Tamoxifen .

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  • Chanel
    Chanel Member Posts: 72 ✭
    Hi again Melinda
    my surgeon told me that after review of my case with others doctors , that radiation was not likely to be an option for me. That it could in fact detrimental. 
    I am still meeting with the radiotherapist on Monday, but have pretty well made up my mind not to have it.
    i have only found one lady on this site who was told the same as me.
       Again I have to trust this is best for me.

  • melclarity
    melclarity Member Posts: 3,528 ✭
    Hey again! lol
    I agree with you, you see everyones treatment is so very different based on their individual circumstances. My Surgeon even said the treatment I had was very aggressive as I only had DCIS initially. Last year I had 3rd stage aggressive in my scar tissue. Sounds like you are in good hands, definitely be guided by them. I really feel you'll be ok and truly wouldnt stress about the Tamoxifen, I really believe you'll find it to be more than ok. :) 
  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,730 ✭
    Hi Chanel 
    Please don't stress about tamoxifen. Any medication can be a so and so feeling. It's about a new improved you. The Drs and Breast care nurse have that goal in mind.
    Take care sending you a virtual hug from Christine xx 
  • socoda
    socoda Member Posts: 1,767 ✭
    Went for 2 month follow up with my Oncologist today and discussed the following Tamoxifen side effects.
    • Hot flushes - handle-able at the moment and am taking everyone's advise re throwing the leg out of the bed, dressing in cotton, taking a spritzer with me to work :) - but I now also have my script for Effexor which I will not fill at this stage. Is supposed to reduce hot flushes and is taken at a reduced dosage instead of the dosage for being an anti-depressant. Thought if I need it come summer will have it to hand so all is good.
    • Leg Cramps - I have had these throughout most of my life so there is nothing new there but was told that no problem going back to taking magnesium tablets and these can be a result of tamoxifen.
    • Aching joints - in the last two weeks have been getting aching in my left shoulder and down my arm (not just the joint) and was putting it down to tablets - oncologist however is now sending me to a lymphedema clinic as lymphedema may be the culprit.
    • Forgetfulness - OMG!!!!! Air brain - just add water!!! This was confirmed as being a definite side effect of tamoxifen. If I don't do things immediately I forget. If someone needs me to do something again I have to do it immediately or make a note of it because I will not remember. Aaaarrrrggggghhhh!!!!! Oncologist told me that downloading a brain training app for my phone will actually assist me - so am definitely going to do that!! (Already did it so I didn't forget - bwahahaha!!!)
    • All in all no insurmountable problems and each has it's own little fix. All good :)
  • Chanel
    Chanel Member Posts: 72 ✭
    I'm not stressing over the Tamoxifen . I'm just not a pull taker and am disregarding g all the negatives attached . Every medication has potential side effects we may not even get . Do thankyou you all ladies , no ore tamoxifen discussion from this point on
  • Chanel
    Chanel Member Posts: 72 ✭
    Lol Pill taker 
  • Michelle_W
    Michelle_W Member Posts: 54 ✭
    Hi Chanel, I have been taking Tamoxifen for the last 3 years after a Lumpectomy and Sentinel Node Biopsy, re-excision( no clear margins), chemo and radium. I haven't found it too difficult chemo had already sent me into menopause, hot flushes weren't too bad and don't really notice any anymore. 
    I am one of the unlucky ones (in the last week) that has developed a large polyp and hyperplasia (had surgery to remove this and for pathology) the polyp was not cancerous have to wait for in depth discussion on the pathology of the hyperplasia with my gyno and yo find out what the next step is, then oncologist. 
    I knew this was a possibility that this could happen, it is not common, just unlucky I guess.  With doing all this I have an 80% chance of breast cancer not coming back, still have 20% chance that it could come back, I take the 80%. All you can do is make an informed decision and act on any symptoms that don't seem right. Remember there are also never any silly questions.
    All the best
    Michelle
  • iserbrown
    iserbrown Member Posts: 5,730 ✭
    Michelle the same thing happened to me 
  • Michelle_W
    Michelle_W Member Posts: 54 ✭
    Hi iserbrown,
    We will get there. I still keep taking the Tamoxifen until I have conversations with specialists. This is one amazing journey.
  • Brenda5
    Brenda5 Member Posts: 2,423 ✭
    I had single mastectomy, then full axillary clearance, 4 doses of chemo. The radiographer said I could have radiotherapy if I wanted but he thought it could do more harm than good so I didn't have it. I am on Tamoxifen for 2 years. Six months worth already completed. I still get lots of flushes but the bone aches aren't that often. I still have limited energy but odd days I can run and other days I am at a crawl. Coming up for review of ultrasound and mammogram next month so fingers crossed its just a formality and I am cancer free.
  • Chanel
    Chanel Member Posts: 72 ✭
    Hi Brenda , yes I also was told radiotherapy would not be the best thing for me, so I'm just on Tamoxifen for 5  years. I've only been taking it for 4 weeks so far it's ok , just hot flashes. I wish you well with your upcoming checks next month xxxx
    stay well 

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