Tamoxifen

If you are interested, ask about any clinical trials suitable for your stats. There may be none but no harm in asking.

I know tamoxifen can have gyne issue side effects so ask about a referral to a gyne or what hospital they might recommend you attend.

Ask about life post tamoxifen and if they are likely to recommend an AI (aromatase inhibitor).

Ask about the pros and cons of removing or supressing your ovaries - which produce the hormones and what the onc view is on this. Of course you might be keen to have children post tamoxifen so investigate this too.

In the US there is a test for the metabolism of tamoxifen ie how good your body is at using the drug. In the US if some girls are found to be low metabolises, the switch to an AI used in post menopausal women.

Good luck, let us know how you get on

LL

Thanks for that. I'm very happy to be at this point and now that chemo is done I've to concentrate on the RT and HT!! At 44 I guess there'll be gyne issues so will have my questions ready for onc.

Hi Lyric,

Tamoxifen has been mentioned, by my surgeon, haven't met onc, for me too, though I'm a ways away yet, having not even started chemo or RT yet. I noticed we are the same age though, I'm 44 and a half.

Isn't the big thing with Tamoxifen that it brings on menopause? Have I got this wrong?

I'd be interested in anything you do hear.

Goes without saying I suppose that this could be yet another one of the lifechanging bits of news we have all gotten on this dramatic journey. Oh well, gotta go through it anyhow sometime.

I wonder can they lessen the symptoms in any way?

Hi Everyone,

Here's a link to some info on Tamoxifen. http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinfor ... xifen.aspx

If you are to start Tamoxifen after chemo, you are probably already in a chemo induced menopause. If your periods return after chemo, you usually continue on Tamoxifen. If your periods do not return, your consultant may recommend switching you to something like Arimidex or another therapy for post menopausal women.

Regards,

Flo.

hi girls
Its lovely to read all your posts It certainly takes from the lonliness/anxiety I sometimes feel since my cancer diagnosis. I am 43 ,married with two fab kids. I had a total mas and nodal clearance in Oct and am glad to be finally finished chemo and radiation theraphy. I am presently on Tamoxifen The night sweats were fast and furious and wasnt gettin much sleep My doctor reccommended Dixarit which works really well..... I am actually getting some sleep again! and my poor hubby too for that matter. Does anybody out there know if its necessary to continue to use contraception when you are in a tamoxifen induced menopause? Dont forget how wonderful you all are and thank you for being there. C

Glad to hear you're getting some sleep at last, those night sweats are a torture! Talk to your onc bout contraception, I think they recommend you continue using it until you are confirmed menopausal. A blood test will do this. Or like me you could live dangerously