Switching to tamoxifen

Jasplisa

i was wondering if anyone switched to tamoxifen after exhausting aromicin, arimidex, and femara.

All of the above have made me a zombie, all I do is take naps, can't concentrate, I am numb...achy joints. But the real problem is the irritability and not feeling myself. Ready to leave my family and be by myself. No patience, angry outbursts etc. I stopped the femara last week and already notice a difference.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

sugarplum

This won't be much help, but just wanted you to know that I will be (reluctantly) switching to Tamoxifen after being on Arimidex for the past 8 years - the reason being my spine density is tanking (in spite of 6 annual infusions of Reclast). I've been putting it off all year, but will have to bite the bullet if my upcoming DEXA scan shows I've finally hit osteoporosis (which has probably already happened, judging by last year's readings).

Will be watching your thread with great interest - Julie

Kathleen26

Yes, I switched to Tamoxifen about three years ago. In my case, it was forced because every AI I tried was causing my liver enzymes to be elevated. I was a little scared to go off them, but going to Tamoxifen has been a dream compared to the side effects of the AI's. I have some hot flashes occasionally, but none of the joint pain, and very little of the insomnia.

Jodi040812

I have only been on tamoxifen. It has been little over a year now. I do not notice any side effects. Sometimes I have vivid dreams, but that is about it! Good luck!!!

fondak

At my last visit my oncologist told me that I only had 2 more years on aromasin. It will be 5 years of taking it for me then. I thought I would be on it longer. I have lots of aches and pain from the aromasin but honestly am nervous about changing.

Still, I was curious about the possibility of feeling better on tamoxifen. I'll be following this too.

GeorgiaRai

I recently switched FROM Tamoxifen (to Femera and then Aromasin) -- I wish I could go back! I took Tamox (along with Effexor) for 3 years and had no SEs except for some mild hot flashes and occasional leg/foot cramps.

So far, SEs on Aromasin aren't nearly as bad as Femera - it was the worst for me. I already have low Vitamin D levels and osteopenia, so I don't know if I'll make the whole 5 years on AIs that my MO is recommending.

Good luck, jas - hope you do well on your new regimen.

ck55

Yes, I did. I did my 5 years of Femara and then switched to Tamoxifen for another 5 years. I would take it longer if my onc wanted me to. It is so much easier to take than Femara was. No more stiffness or joint problems.

Plus, I am now able to use the Vagifem tabs to deal with dryness and annoying UTI's. Everything having to do with that, shall I say "area", is so much better now. And intimacy is nearly back to normal! Hope this is not TMI, but all of these problems were a big deal to me during those 5 years.

Let's just say my quality of life has vastly improved! And I am almost at 9 years (Nov.) so it must be helping.

Cyndi

Elizabeth1959

Why can you take Vagifem with tamoxifen but not AI',s. It sounds like tamoxifen had a much gentler side effect profile

Elizabeth

ck55

Elizabeth, it is because of the way Tamoxifen works compared to Femara. Tamoxifen actually blocks the site on cells that attach to estrogen; so that if the Vagifem were to cause any increase in my estrogen levels (which, apparently is very unlikely) it would be unable to attach to any bad cells and cause them to grow. Femara is an enzyme inhibitor that blocks the creation of estrogen that is formed from sites other than the ovaries after menopause. So if there was an increase coming from the Vagifem, it would not be blocked.

Hope that makes sense?

Cyndi

Elizabeth1959

Cyndi

Thanks that does make sense. I wish I could quantify the risk of adding Vagifem since systemic absorption is low . Also I wonder what the added benefit of 10 year AI versus 5 year AI then 5 year tamoxifen

rozem

i was on Tamox then Tamox plus OS then SOFT study came out and my MO switched me to AI plus OS. I tried Femara and Aromison and both were horrible for me. Joint pain so bad I could barely walk. I had vertigo with Femara aswell. I am back in Tam, for me it is a walk in the park compared to the AI's