Tamoxifen after menopause

Gina2016

I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer on 4/07. I had lumpectomy done and 33 treatment of radiation, I've taking tamoxifen since than. It's been a year that I don't have my period so I'm consider postmenopausal. There are other hormone meds for post menopausal. My question is can I continue taking tamoxifen? Has anyone gone through this. I appreciate anyfeedback. Thanks

edwards750

Gina - I have. I had Stage 1a, Grade 1 IDC. Lumpectomy and 33 Rads treatments too. I also take tamoxifen and am post menopausal. I will be 5 years out next month. My ONC had already decided I won't be taking it past next month, she said there is no need for me to take it 10 years. I do know several women who are though.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by can you continue taking it? Typically it is prescribed for pre-menopausal women. I originally took Arimidex but it attacks the bones and I was DX as borderline osteoporsis so she switched me.

Yes there are other meds but unless you can't tolerate Tamoxifen why do you want to take something else? I haven't suffered with too many side effects although many women have.

Talk to your doctor. Every drug has SEs unfortunately.

Good luck.

Diane

Jelson

before there were aromatase inhibitors (AIs), there was tamoxifen and women, whatever there menopause status, who were ER+ were advised to take it. then the AIs were developed, but they can only be given to menopausal women, whether naturally, surgically or chemically menopausal. Women diagnosed with DCIS are most often advised to take tamoxifen regardless of menopause status. I twas diagnosed with DCIS and took it when post menopauseal - that was the only choice my MO gave me.- so you should certainly be able to continue taking it, but you may want to consider switching to an AI - some of the studies on continuing with hormonal therapy beyond 5 years - had study groups which switched from tamoxifen to an AI, so why don't you talk with your doctor about it?

coraleliz

I was not yet menopausal when I started taking Tamoxifen almost 5years ago. From what I've read, the lack of a period for a year doesn't always mean you are menopausal when taking Tamoxifen. I've probably truly slipped into menopause but decided not to pursue an AI. My MO said the advantage to switching would be very small. I just saw it as trading side effects. I've accepted what Tamoxifen has done to me, don't want to go down the AI path. I'm so close to completing 5 years & will not be continuing on Tam or an AI.

Gina2016

My Oncologist perform a hormone test and it show that I already am post menopausal. I've been take tamoxifen for 9 years going to 10 year on 4/17. She wants me to switch to another hormone meds but she want me to take a bone density test first. I was worry that the tamoxifen was not going to work since I'm already menopausal but reading all your comments has but me at ease. The reason why thedr wanted me to continue with the tamoxifen after the five years was because there was a Findings from a large randomized clinical trial showed that taking tamoxifen for 10 years reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence and death more than taking tamoxifen 5 years

chrissie29

Gina,

I was 43 at diagnosis. took Tamoxifen for 1 year then hormone tests repeated showed that I was post menopausal so I was switched to Anastrozole. I had bad headaches with Tamoxifen but with Anastrozole, I have joint and bone pain and my hair is thinning.

Nancy2581

Gina I've just been on tamoxifen for 1 1/2 years. Chemo put me into menopause and I haven't had a period for 2 years The plan is 5 years of tamoxifen and 5 years of an AI. I really am handling tamoxifen well so I asked my onc if at the end of five years if I wanted to stay on tamoxifen for 10 years and skip the AI she said I could.

Nancy

Artista928

I have bad bilateral knee osteoarthritis so I'm already compromised on my mobility. I'm 51 and despite AIs being more effective for me, MO says it'd cripple me. So I'm on Tamox.

ksusan

coraleliz, I'm with you. My MO hasn't suggested switching yet, but I've figured out how to manage the Tamoxifen side effects and don't know that I'll want to switch to an AI to get the nominal statistical improvement.

MmeJ

Gina2016, why have you been on Tamoxifen for almost 10 years with a Stage I BC?

Jennie93

Artista, you never know, I had such terrible joint pain on tamoxifen I could hardly move, switched to the AI and it lessened considerably. Everyone is different.