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Gaynort's avatar
Gaynort
Member
10 years ago

Tamoxifen

Hi Everyone

I am new to BCNA, My name is Gaynor, i am 48 years old, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer 7 weeks ago, i had surgery to remove the lump and test the lymph nodes, but thankfully it hadnt spread, I am due to start radiotherapy next week and also i have been prescribed Tamoxifen, i am hearing alot of bad feedback about the side affects, and was hoping you could help me decide if i should go ahead and take them, with your experience of them, the side affects scare me but getting cancer again also scares me..

tamoxifen

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  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Gaynor - I am on both Tamoxifen and Zoladex.

    I've had some bleeding issues and have had a D & C as a result.

    My main Oncologist is of the view that we should have a gynaecology check prior to starting Tamoxifen so they can use that as a marker to see if there are any changes as we go along.

    Please concentrate on the positives and not the negatives.  We all react differently to medication.  For me it is the bleed, which is now fixed (I hope!) and aching bones occasionally.

    Good luck with the treatment and when you're feeling out of sorts remember Tamoxifen is doing it's work!

    Take care

    Christine xx

  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    10 years ago

    I think unless you already have a heart condition, the Tamoxifen is you best first starter. As Maryrose has said there are other options but they also have side affects especially long term.

    Just remember none of this treatment is designed to be good for you, it is designed to kill cancer cells, stop them clustering into a tumour and starve them of hormones which they love to feed upon.

    There must be some reason we all contracted cancer in the first place and we would all be high risk for getting it happening again so we have to do our utmost to reduce that risk for the future.

    Drs assess treatments also on quality of life. You have a lot of life left so I imagine they will be doing all they can to snuff this cancer out but carefully monitored in treatments so they don't do long term damage to your body as you will need it for decades longer yet.

  • maryroset1's avatar
    maryroset1
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hey Gaynor.

    We have the same story i was diagnosed in may 14 at 47. Bummer you have to join our group but we are all here to support one another 

    Lumpectomy, 6 rounds of chemo and radio and had tamoxifen for just over 12 months. This week i started on arimidex as i am now post menopausal. I didnt question whether to take tamoxifen or not. I just took it as the benefits outweigh the negatives. Only side effect i experienced was hot flushes which are a pain but hey i wasnt far of menopause anyway.

    Trust in your medical team and remember to ask as many questions as you need to.

    Hope all goes well for you and stay in touch.

    Sending best wishes your way.?? 

    Maryrose