Tamoxifen or not to Tamoxifen?

Hi, Just been prescribed Tamoxifen for the next 2-3 years as I am premenopausal. Finished 6 rounds of chemo/immunotherapy already and about to start radiotherapy in August. At my consult yesterday they explain about taking Tamoxifen but I felt they didn't tell me about all the side effects (gave me a leaflet to take home and read plus my first box to get me started!). They only really described fatigue and vaginal dryness not all the other horrific things I am now reading about or hearing about in forums!

I've requested a 2nd consult to discuss this and any possible alternatives but just wondering if anyone started Tamoxifen and stopped it because it was really bad. I'm struggling to ascertain if it is worth taking as some of the side effects sound horrendous and may cause me to miss lots of work and also not have a quality of life.

  • I’m really interested in this Ive been told I’ll be having this medication and like you I’ve read lots of horror stories of side effects . I’m already menopausal so already have some of the side effects but don’t know if they’ll be worse. 

  • Hi Joanna, sorry to hear you are going through this too. My BCN is calling me this morning to go over my worries and if needed will book me in again to see another consultant to discuss it. Like you I already have the hot flushes so not really worried about those. But if I am to feel sick, fatigued, headaches, have joint aches, bad skin rashes (I read one lady had really bag eczema type rash for 2 years), plus plus plus, then how is anyone supposed to carry on with life and work and pay the mortgage?!

    It also says in my fact sheet they gave me (printed from this website) that occasional side effects are hair loss (then why did I go through the pain of cold capping?!), blurred vision and damage to the retina/cataracts, and in some cases womb cancer and loss of vision!!! A few ladies on here said they got womb cancer.

    From what I've read there are side effects to all hormone suppressants (and indeed any medication) but it just seems to be a whole host of things that you really can't live with for multiple years and carry on with life.

    I'll let you know what my BCN says but as my counsellor says, remember its your body and feel empowered to seek a second opinion and don't feel pressured to take what they first prescribe you. It has to be a joint decision between you and your medical team.