Tamoxifen

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jlb60
jlb60 Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I am 49 and stage 1 cancer. No cancer in lymph nodes. I had lumpectomy a month ago. My chemo doctor wants me to take Tamoxifen but no chemo. Tamoxifen cant be mixed with Paxil that im taking. I dont want to stop the Paxil or switch to another drug. I dont want to add to the medicines I do take which is enough. I know it may sound strange but I would rather have chemo than add another drug that I cant afford.  Any advice?

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  • in_cognito
    in_cognito Member Posts: 429
    edited June 2010

    Are you highly ER+?  From what my Onc said, depending on certain factors, Tamoxifen is stronger than chemo.  Some types of breast cancers do not respond well to chemo and respond to Tamoxifen.  Your doctor should explain this to you in detail.  The Onc can also run an Oncotype Dx test on your tumor to determine your true benefit of doing chemo. 

    Sorry that you have to join us! I am sure other ladies will add more advice to what I have given you - I'm still new at all this too! 

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  • jlb60
    jlb60 Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2010

    I had the Oncotype Dx. I dont know the number just that it was a good score,. I dont know for sure if im highly ER+. I'm just so confused about everything. I see the radiation doctor next week.

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  • in_cognito
    in_cognito Member Posts: 429
    edited June 2010

    I would talk to your doctor (oncologist) about your concern about Paxil.  I'm sure they have addressed an issue like yours before. 

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  • jlb60
    jlb60 Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2010

    The doctor said there is an injection i could get and a pill that  I could take with Paxil. I have to find out more about this and if it is covered by insurance. I could maybe switch to another medicine that goes with Tamoxifen. Or I could have chemo. I have a decicion to make.

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