Tamoxifen to Anastrozole

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Pilgrim64
Pilgrim64 Member Posts: 16
edited February 2016 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I was peri-menopausal and put on Tamoxifen mid January. I had my ovaries removed Feb. 15 and my oncologist called me and wants me to stop

Tamoxifen immediately, then wait two weeks and start Anastrozole. Any one else experience this? Any side effects from abrupt stop of Tamoxifen?

Thanks.

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  • Goodie16
    Goodie16 Member Posts: 446
    edited February 2016

    When I stopped tamoxifen because of side effects, my onc had me wait a month before starting on Lupron. Now that I've been on Lupron for a month I'll be starting on Aromasin after my appointment with him next week. I've always had monthly blood draws too to monitor my estrogen levels (among other things).

    Doesn't your onc want a blood draw to confirm your estrogen levels are going down since your ovary removal?

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  • murielwhite5
    murielwhite5 Member Posts: 78
    edited February 2016

    Hi Goodie 16, Can you tell me what side effects you had on Tamoxifen? I have been on it for just over a year and I am now having episodes of heart palpitations, nausea, shortness of breath and generally feeling unwell. I have been taken off the Tamoxifen for a month to see if that is the problem. I have already tried Femara and Arimidex but I was turned into a cripple and then I found out I have osteoporosis so I had to come off those. I think I may be trialled on Aromasin if the trial off Tamoxifen shows that is the problem. Thanks Muriel

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited February 2016

    Interesting. I'll be going the other way next month! From 3 years on arimadex to tamoxifen.

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  • Goodie16
    Goodie16 Member Posts: 446
    edited February 2016

    My main complaint on tamoxifen was joint/bone pain and generally feeling like I had the flu. Very achy, tired, etc. I simply couldn't take it and continue to work my full time, very physical, job.

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  • Emmiejohns
    Emmiejohns Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2016

    I am having difficulty finding "the right" forum, but this is close. I hope I am okay here.

    I am on Arimidex presently, and for only a month, and I am finding the side effects to be daunting. Hot flashes are very bad, and joint pain, and stiffness. Also, I am having blurry vision (which, until a few days ago, I hadn't even attributed to the Arimidex). New research has shown it can cause the blurry vision. And weakness. I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a neuromuscular disease, back in 1993 and have been mostly in remission (with no MG treatment needed for the last three years or so) but am wondering if I am relapsing. All of this after 4 - 5 weeks on Arimidex. I don't even have an appointment with my breast cancer MD until sometime in April. Oh yeah -- another big problem is insomnia. I have been awake since 3:15 a.m., finally got up at 4:30 because I was just lying in bed "wishing" I could go back to sleep. Then I decided to get on the computer. It is now 5:15 a.m., and I will probably just stay up. I am calling my breast cancer doc later this morning. There is no way I will last 5 years on this drug! Has anyone had a similar experience? Are the other AI's any better?

    SickTired

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  • Golden01
    Golden01 Member Posts: 916
    edited February 2016

    Try this forum for more info: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topics...

    So sorry you aren't sleeping. My MO says if I have too many SE on Arimidex, I can try a different AI. So far, I've done well. My brother-in-law has MG, it can really vary in the symptoms. Good luck to you. Sending good thoughts your way.

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  • Emmiejohns
    Emmiejohns Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2016

    Thanks for the link, and for the good wishes. I am going to check out what you posted.

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