Cysts as a result of Tamoxifen...

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ce3
ce3 Member Posts: 18
edited January 2016 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hello,

My gynecologist found a 5cm cyst on one of my ovaries. As a result he asked me to stop taking the Tamoxifen medication immediately and then 8 days after my next cycle, to get a pelvic scan and do a blood test. He said that it is quite normal for women on Tamoxifin to get cysts. I am still feeling a bit nauseous and have a slighted rounded tummy. Do these cysts generally clear up by themselves? Do Evening Primrose Oil capsules help? Is there anything else I should be doing to help myself? If the cyst has reduced or disappeared then I have go back on the Tamoxifen.... I have been on it for two years, have another three to go. My scan in on Monday 18th January next week.

C. (Aged 42)

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  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited January 2016

    I developed cysts almost immediately after starting Tamoxifen. I developed two painful cysts on the left side first, and was told to keep taking the Tamoxifen. I did, and the cysts ruptured (very painful, although I wasn't sure that's what had happened until the doctor did an ultrasound). I quit Tamoxifen for a few weeks and then started again half dose. After a few weeks I developed a cyst on the right (also confirmed by ultrasound). I stopped taking Tamoxifen completely. Not just because of this but because of multiple SEs. The cyst on the right eventually resolved by itself (and did not rupture, thankfully!) I can't say whether there is something else you can take to help resolve the cysts, but I can tell you that stopping Tamoxifen did resolve mine.

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited January 2016

    I'm going for an US tomorrow for a suspected cyst on my left side. I found this lump myself and it's giving me other issues like reduced bladder capacity. How big do they get? I have never had them before and I'm really getting fed up with it

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited January 2016

    The cysts I've developed on Tamoxifen have always resolved without stopping the drug. I have had fluid filled ovarian cysts prior to BC. They always resolved. The cysts can be uncomfortable. Prior to BC, I resolved an 11.5cm cyst without intervention. My personal experience is that the pain doesn't always correlate with the size of the cyst. Cysts always hurt more on my left side.

    Hope you cyst resolves soon!!

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  • ce3
    ce3 Member Posts: 18
    edited January 2016

    Thanks everyone, I found your posts interesting and reassuring. I was prone to getting to the odd cyst before I had BC and they always cleared up by themselves. I am hoping that his will be the case with the 5cm one that is on my left ovary. Coraleliz, your cyst was very large and was pleased to read that you didn't have surgery.

    JJOntario, I have had to pee more frequently I've found, plus my bowel movements have been disturbed, sort of a bit constipated and sex has hurt a bit too ! I have also had feelings of nausea and a very bloated lower abdomen. Hope your US went ok...

    Summer Angel, your case sounds a bit like mine: I've been asked to stop taking the Tamoxifen for the moment, to check that is the medicine that is causing it. I am to go back on it if the scan on Monday next week shows that it has reduced or even disappeared. If not, the next step would be to put me on a drug that stops me ovulating completely which I really don't want to do. Have another 3 years to go yet before the end of the treatment (and still harbour the hope that I can have a baby after...) You were allowed to just stop taking the Tamoxifen?? Don't think I'll be allowed to do that!

    C.

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