Concerned about Tamaxoflen.

Tevyn27

Hi my mom is really concerned about taking the tamaxoflen (?) To the point that she is considering not even taking it. She's pretty young, 42. Is she right to be as concerned as she is? Is there anything I could do or any material I could get for her to feel more comfortable or anything?

Georgia1

Hi there Tevyn. I think the thing to tell your mom is that Tamoxifen can cut her risk of having the cancer return (not just in her breast but everywhere) by 50 percent. I'm guessing she's read about the risk of hot flashes and other side effects, and those are real for pre-menopausal women like your mom. But even taking the drug for just two years will greatly increase her odds of a long, happy life.

I think I recommended getting her the book "Navigating Breast Cancer," which might help. And this information is pretty good:

https://www.cancer.net/research-and-advocacy/asco-...

Hope that helps.

Tevyn27

Thanks again for the response! I bought her the book and am waiting for it to arrive. Shes afraid of it changing her into someone who is mean and I think shes pretty concerned with her vanity. She talks to an oncologist tomorrow so maybe they will help convince her.

illimae

I’m 43 and I’ve been on tamoxifen about a year. I have had some hot flashes and night sweats for the first couple months but it soon went away. I also have some joint pain (fingers and knees) but it goes away with activity and I take glucosamine to help reduce the effects. It’s really pretty tolerable, I’d recommend trying for at least 6 months, then deciding to continue or stop.

Tevyn27

thank you so much! I'll let her know and tell her to ask her onc about glucosamine. That's really helpful. Maybe I could talk her into trying it for 6 months at the very least.

gb2115

I am 40 and have been on tamoxifen for a year and a half (or so). I don't think I am mean!! Hot flashes and changed menstrual cycles yes, and dry mouth with the occasional funny taste. To me these are much better than stage 4 (spread) cancer.

Good luck with your mom, it's not an easy road for her.

Tevyn27

thanks for the feedback gb2115. I certainly think you're right. I dont want to sound insensitive to her concerns since I have no idea what it's actually like to go through this but it helps me a lot talking to understand when I talk to all of you.

Good luck with the rest of your treatments. This community has helped my mom and me so much.

Lula73

If she knows someone who turned into a meanie after tamoxifen, keep in mind it might not have been the tamoxifen but rather all the stuff the individual had to go through for their BC and they may still be very angry about it all. If your Mom does find that she's a little more ornery than usual, the dr can prescribe an low dose antidepressant to help - just the stress of the diagnosis can cause an uptick in the amount of serotonin, dopamine and/or norepinephrine our body makes naturally and sometimes it needs a little boost. Vanitywise potential for hair thinning can be counteracted with a hair, skin & nails supplement.