Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Kittiwake, I've been on tamoxifen for 3 and half years and I also have a heavy continuous discharge - sometimes feel as though I've wet myself - not pleasant! I've never done anything about it as my oncologist warned me before I started taking it that I may get an increased discharge as this was a side effect. I have mentioned it to my consultant once but he said the same as the onc. I have been known if I'm going to a dinner to wear a tampon! Not a very pleasant side effect but like other things one which I feel I probably have to put up with! Take care Shorty2 ... View more

Although tamoxifen doesn't stop oestrogen but as Lemongrass says disrupts it's ability for cells to absorb oestrogen, on the medication leaflet as side effects it says 'it may cause mensstrual disorders including unusual or no regular periods or changes to the lining of the uterus.' Both my onc and consultant said three and a half years ago when I started on it, that it was more common for periods to stop on tamoxifen than for them to carry on. Unfortunately I have not been lucky enough for them to stop which would have been one slight bonus of taking the tamoxifen!! Take care Shorty 2 ... View more

Hi Ladies! I am 48 years old and was diagnosed nearly 4 years ago. I too had a mirena coil which I was advised to have removed (had it for 8 years). I now have an ordinary coil. I didn't have chemo - lump out, nodes tested, radio and tamoxifen. I've been on tamoxifen for 3 and a half years and have regular very heavy periods with stomach cramps. My consultant said some women stop others don't! Just my luck to have hot flushes, weight gain, bloating etc with tamoxifen and still heavy periods!! Take care ladies! Shorty2 ... View more

Hi Ladies, I have been on tamoxifen for 3 and a half years and before I started taking it oncologist warned me that a common side effect was a heavy discharge - he was right! If I use a pad I too get thrush so generally put up with it and try to keep clean. Tamoxifen also never stopped my periods so I still have very heavy and regular periods although consultant not too worried about this. Also have hot flushes and weight gain round my middle but will put up with it if it does the job! Take care ladies! Love Shorty2 ... View more

Hi mnc I am 3 years down the line from my breast cancer. A few years before this I had a small lump in my leg (it's now much bigger) but the doctor said it was a fatty lump or gristle lump and nothing to worry about. I also have one in my other leg. I would get the doctor to check it just for your own peace of mind but hopefully that's what it is. Unfortunately with what we go through we automatically think every ache, pain, ailment is connected to it and 3 years down the line you still think about it although it does get better. Anyway hope your treatment goes well. Take care Shorty x ... View more

Hi Annys, Pleased you are going to give it a go. I take mine at breakfast. Don't know if it makes any difference. Hope all goes well. Let us know. Shorty xx ... View more

Hi Annys, As Jenny29 says why don't you give the tamoxifen a go? I had exactly the same feelings as you and put off taking it for 3 or 4 weeks but I've been on it for 3 years next month and would not want to stop taking it now as I feel it's helping my chances of not having a reccurance. Perhaps I am one of the lucky few in the fact that side effects have been minimal - hot flushes - a pain but can be tolerated with layers of clothes to be continually taken off and put on and a possible slight deterioration of eyes when reading but this had started before tamoxifen so could be due to age (I'm 47 now). I didn't have chemo - had lumpectomy and radiotherapy and of course the tamoxifen. I have just had my annual (now 3 years) checkup with a clear mammogram. My hair has not thinned but I do still have regular, heavy periods - not a problem says my consultant- easy for him to say! Give it a go for a while otherwise you'll never know. Sometimes people like me who haven't suffered too badly with side effects don't always reply to posts on this site as we tend to use it to talk about our worries and it can be a reassurance. Anyway I hope you go on ok. Love Shorty xx ... View more

Hi Sukes, I've been on tamoxifen for 2 years and 8 months now and have had very heavy and regular periods throughout that time. Before then I had very light ones as I had a mirena coil but was advised to have that removed when diagnosed with breast cancer. My consultant doesn't think it's a problem - he should try having them! - and says the tamoxifen will still be working but some women stop periods and others don't. Thought it might be the one bonus of tamoxifen but I don't even get that pleasure! By the way I'm 47 now 44 on diagnosis and haven't had zoladex. Take care Shorty2 x x ... View more

Hi Sandra I was diagnosed Dec 06 age 44 (nearly 47 now and pre meno), 12mm grade 2 lobular with no nodes. I too was told chemo not necessary but had 25 rads and been on tamoxifen just over 2 years now. I too was told zoladex or ovary removal not necessary and that's even though they know I have a very heavy period every 4 weeks still and have done throughout the tamoxifen. Am just told tamoxifen will still be working. I guess our medical teams are all different and I hope they know what's right for me! Take care Shorty x ... View more

Maria Me again - just thought I'd mention tamoxifen doesn't deplete the oestrogen just stops it from latching onto and fuelling the cancer cells so we still have oestrogen flying around our bodies. I'm nearly 47! Shorty x ... View more

Hi Maria, Like you I thought great no periods - wrong!! I will have been on tamoxifen for 2 years in March and have a very regular and heavy period each month plus hot flushes, aches and pains etc. Onc and consultant say it's no problem and tamoxifen will be working. In fact had my 2 year check and mammo with consultant today and mentioned it again, just said everything ok and moved me to yearly appointments - good news really! I think views on this vary according to different health authorities. Anyway take care Shorty x ... View more

Hi Deb, I have been on tamoxifen for 20 months (March 07) and until last month had very heavy and regular periods. My onc and consultant have not been concerned and say periods for some women don't stop but the tablets will still work. Their job is to block oestrogen from latching onto rogue cancer cells apparantly. Last month I had a very late and light period and am late again this month so will have to see what happens - maybe they're only just kicking in! I too am not on zoladex. I think we just have to go with what our experts think is right. Take care Shorty x ... View more

Hi Lindalo, I had my WLE and some lymph glands taken Jan 07 and was told by consultant not to drive for 2 weeks. Physically I felt fine and would have been able to well before this but he said that with op and a general anaesthetic if I had an accident then my insurance may not cover me under 2 weeks - it was a real pain not driving at the time. Have always been independent and had to rely on hubby and friends to sort out my girls and shopping etc. I waited about 6 weeks for radiotherapy (no chemo). Hope everything goes ok for you. Let us know how you get along. Shorty x ... View more

Hi Jules I am 46 (44 when dx) and did not have chemo. I had invasive lobular and onc said just rads and tamoxifen after WLE as no nodes affected (had SNB) and under 20mm lump) mine was12mm lump and I had no other scans etc. I was pleased at this outcome but then on the other hand would it have been better to throw everything at it. My onc and consultant said that in a lot of cases chemo is not necessary and I do know a lady who had WLE, rads and no medication 9 years ago and (touch wood ) is fine. I feel quite happy to leave things in the hands of my medical team who so far have been excellent. With best wishes to your mum. Shorty xx ... View more

Hi Julie, Shorty here again - yes for a couple of weeks I too wore a bra for bed and non wired are quite hard to find.Like Anthi says the tattoos are hard to see - one on each side covered by bra / swimwear and one in middle of cleavage which can occasionally be seen but my girls (age 12 and 16) say it looks like one dot of a blue biro pen! Pleased to hear you went to hosp today in nice bra and top - if anything 19 / 20 months down the line I wear lower tops and still manage bikinis etc (while I can - think every one expected me to cover up!) . Am sure you'll be the same. Thankyou, I am on the road to recovery physically but not always mentally / emotionally as you often think about what has happened although that improves with time. I had op and SNB (no nodes ) so radio (no chemo), and 5 years tamoxifen and it will be 2 years post diagnosis this xmas. Once again take care and let us know how it goes. Shorty xx ... View more

Hi Chris, I too am on tamoxifen (only been on it 16 months though, so well done on 10 years!) My onc told me that generally you get an increase in vaginal discharge with it. I have noticed an increase - sometimes not too bad and at other times a lot and as you say quite embarrassing. My seems to have no pattern to it but I am also continuing with heavy, regular periods as well. 10 years is a long time so perhaps if you did come off it you may notice a difference in the discharge. Hope you get the problem sorted and good luck with whatever you decide. Shorty ... View more

Hi Susyh, Other than tamoxifen I finished treatment 15 months ago and mentioned to my consultant about aches and pains and being worried. He said I would have had all those niggly aches and pains before bc and never noticed them but after diagnosis we notice everything and in the majority of cases it's nothing. As time has gone I am better at thinking that everything is not cancer related and as roadrunner, said I leave it a couple of weeks before mentioning it and generally after a few days it's gone. I think with time (and trying to keep busy!) it does get a littlr easier. Take care Shorty x ... View more

Hi Gill, I've been on tamoxifen for 15 months and have a very regular and heavy monthly bleed. I too was hoping it would stop. My consultant and the onc don't seem too concerned and just said some women stop, others are irregular and some carry on with periods. I just think about all the oestrogen flying around my body! By the way I'm 46 and pre menopausal. Hope you get sorted. Shorty xx ... View more

Hi Marg, I too have more of a discharge but have not worried about it as before I started taking tamoxifen onc told me this would probably happen. Take care Shorty ... View more

Hi Nic and Lilacblushes, Dx Dec 06 SNB, WLE, rads and tamoxifen. I was on my second mirena first for 5 years and second 2 years before dx. My reason was very heavy periods which the mirena more or less stopped. My onc advised me to have it removed but GP couldn't see why as progrsterone released locally. Onc said you never know with these things! I had removed 14 months ago and have ordinary coil now. I still have very heavy and very regular periods though and being on tamoxifen for 15 months hasn't stopped them either! Please keep us informed if you hear anything else. Take care. Shorty ... View more