If you are on tamoxifen..... - Cancer: Breast Message Board

tmarie907 · 04-21-2008, 03:31 PM

How do you feel about it? I am just getting to the point where they will be bringing up taking this as I just finished chemo. Quite frankly I am feeling like I don't want to take it. I had a bilateral mastectomy last October, no radiation, followed by 6 rounds of chemotherapy. I have been reading some of the side effects and they are starting to scare me more than ever. I never did well on birth control pills and I am thinking I may not do this....I would greatly appreciate any thoughts....

Thank you
Terry

ladyabby · 04-21-2008, 06:14 PM

Hi Terry,
My Mom was on Tamoxifen for several years after she was diagnosed with breast cancer and did very well with it. She was post-menapause when diagnosed, stage 4. When that stopped working, the docs used arimidex and a couple of other drugs. I took Tamoxifen for 5 years due to the high risk of breast cancer in our family. That was 8 years ago and I was 44 years old, pre-menapause. With me I was basically thrown into menapause, hot flashes, mood swings, large weight gain. I don't even know if it was worth it. I am waiting for results of a stereotactic breast biopsy that I had done today to have microcalcifications biopsied that were found on my annual mammogram last month. I hope this helps. Good Luck, Amy

tmarie907 · 04-22-2008, 09:34 AM

Hi Amy,

Thank you. You are confirming what I am feeling. I'm not sure it's worth it either.

Thanks again,
Terry

ladyabby · 04-22-2008, 10:28 AM

Hi Terry,
I forgot to mention that before my biopsy yesterday, I talked to my surgeon about my having taken the Tamoxifen and she said that according to my family history without having taken it, she'd estimate my risk at being about 52%. Having taken it, she says she would guess that it would have cut my risk down to about 20%. Unitl I get my results, I honestly don't know if I would have taken it if given the chance to do it over. I will let you know when I get the results. Amy

tmarie907 · 04-22-2008, 01:45 PM

Thank you Amy! Good Luck!

Terry