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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • YearoftheHat
    YearoftheHat Member Posts: 66
    edited June 2009

    Harley, I am having blood drawn for the BRCA test on Friday.  I should have the results in a couple of weeks.  I would love a "no mutation found" result; otherwise, I am facing a hysterectomy.  I really would rather not have one.  I was hoping to start my menstrual cycle again and feel like a young woman for a little longer.  Plus, who wants another surgery?  Congratulations on being tested and for the good result!  That will give you some peace of mind.

  • YearoftheHat
    YearoftheHat Member Posts: 66
    edited June 2009

    jules4ever -Thanks for the welcome aboard!  I hope I'll forget that I take Tamoxifen.  I would love for it to become a mindless habit, then one day I'll have a doctor's visit and he'll say, 'Well, one more month and you're done", and I'll be like, "Oh, right.  Good."  Haha

    Leggy - thanks for the feedback on neuropathy.  I am going to try a B complex and am already taking glutamine.  I wish I had started those during chemo.  I hope they help.  I really do get the lobster claw effect in my hands and can't do much without great stiffness and pain.  I'd hope it at least improves if it doesn't go away all togther.

  • HelenaJ
    HelenaJ Member Posts: 304
    edited June 2009

    Harley - fantastic news - phew.

    Waiting on my results too - good luck Yearof the hat. Over here in Australia it takes months for our results (but free nonetheless).

  • HelenaJ
    HelenaJ Member Posts: 304
    edited June 2009

    just voted - 611 - hope it works from over here.

  • PattiB
    PattiB Member Posts: 107
    edited June 2009

    Hi - took the Effexor last night for hot flashes from chemo and didn't sleep well at all.  Felt headachy, nauseas, sweaty and just kind of loopy when I got up this morning.  That feeling took about an hour to go away.  I have a call in to  my onc. but wondering if others have had this SE with Effexor.  Thanks, Patti

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited June 2009

    Hey there,

    Thanks everyone!  I really didn't want that BRCA test, only because I am the youngest of SIX, and I have 4 sisters and a brother.  NONE of my sisters have had bc... and they all have daughters, and NONE of them have bc, either.  I was the lucky one.  So I sort of knew the test would be negative.  Only...  that won't stop me from getting ovarian ca...   I got bc, and I don't have the BRCA gene... 

    Year of the Hat,

    I understand how you feel, about not wanting another surgery, and wanting to get back to 'normal'.  That will happen for you, in time. 

    I didn't want another surgery, but I can't have children, and I'm too old for that now anyway.  I really wanted to have the hyst., so that would be one less thing I have to worry about.

    Oh, I lost count on how many Tamoxifen pills I have left....    I'll have to go re calculate!!  :D

    HUGS
    Harley 

  • Jisman
    Jisman Member Posts: 96
    edited June 2009

    Harley - The odds for getting BC (1 in 8) are almost excactly the same as the incidence of the cause being hereditary.  There's a perception that the hereditary cause is much, much higher but it isn't.  Ovarian cancer is an entirely different animal so it is GREAT that you (and the many others) don't have the BRCA mutations.

    PattiB - my onc suggested neurontin (generic is gabapentin) as the first step for dealing with my hot flashes from tamox and it seems to be working for me.  He has said we would move on to Effexor only if this one didn't work.

    I haven't posted for awhile.  Just ordered my 5th bottle.  Will be one year out from finishing my treatments in another two weeks.  Yeah!

    Welcome to all the newcomers.

    Joan

  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 1,605
    edited June 2009

    Jisman,

    I remember you from when I first joined BC.org.  Nice to 'see' you.  One year, WOW!! that's awesome!

    Take care,

    Linda

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 428
    edited June 2009

    Congrats Harley, I am still waiting for my BRAC results.

    I had my c/u w/onc, blood work and everything okay!!! I even lost weight on Tamoxifen, so that was added good news. the se's have been little to none.

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 428
    edited June 2009

    I take Efeexor XR 75mg in the morning and have no se's with it. It has been a great help for my tamoxifen se's which is why I have little to none.

    BTW the only place I refer to my BC on myspace and facebook is in my profile. This is the only place I discuss the day to day hassles and problems, cuz nobody else really understands the way you ladies do.

    Rachel I voted, I think, I gave the post a thumbs up then went to the utube link in the Aero post, but nothing came up. I would love to spend a night with Joe Perry, he is sooo sexy!!!! LOL!!!!

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 679
    edited June 2009

    Dudette, I'd love to spend a night with... oh anyway- GREAT news, thank you.

    YOTH (Year of the Hat) I keep meaning to tell you how GREAT that link to the Sloan Kettering guy - Larry Norton- is.  Here it is again for anyone who missed it:

    http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/92358.cfm 

    (Breast Cancer, Present and Future... if could be called "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Breast Cancer, So You Don't Need to Ask") 

  • BooBee
    BooBee Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2009

    Great link Rachel.  You should share it with the newbe's.

  • HelenaJ
    HelenaJ Member Posts: 304
    edited June 2009

    Wonderful link.  Very interesting hearing him talk about dosage.  Also going to stock up and start taking my 2000mg of vitamin D3!!!

  • PattiB
    PattiB Member Posts: 107
    edited June 2009

    Thanks Mary - I was given 3.75 to take - I was told to try taking 1/2 pill during the day since it affected my sleep taking it at night.  Does it come in a .75 pill ?

    I have read that 15 minutes of sun is the most effective way of getting vitimin D.  I walk my dog and go to daughters sports events (outdoors), and so far have not had the vit D deficiency prior to diagnosis.  I have never been very good about taking vitimins.   Was told I will be checked for Vitimin D next appointment in 8 weeks when I have my follow-up after starting the Tamox in Mid July.

  • MBCR
    MBCR Member Posts: 51
    edited June 2009

    I've been on Tamoxifen for a month now. No period yet. I was told that it could start an early menopause, but this soon? Can anyone shed some light on how their periods changed & how soon after the start of tamox?

  • ktym
    ktym Member Posts: 673
    edited June 2009

    MBCR: I went through chemopause, so sorry, can't really shed light on what you're going through. 

    Joan: neurontin as been a godsend to me, I got busy at work and missed a dose last week and wow the hot flashes were back with a vengence.  It is really working to keep them at bay for me and really helping me sleep at night.   

  • Mary22
    Mary22 Member Posts: 428
    edited June 2009

    I got my period the same day I started tamoxifen. Not from the tamox, but from having my IUD removed, it made me rember exactly why I had the IUD to start with:Heavy periods. My first 2 cycles were heavy, the third one was lighter, I am due to start on July 2. My cycles always use to be 21-25 days, now they are 28-35 days, I am looking forward to lighter periods. My onc said that it does not cause menopause, just menopause like symptoms.

    Patti, I started  w/ 37.5 mg that was the lowest dose, I moved up to 75 mg and that truly did help.

    Rph said to take it in the morning along with the tamox and some food. Good Luck!!!

  • NST40
    NST40 Member Posts: 6
    edited June 2009

    I have been on Tamoxifen for two months now.  My first period after taking Tamoxifen was two weeks late.  Instead of my usual four days of mod flow I had seven days of light to spotty.  I was very thankful to actually get it because I felt like a bloated whale for the two weeks before starting, like my body did not know what to do.  I am not sure how my future periods will be but I just hope I keep having them because I feel so much better. 

  • jules4evr39
    jules4evr39 Member Posts: 121
    edited June 2009

    Hey Ladies....just dropping in to say hello to everyone!!! Trying to get off my butt and get some work done in this shop today!!! motivation..motivation..trying....jules

  • marlenet
    marlenet Member Posts: 114
    edited June 2009

    Harley

    What wonderful news!  I plan on getting the test.  Have not set it up yet.  CONGRATULATIONS!

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 679
    edited June 2009

    That link was from Year of the Hat and it totally rocks.  I asked my ONC and he said I can test for my Vit D levels or just start taking the D3 because it can't hurt.  He also sent along the clinical data and here's the conclusion:

    RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: It is projected that raising the minimum

    year-around serum 25(OH)D level to 40 to 60 ng/mL (100-150 nmol/L) would

    prevent approximately 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new

    cases of colorectal cancer each year, and three fourths of deaths from

    these diseases in the United States and Canada, based on observational

    studies combined with a randomized trial. Such intakes also are expected

    to reduce case-fatality rates of patients who have breast, colorectal,

    or prostate cancer by half. There are no unreasonable risks from intake

    of 2000 IU per day of vitamin D(3), or from a population serum 25(OH)D

    level of 40 to 60 ng/mL. The time has arrived for nationally coordinated

    action to substantially increase intake of vitamin D and calcium.

  • YearoftheHat
    YearoftheHat Member Posts: 66
    edited June 2009

    Rachel -  It was linked on the january chemo board by ddlatt.  I'm glad you liked it too.  It really helped me feel better about taking tamoxifen. 

    anyone working?  i have another hour and a half to go and I find i am good for nothing by the end of the week.....feel like i had chemo yesterday.   

    thanks for the interesting info on vit d.

    i'm pooped. 

  • didle20Diane
    didle20Diane Member Posts: 86
    edited June 2009

    Hi everyone....have been reading this thread for awhile, great posting!  I am going to be starting Tamox  in the next week or so.  Only missed 2 periods after DX, had a period during chemo, had hot flashes for a couple of weeks before last TX then got my period 4 weeks after my final chemo 5/13. 

    Is anyone in the drug trial that adds the bone meds to prevent bone metastisis?  I am going on Monday to talk to my onc about it.  Right now I am 50/50.  My onc doesn't do trials so I would have to go to another one if I decide on the trial.  

    Thanks!

  • Springtime
    Springtime Member Posts: 3,372
    edited June 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    Have any of you heard about the study of Evista vs. Tamoxifen - sort of showing that it was as effective but had less SE symptoms?

    I was wondering if anybody has discussed this with their ONC's yet? I go in July and am going to ask about it. 

    http://www.genetichealth.com/BROV_Breast_Cancer_Chemoprevention.shtml 

    http://www.medpagetoday.com/HematologyOncology/BreastCancer/3477 

  • HelenaJ
    HelenaJ Member Posts: 304
    edited June 2009

    MBCR, been on Tamoxi for just on 4 months and my periods are pretty regular although only last for 3 days and really heavy.  Like NST40 it actually relieves some of the bloating and it makes me feel kind of normal, whether it lasts or not I don't know.

    Hey Jules - enjoy your Friday and the weekend.

    Rachel and YearOTH I have posted the link on our Australian breast cancer website - it is so comforting and exciting to know that the worlds great minds are looking after us.  What's with the soft drink consumption!!!

    Good luck didle20Diane, the first one is the hardest.

    soft hugs

    Helena

  • PattiB
    PattiB Member Posts: 107
    edited June 2009

    Mary - Thanks for the info., I am taking 37.5 not 3.75 (type error).  My onc said she would up the does if this one does not work.  I will see if taking it AM works better for me.  I'm supposed to call and let onc. know how I make out next week and we'll go from there. 

    Hi Diane - Good luck with the Tamox.  Isn't it great to be TC free. I started growing real hair about a week ago.  I have the 5 o'clock shadow look for now, mostly dark brown/black hopefully just some gray although I still have a lot of skin showing through.  I will start Tamox 7/15 after rads are done.  Had my Tamox info appointment this past Wednesday and the bottle is in my meds cabinet waiting.

    Everyone - Have a great weekend.

  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 1,605
    edited June 2009

    I've been on Tamox for 8 months and have had normal periods, until now. I am over 2 weeks late. Hmmmmmmm...........

  • fairy49
    fairy49 Member Posts: 536
    edited June 2009

    This is old but thought I would post it anyway............. 

    On December 10, 1997, Eli Lilly and Company announced FDA's clearance to market Evista(R) (Raloxifene) which has been shown to be effective in preventing osteoporosis, affecting over 20 million U.S. women annually, and in reducing LDL or "bad cholesterol" blood levels. Lilly has submitted applications to market Evista in more than 30 different countries. Surely, this new drug should be welcomed by women worldwide. Unfortunately, this is not the case, as Lilly, with FDA's complicity, has suppressed critical information that this drug poses major risks of ovarian cancer. In a study specifically designed by Lilly to prove the drug's safety, Evista was shown to induce ovarian cancer in both mice and rats. Moreover, carcinogenic effects were noted at dosages extending below the therapeutic. However, the study concluded: "The clinical relevance of these tumor findings is not known." Lilly reached this conclusion despite the scientific consensus that the induction of cancer in well-designed studies in two species creates the strong presumption of human risk. Nevertheless, Lilly failed to disclose this critical information in its "Warning" to women. Furthermore, no reference at all is made to these risks in a Lilly-sponsored publication on Evista in the December 4, 1997 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Responding to criticisms on the January 12, 1998 Jim Lehrer Newshour program, a Lilly spokesman claimed that the carcinogenic effects of Evista in the ovaries of sexually mature rodents are irrelevant to such risks in postmenopausal women. However, ovarian cancer is recognized as an uncommon complication of long-term hormone replacement therapy in the post-menopausal.

    Ovarian cancer strikes about 24,000 U.S. women every year, accounting for 4% of all their cancers. About 15,000 women die from ovarian cancer annually, making it the most lethal female reproductive cancer. Commenting on these facts, Samuel S. Epstein, M.D., Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago, School of Public Health, stated: "Lilly's suppression of the evidence of ovarian cancer risks from Evista is as reckless as is FDA's marketing approval, conduct which merits congressional and legal scrutiny. This drug should be withdrawn from the world market immediately. As importantly, a 'Cancer Alert' should be sent to the over 12,000 women who have participated in U.S. and international clinical trials in the absence of informed consent. These women should also be offered lifelong bi-annual surveillance for the early detection of ovarian cancer at Eli Lilly's expense."

    Source: Cancer Prevention Coalition

  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 679
    edited June 2009

    fairy- I looked up "Cancer Prevention Coalition" and found their web page:

     http://www.preventcancer.com/

    as well as some web pages that commented on the "Cancer Prevention Coalition":

    http://junkfoodscience.blogspot.com/2007/02/keeping-our-wits-about-us.html

    here's an excerpt, with special attention to the last paragraph

    Another popular tactic among special interests is to file dockets or suits with a federal agency or court system in an attempt to give their assertions more legitimacy in our minds. Never mind that their concerns are repeatedly examined and debunked under scientific scrutiny — we rarely hear about those outcomes.You may have caught the recent news report with ominous-sounding claims about the safety of our milk:Advocate Groups File Petition Against rBSTThree advocacy groups filed a petition Tuesday morning with the FDA calling for the withdrawal of approval for Monsanto's Posilac bovine somatotropin. The groups - Cancer Prevention Coalition, Organic Consumers Association, and Family Farm Defenders - say the injection of Posilac into dairy cows results in increased risks of cancer in humans who consume that milk...Their petition, FDA Docket 2007P-0059, claims that scientific evidence has shown recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) to increase levels of IGF-1 in people who drink milk and that there are abnormalities in the milk. It was filed on February 15th by Samuel S. Epstein, M.D., head of the Cancer Prevention Coalition, who has written a book on “the industry and government cover up the dangers of rBGH” and led many fears about the safety of our food, and associated interests.At his website, however, the scientific evidence presented isn’t new. Even so, over the past several decades he has written press releases, petitions and news reports based on the same studies and assertions — be it about scary dangers in milk, meat, irradiated foods, cosmetics, produce grown with pesticides and mammography, or skyrocketing rates of breast cancer and other cancers, that have all been disproven and shown by the most careful science to be without merit.
  • HelenaJ
    HelenaJ Member Posts: 304
    edited June 2009

    I just realised you guys actually have bottles of tamoxifen - yeah I know  ....der.  Over here we have blister packs.  yeah I know .. so..?

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