Tamoxifen and Peace

Hi Lifeloves,
I have been on tamox for a little over a year. I started it exactly one month after chemo. I am sure you will hear lots regarding tamox, also if you go back for a search you will find lots of postings on it. As far as my experience, I too was pre-menopausal (42) and tamox was the only thing offered. However, now that I may be considered post menopausal, my ocol suggested one more year on tamox then switching me over to one of the other newer drugs...Actually I am afraid to do that because I have been tolerating the tamox very well. My hot flashes have totally gone away and I never gained any weight either (OK well maybe a few pounds, but I had lost a lot during chemo anyway). If there was anybody that didn't want to take tamox...that was me. I did not want the increase risk of uterine cancer, weight gain..blah blah...Before I started it, I called the American Cancer Society and spoke with the nurse and the research dept about what causes the weight gain. They told me that a recent study showed that women taking tamox and women not taking tamox gained the same amount of weight. So she said that weight gain was an extremely small side effect. This made me feel better about taking it and going into it with a better frame of mind. Now its been a year and I am glad that I have tolerated it so well.
Be Well,
Kris

krisrey said:

Hi Vickie,
I am 42 with two young children and a survivor as well. MY chemo/rads ended 12/03. I want to wish you luck with your mammo, mine is scheduled for Nov 5, so I know how you are feeling!
Be Well!
Kris

Hey Kris,
Thank you and good luck to you. I am wanting to get on the chat line to talk live however, my system brings up the other window and then states error occured- record not found, (next line) type your messageand hit enter and nothing works any sugesstions anyone.
Thank you, Vickie

SusanAnne said:

Hi there. I was premenopausal when diagnosed so I started Tamoxifen a month after chemo ended. After not getting a period for 13 months I asked to be tested for my FSH levels. It showed I was menopausal so I asked my onc. to switch me to Arimidex (it is shown to be more effective than Tamoxifen). Two months after switching my period returned. I am now in the process of deciding whether to get Lupron shots to chemically put me back in menopause, or to have my ovaries removed. You could ask your doc if these are things to consider in your case if you would rather not be on Tamoxifen. Good luck with your decision.

Susan

Hi Susan,
I mentioned in the other post that I have been on tamox for just over a year. I too have not had a period for 15 months. I had that blood test which tells if you are menopausal but I have not gotten the results yet. I had a tiny bit of spotting so they did a uterine biopsy which came out GOOD!!! But it was discovered that I have ovarian cysts and this could have caused the spotting. I too am considering having my ovaries out. What I don't understand is how you could get your period back after the FSH test showed you are menopausal, is this test not accurate? My oncol was considering switching me over to one of the other drugs after I spend two years on tamox, but I don't know if I want to rock the boat...so to speak..
Kris

momkids03 said:

Hey Kris,
Thank you and good luck to you. I am wanting to get on the chat line to talk live however, my system brings up the other window and then states error occured- record not found, (next line) type your messageand hit enter and nothing works any sugesstions anyone.
Thank you, Vickie

momkids03, have you downloaded java (jre)? I used to have no problem getting into chat when I was using dial-up, but after switching to a cable connection I saw the same thing you're seeing. Once I downloaded Java (free online) it works fine.