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Tamoxifen yes or no?
Tamoxifen yes or no? I was diagnosed with ALH on my right breast with micro calcifications. I’m 50, still with my periods every month. Had an excisional biopsy on 12/22. Biopsy came back negative. I was sent to the Oncologist that suggested Tamoxifen for 5 years. She told me about the side effects, blood clots, uterine cancer, mood swings, night sweats, etc. I’m not sure to take the pill or not, I will be monitored every six months with MRI’s and mammograms. What is your experience with tamoxifen?
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@fronterae I took tamoxifen and my side effects were limited to hot flashes and menopause.
Many women take them little or no side effects.
What concerns you most?
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2 ReactionsUpset my stomach when I took in the morning so I switched to bedtime and no side effects. Why not try it first. Also, if you do have an unpleasant side effect you can switch brands. I've read it is often the fillers that may cause side effects.
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5 ReactionsNot as bad as letrozole and other types of medications in their class. The arthritis type pain from letrozole was unbearable.
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5 ReactionsTamoxifen makes me retain water. I’ve gained maybe 5-10lbs., which is annoying when I work out and eat right.. but boom weight gain. Hot flashes have become less intense for me after about a year on Tamoxifen. I do feel a little “foggy”, not really tired or lazy, but just not as perky as I used to be for the entire day. But I blame coming off a year of chemo/monoclonal antibody treatment/mastectomy/cancer life as being the cause of some lethargy. So minimal side effects for a very very good payoff of less cancer recurrence. I’ll take it!
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6 Reactions@fronterae, welcome. As others have mentioned, everyone is different and not everyone has the same side effects or side effects at all. However, your doctor is obligated to tell you of the potential side effects. That can sometimes make one nervous about making the right decision.
You may be interested in this related discussion:
- LCIS: should I take Tamoxifen? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lcis-should-i-take-tamoxifen/
Have you decided on trying tamoxifen?
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4 ReactionsWhat worries me the most about the side effects are the blood clots and the uterine cancer.
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2 ReactionsI do understand the worry. Those are listed under rare side effects, but that won’t matter if you are that one. I would definitely want to have that cost vs benefit conversation with my doctor. My doctor had me take a baby aspirin with it, I don’t know if they still do that or not.
Have you decided if you are going to take it?
Me too! I have been on Tamoxifen for a month and I worry about that too!
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1 Reactionamen to that.
I am 83 and a male. I have taken Tamoxifen for 2+ years. I was told by several fellow users to stick with the Mylan brand to avoid night sweats and hot flashes. Great advice! For first few months I was unusually apathetic and had headaches; then decided to "get over it." Some of the response to these estrogen blockers is psychological! I wear support stockings when traveling and stop every 2 hours and walk vigorously for 4-5 minutes (tougher to do on an airplane!). I take it in the morning immediately after breakfast with no GI problems. Be positive and give it a serious try. Good luck.
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