How many mg of Tamox are you taking?

oceangirl654

Just curious. Does anyone know how the doc decides this? And has anyone had their dose changed?

MidLifeCrisis

I really don't know, but figured I'd chime in seeing that you haven't received an answer yet. I think the standard is 20mg. I've never seen anyone note anything more than that; only a few who have mentioned taking less due to severe SE's or as a way to slowly increase up to the full 20mg dose. In fact, my Onc is having me start at 1/4 dose (or 5mg) for 2wks, then 1/2 dose for 2 wks, 3/4 dose .. to the full 20mg dose. I don't know if it's buying me anything for the first 2mos, but I'm hopeful it will reduce any sudden SE's. :-/

oceangirl654

Wow your oncologist sounds very sweet! Super gentle and careful! Did you have the CYP2D6 test?

Lolis197138

Hi,

I started off with 10mg for the first two weeks and then 20mg. 

My SEs where full blown menopausal effects,   which started with my second last chemo. Hot flashes and night sweats stopped two weeks ago and period returned this weekend. So now my only side effects are joint pains. 

fizzdon52

I just started taking mine last week and am pretty sure it's 20 mg.

MidLifeCrisis

Oceangirl .. no, until you noted it, I had not heard of that test. Quick google search and i'm intrigued! It is not supported by the NCCN, therefore insurance would certainly not cover it, but it seems a very reasonable test and could be argued that it would give us more decision-making "arsenal" when it comes to taking hormone therapy or not (in this case, Tamoxifen). I'm dreading it … just started 2 days ago on my 1/4 dose regimen. ugh.

For those interested … here's the article I pulled up : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK247013/

my Onc is very sweet and listens well, but I tend to think she put me not this regimen to "shut me up" :-/ as I expressed so much concern over the SE's and quality of life. I'm *only* 41 .. I'm not ready for vision issues, bone loss, achey joints. Praying I am one of the 70% who have little to no SE's and certainly no severe ones. Hanging on these discussion boards is not helping with this one (huge value when it came to chemo & surgery, but w/hormone therapy it's all "bad news" it seems). sorry .. venting …..

oceangirl654

MidLife, I hope it goes well for you! If it's any consolation tamoxifen hasn't been that bad for me in other ways besides the dry mouth. Actually I feel more energy on it. And I don't have a headache anymore with it.