Did anyone take Tamoxifen DURING Radiation????

Options
matsgirlie
matsgirlie Member Posts: 54
edited June 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
Did anyone take Tamoxifen DURING Radiation????
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • matsgirlie
    matsgirlie Member Posts: 54
    edited May 2014

    I just found out there's two streams of thought on this: some doctors say tamoxifen makes the cancer cells inactive (when you want them active) during radiation - and others say it is fine. My oncologist started me on tamoxifen already, but i won't start radiation for another couple weeks. My surgeon was not happy with this when I told her - which made me research it. Wondering if I should stop. I've only been on it for 10 days. Any thoughts out there???

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited May 2014

    I was on my third jar by the time rads were over. The RO had no problem with it. See what your RO says about it , but keep taking it until you see him or her.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mjjones453
    mjjones453 Member Posts: 26
    edited May 2014

    My Doctor had me wait until after radiation was finished.  I believe the reasoning was side affects.  They wanted to monitor each separately. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited May 2014

    I actually started tamoxifen the same day as radiation.  My RO was fully aware of it and said nothing.  Today will be rad 3/33 for me.  

    Have you noticed any side effects of tamoxifen yet matsgirl? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SelenaWolf
    SelenaWolf Member Posts: 1,724
    edited May 2014

    I, also, started tamoxifen at the time of radiation (three years ago).  There didn't seem to be any conflict with this amongst my treatment team at the time.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • matsgirlie
    matsgirlie Member Posts: 54
    edited May 2014

    sunshineink i feel great on tamoxifen. the first couple weeks I was a little dizzy and weird feeling but i take it with dinner and go to bed around 9pm so thats fine. ive only been on it for 2 weeks. thanks for the info ladies. interesting. . .

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited May 2014

    I was told to wait a month in between, but like a previous poster the reason that was given was so if I had side effects we'd have a better idea what they were caused by - it had nothing to do with effectiveness.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lojo
    Lojo Member Posts: 303
    edited May 2014

    I started tamoxifen in January, as we were waiting to see if I needed chemo (I didn't). Once rads were scheduled, my MO told me to stop the tamoxifen (I'd been on it about a month at that point) a week prior to rads starting. Then he told me  to start again a week after my last radiation treatment. It seemed more of the MO's decision - my RO didn't seem to have an opinion about it, and she deferred to the MO.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NorthwindsGS
    NorthwindsGS Member Posts: 128
    edited May 2014

    I started Tamoxifen a week before I started Rads.  My MO wanted me to start and when I asked the RO about it she agreed.  She said studies have shown in the long run there was no differance between being on it during rads or waiting till rads were finished.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IllinoisNancy
    IllinoisNancy Member Posts: 722
    edited May 2014

    I didn't start on Tamoxifen until after radiation.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jennie93
    Jennie93 Member Posts: 1,018
    edited May 2014

    My RO said do not start taking it until 2 weeks after end of rads.  Reason being the rads kill fast-growing cells, which cancer cells usually are, but the purpose of the tamox is to starve the cells of estrogen so they won't grow.  If they aren't growing fast, the rads won't kill them.  I sure would hate to go through all that for nothing!  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2014
    Sorry - somehow did a double post..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited May 2014
    I haven't been on Tamoxiifen but started Femara/letrozole 1 week after starting rads.  Different Drs have different ideas as to what as to the best protocohol for different types/stages and each individual.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited May 2014

    Jennie my breast cancer according to my docs is very slow growing anyhow.  My issue is that I'm 100% ER and 100% PR positive.  I don't know I'd that made a difference or not.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mmb1234
    mmb1234 Member Posts: 17
    edited June 2014

    Hmmmm well this thread is making me feel more than a bit anxious. I finished chemo April 16, and started radiation (30 treatments) on May 8. My med. onc. prescribed tamoxifen and said to wait a bit between finishing chemo and starting radiation and to start the tamoxifen when I started radiation. So, that's what I did - started both on May 8.  I am now nearly finished with radiation but freaking out that maybe it was compromised by taking the tamoxifen simultaneously. Is this a serious concern? Should I talk to MO or RO? Feeling scared. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited June 2014

    MMB I started both on May 20th.  My MO recommended it and my RO agreed.  Neither felt that there was an issue with it. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bearcub
    bearcub Member Posts: 485
    edited June 2014

    I started tamoxifen a month before radiation, everyone was okay with it..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • matsgirlie
    matsgirlie Member Posts: 54
    edited June 2014

    I recently spoke to dana Farber oncologist and they said either way is fine. There doesn't appear to be a difference in effectiveness.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • justachapter
    justachapter Member Posts: 158
    edited June 2014

    Finished radiation last Thursday, saw MO and was given (actually script called in-so I couldn't drag my feet) yesterday and I started it last night.  My MO actually only does 1 month and has you come back 4 weeks later to check on side effects before providing more.  I think this is a good idea to ensure we are being taken care for patient compliance.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories