Urethra pain Tamoxifen

pat2, sorry you are having this problem and are not being helped. There is no reason why you should not be able to use local oestrogen cream. Absorption into the system is minimal and it is safe for oestrogen positive cancers. I had BC 10 years ago, am in remission,and have been using local oestrogen cream fir 9 years, with the blessing of my surgeon and oncologist. Don't let them fob you off! Good luck xxx

hi pat2,

My BC was hormone dependant. I have had similar problems and have seen a Consultant who specialises in bladder probs, he did a Cystoscopy to ensure bladder was normal and it was, he feels it is due to lack of oestrogen, which apparently not only causes vaginal issues but bladder becomes very sensitive too.  I was advised to use Vagifem which is a hormone pessary, I was told Vagifem has the smallest hormone content, rather than the creams which have more hormones in them.  I haven't taken their advice as my BC was hormone dependent and even though they say it is such a small amount it would be ok, I'm worried about using them.  What I do is when my bladder is playing up, I take couple of sachets of Cystopurin and for some reason it helps. These might be worth a try?

I agree stopping the Tamoxifen is a concern.

Best Wishes. 

Hi Pat2

You are using YesOB which is an oil based lubricant. They have a new product called YesVM which is a vagina moisturiser. It is for women going through the menopause who cannot use hormone products. I switched to YesVM which I have found is much better for me. Might be worth a try. 

HI Pat2, 

i am defintely post menopausal at 74, and have had problems for some years, we tried a few ideas but settled on Vagifem which mostly keeps the UTI’s at bay. After having a bc with 8/8 oestrogen score I queried this with a few folk, BCN, GP, Surgeons. Apparently the hormone level is very low and is scarcely absorbed if at all, it stays local. They all felt quality of life was more important than the very very slight risk, since I’m on Letrozole hopefully this will keep me going!

hugs xxx

Hi am 4 years post BC started on tamoxifen then letrosole then exmestane consultant changed me back to tamoxifen 2months ago to see if it would ease flushes but not helped do far but hav now had thrush blood in urine but not sore to wee got a pelvic scan last week all is fine and finished 2,Nd lot of antibiotics still no change driving me mad as so uncomfortable  I have another 6, yrz on this xx

Hi

I didn't know tamoxifen had side effects until I'd been on it nearly five years. I'd assumed the pain in my joints and poor memory was just me getting older. Then I had a breakdown, lots of things coming to a head at one time. When I went for a medical before returning to work the doctor explain that the tamoxifen had played a big part.

That was eight years ago. I'm now post menopausal so I won't get tamoxifen this time round.

Thank you so much for your support and advise I really appreciate it . I feel fobbed off. Have contacted again today and left a message asking who can authorise me to have some hormone cream as I am concerned about being told to come off the Tamoxifen as only just finished radiotherapy 3 weeks ago.  DR is also not in agreement to me coming off the Tamoxifen but wont prescribe anything thinks breast unit should decide. Surely would be better to stay on Tamoxifen and have local oestrogen treatment it seems what is being done for many others and worked well.. Three weeks now with burning pee and soreness, no answers again today. Breast clinic said its a GP issue GP say breast clinic issue. In the end after saying who was going to help then promised t discuss again tomorrow. Will hope for a better day tomorrow. 

I also have delayed healing after radiotherapy so radiotherapy want me to see them about that as I had haematoma ost surgery to ensure all is OK. Asked for appointment but no someone will phone back. 

Think I might take the Tamoxifen tonight , worried about not taking it.

Thanks again and all the best

xxx 

Thank you so much for your reply I really appreciate it. I have been to Tesco and bought the Cystopurin and will give it a try. HAve been drinking plenty and also cranberry juice for 3 weeks but still burning. 

I am concerned nurse telling me just to stop taking the tablets when some local treatment like the Vagifem could be given. They tell you to reduce stress for health but very difficult when they are causing so much stress.

Take care and thanks again for advise about the Vagifem going to mention that when I phone them yet again tomorrow.

xxx

Hi

Thank you for the info. Did you change to the Yes VM from the YESOB or from another product?  The YEs OB had ALoe Vera in. I havent had probs with Aloe in the past but told to use daily after radiotherapy and had swelling of breast and redess so they said I must be allergic to Aloe. I am therefore worried about trying the Yes VM . I have quite a lot of allergies. but its strange hadt had problem with ALoe Vera before radiotherapy incidence.  Wondering if I should try it or not.   Do  you think the il based one causes UTI probs?

All the best and thanks again

xxx

Thank you so much for your reply and the information. I really appreciate it and will discuss this tomorrow with the breast clinic. I am unhappy about just being told come off Tamoxifen until urethra better. It appears from a few replies I have had they could have prescribed local treatment like Vagifem but for some reason decided to tell me to come off the Tamoxifen. I don't think anyone wants to ask the specialists for advise and easier to fob me off on the phone. Very stressful 3 weeks now with this uti problem. Hopefully tomorrow I will get some sense from them.  The advise from yourself and others on the site will be very useful tomorrow. Thanks again xxx