abnormal bleeding while on tamoxifen
Hi all, has anyone had abnormal bleeding while taking tamoxifen? I didn't have a period for 8 months after chemo and then this weekend I started bleeding a little bit at first and then a flood began. My gyno already confirmed that I was in menopause a few months ago and I am 43, so very concerned and scared of what this could be. I had a biopsy today so will have to wait for those results. Nothing so wonderful as waiting. If anyone has had similar experiences, would love to hear about it. Thanks, Jenny
Comments
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Me too! I didn't have chemo, but didn't have a period the first 9 months of Tamoxifen. The last three months, I've had horrible, long, heavy periods. The endometrial biopsy was normal. Now what? Ugh....just what we needed....a brand NEW problem! Let me know what you find out about that biopsy.
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Hi there, I didn't have a period for about 13 months, the time I was doing tx. I was taking tamoxifen for about 4 months then started bleeding real heavy for about 4-5 days. I am 41 so I think that was normal, my Onc said I may be getting a period back. Had an endometrial bx and that came back normal. I wouldn't be too worried about that. You are still young and although the chemo may have put you through the hormone induce menopause, I don't think it's abnormal to have some bleeding.
Best wishes
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Me too! I was really worried at first. My periods had been gone about 14 months (had chemo, rads, tamox), when they suddenly returned with a vengance. I had super heavy bleeding for about the next 4 cycles, each cycle lasted about 6 days. Then the bleeding slowed, and now my periods are as they used to be before BC... maybe even lighter.
My biopsy was also normal, though it was noted that I have lots of large uterine fibroids and an ovarian cyst. I am 36 and pre-menopausal.
I think you will be fine, and in a few months, your bleeding will return to normal. Good luck!
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Thank you all for answering. Sometimes I feel like I am all alone in this journey. I am still worried about the biopsy. I hate that word so much. Was anyone told by their doctors to stop taking Tamoxifen or change to Arimadex? My gyno said that my uterine lining is just sooooo thick.
Thanks,
Jenny
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No one told me to stop taking the tamox, but when my u/s showed the lining to be 28 when it shouldn't be more than a 9 or 10, I stopped it that day and e-mailed my Onc and told her I didn't want to be taking that if it could increase the chance of endometrial ca. So we waited until the bx and that came back normal. Now I'm still not taking it because Im having a hysterectomy on tues, and they want you off the tamox for 2 wks prior so you dont get blood clots. Everything is so confussing but Im glad we have eachother here on this forum.
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Hello Ladies,
I have not had bleeding while on Tamox, but I am going in for a hysterectomy in Feb. I choose to have a full hysterectomy as I needed to shut down my ovaries and I wanted to avoid other issues later. I've always had issue come up on my yearly paps with my cervix.
Has anyone gone through this surgery already?
I'm glad I found this link as I have so many questions and would like to connect with other woman going through this.
I finished chemo in Oct and rads in Dec. My period started back on New Year's Eve and my oncologist now wants my ovaries shut down. I'm ok with not having periods anymore as I always used an IUD prior to breast cancer, but I'm not looking forward to this surgery and going through another recovery.
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Well, I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one having these issues......although I wish that NONE of us were in this situation. I'm waiting to see what the next few months bring. My gyn says I can have an ablation for the bleeding, but I just really feel like I'd like to say goodbye to my uterus and ovaries. Stacy and lrpabon, I hope your hysterectomies go well, and that you will keep us posted on your progress!
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I am having the same problem. I have been on Tamoxifen for 6 months I am 41 years old and pre-menapausal. After 13 months of no period. It came back with a vengenance. Very irregular and this month I have had it for 14 + days. I went to my GYN this week and they did a biopsy. Just when I thought I was going to get back to normal, I get to enjoy this. I had 6 months of Chemo, 6 weeks of radiation and 1 year of Herceptin. I got my port out in Dec. and was looking forward to a uneventful 2011. My gyn said once he gets the results back, we can discuss my options. But seeing that I have only been on Tamox. for only 6 months and I have 4 1/2 more years to go. We may want to discuss a hysterectomy. Fun Fun. I am glad to know I am not alone. Hope everyone has a great weekend.
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Hi,
Post menopausal almost three years
tamoxifen for 1.5 years
Started spotting, discharging and bleeding in Dec. So far have had a hysterospcopy and found two polyps.. samples taken and endometrial biopys done... came back fine.
Also had a transvaginal u/s which show my endometrium to be at 30.1 mm.
So will be having a D&C in a few weeks to take care of that and to remove the polyps.
If this happens again I will talk to them about a hysterectomy. Just cant beleive it to be 30.1.. didnt have an ultra sound before i started the Tamox, so i dont know what my starting point was.
So far nobody seems to worried about this.. Just had to voice... Thankis..
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I've been having the same problem. I was relieved to see other people with similar problems (well, you know what I mean, I really wouldn't wish this on anyone, but it's so nice to be able to go to this forum and find people with issues in common.)
I've been on Tamoxifen since the beginning of November, chemo had put me into menopause but just a couple weeks after taking my first pill my period started and has never really stopped. I'll get maybe one day break and then spotting, bleeding starts up again, and then it's full on heavy. I've NEVER had a period like this. I agree with KWINKLER I was really looking forward to an uneventful 2011. But they had me in for an ultrasound yesterday and now I'm awaiting the results. ARG! It's frustrating too because it is so heavy I have to wear tampons AND pads....I almost don't want to go out so I can avoid getting stuck somewhere without enough protection.
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I'll be going through surgery for full hysterectomy on March 2nd. I hope the recover time is quicker than 8 weeks. I'n not looking forward to having to heal from another surgery. I'm also curious how long hot flashes and such last after this sort of surgery.
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Sounds like most of women getting period back are relatively young under 45.....
2 of my friends took chemo 2 years ago then have been on Tamoxifen and their period has not been back yet....both of them are above 45yo
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Hey girls, this is Jenny and I was just wondering if any of you had to take megace to stop the bleeding? I have been taking it for about 2 weeks and the bleeding stopped right away, but I have had alot of side effects like terrible indigestion, shortness of breath, racing heartbeat so they said yesterday I could stop taking it. Now they say that in a week or two that I should start bleeding again(Yay) and that it could be painful and worse bleeding than before. Have any of you experienced this? They will test after this bleed to see if the uterine lining has shrunk and I am betting that if it hasn't, I will be on my way to the hysterectomy party as well. Please take care!
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It is so nice to come on and find people who are going through the same thing as I am. I haven't had a menstral period for a year and 1/2 since chemo and woke up to bleeding yesterday morning. Since I am on a blood thinner for a blood clot (side effect of Tamoxifen) I freaked out, but my levels were OK. I really didn't expect anything to show up again and hearing that it has happened to others, it makes me feel better.
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Hi All,
Since my last post, I have had a Uterine Biopsy and Ultrasound. The Biopsy came back negative - Thank goodness. And the ultrasound showed a 2 inch cyst on my ovary and a polyp. They have taken me off the tamoxifen for one month until I go back for a follow up ultrasound. They are hoping the break from the Tamoxifen will help with the deteriation of the cyst. I have quit bleeding for now. So hopefully everything will work out and I will not have to have another surgery. I will update in a month or so.
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HI I FINISHED TAKEING TAMOXIFEN IN SEP 2010 AFTER 5 YRS, AT CHRISTMAS I HAD LIGHT BLEED AND HAVE HAD 2 MORE WENT FOR ULTRASOUND AND HAVE THICKENEND LESION WITHIN THE ENDOMETRIUM OF 17 I HAD THIS TEST 2 YRS AGO AND IT WAS 1O WANT SHOULD IT BE,I WAS HAVEING A NORMAL CYCLE BEFOR CANCER AND ONLY HAD ONE CYCLE IN 4 YRS,THOUGHT THIS WAS OVER REALY WORRID SEEING CONSULTANT ON MONDAY,ANYONE OUT THERE HAD THIS,
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Hi all, i had seg mast 4/3/10 and started tamoxifen in april, my periods stopped straight away till july then stopped again till nov, now had bleeding every month, Dr sent me for scan in nov 2010 found an ovarian cyst . Went back for check jan 2011 to see if gone but has got bigger and one also on other overy. Had hysteroscopy and all clear.Now waiting to return to gynae to discuss weather to have ovaries removed. So from the information i have been told it is normal to have irregular bleeding whilst taking tam, good luck hope biopsy is all clear Lyn
Diagnosis 02/02/2010 IDC, Grade 2, 17mm, 0/5nodes, ER+PR+ HER-
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Wow. I love this site, even though I'm scared to come here. I'm 52, was perimenopausal when Dxd w/BC last summer. I was having normal "irregular" perimenopausal periodes -- lite.
I started Tamoxifen October of 2011. Have been doing just fine on it. Then suddenly, a very brief, light period about 2 weeks ago, and now a MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR period. Good grief have stocked up on Tampax Super! I have never had this type of period in my LIFE.
Glad to hear I'm not alone, but now troubled.
I don't want a hysterectomy. Darnit.
I initially thought I lost my Mojo, but I kind of got things going again. #1, I feel this is another setback for any normality in my life. See my onc actually this Thursday -- serendipitous. But this just puts a bite in everything.
Again, thank you ladies, and I am glad to not be alone in this. GAH.
Bella
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WELL THIS WORRY IS AT LAST BEHIND ME,I HAD THE OP AND A D&C,I WAS HAVEING A BIOPSY AS WELL BUT THE NURSE HAD A LOOK AT NOTES AND NO BIOPSY WAS DONE,I HAVE NOT GOT TO GO BACK TO SEE THE CONSULTANT,BUT NEED TO SEE DR ABOUT BLEEDING,THANKS FOR YOUR KIND MESSAGES ANY ONE NEEDS TO KNOW ANY MORE ABOUT THIS THICKENING OF THE LINING I AM HERE.
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I am with you, my sister warriors!!! Finished chemo in march 2012, 33 rounds of radiation, and started tamox after chemo. Have to admit i have missed some doses. After my first round of chemo on Jan 13, I started my period a week later. I typically would have started on the 28th. Had no periods after that. Then, after my husband and I had sex last Friday night, we noticed small amounts of blood. I worried, as I too have 2 small fibroids in my uterus. After being diagnosed with BC, everything scares the crap out me when my body is "off". I am now gun shy with docs an their diagnosis's. My lump, that I found and mammo missed just 2 months before, came back benign after a core biopsy. I demanded they remove it anyway. Lucky I did!! They called me two days later to inform me they found cancer in it.
Anyway, after we noticed very minimal blood Friday night, it got heavier Sat and Sun. Yesterday and today it is heavier than I have ever experienced in my life !!! I swear I am bleeding to death! Same thing mentioned by others, tampon and pads!! Soaking thru every 2 or 3 hours. I just happened to have my FSH levels checked a couple weeks ago by my gyno, so sent her a text asking what the results were. It was 21. Slightly elevated, but not menopausal. For those that don't know, the higher the number, the closer to menopause. It is an indicator of your pituitary gland working harder to get your body to produce estrogen. I am with you all though, my first thought was uterine cancer!! Do any of you constantly worry about the chemo, rad and tamoxifen causing other cancers ?? All 3 were recommended, not necessary, in my case. They all stated " because you're so young, if you were 60 or 79, we wouldn't recommend it, as you don't have and aggressive cancer". I question my decision everyday. I have real heart ache over poisoning my body, deliberately! Was 39 when diagnosed. Just turned 40. Husband suddenly wants another baby, to make me even more confused!! I did want another before all of this, but now fearful. I am in great shape and loved being pregnant. Just nervous about damage I may have caused my body. Not missing the horrible hot flashes waking me up all night though! I will take the bleeding over the hot flashes. And for those having hot flashes, invest in bamboo sheets ! Best discovery I have ever made!!!!! -
On another note, regarding chemo!!! If any of you have friends, loved ones, getting ready to go thru chemo and they are stage 1 or 2, may I recommend you have them look into penguin caps. Have been in use in Europe for 17 years. My husband found them for me online, days before my first round. I kept most of my hair as a result. Lost approx half, if I had to guess. But I had enough hair for 5 women. Very long and very thick, so my hair worked too much as an insulator to for my hair follIcles that the caps were designed to freeze. Lost a lot after round 1, but no one could really tell. Lost very little after the following treatments, since my hair was thinner and the caps were able to freeze the follicles properly. It's in comfortable, especially if you are like me and can't stand to be cold. But it was worth it !!!
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I am 55 and had breast cancer 4 years ago. I have been on Tamoxifen for about 10 months. I started bleeding second time since the cancer, but have been in memopause for 4 years, too. My doctor said I have fibroid tumors, thickened uterus lining, and a cyst in my left ovary. What to do a hysterectomy? Any suggestions?
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I have been on Tamoxifin for 3 months... I had a partial hysterectomy 10 years ago so no periods since then.. Tonight I have noticed some bleeding ?????????
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I'm experiencing the EXACT same issue. After 5 years of Tamoxifen which I stopped taking a month ago. I experienced very light bleeding once two days ago then it stopped as suddenly as it started. This is shocking because I had a partial hysterectomy 10 years ago. I have my cervix and ovaries but no uterus. I'm waiting for a doc appointment to figure out what's going on. What was your outcome?
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Hi I was very worried and my dr. Got me a internal scan and it showed a thickening , and 2 weeks later I went under general so they could have a good look,and every thing was ok,this did happen again to me
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hi. New to this site. Iam 47 years old now and was diagnosed at the age of 45 with adenocarcinoma of left breast grade 3 and 0 lymphs involved. Underwent adjuvant chemo x 4 sessions, 25 radiotherapy sessions and now on Tamoxifen. During chemo I had periods. These stopped after my last chemo Oct 2015. December 2015 was started onow Tamoxifen. July 2016 I had a very very heavy period. I reported this to the Royal Marsden where I was treated and was told probably washould no where menopausall age when treatment started. I had pelvic examination by GP who could not.find any abnormality; no ultrasound. No morexperience periods since until 2 days ago (6.5months later). Once again very very heavy. I am being referred to gynae. Presently very scared. Please please has anyone experienced this and had good results?
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hi. New to this site. Iam 47 years old now and was diagnosed at the age of 45 with adenocarcinoma of left breast grade 3 and 0 lymphs involved. Underwent adjuvant chemo x 4 sessions, 25 radiotherapy sessions and now on Tamoxifen. During chemo I had periods. These stopped after my last chemo Oct 2015. December 2015 was started onow Tamoxifen. July 2016 I had a very very heavy period. I reported this to the Royal Marsden where I was treated and was told probably washould no where menopausall age when treatment started. I had pelvic examination by GP who could not.find any abnormality; no ultrasound. No morexperience periods since until 2 days ago (6.5months later). Once again very very heavy. I am being referred to gynae. Presently very scared. Please please has anyone experienced this and had good results?
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Welcome to BCO, 4748. I have not had Chemotherapy, nor Tamoxifen. My menopause was at age forty. For the last year or so that I had periods, they came several months apart, with decreasing frequency, and they were very, very heavy. I think it is possible that you are near menopause. Your Doctor can do a chemistry test to possibly indicate what is going on about your menopause -- whether you are nearly there. Because you have had Chemotherapy and have since been taking Tamoxifen, you should have these bleeding events checked out by your Health Care Providers.
I had good results, yes. I got a second childhood, far better than my first. I could wear whatever I liked, whenever I liked -- like thinnish white clothes through the warm seasons -- without having to be concerned about *that.*
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Hi 4748, welcome to Breastcancer.org. Sorry you are here and worried, but we're so very glad that you reached out here to this community of warm and knowledgeable others. Hope it's nothing to worry about, but please, keep us informed on what you learn from your doctor!
Best wishes,
The Mods
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Hi all. Thanks for encouraging words. Update since my post. Endometrial pipelle revealed normal endometrial cells, bloods revealed I am still perimenopausal hence bleeds.
Since my post I have been to my annual checkup at the Royal Marsden in London and mamogram was free from cancer. Radiotherapy changes noted. However a few week ago later was examined by my Surge back home and he wants me to have a nodule i have had in my treated breasts since my widelocal excision and reduction of breast JUNE 2015 removed surgically as he seems to recall it smaller; I have not noticed increase. This nodule has been noted in the past by the marsden and at home not showing suspicious features. My Surgeon at the Royal Marsden had suggested vacuum aspiration using ultrasound guidance - this was back in 2015.
I am now torn between making a decision out of fear of 'should I remove it as precaution, ?mets.......and rush into an invasive procedure that will give me another scar or
Should I think logically and consider to go with Marsden' Surgeons suggestion which is less invasive with no scaring based on 1. That I have had 2 normal mamograms which have been normal (reported by the Royal Marsden) since noticing lumps(last mammo 3 weeks ago) 2. Nodule has been in situ soon after surgery and Surgeon at home wants removal as preventative and peace of mind and was willing to give me 3 months to think about it.
3 weeks ago, after having being given good mammo results I dId not think I was going to have this dilema.
Has anyone out there found themselves having hard nodules post surgery
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