Tamoxifen-help me wean myself off

StellieB13
StellieB13 Member Posts: 9
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Hello.  I am nearing the end of my time having been on Tamoxifen for almost five years.  Although I have not had extreme side effects from it, I have not been able to lose a single pound while on it. I am looking forward to weaning myself off.  I recently had to travel for work and had forgotten to pack my pills and my body reacted right away.  I had sore breasts & was weepier than normal.  I am afraid!  Does anyone have some great advice on a time schedule or a plan I could work with to cut back?  I am on 10mg tablet, taken twice daily. 

I am round the 5 year bend without recurrance so I am excited to shed tamoxifen from my life!

Thank you!

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Comments

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited January 2014

    Shouldn't your doctor be the one to help you with that?  Just saying---

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  • StellieB13
    StellieB13 Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2014

    Just looking for a little insight. 

    Besides, isn't that what this site is for?  Just saying.....

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  • Pattysmiles
    Pattysmiles Member Posts: 954
    edited January 2014

    um, I hate to say this, but it is my understanding that tamoxifen is now recommended for 10 years.

    See what your doctor has to say about continuing or about weaning.

    If they don't want to address weaning I would imagine to start by lowering one dose, use  a pill cutter, for a period of time (1-2 weeks?), then lower the other dose same way, then cut out the first dose, then cut out the last.  Just my opinion, perhaps someone who has been there , done that, will chime in.

    Pat

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  • StellieB13
    StellieB13 Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2014

    Thank you, Pattysmiles.  :)

    I most likely would not continue with tamoxifen for 10 years.  I will have to talk to my oncologist about that next week.  

    I guess I am looking for someone to tell me how they felt while weaning off of it.  Was it difficult?  How long did it take for the side effects to go away?  

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