Pre-menopausal dilema

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Iolite
Iolite Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Young With Breast Cancer

Hello Ladies

Are there any ladies taking Tamoxifen with Warfarin, due to DVT or PE problems who are pre-menopausal and therefore not suitable for Arimadex, unless they have there ovaries taken out or are forced into menopause chemically with monthly Zoldex injections.

I am currently on warfarinn and tamoxifen but my new oncologist wants to take me off as she is not prepared to prescribe the combination (even though I have my bloods checked regulary).

She wants me to change to Arimadex/Zoldex combo, suggested ovary oblation or nothing at all, as she knows of no one else on such a combination.

The haemologist who orginally prescribed the warfarin for my PE had no concerns and was quite happy for me to continue on Tamoxifen as the warfarin would stop any new clots forming. 

I live in London so perhaps this unique here but, I'm convinced there are other women on the same combination

Can anyone help?

I'd love to heare from you.

Paulette x

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  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited September 2008

    Hi, Paulette. Has your onc given you a reason for the contraindication of taking wafarin with Tamoxifen? Or is it that she's just concerned about you being on Tamoxifen in general, rather than being concerned about it reacting with the wafarin?

    It's a tough choice--on one hand, like you said the wafarin should stop any new clots, but on the other hand, why tempt fate and take a drug that will make you more suseptible to clots? My late Stage IV mom was on Tamoxifen at one point, although post-meno, and developed a DVT. She was immediately switched to Arimidex and wafarin. There was no discussion of Tamoxifen and wafarin in her case.

    Sorry I can't be of more help. Hopefully someone else will come along who's had more experience with this. You might want to post this topic over on the Hormone Therapy board as well. 

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  • ashley36
    ashley36 Member Posts: 23
    edited October 2008

    Oh My God I was so surprised to see someone ask this question and has the same thing as me, in 2004 I had a very bad PE  the Dr's were surprised I was still alive when I made it to the hospital  my blood pressure escalated,  during that time I  was also diagnosed with Protein S defincey blood clotting disorder,every year I'm checked by my hematologist to make sure I'm ok,  I did have to be in the hospital for 15 days on weight based heparin through IV and coumadin when I was discharged I had to take coumadin (warfin for 6 months)  if I get another blood clot I have to go on coumadin for the rest of my life this summer  I was diagnosed with ILC I have had 3 surgeries on Oct 7 was my last surgery thank God, now the next phase of my treatment is radiation and HT having a blood clotting disorder and being premenapausal  my Hematologist Oncologist, GYN and another Oncologist from Dana Farber in Boston all stated  I cant take Tamoixen they would never give it to me because of the high risk of blood clots since I have Protein S defincey. They suggested  aromatase inhibitors  and Lupron to suppress my ovaries ( chemically enhanced menopause)  They each stated being premenopause and with the blood clotting disorder there really wasnt anything else I could take.  i'm very surprised  you were taking Tamoxifen and Coumadin (warfin) it just seems like a very bad combination.   I will find out this week when I will be starting  the HT my hematologist oncologist wants me to start it after I complete my radiation my other oncologist wants to start it at  the same time as radiation,  my radiation oncologist stated it doesn't matter when its started.   As far as your situation did your new oncologist state why she wouldn't do the  combination did she state the same reason as my oncologists stated?  My suggestion would be go with the dr you feel has your best interest at heart and will go above and beyond to make sure you are getting the best care. I can honestly say I have  been blessed to have Dr's that do that for me and are always on the same page regarding me taking Tamoxifen. I will keep you up in prayer, I hope i was able to help, please let me know what you decided to do

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  • suecco
    suecco Member Posts: 317
    edited November 2008

    Hi Paulette

    Im also in UK, and zoladex isnt as bad as it sounds, Ive been on it for a few years now and have found it fab, I also did the zoladex/arimdex combo but back to just zoladex now, I have my injection 12 weekly which is better than 4 weekly.

    Good luck

    Sue xx

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