1. Posted by n_quintero_chapa@sbcglobal.net on Tue, Sep 12, 2006, 6:10 am PDT

I have been taking Tamoxifen for the past 18 months and sunday I started spotting. Monday when I saw my oncologist I told her about it. She asked me if I had missed a day of taking Tamoxifen or did I stopped taking Tamoxifen. I told her the plastic surgeon who did my breast reconstruction, I finally had my reconstruction after chemotherapy and radiation, ordered me to stop taking Tamoxifen for 2 weeks before the surgery and 1 week after the surgery. I basically missed 3 weeks total. She,the oncologist, said that was what it was and not to worry about it but not to miss any pills. She did not think or was concerned about uterine cancer; I suppose because I had also just had a CT-scan with constrast to the pelvis (the routine scans). Anyway, I have a clean bill thanks to the good Lord. God bless you all.

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2. Posted by n_quintero_chapa@sbcglobal.net on Tue, Sep 12, 2006, 6:26 am PDT

Oh, by the way. Since I also take Herceptin, I was concerned because my Ejection Fraction had gone down to 54% in June from 58% in December. I told my doctor that I did not want to die from or get CHF. I did not want to be one of those people that I often hear about sayin: 'If cancer did not kill me the therapy/CHF did'. Well, my MUGA scan said my EF had come back up to 57%. I attribute this to walking/exercising more. I frankly wanted to stop this drug had she told me it had changed for the worse. By the way, last time I saw my oncologist which is every 3 months, I had told her I was beginning to feel tired and sometimes my legs swell/edema and short of breath after climbing the stairs in the house. These are signs of your ticker being damaged, these can also be signs of CHF. Anyway, since my MUGA scan is good there is no need for me to take beta-blockers or diuretics but I am watching my salt intake...limit to 2grams a day and exercising to strenghten my beautiful heart. Remember...live...love...and laugh...God bless you all.

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3. Posted by runswithlizards2003 on Thu, Sep 21, 2006, 1:05 pm PDT

You state it doesn't cause ovarian cancer or cervical cancer, but that doesn't explain why my friend who has been taking the drug did get both cancers, also she is now on digitalis for her heart issues. She still have small lumps in her breast tissue and because she is on medicaid (can't work because of her poor health), they won't authorize the surgery to remove her breasts. She doesn't have the funds to pay for it herself because of her inability to work. It is heart wrenching to watch. We support each other and others we know who are also battling cancer. What does it take in the medical community to get people who suffer better care. She did pay into the system her entire working life until she was unable to work.

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4. Posted by rduck11 on Mon, Oct 02, 2006, 3:43 pm PDT

I was diagnosed June 2002 with Noninvases DCIS, Stage 0. I had a Lumpectomy to my left breast and have been taking Tamoxifen for four years. I spoke with my Oncologist about Tamoxifen and the risk of developing cervical cancer. She told me that their were no data available for her to switch me from Tzmoxifen. Before I was diagnosed, I was taking estrogen replacement therapy. Please advise.

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5. Posted by linda_reeder@sbcglobal.net on Tue, Oct 03, 2006, 9:23 am PDT

Thank you for the clarification on the medication. I need to know what other type of medication can be used after the treatments are done? you may e-mail me at the e-mail address below. again thank you for the information.

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6. Posted by ficasbuddy on Thu, Dec 21, 2006, 12:14 pm PST

I had breast cancer in 1997. Had chemo (pre-op) and a full mastectomy. No radiation. But I was also on Tamoxifen for five years. I was just recently diagnosed with endometrial cancer of two kinds, high-grade adenocarcinoma and papillary serous uc. My surgeon told me that when they see this picture, they associate the cancer with tamoxifen use. My breast cancer oncologist told me about the risk of uterine cancer from tamoifen, but also told me that the risk was very, very low and well worth it. My uterin ca oncologist is far less sanguine about the risk. Given that my five-year survival odds are now 10% or less, I am sorry I didn't take the risk more seriously and was not urged to be scrupulous about PAP smears. I had skipped a couple of years before I had some light vaginal bleeding that led me to get checked. I'm in great spirits (no reason to think I won't be in that percentage of those who do well) and I don't wwant to scare people unnecessarily. I believe that the tamoxifen DID keep my breast ca from coming back. BUT please tell every woman that you know who has had tamoxifen that the risk is real and to be absolutely religious about keeping up with those PAP smears.

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7. Posted by ficasbuddy on Thu, Dec 21, 2006, 12:15 pm PST

I had breast cancer in 1997. Had chemo (pre-op) and a full mastectomy. No radiation. But I was also on Tamoxifen for five years. I was just recently diagnosed with endometrial cancer of two kinds, high-grade adenocarcinoma and papillary serous uc. My surgeon told me that when they see this picture, they associate the cancer with tamoxifen use. My breast cancer oncologist told me about the risk of uterine cancer from tamoifen, but also told me that the risk was very, very low and well worth it. My uterin ca oncologist is far less sanguine about the risk. Given that my five-year survival odds are now 10% or less, I am sorry I didn't take the risk more seriously and was not urged to be scrupulous about PAP smears. I had skipped a couple of years before I had some light vaginal bleeding that led me to get checked. I'm in great spirits (no reason to think I won't be in that percentage of those who do well) and I don't wwant to scare people unnecessarily. I believe that the tamoxifen DID keep my breast ca from coming back. BUT please tell every woman that you know who has had tamoxifen that the risk is real and to be absolutely religious about keeping up with those PAP smears.

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8. Posted by juliet t on Sat, Feb 10, 2007, 6:22 am PST

I have known that tamoxifen was also used by some OB-Gyne experts to aid in the infertility problem and it did work out in a case of infantile uterus,I was wondering how does it indeed work?Any explanations on this pls?

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9. Posted by Sherrie on Wed, May 16, 2007, 8:04 am PDT

Thanks, I just finished Tam. for five years, and starting having my periods again, and they are extremely painful, I have a D & C scheduled in a few days.

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10. Posted by joredgrave on Mon, Jun 23, 2008, 6:06 am PDT

i have been on tamoxifen for 5 years and have just been diagnosed with bone cancer i am incontinent from bowel to uterus is there any treatment for my incontinence i have just started a course of radiotherapy

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