I’m 53 & have been on Tamoxifen for almost 3 years. My onc is putting me on to Aromasin shortly. Other posts mention a blood test to confirm whether you’re post-menopausal but I’m really confused because when I asked about getting this blood test the onc told me there was no point when on Tamoxifen because the drug itself affects the hormone levels so the test’s unreliable.
I’m concerned about swapping over if it turns out I’m not post-menopausal because my understanding is that the Aromasin would be completely useless for someone pre-menopausal.
I was on Tamoxifen and was given a blood test coming up to 2 years that confirmed I was post menopausal and so changed to Arimidex. (I’ve since changed to Aromasin as the side effects were too much for me on Arimidex). It was 2 years ago when I was almost 47.
I have to admit, I’d been on the mini-pill prior to diagnosis and had not had a period for 4 years and have not had since, and given the various symptoms I had during treatment, we did think it highly likely I was now post menopausal.
I’d be interested if anyone else had been told about the ‘unreliability’ of any blood tests.
I’ve been so confused about this over the years as my partner -Juliet- has been given so many different bits of information. She was disgnosed Nov 2004 and started Tamoxifen May 2005. Had no period since then. We asked about her menopausal status in 2007 and were told, like Susieh, that she could have a blood test but that tamoxifen would affect the readings. She was recommended to come off tamoxifen for 6 months and then have a test. We were unhappy about that so continued the tamoxifen. In 2008 we were told that she could have blood tests while taking tamoxifen- and she had 3 over the year - which said that she was peri-menopausal. Early this year she was told that she should come off off tamoxifen at the end of 5 years and, if her periods did not start within 6 months, she would be menopausal. At her last check up in October she was told that the onc team have now spoken to a leading expert on the menopause who says that the only way to check if post menopausal is if you have not had a period for 2 years. Accordingly she is going straight on to femara once she finishes tamoxifen…unless the story changes again before then.
This is all very interesting. I wonder what your Onc would say to women like me who have had a hysterectomy prior to going into menopause (at age 43). Obviously I don’t have periods.
I was given HRT shortly before my diagnosis not because I was in full menopause but becuase I had low circulating oestrogen and the GP thought it was the start of menopause (yes ironic as that stimulated teh cancer growth).
I asked my Onc about this and he said that they would do a blood test. I know one of the things they check is FSH levels (follicle stimulating hormone)but how much that is affected by tamoxifen I don’t know. The other thing of course is circulating oestrogen which would surely be low on tamoxifen.
I won’t be seeing my Onc for a while now but when I do I will definitely grill him on this subject. If anyone gets any further info would they kindly share…
Has anyone chosen to have hysterectomy because of problems with Tamoxifen? I’ve had bleeding for 3 months+. Trying to decide what the best option would be.
Hi Malan, have you been checked by a gynaecologist? Tamoxifen may cause bleeding and stomach cramp. I was told to have routine smear test. I believe that you can have a hysteroscopy if the problem is not cancerous. Good luck. xx
I think it’s so confusing because different Drs say different things. Maybe there is no “gold standard” for these meds? I had a blood test while I was taking tamoxifen and as I was then post menopausal switched to arimidex. This was at the Marsden and Onc didn’t mention stopping the tamoxifen. maybe it depends upon the woman’s age? My periods only stopped during my chemo but the treatment seems to have pushed me over the hormone edge. I’m being retested every 6 months just to check.
I’ve met another person who had a lot of problems with bleeding on tamoxifen but she was told to STOP taking it immediately. Her onc switched her to different drug.
hi, i am 53 and soon to change from tamoxifen to aromasin, i had a blood test that showed i had gone thru menopause, i feel nervous as i have not done too badly on the tamoxifen apart from putting on about 12 pounds, the side effects listed sound horendous for the aromasin although every feedback that i have got are that this is a good move after 2 1/2 years on tamoxifen. has anyone coped well with it ?
Hi, I had breast cancer 3 years ago - I’m 55 now. I was pre-menopausal then so went on to tamoxifen.My periods stopped straight away. At my last checkup the doctor ordered a blood test to check hormone levels, said I was post-menopausal so I should go onto Aromasin. Two months later I have just had the heaviest period of my life. Blood tests dont seem to be reliable in these circumstances. I’m angry about this - presumably my health has been put at risk by being on a drug for two months that gave me no protection aginst breast cancer. An oncologist apparently is no expert on hormone levels!!!
this discussion has given me more food for thought.
Last spring my onc decided to change me from tamoxifen to armidex. He asked me if I was through the menopause & I told him I didn’t know as I had mirena coil fitted which had stopped my periods.He said, I must be menopausal due to my age (53) and chemo & prescribed Aromasin. Must admit I didn’t start taking it until mid July , after my holiday as I was quite happy on tam. I recently went for a menopause test as my coil is ready for renewal (so I would have been taking the aromasin at time of test) and the results were that I was in the middle of the menopause, so if I had my coil removed my periods could start again. The GP was quite willing to fit another 1 even though it is recommended that bc ladies shouldn’t have 1 fitted?So I am on Aromasin & not through the menopause???
Secondly, I am having the most horrendous side effects. Severe pains in knee,back, arms, hands, all over! I feel like 80 insted of 50!I’m at the end of my tether with the pain & I’m not a moaner. I can’t carry on like this until next spring when my next appointment is, and then bang my head against a brick wall talking to an oncologist who doesn’t listen.I have twice had to get a letter from my gp, to show him he has got my treatment wrong.(he told me I needed a boost as I didn’t have clear margins but , then whilst going through rads he told me I didn’t need one as I had clear margins! I had to get the copy of the letter he sent to my gp to prove it)
So I am thinking instead of ringing his secretary & asking to bring my appointment forward (a thing I have never done) I am thinking of visiting GP & asking him to contact him,I think I should still be on Tamoxifen. What do you girls think I should do?
Kay
x
I think you should. I changed from Tam to Aromasin but only after a blood test showed I was post menopausal. Aromasin did give me bad aches and pains and made the arthritis in my wrists much worse. You certainly shouldn’t wait.
Kelley
Hi,
I am coming up to a similar point as I am now 2 years since my last period. I am currently on tamoxifen and my Onc would not test me until I passed the 2 years. My blood test form is having me tested for FSH, LH and oestradiol (might have spelt that wrong, docs writing!)to check if I am menopausal. I see him towards the end of Jan. Not looking forward to the blood test as that is one top of my routine set of liver profile tests, bone proflie tests, electrolyte profiles,Ca 15-3 tumour markers and full blood count. Good job I haven’t got anything serious then lol :)Will get back to you when I know more if it is of any help.
Good luck everyone
Lily x
Its good that your onc is doing full blood tests Lily. Mine never does any!It must be like a comfort blanket, knowing he’s keeping a good eye on you x
Good luck with your tests.