Cancer Research UK main site

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!! 

  • Offline

    I'm curious as to why your on tamoxifen as I thought post menopausal women were put on anastrazole or letrozole. The joint pain I can empathise with, some days I feel 100 years old. 
     

    I have read you can bleed after stopping tamoxifen but I did think that was on pre menopausal women, were you having periods before taking it? 
     

    Hope you can get sorted love...xx

  • Offline in reply to Marlyn

    Hi, 

    Thank you for your reply. 

    I was still having regular periods before being put on Tamoxifen. I was 55 and showing no signs of the menopause!

    After 3 days of having a break from it, I'm having a period! 

    I wondered if that was normal. Although I'm not sure it's normal to be facing periods at my age?

     

     

  • Offline in reply to Lewisa

    Oh wow, well that explains why you were put on tamoxifen.....I think it is normal to bleed when on a break from it, this happened to a friend of mine ( she's 53) but it wouldn't hurt to chat to your GP ..

     

    I couldn't imagine having periods at my age (55)  although I do know it's not unheard of to be going on as late as you. I do hope things settle down for you soon..

  • 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

  • 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 

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.