Anyone out there had a recurrence after taking Tamoxifen?

Not uuugh! Beautiful is a better word as you are on the road to conclusion. You've taken  some unexpected detours but now look where you are having an Elite Breast Surgeon in Melbourne working for you! Wow how good is that. 
Take care from Christine xx 

I agree, it really helps talking with others who have traveled this road. Strangest thing is though, I had Stage 3 aggressive which shocked my Surgeon in between my checkups, pretty scary. I don't have any options for reconstruction, I think because I had a recurrence, so its Mastectomy and Diep Flap recon all in one Op. I'm dreading it and I think its because having been down this road twice am just so tired of it all especially as am getting my life back together again and moving forward now finally to be set back. Plus I dont have any support really. Step at a time will wait and see what my Surgeon says this week, then deep breath, will be sent to the Plastic Surgeon then a date Id imagine. Uuugh! 

It must have been awful for you to have a recurrence. Thank goodness it too was caught early and you have been able to have treatment and hopefully stay cancer-free this time.
 I had a mastectomy and have found such a lot of helpful info about how to live well with this from the wonderful ladies on here. The Reconstruction group on here have lots of info about choices of different types of recon.
I have chosen not to reconstruct at this point but I did fully explore all options before settling with my choice. The good thing is I can always change my mind down the track if my situation changed in some way. We really are so lucky to have this network for support. Hugs to you too. xxx

Thanks Deanne,

Ive never been one to Google through my journey, Ive always just spoken with my Specialist and its only recently that I came across some information which really floored me. I have one of the Elite Breast Surgeons in Melbourne and even he was gobsmacked at my recurrence, speechless when he said I had aggressive treatment, of course left you wondering I guess that treatment didnt work. It is super tricky, just glad its all behind me and just have to face a preventative mastectomy which I really am struggling with. Once was hard enough...twice...it was soul destroying. But have picked myself back up and moving on in a big way changed in so many ways, but enjoying how wonderful life really is now. Hugs x

There are a lot of scarey things to read out there (especially if you google). Your doctors are the best people to ask whenever you have concerns, Melinda.

Yes Tamoxifen is a carcinogen, there are a very small number of cases where it has caused uterine cancers. Some chemo drugs are also carcinogens and have caused leukemia in a small number of people. Radiation also carries some risk of causing future cancers.

My doctors were upfront about the risks but also explained that in most situations the benefits in treating the cancer you already have outway the small risks of other cancers developing. At the moment these treatments are the best we have and have helped many of us to survive and lead long cancer-free lives. Cancer is not a simple disease to treat, as we all unfortunately know, but treatments and outcomes are improving all the time. Thank goodness! xxx

Thanks Ladies,
I know everyone is at risk of recurrence but I recently came across some very alarming reading on Tamoxifen, it really shocked me,apparently Tamoxifen is a Carcinogen. Im seeing my Surgeon Wednesday and will be asking alot of questions. I was on Tamoxifen 4yrs I had ZERO problems. Im now on Arimidex and its only now delving into it. Ive always had complete faith in my Specialists but this has really shocked me and now am left wondering. 

No, I had 2 trouble-free years on it before changing to Femara and my chance of recurrence is a bit higher than some due to spread to lymph nodes. But I guess that as there are no 100% guarantees, it can happen, like it did for you Melinda. I know there is currently a lot of research being done into why treatments "fail" for some people. Hopefully they will learn more and be able to offer better and better treatment successes.

Meanwhile we just do what is recommended by our doctors and make the best of every day. Worrying won't change anything about the future but it will sap our enjoyment of right now. Take my worrying yesterday! I am now 3 1/2 years from diagnosis and feeling very well and enjoying life most days  :)  xxx

Hi Mel - no but it is a concern that hangs over the head and I try and put to the back of the mind.  I have a friend who has just turned 78 and had breast cancer, lumpectomy, still on Tamoxifen, coming up 5 years and has to have the vaginal ultrasound because of the thickening of the endometrium due to taking Tamoxifen......................age is no barrier we are all in the same boat!