Tamoxifen

andi44

Lynn Smith said:

Andi44

Andi44- I wonder why the difference with us on the radiation.Maybe tumor size.My tumor was 1/2 centimeter.I always thought it would be at least radiation but was told in the beginning no chemo.

There are 4 in my family with breast cancer.Mom was dx at 21 and lived to be 81.Then my niece, me and last year my sister.So a family history.A aunt and cousin had benign breast tumors. 

It's been 4 years for me.I don't know if I'll ever feel comfortable.I'm afraid if I do feel that way then the beast would come back when I least expect it.Cancer is life changing and I think we feel that way from now on. I try not to talk about it as much now around people.Sometimes I wish I'd never told anyone but family.  

Lynn Smith

lynn-

Have you been tested for the brac gene?  It sounds like you have a lot of female members that have had bc...yes, it is life changing - but its good to have a support system...even outside of the family unit...did you have a masectomy or lumpectomy?  And, how long are you to tamoxifen?

Andi  

 

Debra Russo

4 months on Tamoxifen

2013-08-30

Hi Andi,  

i just joined the network and saw your post. I have been on tamoxifen for 4 months now. 

I take it at dinner, although I am not sure of the difference in when you take it. 

i have had some side effects such as extreme hot flashes the first 2 months . 

They seem to have disappeared. Now I feel the foggieness and depression setting in.

its sometimes effects my memory and train of thought. 

I feel as though I leave lost such a great part of my personality . This should be called hormonal torture not therapy.

Anyway, 

just thought I would make my introduction to all who are taking this medication

 

Debra

andi44

Debra Russo said:

4 months on Tamoxifen

2013-08-30

Hi Andi,  

i just joined the network and saw your post. I have been on tamoxifen for 4 months now. 

I take it at dinner, although I am not sure of the difference in when you take it. 

i have had some side effects such as extreme hot flashes the first 2 months . 

They seem to have disappeared. Now I feel the foggieness and depression setting in.

its sometimes effects my memory and train of thought. 

I feel as though I leave lost such a great part of my personality . This should be called hormonal torture not therapy.

Anyway, 

just thought I would make my introduction to all who are taking this medication

 

Debra

Debra-

Welcome to the discussion boards...sorry that you're here...I've switched to taking my pills at dinner time - I think that has helped a bit more with my 'fogginess' in the morning...I have been fortunate that I haven't experienced hot flashes...though some days I could use a bit of heat !!!  Anyway, keep us updated on you... 

Andi

LKats

TraciInLA said:

No "blonde" side effects here!

Hi, Andi -

I've been on Tamoxifen for nearly 4 years (only 6 more years to go...sigh...).  The only major side effect for me is hot flashes, and those are definitely worse for me at night, so I've always taken it in the morning.  I haven't noticed any "blonde" side effects -- at least any more than usual!

Traci

10 year Tamoxifen

I have been taking Tamoxifen for almsot 5 years and was really looking forward to going off of it and THEN I read an article that said the new recommendation is to take it for 10 years. I see that you comment only 6 more years after taking it for 4, means that you are on a 10 year plan. Is this pretty common?

desertgirl947

LKats said:

10 year Tamoxifen

I have been taking Tamoxifen for almsot 5 years and was really looking forward to going off of it and THEN I read an article that said the new recommendation is to take it for 10 years. I see that you comment only 6 more years after taking it for 4, means that you are on a 10 year plan. Is this pretty common?

At my last oncologist

At my last oncologist appointment (June), I was told that research is showing the benefit of extending hormonal therapy to 7-10 years instead of 5.  My oncologist is probably going to go that way for me, from what he said.  I started tamoxifen in August 2012.  Up to now, the plan had been to switch to a different drug midway through the five-year plan.  So, I am not sure -- probably will find out at my next appointment -- if he still plans to make a switch in February 2015.  If so, do I stay with that switch the remainder of time or does he make another switch.

I would say that with all the research that goes on in relation to breat cancer, it ought not surprise us that changes constantly are happening as medical people learn more and more.