I want to stop my tamoxefen

[pickle600]

I would like some help in deciding to stop taking Tamoxifen as the side effects are very difficult.  I have gained weight, my bones ache constantly and I am very hot at times.  However I have had both of my breasts removed and reconstruction with implants. No chemo was necessary  as my cancer was grade 1 stage 1 and the nodes were clear.  Since there is a risk of cancer to other parts of the body, such as the cervix, because of Tamoxifen, and i have no breasts anyway, do I need to continue to take this drug?  What is it protecting? do the risks outweigh the benefits? My maternal grandmother died at 47 of cancer of the cervix, does that put me more at risk? Please help me to see this more clearly.


This discussion is related to What about not taking Tamoxifen?.

[SueYoung55]

Tamoxifen blocks the estrogen naturally produced in your body. You may have had mastectomies and reconstruction but there is always breast tissue left behind as it's impossible to get it all.

A lot of women think that if they have their ovaries removed or if they've gone through menopause that they don't have estrogen but it's still there, the adrenals produce it. If you have an estrogen positive cancer, you want to block it. You got cancer once and were really lucky it was caught early.

I hate the tamoxifen too but if it saves my life, it's worth it. I do understand your pain!

[eviegrace]

I'm 77 years old and had lumpectomy in February 2009.  After radiation my oncologist put me on tamoxifen, which I took for less than two weeks.    That was 2 months ago and I'm still having hot flashes every 45 minutes and big night sweats.  I'm hoping this goes away soon.  I would like to have a good quality of life for the rest of my time here on earth!  I have all the other side effects the ladies have talked about.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I understand your concern.  Even at stage I and grade I cancer, the benefit of hormonal therapy with tamoxifen will contribute at least another 6-10% in terms of lowering the risk of breast cancer recurrence.  The risk of developing secondary cancers like endometrial cancers is less than 5%.  This is really a decision that you have to discuss with your oncologist, with the numbers game slightly in favor of taking tamoxifen.  Cervical cancer in your grandmother may not increase your risk of having it since most cervical cancers are related to papilloma virus infection.  I hope you and your doctor can come up with a good discussion and decision regarding this.  Regards and God bless.