Thoughts on Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen is the most effective treatment for you, to prevent a bc recurrence, locally or distant metastasis, so it is really true, that the benefits DO outweigh the risks.  You are so very young, too, so my surgeon told me that the younger you are, the more time you still have left to live, and so also the higher your risk of recurrence.  It sounded much better when HE said it!  I am 45 y.o., and my drs. still say "you are SO young!" as the reason for taking a more agressive approach to our treatment.

Good Luck with your decision.  Please post often, to let us know how you are doing.  There is also a thread called  Bottle of Tamoxifen, and other women post there, to report their experience with Tamoxifen, so you may get some input about any other se's they are having.  I have been taking it since November, and besides the HOT FLASHES from Hell, I have some joint pain, and muscle stiffness, as well as insomnia, and low grade depression.  You may not have any of these se's.  It helps me to know that I am being monitored for any serious problems, while I take Tamoxifen.

Hugs

Harley

I've overcome the side effects of hot flashes and sleeplessness by taking Melatonin. No weight gain. Yoga takes care of the joint pain and stiffness.  My gynecologists told me it is inevitable that I will develop thickening of the uterine wall and require frequent ultra sounds and worse to rule out uterine cancer.  

Before being placed on Tamoxifen in May of this year the Oncologist sent me to the Gynecologist for a complete pelvic exam.  Due to the fact that I was going months without a period and then would have one an in office d&c was done.  There was also the usual pelvic exam.  He also did an endometrial biopsy which yielded a path report that was ok.  He did an ultrasound which showed there were cysts on my ovaries and fibroids in my uterus and a thickening of the lining of the uterus.  I saw the Gyn again last week.  He did a pelvic exam and another ultrasound.  The ultrasound showed the cysts were gone-thank the LORD!!  He said the fibroids will probably be no problem when I reach full menopause-perimenopausal right now.   He was concerned about the thickening of the lining.  I think he said it had changed since May.  I have been taking the Tamoxifen since May 23rd.  He said he used his scope to do the biopsy in May, but the fibroids caused it to be like hills and valleys.  He said he didn't think he missed anything, but was hesitant and didn't seem confident.  He wants me to come back in 3 months and do another ultrasound.  I would like to know if that is a wise thing to do.  I know that Tamoxifen can cause thickening of the lining of the uterus, but I want to know that they are confident that it isn't something more serious-like endometrial cancer-which Tamoxifen can cause.  Like a lot of cancers, when found early the prognosis is much better than a later diagnosis.  He said a report would be sent to the Oncologist.  I am trying to give time for that report to reach the Oncologist before calling for his opinion or a visit to discuss it.  I am trying my best to live my life without constant fear, but I don't want to be stupid and sit around and wait if something is going on that needs to be addressed.  Responses will be greatly appreciated!!!!