Tamoxifen/letrozole

[Nenya]

Thank you, feel a lot more reassured after planning today, just the ribs, lungs and heart to worry about then lol. Better than the prospect of further C though xxxx

[drdspg]

I had radiotherapy to my brain in 1983 ( I had leukaemia). I went on to take up my university place and have a professional job. Radiotherapy TARGETTED at the brain can result in depression ( and can be difficult if the patient is a little tot with a developing brain). Thirty plus years on radiotherapy is so much more sophisticated and very targeted. The Rays used in radiotherapy have a short wavelength which means they can't wander off and hit other parts of your body.
Hope this is a bit helpful

[Nenya]

ps I really scared as its radiotherapy planning too and reading about the late side effects of that is frazzling my brain 😞

[Nenya]

The specialists will tell you when you can change, if you they say it's 5 years, then 3 won't be enough, I have been told it's either tamoxifen for5 years, letrozole for 5 years or 2 tam followed by 3 let. Got to tell them tomorrow, think I try full 5 let and see how I get on.but I going to do as I told, cos I want the cure to be total!

[kopperberg65]

Found lump in left boob just before xmas 2014 , had mammogram,ultrasound,biopsy in January 15, then had operation 12th feb went for results 16th March cancer as not spread to lymph nodes & they got it all when the lump was removed but gotta have 3 1/2 weeks  Radiotheraphy & 5 years on tamoxifen read what it said about tamoxifen said it would make periods irregular or lighter or even stop them but I'm on even heavier been taking them 5 days now had 2 small fibroids & 2 small cyst but nothing was done about them will be 50 in May not sure if it's the change or something else going on to others dealing with cancer I wish you all well x

[Suziex]

Hi just thought I would let you know I stopped taking tamoxifen for three months and have had another ultra sound to check out my uterus it was good results the measurement had gone back to 7cm which is quite normal. Now waiting to see what my GP advises me might go back on tamoxifen for two years or might be given letrozole.

[peacock]

Hi all I'm new to this post.  The reason being, I am awaiting a ct scan of my abdominal area as I've noticed for a couple of months that my abdo is so bloated all the time and feels really uncomfortable.   

I started tamoxifen in September 2012  after treatment for a second primary bc, this was a hormonal cancer, I only had a lumpectomy initially then rads.    The first cancer in the other breast was in 2008 IBC, grade 3 stage 3. For this I had chemo, mx, rads and Herceptin.  So, my worries about the bloating sent me off to my dr who has asked for the scan because of my BC history.

Maybe it's thickening for me too, have any of you ladies suffered from uncomfortable bloating with it?   I'm fed up with looking pregnant at my age 56 it's not a good look.

Good luck to the OP for good test results.

[Suziex]

I have been for my ultra sound and the results have came back to my doctor. He says that the only thing that has come to light is that I have a slightly thickened uterus it is 12 mm, but after looking this up I think it is quite a bit thicker than what is normal, has any one else had a ultra sound that is taking tamoxifen. I would like to hear from anyone who has had a scan and knows what their thickness was. My doctor has referred the results to a gynaecologist have a look at.

[Zeppa]

Excuse non-medically-correct wording but: Tamoxifen has an anti-hormone effect on breast cells but on the rest of the body it is more like pro-hormone. I think it partly blocks receptors in the breast. However, it can thicken the womb and this could eventually be harmful so it's important for a doctor to keep an eye on it.

Letrozole etc. simply work as anti-hormones throughout the body so they will not thicken the womb lining, nor will they (unlike Tamoxifen) protect the bones - they may encourage osteoporosis. Wait and see with the side-effects.

[deelush]

Yes please do keep us posted on the info you get.
deelush x x

[Suziex]

Thank you for your reply I am going to make an appointment with my BC nurse and see what advise she gives me. I will post after I had my appointment x

[deelush]

Hi Ive just started on tamoxifen  and was advised by my team that i would be on hormone treatment for five years, i was thinking that this must mean the tamoxifen, but a nurse said they usually change you after three years to something else ( i am sure its the oneoyou mention)  and its apparently more effective to do it this way, but with the latest information about tamoxifen being prescribed now for ten years i am not sure if this will affect me or not, and also the oncologist that has been responsible for me since my chemo started has now left, so i will be meetimg someone new in march and he/she may have different views. So its not unheard of as far as i am concerned.and i beleive that cyfrin is correct about it being more appropriate once menopause is finished. 

Deelush x x

[cyfrin]

Hi 🙂

I am on Letrozole, and haven't had Tamoxifen.  All I can tell you is that I am 61 and the menopause was 12 years ago.  I think Letro is appropriate once the menopause is over.

[Suziex]

Sorry I lost my post.

Can some one help me when should I change from tamoxifen to letrozole . I am 54 now and have taken tamoxifen for 3 years since I had DCIS as a precaution for the other Breast which I was pleased to do. I have just has an ultra sound recommended by my doctor to check my uterus , it has sown there is a slight thickening, so I want to know is it time to change to Letrozole ? Does letrozole have any affect on the lining of your womb? I am really struggling at the moment as I can take tamoxifen without any of the horrible side effects some people have. Also do you know if it would be safe to stop taking anything after three years. Sorry for going on but I'm hoping someone will have gone the tamoxifen/letrozole saga.

Suziex