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Taking a break from Tamoxifen

Lewisa
Offline

Hi,

I'm 57 and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019.

I have been on Tamoxifen for just over 2 years.

At first I had no side effects, then I got terrible hot flushes and recently have had pain in my joints and even finding walking difficult!

I try and keep fit and active by going to the gym etc but am really struggling to work or do normal things. 

My GP suggested stopping the Tamoxifen for 2 weeks to see if it is actually that causing my joint pain.

So after stopping just 3 days ago, I've started bleeding heavily. 
Is this normal, after only 3 days?

I also haven't had a hot flush but still have the joint pain! 
Help!! 

Parents

  • Hello and thanks for posting,

    Unfortunately, as nurses, we can't really give you a specific medical opinion on this. Tamoxifen can take up to a month for the drug levels to drop within the body.

    It is possible that your bleed is connected to this, but we can't say for sure. Do let your GP know about this episode, and they can assess you further.

    I hope that this helps,

    Best wishes,

    Vanda

Reply

  • Hello and thanks for posting,

    Unfortunately, as nurses, we can't really give you a specific medical opinion on this. Tamoxifen can take up to a month for the drug levels to drop within the body.

    It is possible that your bleed is connected to this, but we can't say for sure. Do let your GP know about this episode, and they can assess you further.

    I hope that this helps,

    Best wishes,

    Vanda

Children
  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Vanda

    Thank you for your reply.

    I've just seen my GP. He has examined me, taken some swabs, prescribed Tranexamic Acid and referred me to the Post Menopausal Clinic under the two week rule. 
    This is just as a precaution as I'm bleeding so much (unfortunately all over the examination bed!!) 

    Hopefully it's just a reaction to stopping the Tamoxifen but he wants to check everything is ok.

    x 

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