urgency to take tamoxifen after radiation?

ablack

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your amazing advice and support. I don't post often but read the boards regularly. This is such a generous and caring community

My question is about the timing of taking tamoxifen after radiation treatment. My oncologist is urging me to take it quickly. However, I am currently taking wellbutrin which interferes with the effectiveness of T. I need time to taper off wellbutrin and start another anti-depressant, preferably without T in my system so I can properly evaluate its side effects and effectiveness. I have an appointment to see a psych-pharmacologist on 2/3 and expect the tapering off process to take several weeks at least. So starting, T in March is most likely.

Do you have any knowledge about the impact of a delayed start to T? Is it a high risk to delay 4 months post treatment?

I am frustrated because I ended radiation on 11/17 and had my follow up with the onc on 12/8. Only then did she inform me of the drug interaction issues. She wanted me to start T right away and she was planning on prescribing another random anti-d without discussing the transition process. I have been trying to get more answers from her about her concerns in delaying the start of T but she did not respond until yesterday and then only repeated her advice without any supporting info. I am about to leave for a three week retreat and while I would prefer not to start T while away from home I am now worried that there will be too much of a gap after end of radiation.

Should I go ahead and start T even though I am still on wellbutrin? Should I start T while away from home and without regular phone contact?

Thanks for your advice!

SelenaWolf

Perhaps what you need to do is get another opinion and speak with a pharmacist, as well in order to get a better idea of what to do.

coraleliz

I ended RADs in mid-August & didn't start Tamoxifen until Nov 1st. I was still shopping around for an MO. I wasn't happy with the one who wrote my 1st tamoxifen Rx. Will that delay ever make a difference? We will never know. If you can't take Tamoxifen because of your antidepressant maybe you can take Toremifene(other name Fareston). There is a thread, if you search with those names it should come up.

farmerlucy

I started Tamoxifen for two weeks (on my own) while I was taking prozac. I wanted to see if I could tolerate it before I messed around with my antidepressant. Two week later everything was fine. My onc had me quit prozac for three days then start effexor. I didn't have any trouble with the switch. Definitely try to separate starting of the new meds so you can tell what SE is from what - but crossing my fingers that you have no SE!

Cowgirl13

My doc wanted me on Arimidex shortly after radiation. I would suggest that you move up your appointment with your psychiatrist or at least have a phone coversation with him/her. The hormonals are the 'big guns' for us. Good luck!