Forum Discussion
Questions to ask before starting Tamoxifen
Hi all, I'm due to see the surgeon tomorrow for a follow up after my lumpectomy and finishing 4 weeks of radiation last week . He had previously indicated that he will be starting me on Tamoxifen ..bugger! I have read of course about the possible nasty side effects so I'm aware of those but I'm wondering what sort of health checks should be done before actually starting the dreaded one. And are there any follow ups in regards to the effectiveness of this drug and if its doing what it is meant to ? Any other questions regarding ongoing care and follow ups I should be aware of in regards to preventing a new cancer or any related problems much appreciated. If I don't have it written down I know I will forget to ask the necessary questions. Thanks
11 Replies
- So true and remember like any medication not everyone suffers all side effects, maybe one, maybe none!
- The most interesting for me is I didn't do half the research when I went on birth control pills, then Implanon. I spent the last 20 years on birth control and focused on it doing its job, I need to change my mindset here too and just let this tablet do its job...
- All the best @Mezze. I’m sure you’ll be fine. I shouldn’t have posted the serious side effects bit when you are about to start Tamoxifen. Great to hear you have your questions ready. I also asked the doctor to write a special number on the script so that I could get multiple scripts filled and didn’t have to go back to the chemist as much. I meant to say congratulations on finishing radiotherapy and seasons greetings. x
- Thanks Lucy for the info I'm starting to feel a bit more confident about it all . Think its always the fear of the unknown and its best to be prepared. I'm 57 so questions regarding fertility and contraception wont apply as I've already started menopause, so maybe that will be a help in the long run? But I shall be aware of the more serious side effects you mentioned as well thanks .
Best of luck to you as well Barney74 if you are starting Tamoxifen soon too? Rare side effects:
Blood clots in the veins in the legs (deep venous thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolus). The risk of clots while taking tamoxifen is about the same as the risk of blood clots for women who take the oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy. Clots are more common in women who have a family history of blood clots or have an inherited risk of blood clots.
Cancer of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) may develop in less than 1% of women taking tamoxifen for more than 10 years. It is important that you report any abnormal vaginal bleeding to your cancer specialist (oncologist) because sometimes more tests are needed.
Possible Questions:
- Can I benefit from hormonal therapy? How?
- Which hormonal therapies are suitable for me? Why?
- What does the hormonal therapy you are recommending involve?
- How much will the hormonal therapy you are recommending cost?
- What are the side effects of the hormonal therapy you are recommending?
- Is there anything I can do to reduce the risk or impact of these side effects?
- When will I start hormonal therapies if I'm having other treatments?
- Who should I contact if side effects develop?
- How can I manage side effects if they develop?
- Will hormonal therapy affect my ability to have children?
- Do I still need to use contraception if I am having hormonal therapy?
Cancer Australia updated: Fri, 23/06/2017 - 17:21
All the best. x- I see my oncologists next week .as im apprently gping on this so up in the air
- Thanks for your input iserbrown and TonyaM it has certainly helped me. I now have a list of questions ready to ask at my appointment tomorrow. Tamoxifen can certainly be a minefield, fingers crossed I wont have too many problems whilst on it. .
- Oops,didn’t finish.We are all different and the above post is my personal experience.However, this is not a drug to be flippant about- you need yearly checks.So ask your doctor about pelvic checks and blood tests.
- Hi Mezzie,from my experience you can sometimes have vaginal spotting when you stop or start Tamoxifen( if you have a uterus). It’s quite common so don’t worry. However,it wouldn’t hurt to have pelvic ultrasound as a baseline to check endometrial thickness because this can change over time on Tamoxifen. I would also get a blood test for liver enzymes and cholesterol as these can change too.I had changes with all of the above after about 4 years on Tamo
