Taking Tamoxifen after 4.5 years on Femara

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aussieched
aussieched Member Posts: 244
edited June 2015 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hello Ladies,

I have a question.  Is there anyone out there that has been put onto Tamoxifen after doing 4.5 years of Femara.  I was to continue past the 5 years on Femara, however my latest bone density has dropped dramatically to osteopenia, and due to having really bad back & hip pain for the last 8 months, my onc sent me for a bone scan, as he was concerned about bone mets.

The bone scan has shown that I  have very advanced osteo-arthritis in my neck, shoulders, back L3, L4, L5 both S1, knees, ankles and feet, including toes.  This is the first bone scan I have had and all this arthritis has come on since taking the AI. I am currently 57 years old, and never had any problems with arthritis before.

I really would like to continue on the Femara, but due to the osteo-arthitis, and the continuing dropping bone density, my doctor is considering taking me off the AI's totally and starting me on Tamoxifen. I would have to say that I think the Femara is totally responsible for the bone density loss, as I had a bone density test before starting the Femara, and the Onc told me I had the bones of a 20 years old (I was 52), however I also did have an oophorectomy, so maybe it has been caused by the combination of both.

I can't seem to find any information anywhere on the net, as to evidence that Tamoxifen after an AI has any benefit.

It anyone knows of a site that might be helpful, I would really appreciate your advice.

Ched

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited July 2012

    Aussieched, it's good news that you may be able to continue taking an anti estrogen med. I have only been taking Femara for one year but am interested to have the protection for longer than five years.



    Please post what you end up doing. Good luck!

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  • aussieched
    aussieched Member Posts: 244
    edited July 2012

    Bump

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  • Omaz
    Omaz Member Posts: 5,497
    edited July 2012

    Hi, this article may be helpful

     http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/new_research/20110823.jsp

    Dx 6/21/2010, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited July 2012

    aussieched-a couple thoughts come to mind when I read your post. 4.5years is 90% of your 5 year sentence. Some might think this is close enough. Not sure if 4 vs 5 years has been studied.

    I understand the osteoporsis part but not the osteoarthritis part. After my initial diagnosis, I was sent for an Xray of my neck. I told my breast surgeon I had neck pain. The Xray showed "mild" arthritis. 15 months later, after being on Tamoxifen for 7months, my neck pain got worse. Another Xray showed "moderate" arthritis of my neck.

    So, I have to wonder if the Tamoxifen is speeding up my arthritis. I know women on both AIs & Tamox experience increased bone "discomfort" & "pain". I am 53 & the plan was/is? to switch me to femera when I become "truley" menopausal. Femera being the AI of choice for me because of my "aches & pains". Something about fewer women experience bone pain on this drug. I'm only about 15% of the way thru my 5yr term.

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  • aussieched
    aussieched Member Posts: 244
    edited July 2012

    Hi Coraleiz, thank you for your response.  Unfortunately I am one of those women who has had terrible side affects from the Femara.  4.5 years of pain in just about every body part.  Some pain came and lasted 6 or so months and then completely resolved, other pain has been with me all the time.

    I would have been prepared to stick it out for the next 6 months to reach the 5 year mark, and also extra years as my Onc is now saying because of the positive node, he thinks 7 or 8 years of being on something is better than the 5 years only.

    The only problem now that I have developed the osteoarthritis everywhere, and also the dramatically dropping bone density, he now has to reassess what treatment I should take, as he doesn't want to cause any further arthritis or bone density problems, and as the aromatase inhibitors are known to cause both of these problems.  He seems to think that Tamoxifen causes lesser problems in that area.

    regards Ched

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  • Ann70
    Ann70 Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2015

    I took tamoxifen for five years and now was diagnosed with severe osteoarithis. pain all over had to retire because the pain was so bad and concentration was becoming hard since I was investing money in the stock market I couldn't afford any mistakes. I will now have to have knee replacement in both knees.

    I also took Evista for three years after I finished the tamoxifen.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2015

    Dear Ann70, Thanks for reaching out and joining our community. We are sorry to hear about your complications with osteoarthritis, retirement and potential surgery. We would love to hear more about your story, your thoughts and concerns. This is a fabulous forum for others with similar paths. We hope that you will stay connected. One suggestion for you would be to start a new topic. We notice that this topic has not had recent activity ( since July 2012). Perhaps you can start a new topic so as to better connect with others who are currently active on the boards. Best Wishes and again welcome. The Mods

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