Hi all
I am ER+ with positive nodes and had my Mx and Ax 13 days ago (don’t get me started on seromas!). It is looking like I will be put on hormone therapy and I’m guessing tamoxifen (I’m 52 but premenopausal) and I was wondering if I will have awful side effects on it. Also can it be taken at the same time as radiation? I know they are going to want to delay chemo until the coronavirus has passed for obvs reasons. All very scary indeed. I am keen to do hormone therapy and some sites even say that it is as effective as chemo!?
Any advice appreciated.
I’m based near Windsor.
Sarah x
Hi Sarah ,I tolerated Tamoxifen quite well I had hot flushes and some hair thinning but nothing dramatic but everyone is different and some people find different brands of tamoxifen effect them more than others in terms of side effects .You can take hormone therapy whilst having radiotherapy.
Hello Sarah
Im 40, been on tamoxifen since dec 2019, they started me the same week my radiotherapy started.
I can honestly say I was very worried about side effects but apart from some hot flushes at night I have none. The flushes are also affected by the chemo as it battered my ovaries so Im due to have my bloods checked in aug to see if Im pre or post menopausal.
I also have lots of friends who have tolerated tamoxifen fine and none of us have had any hair thinning or other issues so far
Thinking of you
Helly xx
Hi Sarah
First of all, a big hug to you as you go through all this treatment.
I have been taking Tamoxifen since June 2017 and touch wood all is ok, just some hot flushes. I too took mine during radiotherapy. I am also 52, I was pre menopausal when I started taking Tamoxifen and am continuing with it even though I’m now post menopausal.
You have to remember that if you google or read posts on this forum you will get a slightly distorted view of side effects - because mostly people only post if there is an issue/problem, it is more unusual for someone to come on and post that all is well. That isn’t a criticism of forums, but is the nature of them.
Also you have to remember that the leaflet has to list all side effects, but it doesn’t mean you will get them. Jill makes a good point that some people find different brands suit them better than others - my doctor doesn’t believe the brand can make a difference but it does for many people.
Best wishes to you as you go forward, and I’m happy to chat more or answer any questions.
Evie xx