Stopping Tamoxifen early

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd update and say I have stopped taking Tamoxifen! It has been 3 months since I have taken it and whilst I am starting to feel 'normal' again as my natural hormone returns my breasts are so incredibly sore! The week before and of my period causes my breasts to swell and become incredibly swollen and painful. I am hoping it subsides as my body readjusts itself again. Anyway life goes on and I am now officially married. I must say that going through breast cacner certainly brought my then boyfriend and I alot closer together. It's nearly 3 years since my BC diagnosis and finally things are looking up! I am reading newly diagnosed yound women share their stories and can only say 'be strong!'

I am now not on any treatment so I am really trying to watch what I eat and exercise and watch my weight, as the extra kilos cause my body to produce more hormones- and I really want to avoid that in my particular case! (and now my safety net of Tamoxifen is gone). But then again all the side effects of tamoxifen are going and for me, stopping it early still feels like the right thing to do.

I'm still hoping to share my news of a baby bump but still just trying to let my body get into it's own groove and get as fit and as healthy as I can! Good luck to everyone out there unfortunate enough to be diagnosed too!

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd update and say I have stopped taking Tamoxifen! It has been 3 months since I have taken it and whilst I am starting to feel 'normal' again as my natural hormone returns my breasts are so incredibly sore! The week before and of my period causes my breasts to swell and become incredibly swollen and painful. I am hoping it subsides as my body readjusts itself again. Anyway life goes on and I am now officially married. I must say that going through breast cacner certainly brought my then boyfriend and I alot closer together. It's nearly 3 years since my BC diagnosis and finally things are looking up! I am reading newly diagnosed yound women share their stories and can only say 'be strong!'

I am now not on any treatment so I am really trying to watch what I eat and exercise and watch my weight, as the extra kilos cause my body to produce more hormones- and I really want to avoid that in my particular case! (and now my safety net of Tamoxifen is gone). But then again all the side effects of tamoxifen are going and for me, stopping it early still feels like the right thing to do.

I'm still hoping to share my news of a baby bump but still just trying to let my body get into it's own groove and get as fit and as healthy as I can! Good luck to everyone out there unfortunate enough to be diagnosed too!

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd update and say I have stopped taking Tamoxifen! It has been 3 months since I have taken it and whilst I am starting to feel 'normal' again as my natural hormone returns my breasts are so incredibly sore! The week before and of my period causes my breasts to swell and become incredibly swollen and painful. I am hoping it subsides as my body readjusts itself again. Anyway life goes on and I am now officially married. I must say that going through breast cacner certainly brought my then boyfriend and I alot closer together. It's nearly 3 years since my BC diagnosis and finally things are looking up! I am reading newly diagnosed yound women share their stories and can only say 'be strong!'

I am now not on any treatment so I am really trying to watch what I eat and exercise and watch my weight, as the extra kilos cause my body to produce more hormones- and I really want to avoid that in my particular case! (and now my safety net of Tamoxifen is gone). But then again all the side effects of tamoxifen are going and for me, stopping it early still feels like the right thing to do.

I'm still hoping to share my news of a baby bump but still just trying to let my body get into it's own groove and get as fit and as healthy as I can! Good luck to everyone out there unfortunate enough to be diagnosed too!

Hi Roslyn,  Thanks for the tip about PJUR- I'll be sure to look it up! Glad to see you are cracking yourself up- sometimes you just gotta laugh at the situation or otherwise we'd just be cry babies! I hope your 3rd attempt is a little more successful. It's important to listen to your body. I think mine is screaming out to me to stop putting these artifical chemicals in my body. I've struggled weighing up what the doctors and pharmaceutical companies recommend and what I feel is right for me in my heart. Nobody should have to resort to taking panadol before 'cuddles'- that's not quality of life, is it? Anyway 91 days left for me of having to swallow the little white pill. All the best with the rest of your journey!

Currently just two weeks into Tamoxifen attempt no. 3. Following Chemo rads etc, returned to full time work, started tamoxifen......and crashed big time. Onc was terrific gave me a huge break, and then I tried again, starting with quarter of a table and increased it over 5 weeks, and again fatigued to the max!!! Onc then suggested wait and then possibly try Arimedix (eeeyyyyeeeeeew), so before I go back to see him and having my own personal thrid attempt and managing quarter of a tablet for 2 weeks....will just keep it that way for a bit, then try half.

I really dont like the alternative,  PLUS it will also affect my bones, so trying to suck it up.

Went to Melbourne to the BCNA summit, was reminded of a product that I have heard highly recommended before on another site called PJUR it is a amazing lubricant that stays slippery for ever apparently. It is available from www.passionfruitshop.com in Victoria.

I hate the increase in intensity in hot flushes since i have been back on it...and HATE the dryness more than anything. But have been reminded to moisten up 3 times a week, use Ovestrin twice a week, and it was suggested to take Panadol prior to um 'cuddles' time to assist with joint pain - I mean really- it seems I am doomed to spend half my life looking after down there, more time and effort than doing my hair!!! ha h ah ah, have just cracked myself up!!

Anyway I totally get it that your are over it..specially cos you are so young. Best wishes with you 'bump', and hope your hormones return soon. x

Hey Jojo, I don't mean to scare you. Some people have very few side effects! You just have to do what is right for you. I have seen 2 oncologists and both prescribe some hormone replacement therapy. I'm just going to suck it up and just work through my side effects. I have one oncologist who thinks 2years is fine for me and the other that would prefer 5years. Initailly when I started on Tamoxifen I thought I'd do it for 5years but as time goes by it's just not a reality for me. I hope your journey goes as smooth and as carefree as can be!!

You know what, the more I learn the less I want to know about all this. Really feeling for you, I had no idea tamoxifen was for 5 years. I must say Im not all that impressed with my onc and the way I have to come on here to learn this stuff@!! GGRRR

Back to you, it sounds ridiculous to go on HRT! Please let us know what your doc says about the stats of reducing your time on Tamoxifen. did you get those side effects pre tamoxifen? I get both night sweats and tears on my current chemo, dunno if I can do another 5 years of it! :-)

take care you xx