Anyone OVER 73 when diagnosed, had surgery & chemo and taking Tamoxifen or refused it?

I hear your comment feeling really Well again!  I do hope that comes sooner for you
Have you read the BCNA Hormone therapy booklet?

I am with you all the way @Flaneuse Quality of life seems overlooked. Like the rest of the ladies have said, try before you buy! It will certainly help in your long term decision. Good idea to wait for recovery first to get your strength up. Big hugs 

@Sister and @iserbrown - thank you so much for those thoughts. 
@arpie She said tamoxifen works differently from the AIs, which kill oestrogen cells. Tamox prevents bc cells from using oestrogen cells. She said the likely side effects are hot flushes, nausea, headaches - but that "most older ladies tolerate it very well". It increases the risk of DVT and PEs. Would need to continue taking Xarelto as well (because I had PEs after mastectomy). Small risk long-term of uterine cancer. Reduces risk of ovarian cancer. Protects bone density (from osteoporosis).

I'll see how I feel after I'm up and running after my next surgery (possibly late April or May). If I do decide to give it a go, I'm not going to attempt Tamoxifen until I'm feeling really WELL again, so I'd be starting from a strong point.

My friend is on Tamoxifen and is aged 80

I can fully understand your reasoning, @Flaneuse - it is such a personal decision & only you can make it - and with the possible  side effects after going thru so much already?    Both my sister-in-law's mothers were on Tamoxifen for 10 years about 20+ years ago (when in their late 60s) and are in their 90s now.  

It 'could be worth a punt' for a month or three - if it doesn't suit, easy enough to stop it.    I will be asking about an alternative to Exemestane (after not suiting Letrozole either) - so may end up on it too?

I thought Tamoxifen was supposed to be for women who haven't been thru menopause ..... so did the Onc give the reasoning behind changing back to that?

All the best with your decision making xxxx 

I have a dear friend who has been on tamoxifen for 7 years with little bother. The occasional hot flash! She's just turned 80

It really comes down to how your body metabolism copes!  

I'm younger but my tamoxifen induced problems were gynaecology related.

Hopefully your age group may be in your favour.

It's for you to decide, nothing ventured nothing gained.

Take care and best wishes with your decision 

I think, in the end, you have to go with what you can live with.  It may be worth trying the Tamoxifen and seeing how you go - who knows? you could be symptom free.

@kezmusc Thank you!  :) xox

Hey @Flaneuse.  Different age group so I'm unhelpful there but I definitely understand your hesitation.  It is unfortunate that being on these tablets does sort of put you in the perpetual patient (well for 5 to 10 years anyhow) outlook.  Life is for living right?  And gut instinct is not something to be ignored I believe.  If it feels right for you then it probably is.

Big hugs lovely lady.  
xoxoxox