Tamoxifen 10mg vs 20mg

@marygb Thank you for sharing this. What is the new med to be released this year that is expected to be more effective? Can you give any more info that would help us identify and research it please?

@maryliz22503
I recently messaged my oncologist about giredestrant ( new drug) and she told me they aren’t sure who that is going to be approved for yet. That was very disheartening to hear. I recently went back on Anastrazole in the hopes at years end that I can go on this new med but now I’m not so sure. I do have osteoporosis. I won’t take bone meds. I’m think about doing every other day because of my bones. I don’t feel like I have a good solution for my case. If I didn’t have osteoporosis I’d try sticking it out for the 5 yrs.

@luckbme it's so hard to say what exactly causes side effects when your body has gone through so much! For many of us, it's trial & error, trying to find the right balance. I'm 72, had a lumpectomy in October, 5-day radiation treatment & started January 1st with half-dose of Tamoxifen (10 mg). I'm doing ok. I've gained 5 pounds which I'm working on losing! Have you asked your oncologist for suggestions?

@marygb I'm taking a half-dose (10mg) of Tamoxifen & doing ok. I'm 72 & my doctor recommended Tam because of my bones.

@jmab
I was also taking that lower dose . That medication makes me too nervous with the uterine cancer it can cause. It’s also not as effective in post menopausal women. That’s just my own personal thoughts on it. My oncologist did say it’s still a good medication even though it is not be as effective as an AI. I’m really surprised that they don’t have anything better with all the research and funding they receive. Maybe someday.

@marygb I hear you. My ILC was very early stage 1, no nodes, hopefully low risk. I didn't really want to take any blockers at all! So, the half-dose of Tam felt like a good compromise. And now, 2 months later I'm feeling more & more like my old self. Plus, honestly, the side effects from AI's (bone loss, joint pain, high cholesterol) scare me more than those with Tamoxifen! Which is why we each have to make our own choices. There's no right or wrong. But I believe it's valuable, sharing all of our stories. Best wishes to you!

I also had two other medications before I was switched to Tamoxifen. It had fewer side effects for me. After a few weeks I started having terrible leg cramps. So now when it gets to bad I just stop it for 2 days and then start back up. After time I think my body is adjusting better because I don't have to take a 2 day break as much as I did in the beginning. It is so very important to take the estrogen blockers. Hang in there! And good luck!
Kristine

My doc is disappointed that I'm only willing to take 5 mg of Tamoxifen a day, but I'm exhausted by side effects that impact my quality of life severely. First it was the AI's that raised my blood pressure so much in 4 months that I now live with labile Hypertension every day. Second was the Fulvestrant, another hormone blocker, that in 4 months gave me very achy legs, and left me with some vein insufficiency and a capillary rash called Petechiae. I will not go on Verzenio. I'm willing to try Tamoxifen, but at 5mg I still have joint pain & seeming slippage , hot flashes, headaches some days. Very disheartening these drugs they have for us.

@jardinera25 I take super beets for high blood pressure. They work well.
As for taking Tamoxifen, my side effects are different than your but 10 mg is working for me.
Not all med play well together, some do more harm long term.
None of the meds will prevent cancer from returning, but only minimize.

What is your oncotype score? Mine is 34.

@melo777 I took Tamoxifen for 5 years straight. IT IS MISERABLE. I can’t prove anything, but I was left with fibromyalgia after finishing Tamoxifen. They are all poison, but what choice do we have? I was cancer free for 27 years, but did get a different breast cancer on the other side. Best wishes