Curious... Tamoxifen prescribed for post menopausal woman

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CatsRus
CatsRus Member Posts: 310
edited August 2015 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
I'm just curious here. When going for chemo I met a lady who started chemo same day as me, same regimen. As I saw her every infusion we talked often and kept in touch between treatments and have continued to communicate since we finished. We attend the same cancer clinic but have different oncologists. From what she tells me, we have very similar pathology and neither of us need radiation. I saw her today and she tells me she starts tamoxifen on September 1. I started Letrozole (generic Femara) last week. I asked her if she was pre-menopausal and she told me she wasn't, that she is about 7 years post menopausal... Again similar to me, maybe a couple of years longer for me. I wonder why she has tamoxifen and I have Letrozole?? I know we are all different but am wondering if anyone knows a reason for giving tamoxifen to a post menopausal woman??

Thanks.
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  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited August 2015

    Tamoxifen will protect bones and heart. Someone who has osteoporosis may prefer Tamoxifen over AI. My friend got digestive issues from AIs and had to go on Tamoxifen. There may be many reasons why she's on Tamoxifen.

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  • CatsRus
    CatsRus Member Posts: 310
    edited August 2015

    Thanks inks!

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited August 2015

    Also, 10years is being reccomended by many MOs. Her MO may not want her on an AI for 10 years. Maybe starting with Tamoxifen for 5? then switching to an AI for 5?

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited August 2015

    My MO started me on tamoxifen due to my already thin hair but I quit due to SEs from the getgo. I have been on arimidex generic for nearly a month and so far so good except that my bone density baseline came back osteopeonic so I am on extra vitamin D and calcium.

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited August 2015

    For Izzysmom, keep in mind that going on a bisphosphonate like weekly Fosamax (generic=alendronate) or monthly Boniva can help maintain bone strength and avoid worsening osteoporosis. There are gastrointestinal concerns however so not everyone can take them. Also, jaw necrosis has been a problem which means if you anticipate needing significant dental work done, get it over with before starting the med.

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