tamoxifen

[sun lover]

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has taken tamoxifen, and any side effects you experienced.  I had a lumpectomy after they found DCIS and I am currently in the middle of 6 weeks of radiation.  Tamoxifen is being recommended to me but I am hesitating going on it because of some of the side effects.  So I would appreciate hearing from anyone to help make up my mind.  Thank you for your input.

[MiracleB]

The additional risks and side affects from tamoxifen can best be explained if you go to pharmacloogical websites., however, I did read that as long as you continue to have yearly papsmears and pelvic exams it can increase the chance of detecting cancers  in these areas. Tissue samples may even be better if you are showing some early signs, lkie abnormal bleeding, etc. Over all I guess it outweighs our alternatives, as I do want to do what ever I can to prevent any re-occurances in the breast. I seems like many, many women have been on the full 5 years and I have not heard many with other cancers developng. I think it is a low percentage at least. I would love to hear from ladies who are post 5-10 years on tamoxifen, as I really think this is our best information. Drug companies will only tell you so much and if they have not personally taken the drug then all the studies are just that, studies.

[Under Forty Pam]

I have been on Tamox for 9 months now.  Headaches were the first two weeks for me too.  I had an ovarian cyst form and rupture after being on it for 3 months.  In Feb I developed a persistent sore throat which the doctors say nothing about but I still have it.  My advice would be try it and see which side effects you get.  If you can tolerate it why not do it.  If the effects are too bad then stop.  My experience so far is if I have a bad side effect and I go off it the effect goes away in about a week.  Unfortunately my sore throat stays with me as long as I am on the drug.  You never know who will be one of the lucky ones to get no side effects so give it a try.

[boninclyde]

I have been on tamoxifen for 7 months now. At first I had headaches that went away after a week or two. Then some bone pain which I learned to ignore. I now have cyst on my left and right ovary (not supposed to be a side effect) so I cut my dosage to 1/2 of 20mg a day. Doc recommended against this but I wanted to see if the cyst went away so I would not have to have more surgery. Still waiting my next ultrasound. I feel much better on 1/2 the pill. Better than nothing. My periods did stop. I only take it because I am so scared of the cancer coming back. I can deal with the side effects. The girls on breastcancer.org. Community support and join the discussion board usually have a topic going on about all the side effects. Very interesting site. I wish you well.

[sun lover]

I had the same question as you did.  As far as, was the surrounding tissue protected and they said that inside the machine was a cone that focused the beam on a particular area.  I am on my 15th treatment of the 30 that's needed and I have a burn starting under my arm, the complete breast and and up a few inches above the breast.  They prescribed an ointment which is to be used 3 x's a day just for radiation patients.  So far I have not experienced the fatigue that usually starts toward the end of treatment.  I'm told it's because I exercise every morning and they say that helps.  I have seen the hemotology oncologist who is prescribing tamoxifen,  My concern is that tamoxifen in a small amount of patients can cause cancers of the uterus, G.I. and I believe kidney or liver? My thoughts are that I know that I will be watched closely for any future bc but whos watching the other organs?  Could the cure cause more problems than prevent them.  If you read anything interesting please pass it on, if you don't mind.  My appt. to make up my mind is the end of July.

[MiracleB]

I have some of the same questions. I just saw my oncologist today who said I will need to take it for 5 years. I have not started yet as I may need additional surgery due to an abnormal MRI. I had Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma, so I am also awaiting radiation. How did your radiation go? Do they try to or need to protect the areas not being radiated, you know, like with a lead apron or something? In the mean while I will be reading up on tamoxifen. I hope all continues to ge well.