Itching like crazy from tamoxifen

Itching and burning shouldn't be just from low estrogen of Tamoxifen. I'd be real suspicious you don't have an unusual yeast for which a full culture may be needed and tincture of time as those yeast grow slow. Too, you might have a bacterial infection in addition which may be helped by Flagyl. It's the itching that will drive you crazy, and which makes me think more than just a low estrogen state. Perhaps a second gyn opinion and some empiric therapy, meaning try Flagyl and a probiotic while a culture is run.



On your own, right away, you might seek out probiotics or at least Aptiva and hit both hard, to try to reverse the gastrointestinal bacteria, which indirectly contribute to lower vaginal infections if yeast gets ahold.. Years ago, women put yogurt in the vagina to try to raise the lactobacillus too.



Change your soap to Dove, the most mild, less perfumed on the market.



Has your Tamoxifen brand changed of late? Some women have complained of allergies, so you make look into whether your on the old or a new. Here's a link for this site on allergies and Tam.

link:http://community.breastcancer.org/topic/78/conversation/693145?page=1#comment_710179



If truly no infection is present, then a short course of vaginal estrogen may help, but as you know it is not advised in ER+ breast cancer. Monitoring blood estradiols can be done to ensure no whopping elevation or sustained elevation results, IF you and your doctor feel this is the only solution left.



Myself, I'd probably buy a small can of Crisco first, and twice a day put a small enough amount in the vagina, coating the walls and then rest a little to let it come to body temperature. Yes it contains soy, which is vaginal cells may be sensitive too, that''s the point, but no, it does not seem to get absorbed, rather it layers onto the vagina and may give some degree of much needed relief.



I feel your pain, and owww needs to change to ahhh! Please make sure your gynecologist thoroughly reviews the situation, insist on all cultures and tests, and don't let him or her forget about the upper pelvis and it's contribution to the vaginal ph through hormones.



Hope this helps,

Tender

I don't know that I"d do the Crisco thing until I'd bothered my GYN some more about lab work, it might skew the results if he/she does another culture sample.

Have you tried applying Monostat cream to your outside tissues, not internally? I had a lot of itching one time and the NP I saw suggested that I might have an external yeast problem.  It did seem to help. 

Yes I'm in the same boat too Coleen2 The itching is driving me crazy I have been on Tamoxifen for approximately three months and found that my discharge got very heavy, but the last two weeks I seem to be itching like mad and because of scratching so much it's unfortunately maki g my private swell up ..and leaves me stinging and sore I'm going to the doctor on Tuesday to see what can be done if anything ...what a pain .. it's like having constant thrush which I don't think it is what I have but if it is then hopefully that can be cleared up and this inferno itching will hopefully stop. As I definitely cannot go on five years like this ..x

Hi Saarah...I have just read from Lisa1's reply that it could be the brand Tamoxifen you're using have a word with your onco surgeon or consultant and ask them if they can give you a different brand if you've changed the brand try and think back what brand was satisfactory for you and didn't make you itch if that's the case for you? I know with my original brand I didn't itch at all although did have heavy discharge within two weeks all the same didn't itch ...it's only been in the last two weeks that I've started itching and it's a different brand to the one I used when I started it three months ago it's worth a go take care. And good luck!X