Hi LLB,

Welcome to our forum.

All of the hormone therapies carry side-effects, but they affect people differetly. Some people have no side effects at all, whilst others have a lot of problems with them. If the side-effects are really severe, there are other hormone therapies that can be used.

I took Tamoxifen for 1 year and I did have some side-effects, but I had to change to Letrozole, when I developed a second lump in the same breast. Having said that, I took Letrozole for 6 years and stopped taking it in July 2017. The one good thing I can say is that I'm still here 10 years after diagnosis and, still living a reasonable quality of life.

I hope that you get your radiotherapy date soon. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thank you so much for all of the information and reassurance.  I will keep in touch

LLB x

Hi, just wondering how you’ve gotten on with the Tamoxifen? Although my oestrogen marker was 4 out of 8 my oncologist wants me to start taking it. Reading the possible side effects is making me wonder if it’s worth it.  I’m HER2 positive so I’m already taking antibodies till feb next year. 

Finished chemo in March which put me into early menopause. Had lumpectomy and finished radiotherapy two weeks ago. I’m 46.

Hi Fishnchips,

Most of us worry about the possible side-effects with any hormone therapy, such as Tamoxifen. Some people never get any of the side-effects mentioned. The only way to find out how you'll cope with it is to try. If the side-effects are bad, you can always discuss this with your care team and change to something else if necessary.

I hope that you will be able to take this without any ill effects.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Fishnchips

I stopped taking the Tamoxifen half way into my Radiotherapy. I had so much trouble finding the same brand (I seemed to be ok on a brand called Genesis but I had to ring around different pharmacies to see who stocked it). Anyway now I am feeling more like myself I am going to try again and my local hospital stocks a brand that many women seem to be ok on. I have spoken to my Oncologist and the Tamoxifen gives me 0.5%-1% extra protection so if I do start getting bad side effects, I will stop taking it. Everyone is different and ultimately it is your own choice. I hope you find a brand that suits you. Some women do take it and have minimal side effects.

Take Care

Best advice I can give is stay away from tamoxifen but that's just my experience. I'm 42yrs old and pre menopausal. It may be different for other people though. 

Hi Rae,

Doctors wouldn't prescribe Tamoxifen if the drug was as bad as you feel it is. They still feel that the benefits outweigh the risks.

Just a word of caution. You have not been happy taking it, but there are many women who have benefitted from it, so please be careful not to put others off taking it, just because of your own personal experience. Have you discussed your problems with your Oncologist and have you tried anything else instead?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Rae,

I'm sure that you're not trying to put people off, but when we don't show both sides, this can happen. Unfortunately, it is true to say that there are side-effects to most cancer treatments, but, on the whole, the benefits do outweigh the side-effects overall.

Kind regards,

Jolamine

I don't believe they do, that's why I would avoid at all cost. Xx