Chemotherapy delayed just placed on tamoxifen

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Captswife
Captswife Member Posts: 14
edited October 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I need a little friendly advice from someone who has been in this position.  I had Lt Mastectomy and 33  lymph nodes removed on 9/3.   Chemo was scheduled to start approximately 2-4 weeks post op.  I have an area on my incision (half dollar coin in size) that has become "stagnant" it has just refused to heal.  I saw a  wound specialist yesterday and went through debridement and collagen graph.  I saw medical oncologist today.  She has postponed chemo for at least 6-8 weeks and prescribed tamoxifen to start immediately.  Help??? I was not prepared to start hormonal therapy yet.  After the trauma of wound debridement and the shock to hear chemo is being postponed, I am completely overwhelmed to know that I will soon be thrown into menopause.  I was not prepared to start hormonal therapy yet.  Please, send any advice or tips about being new to tamoxifen.  Thanks! 

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2014

    Why do you assume that you will be thrown into menopause?  The reason pre-menopausal women are placed on Tamoxifen is that it allows circulating estrogen to continue so it can benefit heart and bones, but blocks the receptors on breast cells.  While Tamoxifen can cause some side effects it does not actually cause menopause itself.  Is it possible that because chemo, which can stop your menstrual cycle, usually comes before hormonal therapy that you are thinking this may happen?  Placing you on hormonal therapy while you wait for healing is actually a good plan because it is providing you some protection while your chemo is delayed. 

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

    Actually, it doesn't sound like you're being thrown into menopause quite yet - the chemo might have done it but tamoxifen, as a selective estrogen receptor blocker, won't shut down your ovaries. You may get some of the 'warm flushes' or other side effects (read the pharmacy leaflet, keeping in mind that no one gets every problem listed!). In fact, you could do very well and hardly notice that you're taking a new medication. 

    The main priority will be to heal that wound, keep the graft and avoid infection. Call your clinic & clarify what else to expect because they may need to monitor that incision and see you fairly often.  

    Edit: SpecialK and I were composing messages at the same time. Her explanation of the biology I hinted at above is excellent.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2014

    vlnrph - thanks!  I am just worried that the OP is scared of Tamoxifen causing menopause - I don't want her to be!

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  • Captswife
    Captswife Member Posts: 14
    edited October 2014

    thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback very much.  I deleted my original post because my pharmacy refused to fill tamoxifen.  I've been on Wellbutrin for 10 years and she said that there is some sort of interaction between them.  I will have to play the waiting game and call my local onc who prescribed tamoxifen and figure out what to do now.  Wellbutrin takes a while to taper off of.  Thanks again!!!

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited October 2014

    When OPs are deleted, it makes it very hard to follow what the replies are addressing.

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