Need help with a decision to change from tamoxifen

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Natalie30
Natalie30 Member Posts: 4
edited January 2018 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi girls:)

I have an appointment very soon with my Oncologist, and she suggested to change my hormonal treatment from tamoxifen to Aromotase.

I am on tamoxifen and Lupron shots for almost 3 years. A little bit about me, I am 33 years old. 3.5 years ago I had brats cancer stage 2a, 2 lymph nodes positive. Estrogen was 100% so hormonal for me is very important.

Should I change? My oncologist did mention that we will need to monitor my Estrogen level all the time, even though i will be on Lupron for a very long time probably, but I’m not sure why?!

Even now, she is monitoring my estrogen level and it’s in the 20s, so she saying it’s good. There is no test which will say what work better for me, so I’m worried all the time if the Tamoxifen works or not and if Aromotase will?

Please, advise me what to do? Pros and cons?

Thank you and waiting for your answers:)

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited January 2018

    tamoxifen works by blocking estrogen receptors on the cells of your body. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) prevent your body from turning hormones made by the adrenal glands into estrogen. The Lupron shuts down your ovaries so they’re not making estrogen. Because the AIs do nothing for estrogen made by ovaries, it’s indicated only for women who are post-menopausal, have had surgical menopause (oophorectomy) or who have had their ovaries shut down by Lupron. Tamoxifen’s big drawbacks are potential for uterine cancer & blood clots. The AIs big drawback is bone health. The AIs were also shown to have a lower rate of recurrence vs tamoxifen. Since you’re on the Lupron you should be able to take the AIs. I made the switch (due to tamoxifen causing blood clots) after my oophorectomy and so far the more minor side effects I experienced on tamoxifen (major joint pain, brain fog, fatigue) are much improved. There are also several different AIs so if one has bad SEs for you, you can switch to a different one

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  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited January 2018

    Lula said it all. If I may add from my personal experience. Estrogen and FSH done late Sep 2017 were at least mid menopause level. Just to see I took Tamox for a week even though total hyst was scheduled already. I had visible spotting twice during the 7 day period. Last time I had period was 6 mos prior. I knew AI was a lesser evil for me.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited January 2018

    http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/aromasin...

    Natalie, here's a write up on how AI plus ovarian suppression for young women was shown to be more effective than tamoxife


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  • Natalie30
    Natalie30 Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2018

    Hi girls,

    Thank you so much in your help and answers. I will probably change to Aromotase inhibitors. Hopefully it will give me the protection I need.

    Thank you all again:)

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