Tamoxifen and late side effects (?)

Hi
I’ve been on Tamoxifen since May 2020. I immediately had a change in vaginal discharge, which has mostly been consistent.
For around the last year I have occasions where I saturate pant liners within a couple of hours. These episodes can last a week and since August, when I started charting them, have been monthly. I had blood tests and at 58 am post menopausal.
In addition, since Aug 2021 I’ve had debilitating acute pains in my left side. I have been investigated for diverticulitis (negative) and had gynae investigations (right ovarian cyst but they’re not worried about it). Most recently I had a CT scan during my 8th episode if pain. The pain is textbook kidney stone pain, but I’ve come back clear (only finding a cyst on my left ovary this time).
What now? I have 16 months to go on Tamoxifen. Do I keep going with it? Is this left side pain and discharge an acceptable part of taking Tamoxifen?
My GP says stay on it. I can handle the horrible discharge but the pain (which makes me feel sick, and in one bout made me vomit) is stopping me from being at all active.
Thanks for any advice

Hi smile1,

Thank you for posting.

It sounds like you have been having a difficult time recently. It is difficult to know what is causing the pain you are experiencing, especially as your recent CT scans have not shown anything of concern.

As you may know vaginal discharge is a common side effect of tamoxifen, however as this is heavy and persistent and you are continuing to experience pain that is affecting your quality of life and making you feel sick it is important to establish the cause so that it can be managed effectively.

You mention that you have seen your GP but do not say whether you are still under the care of your breast team. It may help to either contact your breast care nurse or ask your GP to refer you back to your treatment team for an assessment. They will be able to talk to you about your symptoms and may be able to arrange further investigations if required. As you are now post-menopausal, they may also be able to discuss switching your tamoxifen to an alternative hormone therapy such an aromatase inhibitor.

We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.

For more details about all of these services, please see the information on the link, or call our free helpline

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Katy

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