years then switch to arimedex. It is unlikely I will get another period but I could. Actually I am unsure if they put everyone on an estrogen blocker now, it used to be only if your tumor was estrogen positive. New studies have shown a particular bone drug to help prevent recurrance by 36 percent, so i will also take that twice a year IV. the name escapes me. any cures out there for chemo brain?

    Good point, Carkris
    You're right, I left out of my earlier post that, in general, only women whose cancer is estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) would be given an estrogen blocker.

    Traci
  • shaggy420
    shaggy420 Member Posts: 28
    #19
    TraciInLA said:

    Good point, Carkris
    You're right, I left out of my earlier post that, in general, only women whose cancer is estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) would be given an estrogen blocker.

    Traci

    Ok thanks for the info, I
    Ok thanks for the info, I still haven't heard about my Estrogen receptor results or the Progesterone receptor, or Her-2/neu (IHC) test results. Don't know how long it takes to get those results. My dr office is usually really good about calling me with anything they get. But I haven't back on theses. Plus I was going over my papers from what my dr and I went over and it does say I have to take hormonal pilss- estrogen blockers. and possibly chemotherapy combinations of IV meds. Man this seems to be getting bigger than I thought it would.

    Brenda
  • crselby
    crselby Member Posts: 441
    #20
    carkris said:

    In my case I am 50 but was
    In my case I am 50 but was having regular periods, had one during my first chemo, then no more. the docs said they cannot say for sure if I am in menopause now and was diagnosed premenopausal. therefore I will take tamoxifen for two years then switch to arimedex. It is unlikely I will get another period but I could. Actually I am unsure if they put everyone on an estrogen blocker now, it used to be only if your tumor was estrogen positive. New studies have shown a particular bone drug to help prevent recurrance by 36 percent, so i will also take that twice a year IV. the name escapes me. any cures out there for chemo brain?

    Could it be "Raloxin"?

    Could it be "Raloxin"?
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #21
    carkris said:

    glad there are other people
    glad there are other people on this board who get it. i am taking it for 2 years then switching. I saw my gyn and she didi not order an ultrasound. I want to see a doc who treats cancer surviviors more often and I am looking into this. besides I have never liked her.

    I changed my gynecologist too
    I am seeing gynecologist -oncologist who deals with a lot of cancer patients. He also performs surgeries too, I like him.
    Good luck

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