I was dx 3 years ago at the age of 42 and was pre menopausal. I was therefore put on tamoxifen.
I had some blood test done for something else in May which showed that the chemo had now made me post menopausal.
When I first went o n tamoxifen my onc said I would change to an amomatase inhibitor after 2 to 3 years but he has not mentioned doing this??
I asked last year and he said if you have had chemo there is very little difference in disease free survivial rates and tamoxifen has benficial effects on the heart.
I know it is not a cost thing as I see him privately through my med insurance at work.
Has anyone else not been switched in this situation and been told the same thing? I am wondering whether to push for it although I must admit I dont do too bad on tamoxifen re side effects so dont want to change unless it would definitely be for the better?
Hi Alise - a lot of people seem to get switched from Tamoxifen to an AI after a few years, so it might be worth taking this a bit further to see if you can get to the bottom of it.
There’s also been quite a lot discovered and reported in the media about Tamoxifen recently - and how/when it works, etc, so the subject may need another airing with your onc?
I have definitely read research that shows that swapping to an AI after 2 or 3 years of tamoxifen gives better results. I talked to my onc about this last year when I first started tamoxifen and he told me it is his intention to swap me over at some point.
Having subsequently read research that AI’s are better in the early years too, as long as you are menopausal (as more recurrences happen in the first two or three years the relative benefit is greater), I discussed this with one of my onc’s registrars at some length, and had the blood test to see if I was menopausal or not (44 at dx, chemo seems to have put me in the menopause). However, it seems it’s not that clear cut if you are younger. Arimidex gives joint problems - bad enough if you are older, but to start having joint & bone problems in your forties is not good. And there is no long term research on the effects of AIs on younger women. I am only one year into tamoxifen so far, so who knows what will happen in the next year or two. The choice seems to be tamoxifen which give a slightly worse recurrence rate, but less severe side effects, or Arimidex which will increase your chances of survival slightly, but possibly with less quality of life. Caught between a rock and a hard place, as usual.
I am worried about this and am going to see my onc as to why I have not been changed. I have been on tamoxifen for 2.5 years and last blood test in May showed chemo has made me postmenopausal even though I am 45 (joy).
Is anyone else still on tamoxifen after 3 years and not been offered a change to an aromatase inhibitor?
Hi All,
Just started a discussion myself to ask about hormone treatment and just found this thread! Originally i was on tamoxifen but asked for blood tests which now show I am post menopause so wondering which is now the most popular/best treatment as i’m seeing my oncologist on wednesay and want to know more about this before I see him. so thanks, i found your info useful! Will let you know what my oncologist decides!
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x
I am taking tamoxifen, diag at age 37, am now 40. Last time I spoke with my GP he asked why I was still on tam and hadn’t switched so when I had 6 month appt with Onc she said I am sticking with tamoxifen due to age. Dont think this is cost as its my GP who would be writing my prescriptions and it was him questioning the benefits.
I am 2 and a bit yrs on tam and nearly 3 years to anniv with a pretty dire prognosis, my onc has never hidden the fact at how well I am doing, she also got me special funding for taxotere and herceptin 6 months prior to NICE approval, so again dont think its down to costs, I will stick by her judgment.
I am glad this thread is there as at my next Appt March the onc said i am to have a blood test to see my hormone status and then possibly switch to arimidex.
What i dont understand is i have asked quite a few times about a blood test and have always been told ‘being on tamoxifen can give a false reading’ So why is she doing a blood test now?
I have been on tamoxifen since July 2006 and was pre-meno, but like others after second chemo in Feb 2006 and no periods since.
Its a hard decision to make to swap or not to swap. I have enough joint pains now without arimidex making it worse. I have 2 close friends who are 9 and 10yrs since BC DX both were only on arimidex. Also RMW you seem fine on it. Are you not going to be taking any tabs now?
I think there are trials going on as one of the friends mentioned above is one of the group taking no tabs after 5 yrs, some continued on tamox and some switched to arimidex. The results should be available for the 10yrs survival rates soon as she is 9yrs since DX.
Rx
I am definately leaning towards stayin on tamoxifen as i am now used to it.
