Should I wait to was diagnosed in march. Finished radiotherapy yesterday. Should I start tamoxifen after returning from holiday in 6 weeks or start now? Just feeling worried about side effects.
Hi Tipu
I think that’s probably a question you need to ask either your gp or your BCN. I take letrozole so can’t advise you re. side effects. But with all these drugs, it takes awhile ( about 6 weeks) for it to take effect. If you experience nausea, take it in the evening, which can help.
I’m sure other ladies will come along and advise you on tamoxifin.
Hope you have a lovely holiday and make sure you drink at least 2 litres of water a day xx
Tipu
Hello :) What did your oncologist advise in relation to starting on tamoxifen? Remember not everyone gets all or any of the side effects but they have to tell you about them.
I have been on it now since last November, I started before my rads, and apart from a hot flush about an hour after i take it and some constipation, which is resolved by uping fibre intake, that is really all I have had.
Helena
Thanks so much for advise. I have had mixed advice from different oncologists. I think I should just start tomorrow
Hi Ladybowler
No chickened out yesterday. But am going to wake up in a minute, have breakfast and take the first tamoxifen pill this morning (with my 2 blood pressure tabs)!!!
A little anxious - but being ridiculous! Just going to do it
Took me 3 weeks to take my first tablet just kept chickening out ! !You may find taking it at night lessens any side effects you experience during the day .You can experiment see what works best for you .Jill.
Hi. I started taking it 11 days ago. I went to my first oncology appointment and was sent home with some. I was told to start taking it before my radiotherapy starts. The oncologist wants to see me in September and we are going to see how I am getting on with it then. I was told to take mine in the morning. Good luck!
Hi All
I have no been on tamoxafin 5 days. Went to see Breast Nurse and we entered my diagnosis on Predict - and the benefits of me taking tamoxifen were not that great. 1 in 100 survives due to tamoxifen with th style of cancer I have.
I have continued taking it until I see oncologist . Has anyone else used Predict?
My Predict results were the same, with more benefit after 10 years. My bc was IDC 7mm, grade 2, 6/8 er+, so I prefer to take it.
Personally speaking, I would find it harder to deal with any recurrence if I decided not to take it, based on my Predict outcome. However, if I was not tolerating it well & I agreed with the onc to discontinue, at least I would feel better about it. I’ve been on for over a year now & have been fine on it.
ann
Hello ladies
The great hormone pill debate …shall I or shan’t I and depends on the side effects …just thought I would add my tuppenyworth …I took tamoxifen for two years and arimidex for three years. .hardly any problems and I had 11 very healthy years …did they help? Will never know but they are also used as a first line treatment for reaccurence of bc and can be very effective in that direction too.
Xxx
Think I’ve said this before on a few threads but they are currently doing research into who these drugs are most likely to help and who are taking them with little or no benefit .I think it’s some sort of genetic issue- will have to have another look at the article .So at some point in the future hopefully you will only be putting up with horrible side effects (if you get them) knowing that they are helping you .The issues are different with secondaries as Carolyn says -as you can see the benefits more obviously .
Hi. My oncologist used predict too, my tamoxifen benefit came out to be small as well. However, he was definitely of the opinion I should take it. I think because I am relatively young, 42, and I have a strong family history (sister, 2 out of 3 aunts, both nans, grandad and great aunt) and each generation seems to be getting it 10 years earlier. Although my sisters genetic test was negative for brac2 (I am waiting to see the geneticist) he thought there has to be a link. I am taking it before radiotherapy so I can report any side effects when I go back in sept and if need be we can look at alternatives.
Hi Tipu, my consultant gave me my prescription for Lezerozone and asked me ( told me?) to start taking it on the 1st. August. My first rads are on 12th. Having read side effects I am concerned, but have come this far, and I do trust them, so first pill tomorrow just as I was instructed. ? Going away for four days so it should be interesting! Can’t you ring the secretary and ask to check with your consultant? X