When should I start Tamoxifen??

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Hi all

I was diagnosed in May and have had a WLE and sample lymph node removal. I am due to start 4/5 weeks of rads next week and have also been prescribed Tamoxifen. I stupidly can’t remember if I should just start the Tamoxifen now, or if I should wait until after the radiotherapy is finished? I had been abroad for two weeks so didn’t want to start the tablets then in case of bad SEs, but now I’m back and about to take the first one, I wonder if I should wait.

Any ideas??

Shenagh xx

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Hi

Think you will get mixed answers on this.

I started tamoxifen and zoladex the week after wle, 3 weeks before rads.

However, some oncs say that you shouldnt start until after rads. Depends on your hosp. Check with bcn.

It was 3 months before I got any side effects.

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Hi I started tamoxifen 6 weeks after surgery,as that was when saw onc and 4 weks before rads.

I take it at night with 500mg evening primrose oil, am on the cheapo CP Pharmaceutical brand, been on it since 1st April and to date…fingers crossed,touch wood etc etc, havn’t had any side effects!
Good luck.

Sandra x

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Hi Shenagh
My surgery was 10th June and rads to come mid August. I have been on tamoxifen for a week already. Maybe its different advice from different centres! If they have left a prescription they probably want you to start prior to rads.

alex :slight_smile:

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Hi Shenagh,

I too started tamoxifen before rads. The onc prescribed it at the appointment to discuss tamoxifen and rads and I was sent to the hospital pharmacy for the first lot to start straight away. I didn’t start rads for another 4 weeks. Very similar timescales to Sandra.

Eliza xx

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i started my tamoxifen about w2 weeks after surgery… after i got my histology results was told to see GP and get prescription which i did started rads about 6 weeks later.

shenagh im not sure how effect tamoxifen is in somebody with 3/8 Er +ve though so maybe its worth speaking to doc again about the benefits.

hope you had a great time in spain.

Lxx

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Hi Shenagh,
I started taking Tamoxifen about a month after my operation. This was prescribed by the Oncology Consultant. I started Rads on 6th July.
Like the other ladies have said, I think diff. hospitals tell you different things.
You are supposed to take them at the same time every day, I take mine when I get back from the hospital after my rads.
Its possibly a good idea to start taking them before you start your rads. just in case you do have SE’s.
I have been told that you have to take them for five years so it maybe best to get started on the road.
regards,
Whirlwind