Bottle o Tamoxifen
Comments
-
Since I seem to have been invited ~smile~ ....the only issue I've heard of with Effexor is that going off it cold turkey is a B**TCH. So, IF you decide to stop, slowly weaning oneself from it seems to be the practice with the best results.
0 -
Hello to all. Another week from H*ll. This school year is the worst!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am completely exhausted at the end of the week, and I am soooooo tired of hearing about everyone else's problems at work that I could just scream!!!!!!!! Today was the straw that broke the camel back, I came home from work and cried!
0 -
hi rachel,
thanks for the links on eye twitching. i'm sure it's stress. it's just sooooooooo annoying. i'm going to try and relax. if it doesn't go away by monday, i guess i'll call my onc.
so... these side effects that i'm terrified of could take months to manifest? yikes!
0 -
Hi everyone! I come to this thread often but don't post much. I've been on Tamox for 2 and a half months. No major SEs. Just hot flushes.
Rachel, I saw your post about stopping Tamox two weeks before surgery. I am having my port removed and was wondering if that would be considered "surgery". I was told the procedure would be the same as when they put it in. In my case, outpatient at a hospital with local anesthesia (sp?). Thanks in advance for your response/comment.
Be well ladies.
0 -
Hey all--
diagnosed with IDC last march--2 tumors, stage 2 if taken separately, stage 3 if taken together (WHATever that means..) 5 months of chemo first, (AC and abraxane) double mx on Oct 1st-- rads start 11/4 for 28 sessions. live in NYC. Popped my first tamoxifen this am!
christine
0 -
American- I'm with meg, I'd just check with my surgeon. Some say stop Tamox, some say take it right through, maybe it depends on the rest of your health picture? Yay for port removal! Hope it all goes easy!
Christine Welcome!
0 -
No, the women that had taken tamox and had a recurrence were good metabolizers of the drug. They just felt that it did nothing for them. Tamoxifen used to be a steroid used for body builders, and, some still use it. It was also used as a fertitility drug. I have read up on it. I am not ignorant on the subject. I also think it is sad that bc survivors beat up and are rude to other bc survivors, simply because they have an opinion that might differ from theirs. This should be an open discussion. If you take tamox, fine, good luck. If you don't, that is fine too, and good luck to you. But, be smart, educate yourself, read about it. Don't just take a drug because your oncologist might say you have to have it. That is all. And, if you read in the American Journal of Medicine, there are lots of articles on the link between tamox and uterine cancer. There is also one that states that the testing of women staying on it past 5 years, increases their chance of a recurrence. These are published facts. I am just new here and trying to participate. I didn't want to get tar and feathered for not being a carbon copy of everyone else. Thanks!
Susie
0 -
Well here I go again. I promised myself I would stay out of conflict but this one I can't, in good conscious, stay quite. Ladies before you get too upset with Rachel take a look at Suzie09 ‘s previous 7-8 posts. You will see why Rachel is cautioning us to be careful what you read and who you listen to. I say no more.
Hugs
Renee
0 -
Hi Meg!!! So good to see you. I'm assuming your ooph went well. So you didn't even have to stop Tamox?
Thanks, Rachel. I'll definitely check with the surgeon. I have a consult with him before the actual port removal is scheduled.
Be well ladies.
0 -
Hi Christine...wishing you a SE-free ride on the Tamoxi train...it really is doable...
0 -
Thanks for the heads up about going off Tamox before surgery. I'm having Recon next month. No one said a word about this during my oopha.
Hugs
0 -
I can't take credit for asking about Tamox before surgery, I just remembered that some other gals mentioned it because that's what they were told to do... it may be nothing. I think it was springtime?
0 -
Oh and I can't see Susie 09's posts because I have "her" on ignore from her posts before. Highly recommended!!!
0 -
Rachel, I love your new sig line girl!
DH and I just took a bike ride after shopping, washing the car, LIVING! YAY!!
Mary, sorry you had such a screwed up week and had to come home and cry! geez, what's up with the crying this week for some of us??
I believe I am taking the tamoxitest next week when I go in for my blood work. My onc did say their is controversy with the test and that we'd discuss that and the results at my appt. on 11/12. I don't really have too many HF's, seems like only when its warm out that I do get them, but I get flushes....who knows, I just want this friggin pill to work for me!! It HAS to and I BELIEVE it is!!
Oh Rach, email me the jpeg please and I'll check it out on Monday at work. Thanks.
DH is playing Hawaiian music right now and we're pretending we're in Maui (that's where we were married)....
0 -
Hey Ladies. I have been on Tamox for approximately 10 weeks. I just had my exchange surgery last week, but I am not sleeping and wondered who perscribed your Ambien? Was it your Onc?
0 -
A 15-minute review of articles available on the internet refute the claim that Tamoxfen is a "steroid;" however, it used by some body-builders to block estrogen after stopping steroids (steroids can cause a build-up of estrogens in the body), and as such, may be enough for "testosterone stimulating" purposes. Otherwise, some feminizing characteristics may develop and most male body builders would rather not have female breast tissue. Taking Tamoxifen is seen as one way to possibly balance out the hormones back to normal levels.0
-
I looked up Susie's other posts, and now I remember her rude posts to Rachel. Someone has an agenda. LeNelle, my onc. perscribbed Ambien, while I was on chemo.
0 -
IvoryMom - I hope your surgery went well. If you dont mind my asking, was the need for the surgery related in some way to Tamoxifen? Although that I know it's not a biggie for many women, I'm really concerned about taking a perfectly healthy body part - like ovaries and/ or uterus - and making it/them unhealthy.
0 -
I Have been on Tamoxifen for3 weeks and have had crazy night sweats. My insurance sent me the swab test to see if I'm metabolizing it well. It will take a couple of weeks, but my guess is I am since I have been unable to sleep because of night sweats and leg cramps! I question if I should be on this, but don't know what else I should do!
0 -
Ladies - How about if we just call a cease fire re: personal attacks and counter attacks. This isn't the place for it and it doesn't benefit anyone. A "Discussion Board" should be the venue for discussion - whether we're completely sold on Tamoxifen, still studying it or wanting to warn of negative possibilities.
Past comments aside, Suzie's statement that "This should be an open discussion. If you take tamox, fine, good luck. If you don't, that is fine too, and good luck to you. But, be smart, educate yourself, read about it" is a reasonable one. And the study she mentions about risks to women staying on Tamoxifen for over 5 years is titled "Tamoxifen May Increase Risk of Some Forms of Breast Cancer" and is cited on this site at http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/new_research/20090825.jsp. However, the title is scarier than the actual findings. Although anyone interested should simply read the article, it's pertinent conclusions are: (a) "Breast cancer survivors who take tamoxifen for secondary prevention may actually increase their risk of the more difficult to treat estrogen receptor-negative cancers"; (b) "these findings don't negate the benefits of tamoxifen or substantially change the risk-benefit ratio"; (c) "The reason for the apparent threshold effect with five years of exposure could be that ‘a certain length of exposure is needed to foster an environment that promotes estrogen receptor-negative tumor growth," and (d) "Alternatively, it could simply be that our study lacked sufficient statistical power to adequately address a dose-response relationship for the relatively rare outcome of an estrogen receptor-negative second primary contralateral tumor."
0 -
lenelle:
My onc also started me on the Ambien. I have the HFs - big night sweats - I think I just sleep thru them more easily.
Good luck -
0 -
Americanpinay~~~~ Talk to your surgeon or doctor. I had an ooph in Aug and I had been on Tamoxifen since March. My surgeon did not have me stop.
Yes we should not criticize each other's opinions, but if you look at Susie 09's other post, they were personal attacks on Rachel's appearance. Rachel is a beautiful person inside and out( I met her, so I should know). Also for some of us tamoxifen reduces our risk of recurrence by 50%, since I am BRCA2+, I either take tamoxifen or arimidex or another AL.
Hope all have a great w/e!!!
0 -
IvoryMom - Thank you. So many woman on this thread talk about Oophs and other gynecological procedures and surgeries, it seems almost commonplace. The fact that it was your decision vs. the pill's, makes a big difference. Your response calms me a bit and I greatly appreciate it.
Mary22 - You're right. While an attack against someone because of their opinions is wrong, a personal attack against someone's appearance is far worse.
0 -
ivorymom, my oncologist told me I didn't have to 'marry' the Tamox -- rather, he said if I had bothersome SE's, I could quit anytime, and know that my risk for recurrence was still not that great. I don't think he ever told me I should take it 5 years, but I'm guessing he knew I already knew that. (Does that make sense?)
I agree, personal attacks are not warranted. Susie's history shows she could have been much more diplomatic with some of her rather pointed questions, if she truly was just being inquisitive about SEs. However, we are here to help each other and educate one another about the one thing we have in common, Tamoxifen. If one of us claims to be knowledgeable about the subject, and then posts something that seems somewhat whacky or at least questionable, or perhaps causes fear and concern in the rest of us, then we should not only be prepared to back up our statements with facts, and links, but also be happy to do it.
....or at least that's my opinion....
0 -
The first parts of dealing with BC are a sprint. The diagnosis, surgery, raditaion and chemo usually take place within the span of a few months. Then for some of us, there is Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is a marathon. It goes on for five years.
This thread is a place that we can socialize, and commiserate, and share personal stories to help each other through that marathon. We welcome all who find themselves here, but we are in the middle of running a marathon, so we have already made the decision to run. Marathons are tiring enough without having someone asking you to justify the decision to start every week or two.
If someone is still trying to make the decision to use Tamoxifen or not, there are other threads that are better suited to their needs and answering their questions that will help them make the decision that is right for that individual. This thread is geared to the needs of people who have already made the decision to at least try Tamoxifen.
This thread is 181 pages long, and has been going on for nearly two years. Chances are pretty good that it already contains links to most of the studies about Tamoxifen that have been released in the last two years. Just because this is the first time you are seeing a report doesn't mean that it wasn't discussed here in detail when it was first published. If you check the pages written around the publication date of the study you will likely find a lively discussion about its contents.
Earlier in the thread, this was referred to as the tamoxi-train with cars for those who want to enjoy their chocolate, or their wine, or their shoes, or their exercise etc. Find the car that's right for you, or wander between cars depending on your mood, but please don't try to throw anyone from the train.
0 -
Or under the train! Take a seat and enjoy your ride!!!!
0 -
PatMom -Your analogy is a great one. And, off course, I understand that you may be tired of running, need to focus completely on your own race and run in peace. However, as with any marathon, those running in teams will often slow their own pace to help encourage their teammates to work thru their cramps, keep running, and make it to the finish line. And don't forget that seasoned runners will often work out with newbies just to share their knowledge. If your team is focused an a fast, smooth uninterrupted track that's fine, but please allow others to run on the course as well.
And as for this thread being only for those already on the "train", that is not true. I've just read thru the first 100 + pages and so far there are lots of women who stuck their head in, looked around, visited a few cars and asked questions before they decided whether or not to buy a ticket and - surprise, surprise - they were all welcome. .
0 -
I never thought I would see the day that bc survivors turn their back on another bc survivor. Just because I don't take tamox now, does not mean that I will never. I just choose not to at this time. So, now you say I am not welcomed here? I just don't understand it. I know that since I got bc, I find that I enjoy each and everyday. I feel lucky to still be alive, to have gotten thru a lumpectomy and 37 rad treatments. Now, I get ridiculed by other bc survivors? I am just afraid of it. My Mom died and I am an only child, so, I can't talk to a lot about this. My girlfriends are so young that they don't even want to know anything much about it. And no, I am not on here a lot. I work, go to school, take care of my husband and try to live a full life. I don't have the time to post a lot. I just wanted to get some help, maybe some answers to make me not so afraid of it. But, I can see that for w/e reason, you have turned your back on me. This is really sad.......
0 -
Susie09, I had a feeling you might make some changes in your previous posts so I took the liberty of copying them earlier....just in case. Should anyone question the validity of my copy and paste, please refer back to the date and page of each post (I think it starts at page 110) and take a look at the edit time on each posting. Not too many people go back three months to make edits to their posts.
Now Susie, here's how we function here at BC.org. We are of the female persuasion so sometimes (Okay, more than sometimes) we speak our minds, get ourselves worked up and most of the time the typed words and our intended meaning gets misinterpreted and feelings get hurt. This is so easy to do when you're not face to face.
You might be accustom to flinging insults in other chat groups but you're in the wrong place for that here. An apology would have been better received than a feeble attempt at pity points. I'm unimpressed.
**********************************************************************************
Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Hormonal Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: 17 hours ago
My oncologist said that if you have no symptons, then you might not be metabolizing tamox and therefore risking permanent side effects with nothing to gain. You can request the CYP2D6 test to see if you are metabolizing it. I am delaying starting it as I will only gain about a 1% advantage against a recurrence by taking it, and, I don't think the se's are worth that. I met 4 women at the support group that took tamox for 5 years and had recurrence's. Now, that is scary. Just so confusing........
Susie
Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Hormonal Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Jul 16, 2009 01:25 am
He was in the movie Australia!
Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Hormonal Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Jul 14, 2009 01:04 am
Wow Rachel, I hope I don't gain that much weight on tamox. Good luck to you!
Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Hormonal Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Jul 13, 2009 01:14 pm
Rachelbc, the weight on you in your picture. You look quite heavy. So, I was asking if it
was gained from taking tamoxifen.
Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Hormonal Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Jul 13, 2009 01:52 am
Oh ok Rachel. I just thought you had gained all of the weight maybe from Tamoxifen. I didn't know you hadn't started it yet. Good luck to you!
Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Radiation Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Jul 13, 2009 01:44 am
Has anyone done MammoSite Radiation Therapy?
I had a friend that had the Mammosite Rads and her cancer came back in 3 years and she died as a result of it, because it came back outside of her tumor site. The Mammosite does NOT radiate your lymph nodes or any other breast tissue, just the tumor site. And, it is a clinical trial. There is NO long term survival or recurrence stats. That is what most people are in, a clinical trial. So, please, before you do it, consider the risk you are taking. Good luck to all of you that still do it.
My friend is dead because of Mammosite Radiation.............
Posted in: Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Hormonal Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: Jul 11, 2009 01:20 am
Rachel, are you on a diet? Did you gain all of that weight on Tamox?
0 -
Oh, that's right. I forgot! Did Susie ever share her own BC, ever take Tamox herself, ever say anything to help someone else who has BC here? Aside from the tragic partial story about her friend dying from mammosite radiation, did she ever offer any helpful advice to anyone undergoing radiation?
And no, I don't think we should support every opinion stated here. I think we should support people who want and need support in the fight against breast cancer. I think we should smash the fallacies with the truth so that we can all live longer and better.
0
