Men with breast cancer on tamoxifen

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Fleet
Fleet Member Posts: 2
edited August 2015 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

my husband had breast cancer last year. Following treatment he has suffered from severe depression and anxiety. We are now wondering if this is a side effect if the Tamoxifen. We intend to talk to the oncologist about him taking a three month break from the tamoxifen to see if this has any affect on his mood. Has anyone else experienced depression because of Tamoxifen, or taken a break?

Thanks

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2015

    Dear Fleet,

    Welcome to the BCO Forums, we hope you find them helpful.

    We're sure others will be along to share their experiences with Tamoxifen and BC.

    Unfortunately Depression can be a side effect of Tamoxifen, you can read about it here: Tamox SE's.

    You might also like to check out this page on Depression and ways to manage it while going through treatment and beyond.


    Sending warm hugs to you and your husband,

    The Moderators.

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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited August 2015

    I'm a man with who was treated for breast cancer last year and I have been on Tamoxifen over the past nine months without any side effects.

    Try experimenting with the times he takes his tablets. I take mine at 8pm each night so I'm basically asleep while it works. Some people have found half a tablet in the morning and half a tablet in the evening is better for them. 

    Stopping the drug would likely make me very depressed since I understand that it is extending my life considerably. 

    I'm very positive about my future, so that keeps me going. I'm careful with my diet and take regular exercise. 

    I wish your husband well with whatever he decides.

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  • Fleet
    Fleet Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2015

    thanks for your reply. We saw the consultant yesterday and he saw no problem with my husband stopping Tamoxifen. He also did not feel there was a need to replace it with a different drug either. His view was that given my husband's type and degree of cancer the risk factor for return was low. It's interesting how little is known about breast cancer and it's treatment for men, because it is relatively such a rate condition. Anyhow, thank you for taking the time to reply to my post, I really appreciate it and I wish you all the best.

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  • Traveltext
    Traveltext Member Posts: 2,089
    edited August 2015

    Good news. Do come back to the forum if you have further questions. 

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