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Anais_Right's avatar
Anais_Right
Member
12 years ago

Tamoxifen better for 10 years?

Hi! I was diagnosed with bbc, ER+ PR+ HER2-. I had bmx, chemotherapy and I'm taking Tamoxifen. I'm waiting for having breast reconstruction done. I'd like to know if you were told to have Tamoxifen for 5 or for 10 years? What side effects are you having? What do you do with them? Have you had any recurence while taking Tamoxifen? What about your periods, are they gone? Thanks.

her2
tamoxifen

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  • Jk48au's avatar
    Jk48au
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi everyone, I am 66 years old and after HER2 and oestrogen positive diagnosis in October 2012, I had a mastecomy, two lymph nodes removed, no cancer cells in them, 3 months of chemo and finished herceptin in January this year. My oncologist originally told me 5 years for Tamoxifen, but has since told me he wants me to stay on it for 10 as I have had a hysterectomy years ago, and I am a good candidate to take it for the long term. I am constantly feeling hot, to the extent my husband of 44 years, has moved to the spare room as I am throwing the bed clothes off me, onto him during the night. I have bad mood swings, even panic attacks, which I found meditation helps. Mostly, I seem to get confused easily, and find it hard to concentrate or focus on things for very long. I have always been an avid reader, but can't focus enough to pick up a book these days. Not sure whether the tamoxifen is to blame, or it is just the way I am feeling. Someone mentioned the lack of libido, and I know what she means.....what libido? Would be interested in hearing from others having similar problems, and what they do to ease them. I also get very itchy when I get hot, like prickly heat. Bye now Jill
  • Anais_Right's avatar
    Anais_Right
    Member
    12 years ago

    Thank you for your replies. I was told initially to take Tamoxifen for 10 years. It has been ten months since I've been taking it. I've hot flashes, fatigue,mood swings, sleep issues (I wake up at about 4-5 in the morning and cannot go back to sleep unless I take some melatonin previously) and some weight gain. I wish side effects will minimise with the passing of time for all of us.

  • Anais_Right's avatar
    Anais_Right
    Member
    12 years ago

    Thank you for your replies. I was told initially to take Tamoxifen for 10 years. It has been ten months since I've been taking it. I've hot flashes, fatigue,mood swings, sleep issues (I wake up at about 4-5 in the morning and cannot go back to sleep unless I take some melatonin previously) and some weight gain. I wish side effects will minimise with the passing of time for all of us.

  • mumflo's avatar
    mumflo
    Member
    12 years ago

    I'm also on Tamoxifen for 10 years though my Onc has suggested that after 5 years of tamoxifen I might be switched to an aromatase inhibitor. Periods stopped with chemo.  Just having hot flushes, have very painful feet though I think thats left over from chemo and the peripheral neuropathy rather then the tamoxifen. 

  • Chris_P's avatar
    Chris_P
    Member
    12 years ago
    I have to Take it for ten years too! Started in May, have been a bit irrational at times but that seems to be easing. I haven't had a period since October when I started chemo ( i was peri menopausal anyway and not regular )
  • Hikerbabe's avatar
    Hikerbabe
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Anais, I am still going through chemo, but have been told I will have to take Tamoxifen for 10 years as well. I have also been considering having my ovaries removed as my oncologist has indicated that doing so may give me some other options besides Tamoxifen, but we haven't discussed this in detail as yet. I am 44 and have yet to go through menopause!
  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    12 years ago
    I have been on tamoxifen for 7 months now.The hot flushes that were so intense in the beginning have eased a bit. I really don't have any other side effects that I can truly attribute to tamoxifen .I was in menopause 7 years before I got BC so I am used to hot flushes! I will persevere with it for as long as my oncologist suggests. Cheers Robyn