Hi Linda,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you are having side-effects with Tamoxifen and Abemaciclib. Unfortunately, most Hormone therapies have some side-effects, although certain side-effects are more common with a particular type of hormone than others. Mention how you feel to your specialist nurse and she may be able to offer you some advice that will help. The Abemaciclib is a targeted therapy, which also carries side-effects. How long have you been taking these drugs for? Sometimes the side-effects settle down after you've been taking them for a while.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

I also didn't actually realise that these tablets are still therapy too so that also makes sense with how I'm feeling xx

HI Linda,

Cancer feeds on Oestrogen, so the Tamoxifen is trying to combat that. Abemaciclib is targeted therapy. It is a cancer growth inhibitor. According to the Macmillan site "Chemical signals tell cells in the body how and when to develop and divide. Cancer growth inhibitors make it difficult for cancer cells to receive these signals. By blocking the signals, these drugs may stop cancer cells from developing or dividing. This may slow the growth of a cancer." Both drugs are making changes in your body, so you are bound to feel ***.

I am now 16 years post-surgery for 2 bouts of breast cancer. I took Tamoxifen for the first bout, but changed to Letrozole after a year, when I discovered the second bout. I had also been diagnosed with pre-cancer in the other breast 6 months after my lumpectomy, so I had a double mastectomy and then took Letrozole for a further 6½ years. As I said in my previous reply, I had problems with both. Tamoxifen made me over emotional, whereas Letrozole caused all my joints to ache. The other side-effects of both were pretty similar. I only had these drugs and nothing else alongside, so I expect that you may be finding it harder with both drugs.

There are a number of different targeted therapies, so there may be another one that you could cope with a little better. It's definitely worth phoning your nurse on Monday. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

• Thank you so so much jolamine, you've actually explained that in a way I can understand and I'll definitely be phoning on Monday as I'm really struggling now and don't think I can handle it for much longer, thank you again for being so lovely and I'm so sorry you've been through this horrible journey too I think that's why it's more relatable for me and thank you for just being there to answer my questions and I'll let yous know how I get on 
• I'm so glad iv found this forum as even reading people's storys have helped me as I don't actually have anyone that I can speak to about it but this seems like a safe space to talk and get help and I appreciate it so much.
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Hi Linda,

If you think of any questions before Monday, write them down - that way you won't forget anything important. You'll find this forum a great source of information, advice and support as you travel your cancer journey. No question is too small or too big. It is indeed a safe place where you can benefit from the experience of others.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx