When to switch from Tamoxifen to AI

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eb1968
eb1968 Member Posts: 11
edited June 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After


I'm almost 45 and haven't had a period since Feb 2012 after my second chemo. I've been on tamoxifen for about 1 year. My onc wants to switch me to Aromidex now instead of waiting 2-3 years like the recent study suggests. I do pretty well on tamoxifen and, well, I'm just not sure that my ovaries are done. I asked the docs to do a blood test, but they say it will be inaccurate due to the tamoxifen.


I wanted to compare notes with others. Are oncs switching you to AI's asap now?


Thanks in advance for your responses.

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  • lahela
    lahela Member Posts: 515
    edited November 2013


    My MO initially said he would check my hormone levels again a year after starting. I was 47 and he did a blood test before I started Tamoxifen that showed I was perimenopausal but not there yet. He said as soon as the blood test showed insignificant ovary action, he'd switch me. As it turns out, I'll be having an ooph in February so will switch sooner, but I thought my experience might be helpful.

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  • ali68
    ali68 Member Posts: 1,383
    edited November 2013


    Hi, I'm 45 and been on Tamoxifen 16 months now my last period was march last year after 3 chemo. I have been told to stay on Tamoxifen for ten years as research has proven it ( so they say I live in England)

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  • rgiuff
    rgiuff Member Posts: 1,094
    edited November 2013

    I was 47 when diagnosed, had no chemo, had my last period at 49.  Despite this, the plan was 5 years of tamoxifen.  When I decided after 3 years that I was done with tamox, Onc then suggested taking aromasin to follow the protocol. I reluctantly agreed, telling him I really didn't like the idea of taking a med that completely stops all estrogen production. And I only lasted 2 months on this due to side effects and fear of it fast forwarding the aging process.  But anyway, I also have a friend who was 51 at  diagnosis,  got thrown into menopause from the chemo and it's five years of tamox for her as well.

    if you are doing well on the tamox without any uterine issues,  then can't understand why the rush to switch you to something that may be harder to tolerate. Don't know what stage you were, but if more advanced, then maybe that could be a reason?

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  • eb1968
    eb1968 Member Posts: 11
    edited March 2014

    UPDATE: I switched to Aromasin late December 2013. Doing ok on it (no aches but a bit of constipation). 

    Yesterday, I started having vaginal bleeding that, in my experience, looks like old endometrial blood. In other words, it feels like I'm having a period after 2 years of no period. In other words, period stopped after 2nd round of chemo 2 years ago; now, it might be back). Recent blood tests show my estradiol = 56 and FSH = 48. I have all original parts and I am 45 years old.

    I'm calling the doctors this morning. My onc and my gyno. To see what to do.  

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  • dltnhm
    dltnhm Member Posts: 873
    edited May 2014

    eb1968 

    If you check back - wondering how you are doing. See that you've not posted,  but perhaps you get alerts. 

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  • eb1968
    eb1968 Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2014

    Hi! Thanks for checking in on me. I'm doing well. 

    So, the consensus is that I had a period. I'm back on Tamoxifen (after having a pelvic ultrasound). Yesterday I had a follow up pelvic ultrasound that is consistent with not being in menopause (they saw a follicle). 

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  • susan1964
    susan1964 Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2014

    Your dx pretty much mirrors mine....have been on Tamoxifen for 2 years now...my appetite has been really affected...I eat, of course, but no hunger cues, and food doesn't taste the same...a constant nauseous feeling...could be the other meds I'm also taking ( Effexor and Xanex )

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  • susan1964
    susan1964 Member Posts: 23
    edited May 2014

    I started Tamoxifen 2 years ago...my MO tested my hormones before I started Tamoxifen and it looked like I was close to or in menopause...for months now, my appetite has been horrible and have a constant nauseous and winded feeling....no hunger cues and food doesn't taste the same...no other issues, thats enough for me....I'm taking Effexor and Xanex too ( both low doses, which I would like to get off of) so that might have something to do with it too...I see my doctors this month, so I'm gonna bring this up

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  • Jennie93
    Jennie93 Member Posts: 1,018
    edited May 2014

    I have been on tamoxifen for only a year, but it's not treating me well.  Been in "chemo-pause" for about 18 months now, so MO said we can test my hormone levels and see if it's done for good.  If so, we will try switching to an A.I.  I'm a little hesitant because the SEs actually sound worse, but doc said everyone is different, you never know, it's worth a try.  Time will tell.  

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