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Tamoxifen or not to Tamoxifen?

Alix212
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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.

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    I think it is luck if the drawer as to whether you will get any or all symptoms. I’ve been taking letrozole for last 3 months but have been changed to tamoxifen due to real issues with joints. I’ve been told tamoxifen comes with hot flushes. I’ve got a 4 week break to get letrozole out of my system first. Good luck to you all

  • Offline in reply to Mummymartin

    Hi Mummymartin,

    I am sorry to hear about your joint issues with Letrozole and I hope that you get on better with Tamoxifen. I moved from Tamoxifen to Letrozole after I'd been taking the Tamoxifen for 1 year. I continued with the Letrozole for another 6½ years. It certainly caused a lot more problems with my joints and I had to have both of my knees replaced during that time. 

    Kee[ping my fingers crossed for you.

    Jolamine xx

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  • Offline in reply to Mummymartin

    Hi Mummymartin,

    I am sorry to hear about your joint issues with Letrozole and I hope that you get on better with Tamoxifen. I moved from Tamoxifen to Letrozole after I'd been taking the Tamoxifen for 1 year. I continued with the Letrozole for another 6½ years. It certainly caused a lot more problems with my joints and I had to have both of my knees replaced during that time. 

    Kee[ping my fingers crossed for you.

    Jolamine xx

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