Hi, I’m hoping someone may have been through similar and can help….
I had BC right side 2020, mastectomy, node clearance, chemo, radio and then TAMOXIFEN.
On Tamoxifen I was really ill. I’d always suffered with my mental health but this time I ended up on anti psychotic medication. I did manage Tamoxifen for a couple of years though.
Even off Tamoxifen early menopause was totally unmanageable and in the end my oncologist agreed I could see if HRT patches helped. I know this is unorthodox after cancer treatment. They were AMAZING.
Fast forward to 2025 and I was diagnosed for a second time in the Left breast (picked up on routine mammogram). Docs assured me 18 months on HRT patches would NOT have caused this, but recommended I stop it as otherwise I could be feeding the cancer.
I came off HRT straight away.
My previous menopausal symptoms did not return. I noted I was more hyper and more likely to cry, but I didn’t have the terrible physical and mental symptoms like before.
I was SO sure that I’d been through menopause. I’d even had a blood test that suggested that was the case.
Today, 3 months on, I got a period.
I’m seeing the oncologist on Tuesday. I’m so scared they’re going to push for me to go on Tamoxifen again.
Has anyone else been potentially pre-menopausal but gone on Letrozole instead? Docs have previously said to me they thought it might be effective but I don’t understand why - as it still blocks oestrogen production. I know there are other drugs too, or there’s having your ovaries “turned off”. But doc said previously that could be worse than tamoxifen.
Hi, i am 48 , pre-menopausal and I’m on letrezol with monthly Zoladex injections to switch off my ovaries. Chemo stopped my periods but before that I was very regular. My bc was er positive and grade 3 so blocking all estrogen gives me a better chance of avoiding a reoccurrence. I’ve only been on it two weeks but it’s ok so far.
Hi, I have found a big difference in brands of tamoxifen, think it was Wokhart that had me on an emotional rollercoaster that I couldn’t work. Was great on Relochem but not easy to source which then gave me anxiety when repeat was due. So maybe try different brands.
I was in the pill until I had to stop for surgery.(52) Then got tamoxifen about 3months later and not had a bleed/period since.now 58
Hi! Like Geordiedevon I have found a big difference between brands of Tamoxifen. I took Wockhardt for about 18 months and because I had been told to expect the emotional roller coaster I thought I just had to try to cope. The red mist of anger was awful.
Then my pharmacist ran into supply problems with Wockhardt and I tried Relonchem….it’s much better from an emotional/mental health aspect, I’m much more even tempered on it.
If your team do recommend Tamoxifen again it might be worth trying a different brand.
Hi @EJBSinger Emily, I don’t know if this will help but my journey has been very similar to yours.
Pre-menopausal, first diagnosed 2021 left side. Had surgery, chemo, rads and then put on letrozole and zoladex. (They didn’t want me to go on tamoxifen due to having a DVT during chemo.) I lasted about 4 months, tried several antidepressants all of which did absolutely nothing to help and then they stopped it because I became suicidal. It was agreed I would take nothing and see what happened. During this time was still struggling mentally so eventually convinced the GP to let me try HRT and exactly a month later got my second diagnosis in 2024.
It was a reoccurrence on the left side so had surgery again and then they wanted me to try tamoxifen with a blood thinner to prevent a DVT again. Lasted just over 4 months before I became suicidal again so was stopped and left to see what happens again. Have managed finally after much fighting to get back on to HRT just 6 weeks ago and starting to see the fog lifting.
Long may this last and hopefully keep improving. Really not sure what I will do if I get a reoccurrence again though. Part of me thinks, I’ll just keep having the surgery and hoping that does the job. Another part of me thinks, I’ll just keep on taking the HRT and enjoy the quality of life until the end. I guess I can’t really cross that bridge until I get to it though, if I do.
Not sure if any of that is helpful but happy to talk if you think that would help too.
Hi Kazaroo I’m shocked how spookily similar our journeys have been. Can I ask if your BC was also hormone receptive? I do wonder if some women just can’t cope with their hormones being messed with. I must admit I hadn’t even considered going back on HRT - have been okay off it so far, but I know I was calmer on it. My Mental health has been affected by hormonal changes for as long as I can remember. I’m sure going on the pill at 16 affected me. I really don’t want to take any of the oestrogen blockers but I’d be open to trying Letrozole and Zoladec. I am too scared to go on tamoxifen, whatever brand.
I’m so sorry your journey has been so difficult as well.
Hi EJBSinger, I’m so sorry that you’re going through all this. I’m much older than you, my BC appeared on a routine mammogram. I had surgery and was put on Letrozole 2 years ago. I have suffered with mental health problems for many years, when I started taking Letrozole it became much worse. I really hope that they’re able to help you. Sending hugs x
Yes I was ER+ both times. I went on the pill quite young as well and at first that really affected me but I didn’t really understand why back then. It makes a lot more sense now though.
I don’t want to influence your decision at all but I thought tamoxifen was the less harsh oestrogen blocker as it only blocks it from the breast area whereas letrozole and zoladex blocks it from the entire body. Might be worth checking with your oncologist on Tuesday.
I’m sorry your journey has been so rough too. I thought being diagnosed with cancer would be the hardest part but in my case dealing with all the hormonal stuff has been much worse.
I hope your appointment goes well on Tuesday though. Please let us know how you get on.
Good morning all - so sorry to read about these additional challenges but so grateful of this conversation as I can relate. I too, have had hormonal challenges my entire life.
I am er 8/8 & pr 7/8 & was recomended so many drugs post surgery etc but oncology now say they will not prescribe due to my mental health. X
I really don’t know what to do about things - it seems every drug that blocks oestrogen has the capacity to send you cuckoo.
I will ask oncologist lots of questions
I’ve been crying so much today but finally calmed down now. I think a lot of it is my hormones because of having this period or bleed or whatever it is
So I saw the clinical oncologist today… the jury is still out on my menopausal status and my case is “complex”, so I’m being referred back to Medical oncology to discuss hormone therapy options. (After what happened last time round I’m not about to rush into anything.)
Meanwhile on waiting list for Radiotherapy. I need to have it locally to tie in with previous radiotherapy, so it could be up to a 5 month wait.
Ho hum
Currently feeling deflated and like i haven’t got any further forward in some ways.
I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy for ER+ and PR+ breast cancer last year. I have had mild depression/anxiety requiring low-level medication for many years but, amazingly, have found the symptoms lessening in the last year since being on Anastrazole! I’m 62 now and considered post-menopausal although I never really had a menopause as I’d had successive Mirena coils through my forties and fifties.
So, for those ladies finding a worsening of their mental health issues on hormone therapy, it might just be worth a discussion with your doctor about Anastrozole.
