Bottle o Tamoxifen
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Alicia - There is never too much information given here. These are good things to know. After 2 summer of hysteroscopies, D&Cs and polyp removal I am so ready to have a hystie myself. It is good to know that the cervix can be left behind. I really want everything else including my ovaries to go. I am 58 and see no good reason to hang on to these at this point.
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Justme: Regarding Hysterectomy: {and NOT too much info. at all, BTW!}
My OB/GYN Oncologist said she'd do the Davinci robot thing...and because all comes out through the vagina, they do have to take the cervix that way...Hmmm...I'll have to research this more...Any thoughts?
Also, I've been TRYING to find anyone on here who has used Lysteda for their heavy periods...??? Thanks!
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Jo: Most everything going on w/ me points to a hysterectomy.
Just me: What I'm MOST worried about is: painful sex after, & decreased libido...UM, espec. since I'm going through a divorce but have had a wonderful man in my life now for almost 1 year...great sex!
ROTFL! So, I can't imagine screwing THAT up {no pun intended...HA!}I'm 47 & still premenopausal...
P.S. - A FABULOUS website is: hystersisters.com...I need to spend more time on that website for the OG/GYN stuff...;)
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Is there a way to start a topic here because I feel like I am just interrupting a discussion? I am not too familiar with how this forum works.
Anyway I was wondering if anyone here takes testosterone in the form of a cream? My alternative physician has suggested it and I'm wondering how that might work with the tamoxifen. I haven't addressed it yet with my oncologist.
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surfette, I don't think anyone would mind if you asked a question on a topic different than what is being talked about right now. I'm sure someone will come along and help you. That is what this forum is for.
Now, I am going to ask you - whe does your alternative physician want you to use testesterone cream? I for one would like to know.
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He runs a bunch of tests and one is testosterone. Normal range is 8-48 and mine is low at 4.
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Okay. Never thought to ask my MO if he does that as part of his protocol. I will add that to my list of questions for my next visit.
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I don't know if its related to the tamoxifen or the induced menopause or just a random thing.
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Hello, My Lovelies!
I don't post very often, since I'm insanely busy with grad school and my family, but I did want to pop in here and share the crazy from the past month, because I am sure there are other women out there in the same situation and if I can help prevent their running for the Xanax, I'd like to help.
So, I've been on Tamoxifen since February, 2012. Went through chemo-induced menopause, and had the hot flashes and night sweats and whole nine yards for the first six months or so of Tamoxifen -- still occasionally get them, though not so bad and very rare now. Then, last November, I got a period. And by "period" I mean two-pads-at-a-time, don't-bother-with-the-tampons, hope-you're-not-attached-to-those-pants, soak-throughs every hour bleeding. I figured well, I haven't had one for over a year, I guess this is all the build up!
Then I had another one three weeks later, not quite as bad.
Then, I didn't have one in January, February, or March -- and I peed on a LOT of sticks, y'all. Negative, negative, negative...
THEN, in March, I started looking six months pregnant. No joke. I'd start the day slightly bloated and end the day needing maternity waistbands! It Was Horrifying. I really thought I was preggo, even though I knew there just wasn't any way. Then near the middle of March I had some rusty blood staining in my pantyliner, followed a few days later by what seemed like a light period. I started feeling crampy, hormonal, lots of pain -- the way I felt when I was eight months pregnant and the baby's head was pressing on my bladder, and/or the way a ruptured ovarian cyst would feel (I do have a history of those.) This, couple with the bloating and overall sense of "OMG, something is REALLY WRONG WITH ME!" sent me running to the clinic. Especially after I Googled my symptoms -- irregular bleeding, occasionally heavy, rust colored discharge, bloating, pain -- yup, I was SURE I had ovarian cancer, or endometrial cancer, or possibly both. I must be at a late stage too, since I'm having so many symptoms. Besides which, my new oncologist had reminded me only a week earlier (at our first consultation, no less!) that I am at high risk for both and need to make sure I get my annual check pap and trans-vag ultrasound.
Needless to say, with the entire barrage of symptoms showing up a week later, I was a Basket Case. (Now we know, don't we, how ridiculously absurd it would be for me to suddenly develop all of those symptoms and have the thing right after a conversation with my doctor about how high risk I am for it -- but of course, we can't claim not to be a little crazy at these times, can we?) The nurse practititoner called me to check on me after my first test, and when she heard my voice she phoned in a prescription for Xanax on the spot. I was sure I was at the Beginning of the End. So much pain, so many symptoms the internet assured me were signs of new cancers sprouting all throughout my system.
So, after an ultrasound, a trans-vaginal ultrasound, a pelvic exam, a biopsy, and blood panels, at three different locations, do you know what MY rust-colored discharge, heavy, abnormal bleeding, bloating, uterine and ovarian pains, pelvic discomfort, and general sense of malaise, were? Let me TELL you what they were: a bladder infection and two ovarian cysts, both completely benign, one of which had burst. Oh - and, there's a little fluid in one of my fallopian tubes, but that apparently happens from time to time and isn't something to be concerned with.
That is ALL. My uterine lining is not thickened at all. My uterus and ovaries are not covered in tumors. There is no sign of anything seriously wrong with me. BUT, I had ALL the symptoms that, according to the Internet, are sure signs I've developed ovarian and/or uterine cancer.
So, this morning I have awakened to another bout of fairly heavy bleeding and pelvic discomfort, and for the first time in two months, I am sitting easy with this bizarre abnormal bleeding, because I JUST had the trans-vag ultrasound and biopsy last week and the week before, and I KNOW I have not developed these cancers over the past week. This is just my body on Tamoxifen, deciding "Hey, it's been a while since I cycled, lemme go ahead and do that now." And the only reason I can feel that way is because I have already been through the crazy barrage of freaking out and testing all over the place.
Anyhow -- I wanted to reassure other women who might come here with similar insane symptoms, that it really CAN just be a benign problem like a bladder infection, or ovarian cysts, or a period that just decided to come along. I really felt as though I was losing my mind, and I was a complete bundle of nerves and anxieties and stress, and in the end it really was nothing serious.
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Hi, Surfette - they don't do anything for them (nothing you can really do). We actually almost all of us have them, they go up and down during our regular cycles, and usually we never even know it. Sometimes they grow larger than usual, or they burst, and that's when you start getting the pain and bloating. I have had them grow larger and burst in the past pre-cancer, so I am not as concerned as others tend to be about it -- but it definitely hurts and the bloating is mad uncomfortable! they will usually give you percocet or similar for the pain in the case of a ruptured cyst; if they become especially problematic, they'll recommend an oopherectomy. I'm not quite there yet, but considering it more seriously than I ever have before! >:( lol
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HI ladies, I'm new here - think it was Chabba that suggested I come over. I have been staring at the bottle on my headboard for 4 months now - haven't taken it - I was so traumatized by the SEs of Arimidex, Femara, and Aromisin(sp?) that I have been having trouble making that decision. BUT this morning there was an email from my 2nd oldest sister - she now has IDC with ER+ HERs2+ - That makes 3 out of the 4 sisters have it.. we are all post menopausal - which should ease my mind a little about my DD going in for a 3-D mammo because she has some changes in her breast.. But I really don't want any worse to happen. So I think I might just talk to the doc and start it.. I am having pain already, I just didn't want to add anything too it. Need some encouragement here. My mind is just whirling right now...
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Gma, we are all here to hold your hand and answer questions.
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With all my other meds - when would be the best time to take it?? He is starting me directly on the 20mg tabs.
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GmaFoley-I'm hoping you are one of the many who have NO SEs. And there are lots out there, they just rarely or never post.
I am one of them. I have the odd warm flush and sometimes some early morning stiffness....which is more than likely arthritis and needing to lose some weight! I feel great and know several women who are SE free as well. I do take Natural Egg Shell Membrane, a supplement that is well documented for joint pain relief.
I take it in the morning so my sleep is not disturbed. I did start on half a pill (10 mg) for a week and then the full 20 mg.
Good luck and I hope it goes well for you.
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Welcome GMA - I do know you from other threads. I am also post menopausal and had a nightmare experience on Arimidex and Femara. So, I too was hesitant to start Tamo. My MO let me split the pill and take it in the morning and evening. After a few weeks that got to be a pain in the rear so I took the plunge and tried it in the morning with breakfast. I had severe nausea issues with the AIs and was afraid I would have them with Tamo a well. I would take it with a glass of milk and had no problems. My body finally adjusted to it and now I can take it with anything. I have been on it for 2 years, 3 months and 26 days. I have very few SEs. Warm flushes and even those are nothing to write home about.
Like Chabba said, we are all here to hold your hand and answer all your questions. Go ahead and take the plunge. Start that little white pill. You are not alone. (((HUGS)))
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ok - ONC ok'd me to take a half of pill the first 2-3 weeks then go to full pill if SEs aren't bad. If they are bad, I stop and we talk.. About what I have no idea - I'm already on an anti-cancer/anti-estrogen food regime. Not sure there are any other choices.
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Melmes ~ whew ! Thank god you are okay and it wasn't the dreaded C . Hopefully your body will adjust and get back to some kind of normal with your periods.
GMA ~ so sorry to hear about your sister now being diagnosed as well. I hope your body accepts the tamoxifen with minimal side effects.
JO ~ I am relieved to have had the hysterectomy. They did it laproscopically so I had only 3 tiny incisions.
Wishing everyone a good day !
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GMA - Hope all goes well with the Tamoxifen.
Alicia - I do so want the hysterectomy. I think I will be so much better off in the long run.
Hugs to everyone!!!!
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I had the partial hysterectomy in February. Done laproscopically & no regrets! I considered the full, but I'm only 40, not ready for menopause.
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Hello Ladies,
I just posted a separate thread in this topic, but since this thread seems to be quite active, I thought I'd ask my question here.
I was diagnosed with bc last year at about this time. I have been taking Tamoxifen for just about a year now. Since I just marked my one year anniversary of having been diagnosed, it was time for me to go for my annual pap smear (where this whole nightmare started last year). For the first time in my life, my pap smear came back abnormal with something called "mild dysplasia". I've read a bit about it on the web and understand that mild is better than moderate or severe, but am curious about the connection between my pap result and the Tamoxifen. I know Tamoxifen puts us at greater risk of developing ovarian or endometrial cancer. I've had no other symptoms or abnormalities other than the abnormal test result.
Since it's my first ever abnormal result, they're suggesting a further test with possible biopsies. The woman who called me said that most cases of mild dysplasia are caused by HPV and resolve themselves on their own. However, having heard the "most breast biopsies are benign" speech 12 months ago, I know where that conversation goes. There doesn't seem to be much of a connection between breast and cervical cancer (in terms of it spreading), and thank goodness for that or I'd be really much more freaked out than I am right now.
I'm curious about whether any of you have had abnormal results while on Tamoxifen and whether your OB/GYN's have indicated any sort of connection between the two.
Many thanks!
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I always have abnormal paps and they do a biopsy and it comes out fine. I had abnormal ones before the bc though.
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Prayers here - I'm going to take my first pill in the morning. Pray that I don't chicken out!
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Surfette - Thanks for weighing in on the abnormal paps. I guess I'm more worried that it just comes on the heels of a terrifying and difficult year last year, you know? I'm sure there is little coincidence, but nonetheless....having never had an abnormal one, it seems suspicious to me.
Anyone else experience abnormal paps on tamoxifen?
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I think starting the little white pill is the hardest part. I put so much on it that I freaked my own self out. Yeah I have had some side effects but nothing insane or anything I cant handle. Once I got over the anxiety of taking it I was so much better.
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In my 30's and 40's almost every pap was "abnormal, come back in 6 months." And I can't remember how many D&C's I had. I always figured my polysystic ovarian syndrom probably contributed to it. Now I sometimes wonder if by producing estrogen 365 days a year from puberty - age 13 - to menopause at 51 it may have contributed to my BC. Wasn't it enough that it kept me from having kids?
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Chabba - thanks for that. Am feeling a wee bit better....as I usually do after coming to these boards. I'm hoping the fact that it's happened 12 months from my other diagnosis is just pure coincidence. I don't see why it wouldn't be as the two conditions aren't in any way linked. I can only hope that the 4 surgeries I've had in the past 12 months coupled with the extreme worry and stress I've put my body through has in some way compromised my immune system enough to allow the HPV (that I've probably always had) to show up.
With regard to Tamoxifen and starting it, I didn't really give it much thought. I started it as part of a clinical study and other than being aware of a bit more anxiety (from the Tamoxifen or the diagnosis...who knows?!), I had and have almost no side effects. I will say that I've lost quite a bit of hair and have seen others complain about that as well. I know surgery and anesthesia can result in hair loss, so again, not sure I can attribute the hair loss 100% to Tamoxifen. Haven't had any weight gain and haven't really had much in the way of hot flashes. I count myself lucky I guess. It's just another little pill I take daily with my vitamin D and aspirin.
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First pill is down the hatch.. Thanks for all your support.
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Its been 1.5 hours and I just got a wave of dizzzzzzzzzy - oh my .. Head come back to my shoulders please.
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GMA - Congrats on taking that first pill. I pray you have no SEs. Could the dizzzzzy be from your anxiety at taking the pill? Let's hope it is as simple as that. Do like I did. Throw the darn thing in with your other pills, swallow it and forget it. That is the only way I was able to stick with it.
As far as having abnormal paps - not an issue with me since Tamox. What is the issue is the thick uterus, the 3 cm polyps, occasional cramps. Cramps???? I am 5 years post meno. I had forgotten what cramps were. Before Tamox, no such problems. If this little white pill is supposed to block estrogen to my boobs, then it is all going south and trying to kill me there or so it seems.
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