tamoxifin and endometrial cancer

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  • Juli50
    Juli50 Member Posts: 859
    edited July 2011

    I had a little spotting for several days after the one I had last month.

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  • corian68
    corian68 Member Posts: 168
    edited July 2011

    Dianeinil



    Hello, yes there is a Natural AI. Check out Myomin ;)

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  • margodae
    margodae Member Posts: 48
    edited July 2011

    Hi ladies.   I am 30 years old and have been on Tamoxifen since Nov. 4, 2009.  My periods have been irregular and very heavy at times.  I actually have my period at the moment (sorry, if too much information) and it is the heaviest it has ever been.  It's day 3 and I am flowing through an Extra Super thick tampon AND pad in less than an hour.  It has me worried....anyone else with this experience?

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  • Aggiecat52
    Aggiecat52 Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2011

    Hi Margodae. I'm sorry I can't help you with your question as I am post menopausal. I took Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years with minimal side effects. I'm sure one of the other ladies will be along shortly with some of their experiences.



    Ladies, I'm looking for some information regarding hysteroscopy procedure that I'm having on Monday. What was your experience after the procedure? Should I expect a lot of bleeding and cramping? I'm wondering if I can go back to work the next day as I'm planning.



    I really appreciate any information you can provide. Thanks!



    Aggiecat





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  • debintn749
    debintn749 Member Posts: 99
    edited July 2011

    Ok so after the hysterectomy how was the symtoms?? i am 45 and I may be looking at a OVH and she said I wouldnt have HRT because of the ER+PR+ therapy...she said i would age 10 years before my eyes, develope wrinkles hair loss ect OMG!!! what is available to us???Scary stuff

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  • debintn749
    debintn749 Member Posts: 99
    edited July 2011

    Ok so after the hysterectomy how was the symtoms?? i am 45 and I may be looking at a OVH and she said I wouldnt have HRT because of the ER+PR+ therapy...she said i would age 10 years before my eyes, develope wrinkles hair loss ect OMG!!! what is available to us???Scary stuff

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  • moonchild64
    moonchild64 Member Posts: 49
    edited July 2011

     debintn749

    Your doctor said you would age 10 years before your eyes??  Nice. 

    I am 3 weeks post-hysterectomy and when I look in the mirror I see a woman that is smiling, not anxious/worried, eating healthy, exercising, no alcohol, enjoying life and finally feeling good.   I turned 47 last Saturday and I have been told I look 10 years younger. 

    Perhaps it is too early to report on what might happen, but I feel empowered to handle any side effect that comes my way.  Hair loss?  Lost it all three years ago and I am still me.  Wrinkles?  I like to think they are smile lines - drink lots of water, don't smoke wear sunscreen and Olay...and embrace and celebrate my aging - it means I am still here.

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  • lalisa
    lalisa Member Posts: 114
    edited July 2011

    Margodae: I was reasurred to find out that there are many stages of cellular change in the endometrium before it is actually cancer. The progression is usually simple hyperplasia, complex hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, cancer.This progression is very slow.

    Still, I would consult my gyn and/or onc about irregular and heavy bleeding just so they could keep an eye on it. If a woman is still having regular cycles on tamoxifen, it sounds like Drs are not worried. Or if your cycles stop totally, also no worries. And just because you are irregular does not mean there is a problem, just a sign to maybe look closer to be sure.

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  • Aggiecat52
    Aggiecat52 Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2011

    Hi ladies. I just wanted to check in to say that the hysteroscopy today went OK. They treated me so kindly at the UBC hospital and I was back home before 4:00 PM. This procedure was done because the in-office biopsy was inconclusive. A polyp was removed from my uterus (most likely benign) and sent for analysis. I feel quite well tonight, was able to eat dinner and part of a chocolate bar:) I feel so lucky to live in Canada with such a great healthcare system!



    Margodae, I think the post from lalisa is helpful. You might want to check on some of the other Tamoxifen threads to see if other young women like you have similar things happening.



    Aggiecat

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  • tiff2008
    tiff2008 Member Posts: 278
    edited July 2011

    I've not posted in awhile.  I've been taking Tamoxifen for 2.5 years with the usual side effects, hot flashes, weight gain mostly.  July 2010 I had a routine Transvag Ultrasnd and was told the utirus lining was too thick. Gyn did a D& C...told me she was really surprised she didn't get very much tissue...so I went on my merry way.  About 6 months ago my onocologist told me I could stop taking Tamox if I wanted, to see if the hot flashes went away..they did :)  But my periods came back every month at the same time...but very very heavy!  Well, yesterday I went for my 2011 Transv Utlrasnd and they said I had a HUGE polyp in my uterus...WTH!  So my gyno has decided that last year during the D&C she missed the, then small, polyp! And that is why she didn't get much tissue..now I'm thinking WTF.  So Friday I'm having a Hystroscopy and D&C to remove the polyp.  I'm a little nervous.  I hope it's benign!  Thanks for listening.  Anyone else ever have this happen?

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  • knowledgeforpower
    knowledgeforpower Member Posts: 184
    edited July 2011

    I had an ultrasound which showed I have fluid in my uterus.  The uterus walls look normal not thickened.  I have been on Tamoxifen for 15 months.  I am postmenopausal and have not experienced any vaginal discharge.  Has anyone else had fluid in their uterus? The radiologist suggested this is not normal.  I am currently waiting to schedule a GYN appointment.

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  • Judy_63
    Judy_63 Member Posts: 247
    edited July 2011

    I'm thinking about having my ovaries taken out. My onc and gyn think it's a good idea. My onc thinks I wouldn't have to take tamoxifen if I do this. My gyn said if I still had to take tamoxifen after having the ovaries out it would be a good idea to have my uterus removed also since taking tamoxifen increases your chances of uterine cancer. I haven't started tamoxifen yet, my onc wants me to start when I start herceptin which will be august 4.

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  • Aggiecat52
    Aggiecat52 Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2011

    Tiff2008: just wondering how your hysteroscopy went on Friday. I had mine one week ago today and am pretty much back to normal. I had a polyp removed too and now await biopsy results. Good luck with your test results. Hoping for B9 for both of us! Take care,



    Aggiecat

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  • LivingLifeNow
    LivingLifeNow Member Posts: 68
    edited July 2011

    I just had an Ultrasound and found I had thickened lining--2.34cm. So, my doctor scheduled me for an endometrial biopsy the next day. I had to insert a pill intravaginally to open up the cervix, since I had only one pregnancy which resulted in a C-section. Well, I go in for my biopsy and my doctor informs me that my cervix is still too tight, so we have to cancel the biopsy. Now I need to have a D&C. That is scheduled in 3 weeks and costs a whole lot more than the biopsy!

    However, I am looking forward to being knocked out. Ha!



     

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  • Aggiecat52
    Aggiecat52 Member Posts: 55
    edited July 2011

    Hi LivingLifeNow. I had to do the pill thing too but the doctor still did not get enough tissue to avoid my going in for the hysteroscopy. Sorry you are going through all this and hope your medical insurance covers all your procedures. Good luck in three weeks and wishing you B9 results!



    Aggiecat

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  • LivingLifeNow
    LivingLifeNow Member Posts: 68
    edited July 2011

    Thanks, AggieCat! I'm hoping for the best. I have none of the symptoms except for the thickened lining. Hope that's a good sign. Keep us posted on your results.

    Pam

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited August 2011

    Last years pap was normal...(June 2010) DX with ILC 8/10 and had DMX 9/10. Been on Tamoxifen since 10/2010 and went for pap 7/11/11.  Came back with 'inflammation' checked for HPV (negative). Doctor says could be from Tamaxofin or vaginal dryness. Retest January 2012.

    Anyone else have 'inflammation' on pap smear?  They didn't think it was anything to worry about.

    Thanks for any input

    Jan

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  • sanbar8771
    sanbar8771 Member Posts: 281
    edited August 2011

    Jan508,

    I had a pap 6 months ago and it came back as inflammed. I was also tested for HPV and everything was Neg. I had a repeat pap a few weeks ago and everything came back normal.  My Doc blamed it on the tamox. But she said the good news is my body is fighting the abnormal cells so that is a good thing. :)

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  • knowledgeforpower
    knowledgeforpower Member Posts: 184
    edited August 2011

    I frequently have an abnormal pap smear.  In the past I was told to come back in six months.  Last year it came back abnormal and my doctor sent it for HPV, which came back negative.  He said to come back in a year.  I have been on Tamoxifen for abourn 15 months.  I've had abnormal Paps off and on since I had my first child 21 years ago.

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited August 2011

    sanbar and knowledge

    Thanks so much for your quick response.  I feel so much better now! :):)

    Ya know once you get a 'not normal' report your mind plays tricks on you. I never had an abnormal pap but then again I've never been on medication or had cancer before :(

    Thank you, thank you!

    It's good to know it happens and not to worry.  I did speak to the nurse at the office and she didn't seem to think it was anything.

    Jan

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  • rgiuff
    rgiuff Member Posts: 1,094
    edited August 2011

    Judy, removing ovaries and uterus is a drastic step.  I'd think long and hard about that before giving up my organs so easily.  Gyns do this surgery all the time, so to them, it probably doesn't seem so drastic and they don't have to live with the results.  Before having this type of surgery, I would recommend researching what the ovaries do for us.  Even after menopause, it is now being recommended  to keep them if they are healthy, as they are considered to be helpful to bones, cardiovascular system, and sexlife.

    .  At least the effects of tamoxifen are reversible, but the effects of removing ovaries aren't.  Also the risk of uterine cancer from tamoxifen is very miniscule.  In my opinion, not enough of a risk to go through major surgery, which also has risks, such as adhesions, infection, blood clots etc...  The uterus may also play a role in supporting the bladder, as well as contributing to orgasmic sensations.  Just something else to consider.   There is a website, where women who have gone through various types of hysterectomies discuss the issues they are dealing with.  It's called Hystersisters.com.

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  • rubyredslippers
    rubyredslippers Member Posts: 228
    edited August 2011

    An oncology registrar said to me in his huffy response to me telling him that I was not going to take Tamoxifen, "we'll remove your ovaries then"...well no they didnt. I told him that you will not remove my ovaries...see this is how oncologists treat us. We are just walking female sex organs for them to experiment on. Who cares about our health, our quality of life etc etc? It's really quite astonishing that these doctors treat us the way we do and they get away with it. I was stunned at what a lady in the thread said about the 15cm cyst on her ovary that was caused by Tamoxifen but the onc wants her to take Tamoxifen for another year....just wonder how long he would take it for....

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  • Chocolaterocks
    Chocolaterocks Member Posts: 364
    edited August 2011

    Hi interesting discussion- since I have to many side effects on tami .... I have had 3 recommendations to remove my ovaries- one from a female oncologist. Also one against removing my ovaries- a female oncologist.  The frustration and "stuff" we women have to go through are emotionally exhausting. I thank you all for your input as I go off today to explore getting a rx for Metformin.

    I love chocolate!!

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  • Aggiecat52
    Aggiecat52 Member Posts: 55
    edited August 2011

    Hi to all. I am going in on Thursday, August 11th to get my biopsy results. I'm starting to get nervous now about the appointment. On the other hand, I need to know so at least the waiting will be over!



    Please cross your fingers for me, ladies. Thanks!



    Aggiecat

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  • Juli50
    Juli50 Member Posts: 859
    edited August 2011

    Aggiecat - Did you get your results?

    Juli

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  • D4Hope
    D4Hope Member Posts: 352
    edited August 2011

    My OBGYN does an internal ultrasound on me every six months. He checks the thickness of the lining of my uterus.

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  • Aggiecat52
    Aggiecat52 Member Posts: 55
    edited August 2011

    Hi Juli. Yes, I got results today. Benign! Yay! That was a long process beginning to end but again a learning process. Thanks to all you lovely ladies for sharing your experience with me. When I first found out about this thickening of the uterus lining, I panicked and had no idea what to expect. All the information that I got from this site was so helpful and encouraging. You gals gave me strength and helped me so much!



    Now hoping no more medical tests for the rest of the summer.



    Aggiecat

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  • lovetosail
    lovetosail Member Posts: 544
    edited August 2011

    Hi Ladies,

    I am so glad I found this thread!

    My story sounds like a lot of yours - dx at 48, stopped my periods with chemo, have been on tamox about 1.5y and now I'm about to turn 50.  Had a trans-vag u/s this week and the gyn said I may not be menopausal after all - looks like my ovaries have follicle cysts like they're trying to make eggs.  Also, 15mm uterine lining, so he did a bx (ouch!).  He is doing bloodwork (FSH, estradiol and CA125) as well.  I have night sweats/hot flashes, and I am an intermediate metabolizer of tamox, so I guess it is doing something - but I had no idea it could be so unclear if one was menopausal or not.

    It was really reassuring to read some of the stories above and see similarities!  Now, I am hoping that my bx comes back B9 and the CA125 levels normal ;)

    Best of luck to you all

    Sue

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  • lalisa
    lalisa Member Posts: 114
    edited August 2011

    Wow, I did not know that tamox could cause an abnormal pap! Why would this happen? Endometrial cells in the cevical canal or something?

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  • LivingLifeNow
    LivingLifeNow Member Posts: 68
    edited August 2011

    Aggiecat,

    Glad to hear about your wonderful results. I go in tomorrow morning for my D&C. Yummy! Will have the results in 2 weeks. I wonder why it takes so long. Results from breast cancer pathology came back in a few days.

    Pam :)

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