Do they change you from Tamoxifen after two years?

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Hi everyone I had breast cancer aged 50 in 2006. Had a mastectomy followed by rads and Tamoxifen. I have been reading that after two years on Tamoxifen some oncologists change patients medication to an aromatase inhibiter. Anyone else know anything about this?

Also on Tamoxifen how do you know if you have reached the memopause? I had sporadic periods - one every six three months before I went on it so I cannot tell as they have now stopped completely.As I was still having periods albeit rarely they put me on Tamoxifen first rather than an aromatase inhibiter.

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Hi there the same thing has happened to me. Had last proper cycle last March and started chemo. in September. Had my op. a few weeks ago and have begun rads. I have been put on Tamoxifen for a year then will be given Arimidex. I believe there is a blood test to confirm your status. Tamoxifen blocks oestrogen from the ovaries and Arimidex only blocks it from the tissue after manufacture there.
Alison

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Hi All

I hav e been on tamoxifen for 2 years in June. Had chemo which stopped my periods aged 42. My onc wants to change me to an aromatase inhibitor in June and I hav e just had blood tests to see if I am post meno. They have come back borderline - low oestrogen but other hormones not that low. Apparently that means you are still peri menopausal even though I have had no periods at all for over 2 years . I still may be changed as he thinks an AI would be OK as oestrogen very low but I would need blood tests every month - I am going to discuss when I see him in June.

Love to all

Alise x

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Hi abcde,

I am due to go onto an AI after two years if I am def menopausal by then. I was 44 at dx, and chemo stopped my periods. I have now been on tamoxifen for 6 months, and no periods at all.

Research has shown that two or three years on tamoxifen followed by the balance of five years on an AI gives better results that five years on tamoxifen alone. But you have to be menopausal to have an AI. There is a blood test, as others have said, to determine this.

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Hi All,

This is very interesting as i have been on Tamox. for 18mths and am due to see oncologist in May. I was 41 when diag. and had op.chemo&rads during chemo periods stopped and have not returned (thank goodness the one benefit that we can appreciate) so i have often wondered about tamx. and why some people go on different drugs etc.

At the end of the day we all wants best for us and if it means changing drugs that are going to benefit then so be it.

Thanks for your comments Girls, Hope you are all keeping well
JanW

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I was on tamoxifen for 10 years (because of strong family history) and the chemo put me into an early menopause at 40. I was then switched to Arimidex and then Exemestane after that but you have to be post menopausal to be put on these.

I think the blood test they did for me was an oestradiol (not sure of the spelling) but it checks your hormone levels.

Pinkdove

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I have only recently been diagnosed with bc. Saw onc last week who said after everything he would prob put me on Tamoxifen for 2 years, Arimidex for 2 and something else after that. I am just 56 and still have some periods. I am also Her2 positive and have lobular cancer. A rarity to be HER2 and oestrogen pos with lobular so I believe but lots of treatment options. Guess that must be good.

Starfish

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I was told I would be on Tamoxifen for 5 years - have been on since September 07 - but my onc also said in a letter to my consultant that he has no plans whatsoever to see me again! Something I said?!

I was 38 at dx in Feb last year - periods have continued as regular as clockwork, which worries me slightly but my GP doesn’t seem bothered at all. Starfish, I had lobular too, not many of us around I think!

Sally xx

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Hi Sally,

I’m very much like you. I was dx Dec 06 age 44 then with lobular and like you tamoxifen for 5 years (started it March 07), still having regular, heavy periods which I worry about but consultant doesn’t. Haven’t seen onc since last May - just see consultant every 6 months now (was 3 monthly initially).

Take care
Shorty x

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I’m interested to read that others are still having periods whilst on tamoxifen and the medical ppl are not concerned.

I have had a mirena coil since August 07 and was told that this should stop my periods. Was Dx in jan 08 and started tamoxifen in Feb 08 again they said the meds would stop my periods … I’m currently on my 3rd period since starting tam … mine must be stubbourn to overcome the coil and the pills.

I was/am slightly concerned about still having periods. Have just finished rads so should be back to see the onc in the fairly near future so will discuss it with them.