New Member with some Tamoxifen questions

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Lopen
Lopen Member Posts: 1
edited March 2016 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi Folks. I have been given a Tamoxifen holiday from my oncologist. i have only been on it since August 2015 and had lots of side effects. The worst being Vasodilation that comes on very quickly and causes immense headaches, blurred vision, rapid pulse and fainting. We believe its caused from the Tamoxifen but my headaches did start with chemo and havent really subsided. My concern is if my side effects go away, and i cant take tamoxifen, then what? I have not had a menstrual cycle since i started chemo in April 2015 so not sure if i am now considered pre-menopausal? if im still in chemically induced menopause?

anyhow, i have been researching alternatives as i want to be prepared when i go to see my oncologist in a couple of months.

thanks ;)

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2016

    Hi Lopen!

    We don't really have any answers for you, but wanted to drop in and say hi and welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're sure our ever-helpful members will weigh in shortly with their thoughts and advice.

    Thank you for posting and we look forward to hearing more from you soon!

    --The Mods

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2016

    Hi Lopen! Sorry you didn't get any real answer yet... We're bumping your thread so it stays active, and hopefully someone who can help you will read it and reply.

    Best,

    The Mods



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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited March 2016

    Hi, Lopen. Your doc can test your hormone levels, which is how menopausal status is identified. If you're not yet menopausal, you can consider having your ovaries out so you can take an AI medication instead of Tamoxifen. Your doc should be able to describe this to you, and there are pages here on the main (non-discusion) BCO site that can give you info as well.

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited March 2016

    Yep, the post-menopausal get more options!

    But before you do something as drastic as an oophorectomy, you can take a drug that suppresses ovarian function (there are at least a couple of different ones) so that you can try out an aromatase inhibitor. Some people continue to suppress ovarian function, instead of having surgery.

    Choices, choices...

    Best wishes!

    LisaAlissa

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