Premenopausal on tamoxifen

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Janeybw
Janeybw Member Posts: 199
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I have been on tamoxifen for about 5 months now.  I am premenopausal and did not have chemo.  My cycle is very irregular now and runs about 6-8 weeks.  I have noticed that the side effects from the tamox change as I go through my cycle.  I will have hot flashes for a couple of weeks and then joint pain, then foggy brain and fatigue, etc.  I am wondering if it due to my natural rise and fall of estrogen.  Anyone else have this happen?

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  • YramAL
    YramAL Member Posts: 1,651
    edited November 2011

    Jane-you are describing my side effects exactly. I am 51 years old and still pre-menopausal.I did not have chemo. I've been on Tamoxifen for about 18 months now. My period comes anytime between 4 to 12 weeks. I have the hot flashes more right before my period starts. I have the joint pain, the foggy brain, the fatigue....all of it. 

    You are not alone.

    Mary 

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  • bizbeth
    bizbeth Member Posts: 11
    edited December 2011

    This is my first time posting. I am 49 yrs old,   I was ds October 27, 2011  and I  had lumectomy 11/15/11. and Sentinal node biop and nodes were clear and my margins were clear.  Have see onc last week and I am stage 1 and tumor was 1.5 cm. My sister didnt survive, but hers had matastised (sp). We have ordered the Onco type DX test and are awaiting the results to help decided on chemo.  I have been over researching.  My husband doesnt want me to have chemo. He keeps searching online for an altertnative to Chemo. We are very conflicted on what to do. All the rest of my family wants me to have the chemo. I am hoping someone in my similar situation can give me some advice, or what they did. I guess I need to add, I am ERpos Her negative Grade 2 Stage 1 Sorry

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  • besa
    besa Member Posts: 1,088
    edited December 2011

    bixbeth - The oncotype DX test results will give you hard numbers about chances of distal recurrence - the chance of recurrence within10 years.  You should also be told how the addition of chemo is estimated to change these numbers.  Once you have this information I think it may be much easier to decide.  You family seems to be deciding without this.  These numbers are important.

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  • Janeybw
    Janeybw Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2011

    bizbeth, I will agree with besa.  You will have an easier time making the decision when you have all of the facts.  There are very specific protocols in place based on size and oncotype, if done.  Personally, I wouldn't enter into chemo lightly.  But, if it was recommended based on my clinical picture, I would do what I needed to make sure the cancer was all gone.  Maybe your husband doesn't want you to have to go through chemo?  There are others on here that will be more helpful.

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