Why not start tamoxifen right away

Nulyte
Nulyte Member Posts: 62
edited September 2016 in Just Diagnosed

Hi - I've looked and looked for articles and am trying to understand if I'm Er/Pr+ why the don't tamoxifen right away while they are waiting to start chemo or surgery? Any ideas? Thanks!
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  • AmyQ
    AmyQ Member Posts: 2,182
    edited September 2016

    That is a very good question. For me there was a delay between surgery and chemo so we started Femara, a similar drug, until I could start chemo. You can ask and see what the response is.

    Amy

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited September 2016

    Before non-cancer related surgeries I've had after starting Tamoxifen, I had to go off it for a few weeks, before and after surgery, due to potential bleeding issues.

    Edit: My understanding from the docs is that is precautionary, and standard of care. But you should double check with your surgeon.

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  • Lovinggrouches
    Lovinggrouches Member Posts: 530
    edited September 2016

    I wondered the same thing, but MO said it can decrease white blood cell count. I guess they want to make sure we heal from the surgeries first

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  • Michellelynn875
    Michellelynn875 Member Posts: 21
    edited September 2016

    Hi there. I asked my doctor the same question. I wanted to start right away!

    I am also er+, pr+.

    They wait till after chemo since they don't want to add to the amount of drugs they are already introducing to your system. Some doctors believe these drugs work better, given at separate stages during treatment.

    My doctor waited for 8 weeks after I completed radiation. He said he wanted to allow the radiation to do its job without complications. I was a nervous wreck knowing I was already staged at 3c.

    I have read about some doctors that start immediately after chemo. So I think out just depends on the doctor.

    Michelle

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