starting tamoxifen-what should I expect

imrezilient
imrezilient Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello All,
I will be starting tamoxifen tomorrow. I'm 46 and currently in the "peri-menopausal" stage. However, after talking to my oncol. this morning, he said he would like to give me "injections" maybe every 3 months or so, which will make me "post menopausal". I have done a lot of reading on tamoxifen and it's benefits, and in my particular case I do beleive it will be beneficial. But this is the first I've heard on the injection thing, and, most importantly, what are the side effects one might get.
Thank you,
Susan

Comments

  • Snookums
    Snookums Member Posts: 148
    #2
    I am on the pill form and have been since July and all I had was some more intense hot flashes and joint aches in my ankles and knees that have since subsided. Hope one of our online friends has more info about the injections. C
  • marytres
    marytres Member Posts: 144
    #3
    Hi Susan,maybe I can help. I'm 46 too, 4yr. bc survivor. I take the injections to stop my periods (chemicial menopause) every 3 months too. I also take Arimidex instead of tamoxifen. I took it for 2 years before asking the oncologist about Arimidex and switching over. I've been having injections since Sept. 2000 and I'll have to take them for another year. Then the oncologist hopes I go into menopause naturally. I don't have side effects except for the normal hot flashes and night sweats but it's not too bad since I've been on Arimidex. If there's anything else you want to ask me, e-mail me here at the site. By the way, the injections are expensive, did the doctor tell you that? Hugs, Marie
  • imrezilient
    imrezilient Member Posts: 6
    #4
    Snookums said:

    I am on the pill form and have been since July and all I had was some more intense hot flashes and joint aches in my ankles and knees that have since subsided. Hope one of our online friends has more info about the injections. C

    Dear C,
    Thanks for getting back to me! It seems after all that one gets through, diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction, why would I be freaking out on taking a pill. Oh well, sometimes things just don't make sense. There's no hair loss with tamoxifen, is there?
    Thanks again,
    Susan
  • imrezilient
    imrezilient Member Posts: 6
    #5
    marytres said:

    Hi Susan,maybe I can help. I'm 46 too, 4yr. bc survivor. I take the injections to stop my periods (chemicial menopause) every 3 months too. I also take Arimidex instead of tamoxifen. I took it for 2 years before asking the oncologist about Arimidex and switching over. I've been having injections since Sept. 2000 and I'll have to take them for another year. Then the oncologist hopes I go into menopause naturally. I don't have side effects except for the normal hot flashes and night sweats but it's not too bad since I've been on Arimidex. If there's anything else you want to ask me, e-mail me here at the site. By the way, the injections are expensive, did the doctor tell you that? Hugs, Marie

    Dear Marie,
    Thanks for the reply. I'm having my first shot this week and I'll start the tamoxifen tomorrow(Monday). I'm actually almost at menopause, so I'm not sure how long I will need the injections for. I am curious on why you went off tamoxifen and now are on Arimidex. With all the reading I've done on this whole thing, I don't believe I know about Arimidex. It sounds like it's working for you (great)! Did you experience weight gain when taking either pill or any kind of hair loss? And thanks for the info on the cost of the injections, I had no idea, I'll check with my insurance company to see if they cover it. Thank you so much for getting back to me, I hope all is going well with you.
    Susan

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