For those you have taken or are currently on Tamoxifen

Hi Susan-
I just finished Tamoxifen in June. I cannot tell one difference either way. I had no noticeable changes from it, although I did gain weight over the last few years. Can't say for sure it is the fault of Tamoxifen, as Taco Bell is not so good for the waistline! Everyone is different though, some people experienced side effects that interfered with their quality of life and they had to d/c the meds. Some people experince vaginal dryness or discharge.

Since going off of it, I have not noticed any changes either.
Lori

Nothing I felt, but it thickened my uterus, and that necessitated endrometrial biopsies which are painful and distressing.

 

Other than that, nothing to speak of.

I've been on it for about 3 months now and I can honestly say it has made me moodier, I have hot flashes and my libido waned for a while.  I will be off of it in another month and a half since I am having a hyster.  They will wait 6 months and then put me on an aromitase inhibitor.

I was scared silly about taking it.  But so far it's not so bad.

Took Tamox for five years (1996 to 2001). Experienced the weight gain that others have mentioned, but a sedentary lifesytle does not help that situation. I had hot flashes, too (power surgers), but not as bad as MK had. Mainly a problem at night. Of course, it was an added benefit in the winter in Minnesota when I did not need much in the way of covers at night. I was concerned about blood clots since I have had phebitis in the past, but had no problems in that area at all. I would say my experience on tamoxifen was fairly positive. Good luck. Lauri

Kathy-good luck with it.  I guess after Chemo, Tamoxifen isn't that bad.  I'm going to visit with my Gyno and talk to him.  I know I will eventually go on it but I really have to decide if I'm going to have kids first.  I'm not getting any younger.

Chantry-
from what I understand, Tamoxifen does not necessarily hurt your chances of getting pregnant, but pregnancy while on Tamoxifen is forbidden. The drug is said to be harmful to a fetus. You will have to do some serious soul searching here, none of us can tell you what is right for you. If you intend to take Tamoxifen for the full 5 years, plus 3 months to wait to get it out of your system, you are talking about quite a while before you could try to conceive.
As for having eggs removed, I read that they do not recommend that for us BC patients. Same reason that hormonal meds (including BC pill) is not allowed, the hormonal stimulation is not a good idea.

Are you doing chemo? You may not go into chemo-pause at this time. I did chemo at age 31 with no problem, just finished my 5 years of Tamoxifen and never missed a period.

Just keep your options open when it comes to having another baby at this time. I asked my onc about it too, at 36 now, I have no kids. Just got engaged last weekend so we'll be married next year and we're wondering about kids. My fertility is fine (at least as far as we know) but there remains a question about giving the green light to have a baby after breast cancer at all. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it....
Good luck-
Lori

I took Tamoxifen in my late 30's.  I experienced hot flashes, etc.  Onc put me on Effexor as my cancer was estrogen positive.  My periods got further and further apart and then non-existent. I haven't had one since. I had no problems with uterine thickening.  I am now finished with the Tamoxifen and now am on Femara.  The side effects aren't quite as bad.  Of course, now I guess I'm in menopause and can't sleep at night!!!  Of course, now I spend my days with 6 year olds so......that's enough to send you into menopause, a "home", etc.  HA HA  I have been spending my days with 6 year olds for 10 years so maybe I'm just getting old and cranky!  Na, couldn't be that!!!

Good luck and remember it's better than the chemo and you're doing something to combat the ole bc!