Heavy Bleeding on Tamoxifen

DeeDeeT

Hi, everyone. I have been taking tamoxifen for a few months. When I started, my doctor had me begin with 10 mg to see if I could tolerate it, before moving on the full 20 mg dose. I just sailed through it with no problems. I have had an occasional hot flash, but other than that, I've felt pretty normal. Well, at least as "normal" as person who has gone through a lumpectomy and radiation can feel.

Until this morning.

Today was Day 1 of my cycle. It was not normal. Not even close. I soaked through a tampon and pad in two hours. It was shocking to me. I also had very bad cramping. Seriously, for those of you that have had, or have been around a new mom after vaginal childbirth, it reminded me of how it is the day the baby arrives. You know. Bad. Hemorrhaging. Only, I didn't just give birth.

I am not an alarmist, but the amount of blood was truly scary. I did have the number of my nurse. I called her as soon as wasn't an indecent hour. She put me in contact with my GYN. My GYN told me to stop tamoxifen. I KNOW!!! But, its not forever. Just until the bleeding stops. If I start bleeding when I get back on, she'll need to do a biopsy. I wish I had asked what to do if this happens again next month, but I seem to go into some sort of brain freeze when I talk to medical professionals and can never think of obvious questions until they are gone. This was one of those times. So, it may be a month before I really know if this is going to end or not.

Ugh. I'm pretty sad about the whole thing. I don't even have a cute baby to snuggle with. Just lots of cramping and ick and none of the fun. Anyone else have heavy bleeding as a symptom? What was your treatment, if any? Thanks, ladies!

Crescent5

wait .... your GYN should not have the authority (lack of a better word) to take you off your cancer med! Your onc needs to weigh in

The heavy bleeding could be age related or even the fact that you've been through so much stress. I had severe bleeding (soaking through a super tampon every 5 minutes) in year 4 of tamoxifen. The GYN had me take ibuprophen to slow the bleeding (believe it or not, it worked!) the uterine biopsy was fine. The bleeding was finally stopped by a uterine ablation.

My onc, a pretty open minded guy, would not even entertain the idea of taking me off tamoxifen. I finished my 5th and final year with no more incidents.

Please talk this over with your onc before stopping this medicine. Tamoxifen has a bad rap (not always warranted), but it could save your life.

Good luck!

gb2115

I agree your MO needs to make that decision, not the GYN. I would reach out to them and tell them what your GYN said.

I have very heavy bleeding on tamoxifen. I have a period that is 3-4 days but most of the bleeding is over less than 24 hours, really 12 if you can imagine (well you probably can). I soak through many pads. I get yearly ultrasounds to check the endometrial lining and all has been well so far. No one seems concerned.

DeeDeeT

Hi ladies! Thanks for your input. I realize now that my first post did not make this clear, but my GYN and ONC are both on my team and confer with each other. It took almost a full day for me to get my gyn's decision because of this. I think what happened in this case is that the oncologist let the gyn make this call because of how serious the bleeding has been. I am going back on Tamoxifen in a few days when it stops. I'm personally comfortable with this this.

I am concerned though about what will happen if this heavy bleeding continues to be a problem in the future. I don't mind stopping T this one time for a few days. But, only once. However, I just felt that old panic when she mentioned the word "biopsy" and I don't know what that may lead to. I guess I'll just try to take this one step at a time and hope for the best.

Thank you both for taking the time to reply!

Crescent5

DeeDee we had very similar dx. I cried when the GYN said biopsy but it's protocol. It's not a particularly fun procedure but st least it's quick.

Are you getting uterine ultrasounds? I got one each year while on tamoxifen.

Heavy bleeding can also be a premenopausal thing. I'm shocked at the number of GYNs who know so little about menopause.

Good luck.