Forum Discussion
Tamoxifen
I have recently had a lumpectomy followed by 6 weeks radiation therapy. I have been using tamoxifen for a month and have chosen to stop due to the side effects. My onco dx test showed I have less than 10 percent chance of it coming back. My question is: would a bilateral mastectomy further reduce risk of the cancer returning to my breast?
35 Replies
Hi Deanne
Thank you for your response. Having spoken to a new surgeon I am now heading towards a double mastectomy no reconstruction. I have spoken to women who have done this. Your chest just looks like a little girl's! The prostheses are easy to use comfortable and stick to the chest and you can swim with them. They cost $450 ea and are covered by Medicare. I will keep you posted as I go. XX
- There is a group on here called 'Breast Reconstruction' online group. You can find it by clicking on Find a group and putting it into the search bar. It is a private members only group but you can request membership and once granted they have a lot of terrific info on the different types and aspects of reconstruction. You can also read the stories of women who have undergone reconstruction. This is the best place to ask about other people's experiences with this. Take care and good luck with whatever you choose to do. Deanne xxx
hi there; this may not be the approach you may be interested in; but effexor- may assist with some of those side effects from the tamoxifen..
hi there; this may not be the approach you may be interested in; but effexor- may assist with some of those side effects from the tamoxifen..
- I have been post menopausal for 7 years now,but I am on Tamoxifen.The reason for this is,that the Aromatase inhibitors,even though they give slightly more protection against recurrence,they also cause joint / bone problems.I was going to change,but now I have osteoporosis,so I have to stay on Tamoxifen.The downside with Tamoxifen,if you are post menopausal,is that after 2 years,your chances of endometrial cancer increase SLIGHTLY.So as my oncologist told me,it is important to have regular check ups for this,and report any symptoms that you may have.Hope this makes sense!! Cheers xoxRobyn
- Thank you all for your assistance and comments. It is very helpful. Narelle asked about my side effects: Waking up at night. Although I would read and go back to sleep it was accumulative. Tired. Irritability. Sometimes nausea and headaches. Much more forgetful. My mood was flat. As a single parent of teenage boys I do not have a lot of assistance. I stopped all alcohol, caffeine drinks and chocolate to try counteract the medication.You may be absolutely fine on it! My oncologist says that there is evidence to show that accupuncture is helpful. Tamoxifen is for pre-menopausal women. I am 51 so should my periods stop soon then I can go onto the aromastase inhibitors. Does anyone have any experience with these?
- Thank you all for your assistance and comments. It is very helpful. Narelle asked about my side effects: Waking up at night. Although I would read and go back to sleep it was accumulative. Tired. Irritability. Sometimes nausea and headaches. Much more forgetful. My mood was flat. As a single parent of teenage boys I do not have a lot of assistance. I stopped all alcohol, caffeine drinks and chocolate to try counteract the medication.You may be absolutely fine on it! My oncologist says that there is evidence to show that accupuncture is helpful. Tamoxifen is for pre-menopausal women. I am 51 so should my periods stop soon then I can go onto the aromastase inhibitors. Does anyone have any experience with these?
- Thank you all for your assistance and comments. It is very helpful. Narelle asked about my side effects: Waking up at night. Although I would read and go back to sleep it was accumulative. Tired. Irritability. Sometimes nausea and headaches. Much more forgetful. My mood was flat. As a single parent of teenage boys I do not have a lot of assistance. I stopped all alcohol, caffeine drinks and chocolate to try counteract the medication.You may be absolutely fine on it! My oncologist says that there is evidence to show that accupuncture is helpful. Tamoxifen is for pre-menopausal women. I am 51 so should my periods stop soon then I can go onto the aromastase inhibitors. Does anyone have any experience with these?
- First of all my naturopath is a very good friend & I don't think I pay full price, but just to give you an idea consult for me is $120.00 then you have your herbals depending on what you are given, you pay separate & a herbal can cost up to &45.00 & last up to 3 months & taste awful but you get use to it because you know it's helping you.....my naturopath deals with women's health & also does homeopath as well... I hope this helps you out :) Take care... Christine:) xox
Hi Christine, just out of curiosity how much is a naturopath roughly?
