4 years on Tamoxifen
I've been on Tamoxifen for 4 years now. However, to be honest, I stopped it several months ago for a break.
I've done this before and inevitably, I get some spotting which leads me to have a pelvic ultrasound. I also needed a well overdue pap test and routine blood tests. Now don't you just love it when you go for routine checkups and come out with all sorts of issues you never knew you had!
Now it is at this point I'm going to blame it all on poor ol Tamoxifen. I have found out a few things that it can do to you over time. I sure wasn't told about it at the start of taking this drug. One of my liver enzymes was raised and I now have a fatty liver.
I rarely drink alcohol so my gp is putting it down to Tamoxifen. I also have changes in my Endometrium(cysts) which is a "given" when you are on Tamoxifen apparently. My hair started thinning which is another Tamoxifen treat.
So I am blogging about these issues, not to alarm, but rather to make you all aware that Tamoxifen MAY cause changes to your liver and uterus over time.
I think we should have yearly blood tests and pelvic ultrasounds and possibly abdominal ultrasounds. A fatty liver can lead to a chronic inflammation condition which could then cause liver impairment.
This is enough to make me question whether to keep taking this drug for another year. Back in 2003,Tamoxifen was usually prescribed for 2 years. Now it's for 5 years with a view to increase it to 10 years. I know it's a very effective drug against hormone positive breast cancer but I worry about the long term side effects.
Is 5 years on Tamoxifen going to impact on my health? Just at a fork in the road.
Hugs to all who are online tonight. xxxx