Tamoxifen side effects with diagnosis of osteoporosis
I was diagnosed with breast cancer 1A one year ago. I had a lumpectomy with 16 radiation treatments. I began 20 mg of tamoxifen almost 8 months ago. Side effects have not been bad until about 1 month ago. I seem to bruise easily, having headaches more frequently, terrible hot flashes and my body hurts if I exercise. Prior to Tamoxifen, I was exercising with no issues. My oncologist requested a bone density scan prior to starting Tamoxifen, which is how I found out I have osteoporosis in my left hip and lower back. I have tried to start strength training to increase bone strength but struggling with even doing very light bands. Even doing a 10 minute workout causes muscle pain. I have also experienced bloating and constipation as a side effect which really causes issues when I tried to slowly add a calcium supplement for my osteoporosis. I will be on Tamoxifen for 5 years.
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Unlike aromatase inhibitors, SERMs like Tamoxifen doesn't usually affect bone density. SERMs work differently: they clog (for lack of a more scientific term) the tumor cells' estrogen receptors, denying the cells access to estrogen; but your body still makes estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors act to prevent the enzyme aromatase produced by the liver from converting an androgen to estrogen—which is why those on AIs are also prescribed bone-preserving drugs. In fact, there is another SERM, raloxifene (Evista) that is more often prescribed as a bone-preserving drug.
I had my bone density scan at almost 65, before starting radiation (much less an AI), which was how I found out I had osteopenia. Took semiannual Prolia shots for 3 years (the protocol back then) but two years later progressed to osteoporosis. Now I'm on Prolia 10 years to life (whichever comes first—I'm 74). Turns out osteoporosis runs in my family, and I'm small-boned to boot.
You may be suffering from an unfortunate coincidence, not a correlation.
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69 years ild. I was diagnosed in April of this year with stage Ia invasive duct carcinoma. I had a wide excision and then received 19 sessions if whole breast radiation. I started 10 mg of tamoxifen every other day two months ago. I am participating in a research study called “low Tam. “ Since being on tamoxifen, I have had pelvic pressure, low black pain, and maybe interstitial cystitis or just a bladder pain syndrome. Any advice or help for me? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks.
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