Vaginal irritation after finishing Tamoxifen

Options
AniPie
AniPie Member Posts: 30
edited August 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi everybody,

It's been quite a while since I've been on this site.  I am now finished with my five years of Tamoxifen!  Yay!  However, I am now experiencing irritation in the vaginal area.  At first, I thought it was due to a yeast infection because I had a double dose of antibiotics a few weeks before it started.  Took two doses of treatment and now the irritation is coming back.  I know us Tamoxifen users like to blame that little pill for everything that goes wrong in our bodies -- at least I do.  Has anyone else experienced this problem?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited July 2014

    Congrats on the 5 years! Did you consider going another half decade? Reports came out recently that suggested longer duration might be good for some...

    You could possibly have a yeast infection that wasn't quite taken care of by the two dose regimen. Since it's been a couple more days perhaps you've already been to the doctor - they can do a culture and/or prescribe a different medication. Not sure where you are located but a hot, humid summer makes the perfect environment for lots of nasties to start growing.

    Hope you find a treatment that works.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AniPie
    AniPie Member Posts: 30
    edited August 2014

    Hi vinrph,  I haven't seen my oncologist yet to talk to her about going longer on the Tamox.  I see her in November, so we'll see what she says.  It makes me a little wary to do that since I've already had an endometrial biopsy done once from irregular bleeding.  Everything was deemed fine, but holy crap do I never want to do that again!  lol. 

    As for the yeast beast, I ended up taking two doses of Diflucan a few weeks apart because I thought it came back and my gyne gave me three refills.  I was more concerned with the irritation in and about the labia - but using Vagisil for a while took care of that.  I just hadn't had a yeast infection in so many years and never had one come back.  I did read that some strains are harder to fight than others.  Unfortunately, my gyne of 24 years just retired!  I'm so heartbroken.  I have an appointment with a new one in early September, and of course, by then, everything will be cleared up.  lol

    And I'm in Chicago, where it's not too hot this summer, but it's hot enough.  I have avoided sitting in the sun or going in my pool this year :-(  Oh, I see you're in Wisconsin, so you know what I'm talking about with the weather.

    Thanks for posting a reply!  Hope all is well with you!

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

    Hi,

    I too just got a YI right after finishing a heavy duty course of antibiotics (clindamycin), coincident with a vacay in south Florida (ie, humid). Im still on tamoxifen, and my GP gave me a two pill dose of Diflucan, and it cleared up after one...but I also had a bit of oral thrush too (check your tongue for white spots and cracks in the corners of your mouth), so I had also been eating large amounts of yogurt and kefir and taking a probiotic pill, as my doc thought that the oral thrush might respond to the good bacteria as well...maybe add some yogurt/probiotics to the antifungal? Good luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories