Tamoxifen ? Before My 6 Month Onc Appt Tomorrow

Options
pupfoster1
pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hi girls,

Just wondering what the consensus is here regarding using Tamoxifen POST menopausal.  I literally was kicked in to menopause the month I was dx.  Never had a period since.  So my question is, is it safe to be on Tamoxifen post menopause as my onc had planned on me being on it for at least 5 years, and what are the health risks involved being on it?  I thought about asking for a hormone panel to be done as someone else here had mentioned they weren't truly in menopause, but the Tamoxifen was supressing the hormones enough to keep the periods from returning.  I am 50 and was peri befor dx, so I think I probably am in true menopause.  I'm not necessarily anxious to change to something else as I've been pretty lucky in that I really haven't had any trouble with the Tamoxifen, so like the old saying goes if it ain't broke, don't fix it right?

Thanks girls, and wish me luck tomorrow.  I always get nervous before these and I've had some rib pain I was going to mention to her, so I hope I don't open a whole new can of worms......

Love,

Sharon 

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Sharon,  Like you said, "If it ain't broke don 't fix it".  I had trouble with it.  Do what's best for you and trust your onc if you're ok on it.

    image

    Barb

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Karina121293
    Karina121293 Member Posts: 370
    edited April 2012

    Sharon, I too take Tamoxifen and I had surgically induced menopause. My doctor wants me on it for 5 years, then switch to Femara. She read me the abstract, where it said to be a normal protocol for post menopausal women.

    Good luck for tomorrow !!!! I was having rib pain couple of weeks ago on the cancer side, and I was worried too, but thankfully it went away itself. Hope yours will do the same. Sending you positive thoughts and energy.

    Karina 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ck55
    ck55 Member Posts: 346
    edited April 2012

    Has anyone every heard of doing Tamoxifen after  5 years of Femara. I have been having trouble with vaginal atrophy and my once thinks if I can tough it out until August (5 years of Femara) that perhaps I could go on to Tamoxifen and use an estring or vagifem, since the Tamoxifen will block any increase in systemic estrogen that that may cause.

    I know it is common to go the opposite route (5 years Tamoxifen and then 5 years Femara). Just wonder if this might be as effective. Undecided 

    Any words of wisdom?

    Thanks, Cyndi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sespebadger
    sespebadger Member Posts: 249
    edited April 2012

    hey...I was 49 at DX and stopped having periods about 2 months later after a month of chemo. I started tamox two weeks after I finished rads and am still on it about 18 months later. My onc did some blood test that say I am not actually officially in menopause, I'm about halfway there?.......I'm trusting my onc to have me on the right meds. I have hot flashes and fatigue, but I'm glad there is something that helps prevent reaccuence. I have asked about alternatives, but she thinks this is best for now.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited April 2012

    Thanks Girls!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Chippewa
    Chippewa Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2012

    Results of blood test showed I am border line between pre and post menopausal and I too was concerned if Tamoxifen was right. Reading up on Tamoxifen shows that it IS NOT for use in post menopausal women.  My doc is only putting me on the T for 2 years and keeping an eye on my estrogen level and that is the main factor in HT.  After 2 years or so she will switch me to an Aromatose Inhibitor. (AI) which stops estrogen production in post menopausal.  I have been on the T for only 2 months and seem to be doing very well so far.   Good luck and continue to research and ask the doc questions.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 1,424
    edited April 2012

    Tamoxifen is for any hormone positive woman regardless of whether she is pre or post menopausal.  It was the only antihomonal until the AI's came along.  I know many menopausal women on Tamoxifen so I think it depends of what is best for each woman's situation.  Some women are concerned about the bone loss with AI's or the joint pain, etc.  Some recent studies have shown that AI's are slightly more effective at preventing recurrence, but that benefit has to be weighed against the risk of bone loss and therefore fractures, etc.  Taking Tamoxifen for a few years and an AI for a few years had very good results probably because you got the benefit of the AI without so much of the risk. 

    It also seems to me that Tamoxifen is "easier" on women who are menopausal as far as uterine effects go.  And, while it does seem as if Tamoxifen suppresses menstruation, I haven't read anything that says it works that way, but it can make them irregular.  It's very reasonable to ask to have your hormone levels checked until you are sure you are menopausal, though, just so you have that information.  

    Good luck with the Tamoxifen. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited April 2012
    So, after my visit my onc said that no, Tamoxifen is good for pre and post menopausal hormone positive bc, and that she still wanted me on it for 5 years, then do the switch.  As long as it's agreeing with me, which it is, she doesn't see any reason to switch at this point.  So, I'll go w/that for now!
    Thanks again!
    Sharon
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories