Tamoxifen.Your thoughts please.

[Helmar]

Hi All.. Today I received my CA.125 results, after the second treatment of CMF. After the first treatment the numbers went up by 20 to 310... but this time, they have risen by a huge 483 so now 793. Obviously the CMF is not working for me, (what's new? )... so in his wisdom, my Oncol. has decided to try me on Tamoxifen, as my tumour is Oestrogen positive, and he thinks it should work for me, plus he feels that my blood needs a rest from the chemo to give it time to get back to normal. I'm not very keen on pills for this cancer, but apparently there are cases of these working o.k.. Would appreciate any input re this...good or bad... as I don't know much about this drug for treating ovca. I been on the various chemos for over 3 years now, so I guess it's time for a break... but I don't relish the idea of another 7500 to try and claw my way back from. My Oncol. did say that blood clots are a possibility with this... so let's see now.... if the cancer doesn't get me, maybe the chemo will... or the blood clots. *laugh*..or perhaps I could drink myself to death on the nice red wine I have here. *laugh*..... No point in thinking about this stuff... it's out of my hands.
Thanks for any comments.... and I hope you are all feeling well, and doing fine....hugs...Helen...

[Helmar]

Is anyone else on this Forum taking Tmaoxifen for Ovarian cancer? I've just acquired a very sore lower back, and just wondering if this could be a side affect of this drug....or maybe some cancer spouting up where I don't want it?  Would like some input from anyone taking Tamoxifen, if possible.
Wishing everyone well ....Helen...

[Conquerer]

Hi  My doctor put me on tamoxifen at the end of my first round of chemo.  I was stage 3b not very well differentiated tumor which means little to me right now  There are studies were tamoxifen was used when CA starts to rise but no tumor is present.  We decided not to wait.  My only side effects have been sleepieness at times but I am no taking CoQ10 30 minutes before the tamoxifen and I don't feel as tired.  I didn't take it at night as it gave me dreams and disrupted my sleep.  
I can't say if it will help as I am too new tpo it but I just don't want to wait and see.  My tumor was Estrogen + so we are giving it a shot.

[rmarie]

In my reading they have been starting to use the estrogen blocking drugs tamoxifen and femara to treat OVCA, there are some women who write in here that are on it.  I think Jatoo's wife had femare added to her drugs.  I asked my gyn/onc about it and he is having my tumor tested for estrogen receptiveness, and I will be started on one of them at the completion of my doxil and carbo, come October.  I understand your concern with this scary disease we have to deal with. Best wishes.

[freshair]

Hi Helen,
You had such good results with Carbo/Taxotere.  I am on that now and hoping the same happens with me!

There are really better studies with Femara that Alan and Jatoo posted. One woman in our NOCC group is taking Armidex and that is keeping her stable.

Yes, everyone needs a rest on chemo drugs as your oncologist says.
If I was in your situation, I would discuss Femara or Armidex with your oncologist. Take in the studies and let him show you the studies on Tamoxifen. They also seen to have less side effects. Then there's low dose Taxotere or Taxol later. That Taxol was so easy for me, keeping it stable.

It's a battle, but I love your attitude—it's beyond our control. Enjoy your wine, and enjoy life! (sometimes very difficult on those bad days of chemo). I wish I could visit you in Australia and indulge in the finest. (but too far and too $)

Hugs to you too,
Helen

[OnlyLady]

Helen, I checked out Tamoxifen on Google, and see that it is used in treatment of breast cancer primarily, but since the dr. says it will work with the OVCA, it's because they are both estrogen related.  I also see that you may experience some hot flashes, mood swings, and other menapausal symptoms.  
I don't know of anyone who has taken this drug for OVCA, and can't say anything more.  I am so sorry that the CMF did not work.  Taking a break from chemo will be good...I did that last year for 6 weeks when I had a broken wrist and couldn't do any chemo as well.  It sure was liberating!
As always, my best wishes and continuous thoughts,
Jan