Been reading threads, may be going on Tamoxifen. Most side effects seem to be what you would get going through the menopause. If you have already gone through this do you still get these type of side effects ? Just done 6 years of sweats, hot flushes, palpitations etc. dont really want to go through it all again
Hi Horsemad
sorry to be the bearer of bad news…yup, you get to go through it all all over again
good news is (well for me anyway) I’ve been on it for 3 years now and I can say that it seems to be getting better…less night sweats and sleeping through more easily, the old libido seems to have perked up a bit as well LOL
good luck
Jan
Hi Horsemad,
I’m in a slightly different position to you, am 39 so no menopause yet but will be starting tamoxifen after my 6 x FEC. I asked the Onc whether, once I stop tamoxifen 5 years down the line, if I haven’t gone through the menopause naturally I would have to go through it again and he said yes. Seems bleeding unfair to have to go through it twice!
My hubby nearly fell off his chair when the onc said this and asked “can’t she have HRT???” Poor love, me and the onc explained to him that that would kinda defeat the reason for taking the tamoxifen!!
Hi Horsemad,
I was post menapausal when I began taking Tamoxifen 15 months ago. I am happy to tell you that I have had no side affects other than my ankles tend to swell a bit and my nails are weak so I have to keep them short.
I am told that I will be switched to Arimidex or similar at the two year point but I am very reluctant to do this given the above, and all the negative comments I have read about Arimidex and aching joints etc. Anyone made the switch without the negative side affects?
Hi Maggie - I’ve taken both Tamoxifen and Arimidex - I had far fewer side effects with the latter.
S
Hi
I’m pre-menopausal, been on Tamoxifen for 10 months and no side effects except no periods! Great stuff eh?!
It seems to affect us all differently.
Love Gill x
I have been on Tamoxifen for eleven months …I am 53 up until dx I was having regular periods with no sign of menopause at all .
I have had one period in eleven months which was a really bad one but nothing since .My stomach feels bloated and my joints ache but no hot flushes at all .
What happens after five years …will I have a proper menopause? …the doc hasnt really explained what happens after .heres hoping that some of you marvellous ladies will be able to give me some advice
Many thanx Maz xxx
Hi Maz,
I think, from my understanding, that if you haven’t naturally gone through the menopause whilst on tamoxifen your periods will return afterwards and you will then have to go through it again, for real so to speak. What I don’t know is how you will know if you’ve gone through it naturally on tamoxifen (unless there is just a blood test afterwards to find out) or whether/how you could go through it naturally whilst chemically having it. Not much help really am I?
Suppose all I can say is yes, you could have two menopauses!!
My god …I will be 58 then !!!