First Gyn exam since starting Tamoxifen

JuJuBeez
JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
in Breast Cancer #1
Tuesday 3/22 is my first gyn exam since starting Tamoxifen in August. What kind of gyn changes have any of you experienced with Tamoxifen? The dr said I would most likely have a biopsy to check my uterus. I can't remember (surprise..)the name of the procedure. I have not noticed any changes yet from the meds. I haven't had a period since January. Do the gyn issues come after more time on the medicine? Is it different for everyone? I was just wondering what to be prepared for.

Thanks!

Comments

  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    #2
    First one in Jan.
    I had my first exam at the end of Jan. since starting tamoxifen. I also had a intravaginal ultrasound too. All was well for me. I think it is different for everyone but as you said, I forget! I know someone will be able to help you out more than I did. God Bless
    (((hugs))) Janice
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #3
    Boppy_of_6 said:

    First one in Jan.
    I had my first exam at the end of Jan. since starting tamoxifen. I also had a intravaginal ultrasound too. All was well for me. I think it is different for everyone but as you said, I forget! I know someone will be able to help you out more than I did. God Bless
    (((hugs))) Janice

    Endometrial biopsy
    is the biopsy they would do, but I didn't know it was routine unless you're having symptoms or an ultrasound showed thickened endometrium. If you have to have an endo biopsy, be sure to take 800 mg. of Ibuprofen an hour before your appointment. Makes a world of difference (ask me how I know). Of course, ask your doctor first.

    Can't comment personally as all my parts are now gone, and I'm on Arimidex, not Tamoxifen, but I well know the routine of screening for endometrial cancer.

    Suzanne
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
    every 6mths I go for internal ultra sound
    My oncologist wants me to have one every six months. I have been on Tamoxifen since Aug 2008-within a year I DID and do have thickening of uterus. So far after each ultrasound I have had a D & C. NOW just over year and have have discharge (always had a little bit) but now enough to use mini pad daily (hope NOT TMI)

    I have not really had much side effects other then above...I have mild hot flashes and night sweats...but MILD compared to most..I THINK..

    Denise
  • Bella Luna
    Bella Luna Member Posts: 1,578 Member
    #5
    I have been on Tamoxifen
    I have been on Tamoxifen since March 2010. I went in for an annual gyno exam last December. The NP did a biopsy to see if my body was resuming its menstrual cycle as I bled very little on that day. It was a false alarm. My menstrual cycle stopped in October 2009.

    The only symptom I felt at the onset of taking Tamoxifen was fatigue. Once my body got used to the new drug, my energy level increased...PHEW!!!

    Take care, God bless.
    BL
  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    #6
    Bella Luna said:

    I have been on Tamoxifen
    I have been on Tamoxifen since March 2010. I went in for an annual gyno exam last December. The NP did a biopsy to see if my body was resuming its menstrual cycle as I bled very little on that day. It was a false alarm. My menstrual cycle stopped in October 2009.

    The only symptom I felt at the onset of taking Tamoxifen was fatigue. Once my body got used to the new drug, my energy level increased...PHEW!!!

    Take care, God bless.
    BL

    Total hysteroctomy
    I have been on tamoxifin since Dec 2009.I haven't had a pap for years since everything is gone.That made me feel better taking tamoxifin because of the risks of uterine cancer.My friend has tests all the time but it has been 11 years since she was on tamoxifin and 16 year survivor. She just found out she has benign tumor on her right ovary but that is OK.

    I had cystocopy for my bladder a month ago to check for cancer and the urologist had to exam me that way. He would have seen problem.

    One more thing.My friend has blood in her urine all the time.She feels it has something to do with tamoxfin and taking it all those years.She also said it MIGHT be the benign tumor.Everything else if fine. Still having blood and no reason is worriesome.She finally submitted she is OK. She worried herself sick.

    I seem to have thinning hair since taking it.If it stays like it is now I am fine but don't want to loose anymore.

    Lynn Smith
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #7
    I didn't make it a year.
    I didn't make it a year. After 9 months on Tamoxifen I started spotting. The onc did a blood test to see if I was in menopause (I was from the chemo) so I was sent to the gyn doc for a check. She did a biopsy and ultrasound and couldn't find anything wrong. So she did a hysteroscopy (camera that takes a peek) and D&C. It turned out to be polyps. But the onc changed my medication just in case because I have a family history with uterine cancer. The hysteroscopy and D&C were done at a hospital on another appointment.

    It's different for everyone. Good luck.
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #8
    I seemed to be in that percentage
    where the Tamoxifen caused a Uterine Dysplasia (abnormal cells) which left alone, would have turned into Uterine cancer. This happened about a year after taking it. I had a total hysterectomy.

    As long as they monitor you carefully, you should be fine. And yes, everyone IS different.

    My red flag was a very heavy period out of the blue.


    Hugs,

    Sylvia
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #9
    sea60 said:

    I seemed to be in that percentage
    where the Tamoxifen caused a Uterine Dysplasia (abnormal cells) which left alone, would have turned into Uterine cancer. This happened about a year after taking it. I had a total hysterectomy.

    As long as they monitor you carefully, you should be fine. And yes, everyone IS different.

    My red flag was a very heavy period out of the blue.


    Hugs,

    Sylvia

    Different opinions among doctors
    I'm premenopausal (42, and nowhere near menopause), and have been on Tamoxifen for 16 months. So far, it's had no effect on my periods -- they are normal, regular like the sun, and very boring.

    Because my periods are so regular and predictable AND because I keep a close watch on them (I keep a log every month, which my doctors love), my gynecologist doesn't feel it's necessary to do transvaginal ultrasounds or biopsies unless I have symptoms. Her opinion is that problems would announce themselves loudly with spotting, irregular bleeding, sudden heavy periods, and/or unusual pelvic pain.

    I'm under strict instructions to call her office immediately if I ever have any of these symptoms -- but, otherwise, I see her annually for a pelvic exam and pap...and for her to admire my beautifully detailed log....:-)

    I've seen from this board that doctors have very different standards of care for treating women on Tamoxifen, and different opinions on whether or not these tests are always necessary -- and, of course, your own medical history plays an important role.

    Traci
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #10
    I will have
    my gyn visit in May. He is the one who felt the lump in my breast and sent me to onc surgeon. Because I am 12 yrs post menopause when I was dx and I had spotting for 2 weeks, he did an endometrial biopsy and all was good. It was slightly uncomfortable but I didn't take anything prior to having it done. I also had an ovarian ultrasound done at the lab. My sister was on Tamoxifen for 5 years and did have one polyp removed from her uterus. I had bilateral mastectomy and I am on Arimidex but will continue to have Pap smears every year and have him check around my incisions (I didn't have reconstruction) for any suspicious lumps. Wish you well.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • JuJuBeez
    JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
    #11
    Thank you all for the
    Thank you all for the advice, I appreciate it. I go tomorrow.. I'm feeling nervous. I still get nervous before my mammo appts too. ugh.
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #12
    JuJuBeez said:

    Thank you all for the
    Thank you all for the advice, I appreciate it. I go tomorrow.. I'm feeling nervous. I still get nervous before my mammo appts too. ugh.

    I go this afternoon
    Gads, I hate gyn exams! My PCP told me last year that the arbitrary cut off is age 70 as long as you've always had normal pap smears. I always had - until last year when they found endometrial cancer. Now I have them every 4 months and I hate it, hate it, hate it! It ain't fun being a girl at all!
    Suzanne
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #13
    taken off tamoxifen today after 20 mths of taking it
    due to situations...thickening of uterus (2 D & C) then breeding after 4 yr of no period. SO i'll go one month without, get blood work and then new med from there..
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #14
    MY gyno's rule of thumb is:
    He does not check for thickening of the uterus (internal ultra soundO. My oncologist basically insisted-he said I"LL do it if she really wants it done. First time...she was right I did have thickening followed by D & C then 6mths later the same thing. So my point is..I LOVE MY gyno (have had him over 20 yrs-even drive from NY to CT to him) but AT THIS Point I am kind of happy my onocolgist insisted.

    Denise
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #15
    JuJuBeez said:

    Thank you all for the
    Thank you all for the advice, I appreciate it. I go tomorrow.. I'm feeling nervous. I still get nervous before my mammo appts too. ugh.

    Wishing you good luck!
    Hugs,
    Wishing you good luck!


    Hugs, Debby
  • JuJuBeez
    JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
    #16
    disneyfan2008 said:

    MY gyno's rule of thumb is:
    He does not check for thickening of the uterus (internal ultra soundO. My oncologist basically insisted-he said I"LL do it if she really wants it done. First time...she was right I did have thickening followed by D & C then 6mths later the same thing. So my point is..I LOVE MY gyno (have had him over 20 yrs-even drive from NY to CT to him) but AT THIS Point I am kind of happy my onocolgist insisted.

    Denise

    Thanks for the comments,
    Thanks for the comments, Ladies! The biopsy was everything I expected, and more - ha ha. It did burn a bit, and I had cramps for some time afterwards. It felt like a bad period. But today I feel fine. Now comes the real hard part... waiting on results.
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #17
    JuJuBeez said:

    Thanks for the comments,
    Thanks for the comments, Ladies! The biopsy was everything I expected, and more - ha ha. It did burn a bit, and I had cramps for some time afterwards. It felt like a bad period. But today I feel fine. Now comes the real hard part... waiting on results.

    Praying for good results for
    Praying for good results for you.


    ♥ Noel
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #18
    disneyfan2008 said:

    MY gyno's rule of thumb is:
    He does not check for thickening of the uterus (internal ultra soundO. My oncologist basically insisted-he said I"LL do it if she really wants it done. First time...she was right I did have thickening followed by D & C then 6mths later the same thing. So my point is..I LOVE MY gyno (have had him over 20 yrs-even drive from NY to CT to him) but AT THIS Point I am kind of happy my onocolgist insisted.

    Denise

    Happy that the biopsy is
    Happy that the biopsy is done now, so, let's pray for clean results!


    Hugs, Megan

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