Tamoxofin, my weapon or not....

mamita--- tamoxifen has been used and studied for nearly 30 years  and shown to be very effective. If YOUR doctor is recommending it for YOUR situation,  I would say go for it,  and don't listen to what others have to say.

I took it as a preventative  (LCIS) for 5 years and tolerated it very well. My mom took it years ago for ILC, also tolerated it very well, and is now a survivor of 23 years without a recurrence.

anne

But it is a wonder drug for so many of us. Not all of us, but many of us.

I read somewhere that without Hormonal medication, 50% of node-positive patients would reoccur. Tamoxifen and the AI's reduce that risk for many of us. It saves lives.

I keep reading of people choosing not to take hormones....man, you couldn't pay me enough to stop. 

There are women who complete their 5 years of tamoxifen or arimidex and are then placed on either another AI or a placebo pill (I know of one woman doing this in Canada).  She doesn't know if she is on a placebo.  What does that say about the power of our beliefs?  If you believe Tamoxifen is doing nothing for you and you are letting someone else's words poison your thoughts, then guess what?  Do whatever you do with confidence.  What else can you do?  You'll never completely know, why waste time in the here and now worrying?  Yes, many women opt not to take it, but I find they are generally Stage 0 or 1, from what I've seen on the Alternative threads.  I believe in this drug, it has a good track record.  But, I also believe that everything else I do is helping me, diet, exercise, qigong, meditation, supplements, laughing more,,,etc.

Soooo, yes!  It is your weapon!  Keep it up with conviction.

Mamita,  like you I have been questioning the benefits of Tamox. I am stage 3, did bilat-mx, chemo and rads. I've had middle of the road SE's and worried mostly about the emotional effects after hearing about so many people that end up on anti-depressants while on Tamox.

I made a deal with myself that I would give it a go and see how I feel. If the SE's make me crazy then I can stop. Took the first pill last week and so far feel fine. I've just gotten back to my yoga class and plan to start swimming next week to try and get more range of motion in my arms. If you want to jump on board and be a Tamox buddy we can walk down this path together.

Good luck to you. Certainly agree with the CYP2D6 metabolizer status test (just you the search bar and type Tamoxifen, CYP2D6) for lots of information.

I try hard to ignore the naysayers out there in life.

Best,

Tender

Also in the last 2 months 2 major studies were released on this test. If she says no-ask her "I f I was your daughter would you want her to have it?"

In 1991 I had a modified radical mastectomy, followed by chemo.  My cancer was very aggressive - found on mammogram (it could NOT be felt); it was both lobular and ductal and it was a Stage 3 with lymph node involvement.  After chemo, I took Tamoxifen for 5 years and  thank God I have not had a recurrence in 18 years.

The only side effect from Tamoxifen for me was hot flashes - a small price to pay, I think.

Tamoxifen was a good thing for me - AND if the mammogram had not found my cancer, I would not be alive today.  I ALWAYS had yearly mammograms and continue to do so.  

Omaharose

The placebo effect is huge.

Lexis also has an important point - if you don't think it is working for you, you won't think the SE's are worth it. Believe in it! We are so lucky to have the opporttunity to take it - I would imagine most TN's would love to be getting something. 

It does seem like many people dx with bc had been living above average healthy lives.  I thought I was too!  There just seem to be more and more women under 50 being dx with no bc in their families.  We need to take every weapon available to us.  I hear of many women stopping their hormone treatment.   I just can't even imagine it.  Maybe the stats would be better than they are if more women took the hormone therapy as perscribed.  And we must get moderate exercise daily.  Even 30 minutes of walking can improve your outcome and well as your outlook on life.  My oncologist has recommended exercise on a number of appts. 

I want to do everything I can and at least live without regrets.  Never want to think I should have done something different.  

Perfect example of cakes friend...non compliance. It happens....alot.

I think there a studies going on to look if carrying on with Tamoxifen for 10 yrs VS 5 is beneficial. I have heard of some woman who started out with an AI, and after the 5 yrs their onc has kept it going.

I personally, hope to continue with something longer than 5 yrs.

My onc has stated that once I am done with Tamoxifan he will be putting me on an AI for another 5 years.  I am ALL for that!

Kerry - LOL

 Sherri - 40% wow.  

Pure E - I am still trying to get over the anger of being misdiagnosed.  Another thing that seems to be so common.   Originallly, I thought my case was unique.  NOT.  Wonder what the % are?