Tamoxifen - any good news stories?
Hi all, I'm 54yo, just had a single mastectomy and my prognosis is looking good. Oncologist is just waiting for the Endopredict to return a result but is hedging towards Tamoxifen or similar. The more I read the more I'm stressing about taking any of these drugs (my mum was on it 40 years ago and from memory, it wasn't pretty). Are there any good news stories out there? or is it terrible for everyone? Thanks P
Tamoxifen - Periods
Hi there. I am now on my 5th month of 5mg of Tamoxifen ( DCIS diagnosis, 2 ops and 15 days RT later ),and have been regular like clockwork and periods have been less painful and lighter. However this month the period hasn't come. Context: I am 48 year old, and was going through peri M already before all my diagnosis in Sept 2025, but had to stop taking HRT immediately on the spot. I wanted to ask if anyone knows or has seen this as side effect where the Tamoxifen can stop your periods? I would be very happy if its the case ( no chance of pregnancy ) but as have had so much going on hormonally pre diagnosis and ops, and since, I get a bit confused as to what is going on with the cycles : ) Any insights or own experiences on this one do share? I am seeing my oncologist in Sept and my next period may start in a month...but had wanted to put the question out there to this lovely community.Taking collagen powder while on Tamoxifen
Wondering if anyone can help point me in the right direction? I am wanting to take a collagen powder supplement while taking Tamoxifen. I asked my oncologist and he suggested I check drug to drug interactions online but I am struggling to get a straight answer. Next time I see the pharmacist I will ask them but wanted to know if anyone has personal experience. Thank you
Early breast cancer treatment decision
Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate hearing from others in a similar situation. I’m young, not (as) close to menopause, and recently had a lumpectomy for a 12 mm, grade 1, ER+/PR+ HER2- IDC. Margins were clear, and there was no lymph node involvement. My Ki-67 is low (10%), and I’ve been told I don’t need chemo. The surgeon noted there was no calcification and no need for PET-CT. No problematic genes. My doctor recommended both radiation and tamoxifen, but I’m feeling unsure. Looking at tools like Breast Predict for hormone therapy, the benefit to mortality risk is minimal (0.3% for 5 years, 0.7% for 10 yrs, 1.1% for 15yrs). I'm very healthy, exercise daily for years, healthy diet, don't drink or smoke. My breast are above average and their tissue is very dense. Women in my family have had rough menopause - incl. severe heart issues so I'm worried about the tamoxifen side effects, and I'm thinking an MRI (?) every 6 months is enough. Given how small and slow-growing the tumour was, and how low my recurrence risk seems to be, I’m struggling with whether I really need both/ either radiation and tamoxifen. I know they each reduce recurrence in different ways, but I’d love to hear from others who had similar pathology — especially other younger/pre-menopausal women - If you only did one (or neither), how did you make that decision? I'm meeting with the medical oncologist for the first time this Friday and keen to have an intelligent discussion that may challenge the conventional/ standard treatment. if you have any research to share - that would be wonderful! I'm grateful for any insights or personal stories you’re open to sharing — I’m feeling a bit stuck and trying to weigh peace of mind vs. quality of life. Thanks so much!
Lower dose tamoxifen
I have taken tamoxifen 20mg for 6 years,I have now had a year off tamoxifen as I stopped taking due to side effects, my oncologist would like me to persist and start taking it again as I’m in my 40s and he considers this young. my surgeon said I could just take less,he said there has been research that says it may be as effective,or I suppose it’s better than not taking it, has anyone doctors been happy for them to take less tamoxifen than 20 mg? And if you take less have you noticed an improvement in the side effects? If so do yo take 5 mg or 10 mg a day?
Hormone treatments, tamoxifen and tendonitis
Hi there, I'm very new to this, but wondering if anyone has experience of tamoxifen and tendonitis? I've had two different types of breast cancer, but one side was HER2Positive so since January this year I have been on anastrozole. In late July I got extremely painful tendon damage - a torn and swollen hamstring tendon near my seatbone, so it really hurts to sit, and two other gluteal tendons with tendinopathy as well - no idea what set these problems off, but discovered that anastrozole, in reducing oestrogen, weakens tendons. My Oncologist said suspend it, so I haven't been taking it since early August. She later offered me a script for Tamoxifen instead. As Tamoxifen also is designed to reduce oestrogen I am wondering whether I should switch to it or not? I don't want a breast cancer recurrence, but my life quality at the moment is much affected by the tendon problem which is not healing very quickly at all. It's going to take many many months I think. If I take tamoxifen now will I slow down the healing? What should I do? Anyone out there had any experience with tamoxifen and tendons? Thanks for any experience you can share with me!!!
Tamoxifen and dizziness
Hi, I have a question about dizziness and tamoxifen. I have been on Tamoxifen for 19 months now and at first I didn't really have any side effects. But for the past few months I have noticed an increase in the hot flushes and night sweats but my main concern are the dizzy spells. They are now pretty consistent and have been for the past 4 months, every day now and I am also just feeling a little 'off', can't put my finger on it but just a bit fuzzy in the head!? Forgetting things, lack of concentration etc. I think I am going to stop taking it for a few days and see if that makes a difference, if that doesn't work then I will try taking it at a different time of day. Has anyone else experienced dizziness coming on after this length of time. Does anyone have any other suggestions that I can try? ThanksTamoxifen
Well woo hoo is what I say! I had seen on the news last weekend that some drugs had been reduced in their end price to us the patients. Well to my surprise I needed to pick up my next pack of Tamoxifen (Sandoz brand) and instead of the usual $38.50 today's price was $19.50!! Woo hoo!! I hope that translates to other drugs that we all have to purchaseBreakthrough bleed after first dose???
Hi all, after finishing 15 rounds of radiation therapy, i took my first dose on tamoxifen at 10am this morning, only to develop a breakthrough bleed by 5pm. I am perimenopaul and my last period was in Nov 24. I will be contacting the Doctor tomorrow but has anyone experienced this? Do these bleeds stop on their own? Thank you in advance.
