Any changes noticed after stopping Tamoxifen after 10 years?

Hello @tbax I only took tamoxifen for 5 years but then anastrozole for 10 after that. I can’t say that I noticed a change when I finished. I can say that looking back, I did eventually start to feel stronger. Like you, I was younger than most, I finished in my early 50’s. Pretty young by most standards to finish 15 years of breast cancer treatment.
Keeping in mind we are at a higher risk for a few long term issues from endocrine therapy is important, but I am really happy for you and congratulations for making it through your 10 years.
Are you still under care to prevent bone and/or heart issues?

@auntieoakley I had similar experience with you, 5 years tamoxifen then anastrozole on first diagnostic. I wonder why you have anastrozole over other AIs? As on recurrent, I have tried all AIs until exemestane, due to heart uncomfortable I am thinking change back to anastrozole.

@huangjin1 in my case I can tell you that I insisted that that my doctors put me on something that would be compatible with my antidepressant. I tried others for a year but it meant taking less effective depression medicine, and I finally just said no. I have to have that or I am treating the cancer for nothing. Have you talked to your doctor about getting back on anastrazole?

@auntieoakley My doctor agreed on me, I am on pause of exemestane, to see if getting back to anastrozole. I am also thinking to add back depression medicine which I had to change and stop due to side effect during recurrent treatment. If don't mind which depression medicine are you taking with anastrozole? this will be a plus by changing back to anastrozole. In general, I am working on change the combination of oncology, bone density and depression medicine to mitigate side effects.

I have taken sertraline for years and done very well, they tried others in order to give me a different AI but I could never get really stable. I was always falling in the depression hole, and struggling to climb out. Finally I decided enough of this garbage. I wanted my sertraline back and the oncology team could just figure out the treatment around it.
For me that meant back on anastrozole, yes there are side effects, but I will take it over being in a pit of depression or not fighting the cancer.
I hope you can have as good of a conversation as I did with my doctor about this and they can understand what you need.

Hi
I was on Tamoxifen for 13 years until age 46. I really did not see a difference in how I felt after stopping. I was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer at age 65 which Tamoxifen played a role in. Not being negative at all just bringing it up as a FYI .

I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years after DCIS dx and tolerated it well. I had uncomfortable symptoms after stopping (for a while): breast pain and intense increase in menstrual issues (heavier periods, bigger cramps, worse mood problems). Doctors said there would be no issues but I found forums like this where other women were reporting similar things, which helped me a lot. The problems all settled out over time. My point is that you may have some reaction to stopping the med as your body readjusts. I hope it goes well!