Forum Discussion
Changing from letrozole to tamoxifen
Hi team!
I’ve been on letrozole for 2.5 years, and am noticing the aches and pains and vg atrophy more now, so my oncologist has prescribed tamoxifen. She says it’s safe to change but I’m still a bit nervous about it - will it be as effective in keeping the cancer away, and will I get more side effects …. Has anyone else made this transition and was it better for you? Cheers xx
I’ve been on letrozole for 2.5 years, and am noticing the aches and pains and vg atrophy more now, so my oncologist has prescribed tamoxifen. She says it’s safe to change but I’m still a bit nervous about it - will it be as effective in keeping the cancer away, and will I get more side effects …. Has anyone else made this transition and was it better for you? Cheers xx
14 Replies
- Hi @iserbrown would be great to understand how the time of day when you are taking Tamoxifen has helped you.I’m taking Letrozole in the mornings. Perhaps I’ll try the Letrozole tablet in the evening. The joint pain in the ankles and feet I have only becomes intense in the late evening (it disrupts my falling sleep) ie about 12 hours after I take my Letrozole tablet.
- Bummer about the broken wrist, @bell59 :( I hope it has healed OK & you've got full movement back.
Tamoxifen is the only one I HAVEN'T tried! I am weaning myself off the AIs after nearly 6 years - so I hope the fog brain & sleep deprivation soon returns to normal.
take care & all the best for your decision making xx - Hi all. Have come back after long time quietly trying to cope.
Am now nearly 65. Broke wrist in freak tennis accident Aug 2022 that put no apparent stress on arm. Freaked me out so stopped Letrozole. Was offered anastrazole but couldn't bear thought of returning to pills. Not only bone worries but night bedsore aches, (vanished this year)and matchingsleeplessness which probably contributed to cognitive decline - memory,fears of dementia, hair thinning and bouts of unexplained balance vertigo (cause of tennis fall).
Now after 1.5 yrs off, pressed to try tamoxifen. First research mentioned brain fog. Interested in others experience on tamoxifen altho know at my menopausal age I dont fit the user profile. - That's a shocker that your Onc didn't check your Meds - well done on telling her not to mix Prozac and Tamoxifen! Losing your GP is a blow - it happened to me too, shortly after she found my lump. She is in Melbourne now :( Take care & all the best xx
- Thanks @Caz1 I still haven’t changed over, so that’s motivating to know!
- Hi @Halla Just saw this, I know it’s a bit late but can relate! I was on letrozole for only a few months….had terrible aches and pains. Really impacted my quality of life. Have changed to tamoxifen and have been on it a couple of years now. I have found it to be much easier to take, with virtually no side effects.
Big phew!Caz x - Yes the body has adjusted and settled on Tamoxifen
I used to take at lunchtime but now settled to 7.30pm - I still haven’t swapped over because I read on here that you shouldn’t take tamoxifen with Prozac. I asked the oncologist about it and she said “oops”!! She hadn’t checked my other meds that I’ve been on for 20 years. Which doesn’t really inspire confidence.So now I have to change antidepressants b4 I change cancer drugs. And my GP is retired and now I have a new young one who has no idea how to transition me to a new one so I need to see a psychiatrist. Now waiting for referral for that. Speaking of which, can anyone recommend a GP in north west melbourne?
- Thanks @iserbrown! So did you notice any difference between the AIs and tamoxifen?
- @iserbrown, would you please elaborate on point about time of day you take medication? Thank you
