Tamoxifen to oophporectomy to arimidex
I'm 43 and just had a total hysterectomy last week. I was on tamoxifen for 1 year with no side effects except uterine hyperplasia, ovarian cyst, and maybe weight gain. I stopped it one week prior to my hyster/oophporectomy as directed by my oncologist.
I am to start arimidex 2 weeks post op (next week). I haven't had any menopausal symptoms since the surgery (many don't get them right away). My question is how do I know if any future symptoms are med related vs surgical menopause? Has anyone had a similar history?
Comments
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It is hard to know what is responsible for any unpleasant symptoms you might get. I am now 6 yrs since the ooph and the one "good" thing about surgical menopause is that it may be very intense but it is shorter than natural menopause. The hot flashes I have now are solely due to the Tamoxifen I am taking. They are very different in intensity and frequency compared to the Arimidex. To be honest life was much easier on Arimidex - I am finding Tamoxifen to be almost intolerable. The fatigue is devastating. -
I am having my ovaries out this month. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Miso-I experienced tremendous fatigue on Tamoxifen too. Is there any way you could switch back to arimidex or something else?
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hmm. I had hardly any symptoms on tamoxifen. I wonder how the AI will play out. I have lost 5 lbs in one week since the surgery and being off the tamoxifen
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Tinanicu - this is only my experience, so take it for what you will. I had my ooph at 44, no premenopause symptoms prior to that at all. My MO started me on an AI almost immediately. AIs turned out to be a nightmare for me. My new MO thinks it was too much change for my body all at once. If I could do it over again (especially if I already knew I could tolerate Tamoxifen), I would give my body time to adjust first before starting a new med. Good luck! Is tamoxifen off the table for you because of the uterine issues and cyst?
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no, I am brca positive and do not want to risk another cancer... Especially one that is caught late. That is why I got the whole thing removed. I am changing to the AI because I will be post menopausal
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I am BRCA + as well. But had an ooph, kept my uterus, as research at the time thought this was fine. Now new research says BRCA1+ women are more likely to get aggressive uterine cancers. Thus, I, too, have recently stopped the tamoxifen. Can't seem to catch a break in this whole mess.
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yep I feel ya. I had uterine hyperplasia and polyps before starting tamoxifen so I was nervous before starting. 2 uterine biopsies and 1 cyst later...not taking any more chances
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I don't blame you. My MO actually didn't believe me about the new research. I was so angry that day, I copied it off, and drove to the office a half hour away to drop it off. Gave the nurse the riot act and told her I wanted my MO to read it before my appointment next week. I know I am my own best advocate, but I am tired of being my only advocate. So many doctors do not understand BRCA at all.
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Good for you. That really sucks about your MO. That's their job!
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