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Tamoxifen Question.Post Menopaus
Took my first AI last week and had an allergic reaction. will start tamoxifen next week. What should I expect? Anyone post menopausal taking tamaxofin instead of AI?
I took 20 mg tamoxifen daily for 15 months. Initially I only had unrelenting hot flashes. At my 11 month follow up I was encouraged to take black cohosh and vitamin D. That did help somewhat with the hot flashes. At my radiation follow up in March, I complained of ongoing side effects from radiation such as memory issues, continued mood swings. She told me that was the tamoxifen and told me to stop taking it for two weeks. I saw the PA for the oncologist one week later and she tried to put me back on the same damn drug and dosage. When I refused, she wanted to start me on an AI. I switched oncology teams. I was told by my new oncologist that the risks outweigh the benefits. I am currently not on any hormone suppressors. I did have gastric sleeve surgery in June to expedite losing adipose fat. Adipose fat is where estrogen is produced in post menopausal women. My diagnosis was Ductal Carcinoma in Situ- stage 0. My tumor grade was 3 and I was er/pr +. I had been post menopausal for about 2 years at the time of my diagnosis.
Take aways: A) Always ask your doctor and pharmacist about medication side effects and; do your own research. Nobody told me what to look for and I didn’t know I was in trouble until I was in trouble. B) While Tamoxifen washes out of your system within 7 to 10 days, the sides can linger for days, months, or even years.
I’m not trying to scare anyone. I just my story will be helpful for others.
Hi. I started with Tamoxifen, then had a hysterectomy and was switched to Anastrozole, which I did horrible on and was switched back to Tamoxifen. I have foot/leg cramps like crazy despite many efforts to stop it, hair loss and weight gain. I feel great otherwise. I have two more years to go on it. I think I will be scared when it's time to come off of it because I feel like it's a type of "insurance plan". I hope it goes well for you!
@A MyBCTeam Member
What AI were you allergic to and what were your symptoms?
How are you doing on the tamoxifen?
Tamoxifen can be taken by individuals both before and after menopause. It is commonly prescribed to those with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer to prevent recurrence and can also be used by those at high risk of developing breast cancer. Tamoxifen works by blocking estrogen from connecting to breast cancer cells Show Full Answer
@A MyBCTeam Member
Would you consider trying one of the other AI’s?
Over Scanning
Delay In Starting AI
How Long To Menapause Symptoms Persist After Starting Hormonal Therapies?
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