Tamoxifen: Does It Work For You?

Hi Indira: It sounds like you're post-menopausal now. First, ask your doctor if (s)he considers you post-menopausal. (They might want to do a blood test.) Then, if you are, it appears an aromatase inhibitor may be better at preventing a recurrence than tamoxifen. However, AIs also come with more bothersome side effects (including bone pain, joint pain, and bone density loss). So, "better" for you? Depends how you define better, I guess. But it's definitely worth considering. Good luck - PJH

Thank you PJ . What strength and support you give to millions like me. may god bless you !

And you, Indira. Namaste- PJH

Hi PJ after this conversation from 2 days i am getting very little almost a tickel brownish creamish discharge from the vagina. What does it indicate? I did not get my periods from july 2007. Is this of concern as tamoxifen has side effects on ovaries and uterus? I am little depressed and anxious to listen from you

Hi Maureen - NO drug is guaranteed to work; but tamoxifen does have a long history of working very well. Inexpicably, it doesn't work for some women - and that's what this new genetic test is about. Researchers think they've discovered why tamoxifen isn't effective for a very small percentage of women who take it. If you're post-menopausal (which is the sub-group the test works on), sure, ask your doctor about having it. Just a warningm, it probably won't be covered by insurance, and may be expensive, and your oncologist may not have heard about it yet. But give it a try. Also, you should feel very good about your low chance for recurrence, anyway; your tumor size, type, grade, and stage are all extremely treatable. So, good luck going forward— PJH

Thank you for getting back to me so quick.  Can you let know if that is why my oncologist said I don't need to take it, because the reocurrance was so low.  Yes, I am peri-menopausal right now, but I have not gotten my period for 3 months now.  Does this mean I am in menopause and if so should I think about other meds.  I have read though, your period can come and go on this medication it that really true.  Your hear so many different things.  My side effects are very little,  like hot flashes and night and little nausa here and there.  I am a personal trainer and I really believe exercising really helps out alot.  I know there is no guarantee in life and it has only been over year since my dx, but sometime I get scared of the thought of this comming back. 

I would like to get to the place where you are at and stop fearing what you can not control.   Is there any books you can recommend that I can read to get me through this. 

This is a great site and with you being so knowledgable about this is a great help to me and others. 

Thank you.

Maureen, I think you should take tamoxifen - if you're peri-menopausal, the genetic test wouldn't be appropriate for you. Generally speaking, you need to go without having your period for at least a year before you're considered post-menopausal. And tamoxifen works for the majority of women - it works very effectively.

Read my post on two books that will be a big help to you. Also, read my posts on fear, and how to defuse it; and facing fear and breaking it down. You can do this; you're stronger than you think. Time heals, and gradually, you'll feel better. Take care - PJH