Tamoxifen alone for 2-3 years, then ov plus ai?

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Ladyc2020
Ladyc2020 Member Posts: 197

hi everyone,


I’m 44 and my MO recommended I do ovarian suppression plus AI over tamoxifen alone, or at least add suppression to Tamoxifen for a couple of years.

The plan we came up with is Tamoxifen for 2-3 years, then either AI and suppression or just add suppression.

I’m hoping tamoxifen can help build up bone strength before the change,

Anyone else doing this?

Comments

  • kathabus
    kathabus Member Posts: 205
    edited November 2020

    I went straight to oopherectomy and AI. I had a positive node and didn’t want to mess around.

    It sounds like that’s a solid plan for your situation. If I had no nodes involved I probably would have done something like that. I take calcium and vit D, exercise every day....and hopefully that helps.

  • Rah2464
    Rah2464 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited November 2020

    LadyC - Tamoxifen taken premenopausally is not protective of your bones. It is when you are post menopausal, however. Please have a baseline Dexa scan before you start treatment, or early in your treatment path. I would even push for yearly Dexa scans rather than two years depending on your bone health.

    I was classified with Osteopenia at start of my treatment on Tamoxifen. Two years in, and finally post menopausal, I have Osteoporosis in my hip and lower back area. This was in spite of adding supplements and exercise. Just a word of caution to make sure you are doing everything you can to support your bone health. I, too, had in my head that tamoxifen would protect my bones no matter my menopausal status.

    I went to see a endocrinologist who specializes in Osteoporosis and he told me the absolute best exercise for building bones is walking. Cycling and swimming are great cardio but do literally nothing to build up your bones.

    Focus your diet as much as possible on eating calcium rich foods. I am finding that Almond milk, at least a cup a day is a wonderful way to increase my calcium intake.


  • Acucindy
    Acucindy Member Posts: 14
    edited November 2020

    July 2019 I had a lumpectomy. I did radiation finishing in Oct 2019. I was taking anastrazole and a monthly Lupron shot to shut down my hormones until March 2020. When Covid hit, I lost my

    insurance and the Lupron shot alone was 700.00 a month. The doctor switched me to Tamoxifen in March. Wed night, I went to the ER with a large blood clot. I am now doing 6 weeks of daily injections to dissolve it. I am feeling a little beat down. I work in the medical field and with Covid and election violence and health.. sigh.

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