Cumulative Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Hi, I have had surgery for BC in left breast and lymph nodes which has been follwed by chemotherapy. I completed my last session last Tuesday and have found the side effects this time very intense. Apologies in advance for the topic, it is not pleasant.At first, Following my final infusion I was unable to go to the toilet and since then (after using coloxyl and prunelax) I have experienced 'urgency' and have had to rush to the toilet frequently. I feel nauseous and have had pain in my stomach. Until this cycle, side effects were unpleasant, peaking n the expected days, etc. but this has been been really brutal. Is this normal? I am so looking forward to things settling down and I am grateful for the excellent care that I am receiving from the amazing oncology team. In about three weeks I will commence radiotherapy which I will receive every week day for five and a half weeks then I will see my oncologist and go on hormone blockers for 5-7 years. I understand that the side effects of these are unpleasant but as I am well passed menopause I believe that this will not be as bad as if I were a younger woman. I am 69 and was working .5 in an academic position until my diagnosis. I know that I am not going back to that position, this experience has been life changing and I have noticed some cognitive changes. They are not 'severe' but I am nowhere near as sharp as I was. I am accepting that and just hope to recover. Is it normal to experience such intense side effects on the final round? Kind Regards, Anni
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?Tamoxifen taking it 10 years after surgery?
hi wondering if anyone is in similar situation? I had cancer 10 years ago & mastectomy. no chemo or radiation. Tamoxifen was discussed as an option. choice was mine as it was considered borderline. I didn't take tamoxifen due to side effects. Now 10 years on I need iodine mri's as remaining breast tissue is dense. options given are don't worry, 2nd mastectomy or take lower dose of tamoxifen rg 1/2 dose every 2nd day for 3 years. Is it unusual to take tamoxifen after 10 years? is it just a knee jerk reaction more for peace of mind? how bad are side effects on the lower dose? thanks
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!!!
Struggling with Tamoxifen side effects
Hi All , My name is Christine, I have been on Tamoxifen now for 2 years and have always struggled with the side effects of Tamoxifen...I get them all! I have had 1 breast removed after being diagnosed for a second time with breast cancer 2 years ago.The first time 10 years ago I underwent radiotherapy ... I'm 48 yrs old. I am struggling with: Hot flushes Aching legs Struggle to keep weight off no matter how much exercise i do moodiness loss of libido fuzzy headaches generally changed me to feeling crap daily Interrupted sleeping patterns Constantly going to toilet I have spoken to my doctor who suggested anti-depressants which helps with the hot flushes but i am reluctant to take them due to other side effects. I have suggested stopping Tamoxifen to my doctor who advised it would reduce my life span by 2-3%. I have a friend in a similar position as mine and she stopped them with no issues to date (8 years) and is urging me to stop. Does anyone suggest alternatives or make comment if stopping Tamoxifen is irresponsible? Any help or suggestions are much appreciated. It is really affecting my life, my personality, my thinking and made me a completey different person .. I was once strong physically, mentally and spiritually ......its also affecting my husband..anything he can take?..lol Christine xx
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 purchase
