I’m new here today. I was diagnosed on 15th December 2021. I had wide excision breast conserving surgery on 10th January. On January 31st I had a telephone consultation with the surgeon who gave me the relatively good news that there would be no need for radiotherapy. Also that the sentinel node biopsy had not indicated any lymph nodes being affected.The cancer removed was grade 1 with clear margins.
It was the best result I could have had.I was told that I would need to take tamoxifen for 5 years and that my GP had been informed.
My surgeon said that it would be ok for me to go on the holiday abroad which was already planned.
I am still on holiday, due to return on March 12th. I haven’t started the Tamoxifen yet as I didn’t hear from my GP about the prescription until after I left the UK.
I have read up on Tamoxifen recently and am uncertain about it because of the scary side effects. Can anyone reassure or advise me please. Also I am worried that such a lot of time will have passed since the operation and before starting the hormone therapy.
Thanks for reading.
Hello,
Sorry this reply will be small as its late and need to get to bed - I wanted to give you my thoughts along with some advice I had at the start of my journey....
I am on Letrozole..... well, the trouble I went though 'trying' to start taking this tablet - this tablet that is prescribed to help me. I literally was so scared of the side effects and was even of the mindset that I would take the tablet and within hours 'that would be it' - I think I imagined every possible scenario.
It really isn't like this, you take the tablet and then start watching out for everything (try not to do this). I do believe you will have some side effects but I also think 'are they side effects?' or are they 'our bodies reaction of loosing the oestrogen' - after all oestrogen is the 'oil... the WD40' lubricant of our body - so if the tablet works right and reduces our body of the oestrogen (that feeds the 'c') then 'the tablet is our friend and is working' - however, our bodies don't like not having the oestrogen (hoping this is making sense).
Of course over time if things get to painful then there are other tablets, brands, types that you can try. You can add various supplements to your diet to help reduce painful joints etc. I had 'trigger finger .... although it was in my thumbs' - I literally woke up in the middle of the night with it in my one thumb and and then it went into my other thumb. Don't get me wrong it wasn't nice, I went to the doctors - the one side 'don't bend thumb if it hurts!! (I was not amused at this) other doctor said I could have an operation (I didn't want this) - I did some research and found different exercises, massage techniques etc and with time this cleared up. I have brain fog - but if I am honest, I am sure I had this 'before' starting tablets.
I am now of the opinion, if I am allowed to continue on the table for a longer time - then I would take this ..... after all, just take it (haha) just take it one day at a time.
Think why you are being advised to take the tablet - it is to prevent 'it' from coming back..... now here is the thought.... how would you feel if you did not even try taking the tablet and the worse case happened.
You might even take it and not have 'any' side effects - I know many do suffer, but, there are lots of options - the main part is to 'try'.
There is even a antihistamine, I think it is Claritin (Loratadine) that takes away a lot of the pain side effects. I have this on standby - just in case.
Sorry I have gone - imagine if this is the small reply hahahahaha - anyway, I hope this helps you a little.
Oww and even though time has passed - it's still worth trying than not.
xx
