Tamoxifen

[DJAL45]

I have stage 2 breast cancer, estrogen+, no node involvement,the lump was 8mm in size. I have been on tamoxifen for two years.  I have discontinued taking it as of April 26.  My physcian suggests staying on it for 5 years but I do know people who took it for only two years on their doctors suggestion.  I am also still having hot flashes even though I have not taken any since April. I also have experienced muscle and joint pain which I attributed to my job and my age.  But I have since corresponded on a cancer website with other women who have also experienced joint & muscle pain while on tamoxifen. I want to know if you feel two years is an acceptable time frame for taking tamoxifen and also how long will these hot flashes and muscle pain last.  Thank you.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear DJAL45:  The current recommendation for using Tamoxifen is 5 years.  This recommendation is based on research published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 88, No. 21, November 6, 1996.  There may be some benefit to taking Tamoxifen for less than 5 years but I have not seen that quantified.  The half life (the amount of time it takes for half of the drug or metabolites to leave the body) of tamoxifen once a person has reached a steady dose is about 14 days, so it may take some time for all of the drug to leave your system.  The muscle and joint pain should resolve in the next month or so, if it is related to the Tamoxifen.  But these types of pain can be attributed to many other causes and should be checked out if it persists.  You don’t mention your age.  If you are around the age when normal menopause would take place, you may be having hot flashes from this process.  Although hot flashes are often exaggerated by Tamoxifen, many women who have never taken Tamoxifen continue having hot flashes well into menopause if they are not on hormone replacement therapy.