LOW DOSE TAMOXIFEN
Hi All, I have had treatment for DCIS, (surgery + Radiotherapy) and my specialist has said if I would like to a can take tamoxifen – low dose 5mg, and its an optional extra. I have health anxiety and I know that taking medication will increase my stress and anxiety, so trying to weigh up what to do. Keen to hear of anyone who has taken especially low dose Tamoxifen, if they have had side effects? Or anyone that decided not to try it. Thank you!
small steps forward
Hi everyone, just a little hello as I’m joining you on this journey and now feel brave enough to say hello. I was diagnosed June 28th, following a random self check, two weeks before a planned 5 week trip overseas; and since then I have commenced the journey of small steps through appointments and surgery, cancelling (postponing) the holiday, and I’m now 4 weeks post op - lumpectomy and lymph node removal/biopsies, I have a diagnosis of left IDC. no lymph node involvement, but dcis around the tumour found and also removed. It was a shallow tumour so whilst just enough clearance obtained near the skin, not as much as they’d like. So I’m about to start radiotherapy (in two weeks) with a little extra thrown in for good measure to ensure the skin is treated and be certain there’s no spread there. To say I’m anxious about this is an understatement!!! I also met the medical oncologist today too ( I’m 52 and well into perimenopause) and to commence tamoxifen post radiotherapy too. What a whirlwind/rollercoaster! I’m so very grateful it’s been found early and is being treated, sad that’s it’s happened and angry that life changes so quickly. But currently my fears are the radiotherapy side effects, particularly with the ‘extra’, and then the ongoing meds. I know treatment is optional, but I want to reduce risk of recurrence so will definitely go ahead with it, no question in my mind. But words of wisdom re how to do it ‘well’ or just knowing I’m not alone in my thoughts would be welcomed. Progressing with one small step after another, next step is mapping. Wishing you all well x
Mum with young children-how do you cope?
I’m 35 and was diagnosed with a 22mm IDC last month and DCIS, booked in for mastectomy in 10 days. I found my lump while breastfeeding, I have a one year old and a four year old, this diagnosis flipped my life upside down. Still dealing with crippling anxiety, every time I look at my kids or try to spend any quality time with them my fear of not being around for them comes up and I start crying. The sadness and crying is worse at night. Please share some coping mechanisms. I started tamoxifen and zoladex mid Feb so I don’t know if the emotions are also exacerbated by those.
Joining the shitty titty club...
So yep, newly diagnosed...46 years old, no kids and I took the pill for 10+ years...no doubt all contributing factors. Ended up with grade 2 DCIS with small invasive component, detected on routine screening thanks to a strong family history (mum and both grandmothers, plus a few other relatives) and several previous benign fibroadenomas. Lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy and now about to commence 5 weeks of radiation therapy and then Tamoxifen, neither of which I want to do. Am also right in the throes of perimenopause and the periods from hell, because it's not shit enough to have breast cancer, the downstairs situation also has to mess with me. Of course there is nothing I can do about it at the moment and I hear Tamoxifen may even make it worse... Anyway, hi...Two different types of breast cancer
In 2019 I was diagnosed with Triple negative breast cancer in the left breast and had a masectomy and chemo. In 2022 I was diagnosed with hormonal breast cancer in the right breast and had the second masectomy. I have been on Tomoxifin for 5 months but stopped taking it after speaking with my Oncologist. I had so many side effects. I am post menopausal i would love to hear from others who have had the two types of cancer. Also from others who encountered Tomoxifin side effects such as nausea, dizziness and depression.
Hormone Therapy options for young women who hope to have children
Hi everyone 😊 I’m seeking some advice on what hormone therapy is best for younger women who want kids in the future. I have Grade 1 multifocal IDC+DCIS, 80% hormone positive, ER- cancer & I’m premenopausal, with no children. I was told after 2 years of hormone therapy I can try to fall pregnant (…but am hoping 1.5 will be enough?) I have been given three options for hormone therapy: •Tamoxifen only •Zoladex + Tamoxifen •Zoladex + Exemestane (Aromasin) All offer similar coverage in regards to my type of cancer, but I was wondering if there are any differences in regards to future fertility? ie. longer detox periods required before falling pregnant, or potential fertility issues after long term use, eg Zoladex or Exemestane? I have also read that Exemestane (Aromasin) is an *irreversible* steroidal aromatase inhibitor. I don’t want to be on anything that could irreversibly damage my oestrogen production.. Fertility-wise, does anyone know if this is something to avoid until after having children? I’d really appreciate any advice & tips for having the best chance of getting pregnant in 2 years! XTamoxifen and Anxiety
Hi All, I changed to Tamoxifen two months ago from Zoladex and Latrezole. It has helped with my joints pains a lot however I have started having the "rollercoaster fear" type of feeling in my stomach - and its there constantly - I am anxious for normal things which is so opposite of my nature- I have been always a very confident person and this anxiety is something very new. Anyone else has experienced it? The feeling is making my stomach ache actually :(
Tamoxifen
I have been taking for the past 2 and a half years Tamoxifen I was first prescribed GenRx in a bottle then a year ago I was given Tamoxifen Sandoz in a box went to the Chemist and was told both are out of stock and has been for several months the chemist has prescribed me Nolvadex D and the price has increased by 4.00 the government has put a surcharge on pills has any one taken Nolvadex D l? StorkDecision about treatment
Hi lovely community, Ive just joined here today. I had surgery 3.5 weeks ago and had my appointment with Oncologist today. Feeling a bit overwhelmed. My results are great - Stage 1, .5mm in size, NST and good margins, they got it all. ER +, PR+ HER- (I am grateful). Im 51 years old and the only reason they discussed radiation and tamoxifen with me is because Im young. I need to make a decision by end of this week. The percentage, if i choose neither therapies of cancer returning according to the risk calculator is 12%. I know I need to research more so Im here to ask - Has anyone with this diagnosis or thereabouts decided not to do the therapies? What alternatives have you used that were successful? I am working with a naturopath and am on a super healthy eating plan to lose weight, I am meditating and exercising everyday and don't drink or smoke (I dont sound like much fun at the moment but i am i promise :)) I'll do anything to avoid these therapies. I might sound like a nut but Im feeling so emotional today and just need to talk to others who have chosen not to do therapies Thanks and lots of love to you all xxx
Worries/Questions regarding Mastectomy
Hello, I wasn't sure which section to place my question in so I went with newly diagnosed (hope that was ok). I am 56 and was diagnosed with Stage 3 HER2+ and ER+ breast cancer in July 2019. I had a 5cm mass in my upper left breast which had spread to my armpit lymph nodes. I have completed chemotherapy(doxorubicin & cyclophosphamaide followed by paclitaxel). I am on herceptin for 12 months and soon to start tamoxifen (10 years worth). A MRI done in January 2020 showed that there was only scar tissue in my breast and that my lymph nodes had gone down. My problem is that I have had trouble accepting a mastectomy and removal of my lymph nodes and have deferred my surgery from January to April. Now when I was finally close and decided that I wanted a double mastectomy (all or nothing) I find out there is only scar tissue present and as I am taking anti-cancer medication I want to defer the surgery and just be monitored until there is further sign of cancer. My Oncologist and Surgeon are against this but the only reasons they can give me is that it's the protocol for best case scenario and that no one ever doesn't have surgery. I am hoping that there are people out there that have chosen the wait and see approach or know someone who has. Thank you.