unable to take Tamoxifen

sb12
sb12 Member Posts: 10
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
My Oncologist just called informing me the results from the CYP2D6 test. And I'm one the rare people who won't benefit from Tamoxifen, for my body won't metabolize the drug. We discussed two options, a drug called Toremifene or an injection of Zoladex(to put me in fast forward menopause)then followed up by taking an Aromatase Inhibitor. Has anyone been faced with this, and what was your experience with either drug?

Comments

  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #2
    Bumping this up for New Flower
    New Flower on this board is on Zoladex -- I'm pretty sure I remember it's because she also had the same situation as you. New Flower, you out there?

    Traci
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #3
    If you don't mind me
    If you don't mind me asking... how did your doctor know to give you the CYP2D6 test? Did you request it? Sorry... I can't help with the Toremifene or Zoladex question. I am sure someone on this board will be able to give you some input.
    BL
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #4
    Bella Luna said:

    If you don't mind me
    If you don't mind me asking... how did your doctor know to give you the CYP2D6 test? Did you request it? Sorry... I can't help with the Toremifene or Zoladex question. I am sure someone on this board will be able to give you some input.
    BL

    Hi sb
    Traci is correct I am among lucky ones -poor metabolizer. Sorry too tired after work.
    I do not have experience with Fareston. I found info you can check it out
    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/druglist/fareston.jsp . Additional information: Fareston isn't commonly used in the United States because it hasn't been studied as much as tamoxifen. Unlike tamoxifen, Fareston isn't affected by the CYP2D6 enzyme.
    I am on Zoladex plus Arimidex regimen. Zoladex is shot which given every 30 days in belly/stomach area for 12 months along with daily pill of aromatase inhibitor.
    How old are you?
    Please write me PM/e-mail I will answer your specific questions.
    New Flower
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    #5
    Bella Luna said:

    If you don't mind me
    If you don't mind me asking... how did your doctor know to give you the CYP2D6 test? Did you request it? Sorry... I can't help with the Toremifene or Zoladex question. I am sure someone on this board will be able to give you some input.
    BL

    To Bella Luna
    I can't say much about the CYP2D6 test but, I just wanted to tell you that my Onc. did mine before I started on the Tamoxifen. I did ask him about it because I knew someone who was a poor metabolizer and did not take the Tamoxifen. I am not sure if that is why he did it or if it was standard procedure for him. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #6
    Boppy_of_6 said:

    To Bella Luna
    I can't say much about the CYP2D6 test but, I just wanted to tell you that my Onc. did mine before I started on the Tamoxifen. I did ask him about it because I knew someone who was a poor metabolizer and did not take the Tamoxifen. I am not sure if that is why he did it or if it was standard procedure for him. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice

    Me too
    I actually didn't know the "official" name of the test -- my doctor and I just called it "The Tamoxifen Test."

    I knew before I started Tamoxifen that only a small percentage of women are poor metabolizers, but there was no way I was going to take a drug for 5 years without knowing whether or not it was even doing me any good, so I went into that office visit ready for a fight...only to find out that it's my doctor's standard procedure to do the test beforehand for any woman going on Tamoxifen.

    So no fight that day! :-)

    Traci
  • sb12
    sb12 Member Posts: 10
    #7
    Boppy_of_6 said:

    To Bella Luna
    I can't say much about the CYP2D6 test but, I just wanted to tell you that my Onc. did mine before I started on the Tamoxifen. I did ask him about it because I knew someone who was a poor metabolizer and did not take the Tamoxifen. I am not sure if that is why he did it or if it was standard procedure for him. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice

    Tamoxifen
    Thank you all for the imput, I was once again quite taken by the news and knew this would be the best place to start my research.Women with experience. I'm 53 and perimenopausal, haven't had a period for 5 months and yesterday WHAMO!!!!!!!! back with a vengeance.... My Onc. order CYP2D6 as a standard procedure.
  • sb12
    sb12 Member Posts: 10
    #8
    New Flower said:

    Hi sb
    Traci is correct I am among lucky ones -poor metabolizer. Sorry too tired after work.
    I do not have experience with Fareston. I found info you can check it out
    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/druglist/fareston.jsp . Additional information: Fareston isn't commonly used in the United States because it hasn't been studied as much as tamoxifen. Unlike tamoxifen, Fareston isn't affected by the CYP2D6 enzyme.
    I am on Zoladex plus Arimidex regimen. Zoladex is shot which given every 30 days in belly/stomach area for 12 months along with daily pill of aromatase inhibitor.
    How old are you?
    Please write me PM/e-mail I will answer your specific questions.
    New Flower

    CYP2P6 results
    Hi New Flower, Thks for your info.I'm 53 and perimenopausal. I did alot of research today and want to know have you had any side effects from either drug?

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