Hi Jlist,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am not a doctor, but I have heard of people being prescribed Tamoxifen for recurring cysts. I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and took Tamoxifen for the first bout. Although there are side-effects to this drug, many people don't have any problems at all with it. 

I do hope that this solves the problem for you.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for yo.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thank you so much for replying.  I hope you are well now.  

I do understand that everyone is different and Tamoxifen will affect everyone in different ways.  I was wondering if the side effects would bee reduced at 10mg?  (I understand that 20mg is the usual dose.  I do suffer from quite bad arthritis in my knees and had heard that Tamoxifen can make it worse.

Kind regards

Julia x

Hi Jlist,

I didn't find Tamoxifen too bad on my joints. It was the night sweats and low mood that bothered me. I did find a particular brand of tablet was better for me than some of the others and arranged to get this one only from my pharmacist. I eventually took a mild anti-depressant to help improve my mood and perservered with this until my second cancer was diagnosed.

I went on to Letrozole after I had a double mastectomy, for the second bout and this did cause havoc with my joints, to the point that I had to have 2 knees replaced. I still have problems with my hands and other joints 13 years down the line. I'm not sure what the side-effects of the reduced dose would be like.

It is worth bearing in mind that some side-effects settle after taking the tablets for a few months and others find that it is better if they take the tablets in the evening, instead of the morning. There is nothing to stop you from taking Tamoxifen, if  you find that they disagree with you, but at least you will have tried it.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx