Forum Discussion
Refusing tamoxifen
hi friends
i am off to see my doc tomorrow to discuss tamoxifen. I am NOT KEEN.
I am already suffering hot flashes and vaginal atrophy and muscle aches and no periods for nearly a year thanks to chemo (I am 48). My GP told me cheerily my ovaries are sterilised by the chemo
my logic (?) is that ovaries produce estrogen and mine are cactus so I don’t need a drug to counter the
estrogen
am I misunderstanding? Has anyone else refused?
From what I read there’s no data re recurrence or survival for people who refuse
any thoughts appreciated x
i am off to see my doc tomorrow to discuss tamoxifen. I am NOT KEEN.
I am already suffering hot flashes and vaginal atrophy and muscle aches and no periods for nearly a year thanks to chemo (I am 48). My GP told me cheerily my ovaries are sterilised by the chemo
my logic (?) is that ovaries produce estrogen and mine are cactus so I don’t need a drug to counter the
estrogen
am I misunderstanding? Has anyone else refused?
From what I read there’s no data re recurrence or survival for people who refuse
any thoughts appreciated x
23 Replies
- Thanks guys. Didn’t know estrogen comes from other places! Will ask lots of questions. Appreciate the responses x
- Hi there @Jailbirdstreet. It is true that the ovaries produce the majority of estrogen, however, remember, estrogen is also produced in smaller amounts by the liver, the adrenal glands, the breasts and fat cells throughout the body. Chat to your doctor who can explain the whole estrogen / aromatase workings in the body, and the possible relevance to yourself. If it was just a matter of the ovaries in this equation, a lot of women (particularly pre menopausal, menopausal and post menopausal), would simply choose to have their ovaries whipped out rather than taking aromatase inhibitors for up to 10 years with all the side effects attached to them.
- Hi @Jailbirdstreet. Such a rotten decision, I know. I'm 57.I was prescribed it last year after finishing chemo and didn't take it. But I had 2 tumours, 1 estrogen negative , 1 estrogen 10 % positive, both HER2 positive, so for me , Herceptin was my lifesaver.
Medicos have talked me into letrozole which I still haven't started but might start next week when I think the Herceptin (finished jan) is out of my system. In the meantime I take ground flaxseed and curcumin everyday. Good luck with your decision x
