Side effect of Taxotere & tamoxifen?

I_will_survive
I_will_survive Member Posts: 31
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
My g/f had a mastectomy last fall and after having the 4 a/c treatments, received 4 taxotere treatments. She asked that I post a question to you all - has the taxotere and/or tamoxifen killed your female sexuality? Basically she has had no sex drive since the taxotere and is now worried that the tamoxifen might keep it from coming back. Can any of you give me your experiences to pass on to her? Her and I have traveled this cancer road together and although we've had the same regime of chemo our side effects, needless to say, have not been identical. This one has her so frustrated as she loves her husband very much and wants to feel more than just being a "receptical" (her word).
Thanks,
Joni

Comments

  • lynne40
    lynne40 Member Posts: 87
    #2
    For me I think the chemo itself had a big affect. Hard to tell if it was the diagnosis, the struggle through treatment, financial problems, and the list goes on but after and during treatment I was not as interested as before treatment and it was really troubling because at times I felt like it was the only positive thing I had going and then the interest was lacking. I am 7 months or so out of treatment and interest is greatly improving, but some of the physical side affects of treatment linger (dryness) being the biggest and most disturbing one for me. That's my story and from what I've heard it is pretty universal. Tell your friend it does improve with time. It seems unfair that when you are struggling through treatment one of life's blessings (intimacy with your husband) can be so compromised. It was the one thing I was not prepared for and wasn't really advised about either. No one wants to talk about it or maybe I never heard that part because being uninterested seemed so foreign to me. Sorry to ramble just trying to share that your friend is not alone and hopefully it will get better for her. Hugs,
    Lynne
  • bunnie
    bunnie Member Posts: 233
    #3
    Hi iam currently on taxotere and iam felling the same way know sexually drive.It is very aggravating i go through the motions for my husband sake but i dont fell any real emotion.It is very aggravatiing to say the less so i know what she is going through becase before all of this i enjoyed sex very much with my husband.Iam hoping that once i get off meds i well go back having a normal sex drive.The first time on chemo after i had my mastecomy a year ago i got my sex drive back once i got over the trama about not having a breast on the left side anymore.so iam hoping this is just a phase also my husband has been very supportive through all of this.Hope this helps her know that she is not alone on this road.Bunnie (amy)
  • pattyrg
    pattyrg Member Posts: 16
    #4
    I have been taking tomoxifen for 3 months, and am finding that I am getting horny! My husband seems reluctant to touch my now-flat chest, but I'm working up my nerve to initiate some touching stuff.

    Perhaps you could suggest to your friend that she concentrate on how much she loves her husband and how great it is that she can still physically share that love, and not worry about whether she is just satisfying his urges.

    If the love is not reciprocal (i.e., he wants to have sex because he's horny and doesn't care or isn't aware of her lack of sex drive right now), she's better off telling him 'no thanks.'

    What's it about the sex or the love?

    Good luck to her.
  • I_will_survive
    I_will_survive Member Posts: 31
    #5
    pattyrg said:

    I have been taking tomoxifen for 3 months, and am finding that I am getting horny! My husband seems reluctant to touch my now-flat chest, but I'm working up my nerve to initiate some touching stuff.

    Perhaps you could suggest to your friend that she concentrate on how much she loves her husband and how great it is that she can still physically share that love, and not worry about whether she is just satisfying his urges.

    If the love is not reciprocal (i.e., he wants to have sex because he's horny and doesn't care or isn't aware of her lack of sex drive right now), she's better off telling him 'no thanks.'

    What's it about the sex or the love?

    Good luck to her.

    Thanks everyone!!!! I'm going to copy your posts and e-mail them to her. I'm sure they will give her some hope, and also comfort to know she's not alone in this.

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