After-tamoxifen for breast cancer: is this breast pain “normal”?

Hello all, hope you are doing well.

It’s been a while since I was on the forum, and wanted to ask anyone who has finished tamoxifen if they experienced similar “symptoms” as me. I hope you can help.

I was on Tamoxifen for 10.5 yrs, give or take. Stopped taking it, on my BC team’s recommendation, 2 months ago. Within a couple of weeks, my non-cancer breast became painful and "bigger”, for at least 3 out of 4 weeks each month - like I’m pre-menstrual almost all the time. I had a WLE and radiation on my cancer side, but that doesn’t seem to have the same “withdrawal”. 

(I’m also heavier now than I’ve ever been and just can’t shift the weight, but that might just be my age :))

Anyone else have or had the same breast experience in the weeks post-Tamox, or is this not “to be expected”? I don’t want to go to my BCN just yet in case it’s just things settling down, as the hospital is quite a distance away…

I’m not concerned it’s something similar, but it’s not very comfortable and I’d like to feel “normal” again soon!

thanks :)

  • Hi Numbly,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat (or welcome back if you've been here previously). I wanted to send a reply as it will give your post a little boost, so hopefully others with any experience will see your post and send a reply.

    I'm not sure if you have the option of phoning your BCN, rather than attending in person, to try to get any answers or at least some initial advice.

    You are also welcome to post in the 'Ask the Nurses' section of this forum, if you'd like to get the thoughts of our nurses.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator