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Joyfull1's avatar
Joyfull1
Member
6 years ago

What to expect when coming off tamoxifen - your experience?

In a few months time I come off the hormone blocking drug, tamoxifen, which I'll have been on for ten years. What withdrawal symptoms can I expect to feel and how long may they last before returning to 'normal'? I ask because a few years ago, I forgot my drugs while on holiday, and didn't have it for a couple of weeks and instead of hot flushes reducing (which is what I expected), they seemed to get worse and I felt yuk and a bit 'all at sea'. I'm 58 now - not sure if that's relevant . What's been your experience?
coping
hormone-therapy
side-effects
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    6 years ago
    Can’t help, I’m afraid, but your experience reminds me that I’ve never thought about what the side effects of stopping letrozole may be! I am monitoring my bone density carefully and may not get to ten years (ticked off seven) but while I was not assuming that some things would magically get better, it hadn’t occurred to me there may be new things. As I have been mercifully free of aches, pain and flushes to date, I certainly don’t want them starting afterwards! 😕
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    6 years ago
    You might get a bit of blood spotting for a few days if you have a uterus - I did.Otherwise,I felt much better after a few weeks ie reduced hot flushes, improved sleep(still not great),liver enzymes went back to normal.
  • Karenhappyquilt's avatar
    Karenhappyquilt
    Member
    6 years ago
    I didn’t notice much difference when I went off Tamoxifen.  It took nearly a year  for my nails to grow back as  strong as before all my treatment.  My hair probably got thicker over time as well.  
  • Joyfull1's avatar
    Joyfull1
    Member
    6 years ago
    Awesome, Karen. I wouldn't mind if both things happen to me too! 
    Thanks for sharing.