Questions on Vagirux Vaginal Oestrogen and Tamoxifen

I have no medical background and of course can’t give any medical advice. I take vagirux. My cancer is triple negative, so no oestrogen blockers are involved in my treatment, but my team were also very clear that they have no issue with their oestrogen driven patients taking vagirux or similar for the same reasons you outline.it is a topical treatment and in my view essential for many of us (my problem was/is post-menopause atrophy). 

Hi! Thank you so much for your message. It’s really helpful. All the very best x 

Hi SDee , I had begun Vagifem a few years prior to being diagnosed, as I too had a lot of UTIs and was heartily sick of it. I had an oestrogen + bc but had an mx and although it was 8/8, I discussed continuing with my team, they felt that the absorption is so low and quality of life more important and so I continued with their blessing. 

Hugs xxx

Thanks so much for your message. That’s good to know. Regards, Sian 

Hi I hope things have improved for you, I have just been prescribed vagilux and started taking it yesterday. I’m on the point of considering coming off my tamoxifen, every joint aches, my legs feel like I’ve done a twenty mile hike the day before and my sex life is almost zero. I am 53 but haven’t gone through the menopause yet. So I took vagilux at bed time and when I woke up yesterday I had the burning and urgency of cystitis, it passed after I took the dogs for a walk but today (I’ve now had two doses) it’s worse, I am hoping it will pass again like yesterday but wondered if you had these initial side effects?

Hi Cazh24

I'm so sorry to hear of the issues you’re having. It does feel like walking through mud sometimes… My issue was kind of the opposite way rours to you. I was constantly running for a wee with little notice and it was driving me mad. I was given tablets for urge incontinence which worked but had other side effects. I then spoke to my chemo team who suggested vagirux. Have been on it for a year now and it has helped the dashing to the loo and sex has improved a bit too. I have changed taking it from 2 times to once a week as I found it too gloopy and messy and it was making me sore but once a week does seem better.
Not sure if any of this is any help to you. 
I also have weeks where I want to stop the tamoxifen as am sick of the joints aching and the hot flushes at night mean I  never have more than 4 or 5 hours sleep but I’m trying to persevere. It feels like a balance between peace of mind and quality of life sometimes but you have to do what you feel is best for you. Please talk to your team before you decide anything tho. 
Sending big hugs to you x 

Thank you SDee, spoke to the dr today who has told me to come off vagirux and the reaction i'm having isn't right, we are going to try something different but he has said to give my body a couple of weeks break.  Yes I will speak to my cancer nurse before coming off the tamoxifen, I have read a lot of articles and with my cancer grade, size and the fact it went into one of my lymph nodes along with my onco dx score of 16 there is a 20% chance the cancer will return if I come off hormone blockers. That's 80% chance that it won't come back! along with annual checks I'm thinking that might be a low enough risk to come of the tabs.  I've still got 6 years to go on them :-(