Delaying starting Tamoxifen

Options
fifi67
fifi67 Member Posts: 15
edited July 2019 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

hi ladies, I am Estrogen positive and have been recommended to take tamoxifen for minimum 5 years. I had my 3rd surgery in 3 months on July 1st ( mastectomy with implant reconstruction) having had 2 previous unsuccessful lumpectomies. After all 3 surgeries I developed nasty skin allergies despite my surgeon using different skin prep solutions etc and am now waiting to see a consultant dermatologist. On a very positive note however I found out on Friday last that I won't need either chemo or radiotherapy which was wonderful news to receive. My surgeon now wants me to start on tamoxifen however i am going on a much needed 2 week holiday on August 3rd and don't want to deal with possible side effects while away. Therefore I have decided to delay until mid August which will be 6 weeks after my mastectomy and 4 months since my first surgery. Am I taking a big risk by delaying? Any advice gratefully received!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited July 2019

    i don't know....if it were me I would just take the tamoxifen during vacation. I guess you could get early side effects maybe....I didn't at all. Nothing for a couple of months. Years later I have a lot of side effects but it took awhile for them to really appear.

    Maybe see what the prescribing doctor thinks....they are your best bet for weighing risk. It's probably fine but like I said, you could be totally fine taking the pills.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Veeder14
    Veeder14 Member Posts: 880
    edited July 2019

    I had a vacation scheduled which included flying on a plane for 5 plus hours and I was afraid to take a new medication and have possible side effects while on the plane. My MO was fine with that and I don't think it made a big difference. I was already several months out from surgery and radiation.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 50artchic
    50artchic Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2019

    has anyone not taken tamoxiein and had a recurrence

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited July 2019

    Why don't you ask your oncologist if you can take a reduced dose to start? A lot of women do that anyway, to ease into their Tamoxifen routine.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories