Hair loss with adjuvant Tamoxifen after Lumpectomy Postmenopausal?

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I had a second diagnosis that changed from metastatic BC to operable, and now after lumpectomy  and a month of radiation treatment I am in remisson.

Age 65, without family, and now have to make a choice about adjuvant treatments.

My biggest side effect concern is hair loss. (I went through menopuase AGAIN after going off HRT, so can live with the aches and stiffness and pain etc  :))

I was on Ribociclib and Letrozole, with significant hair loss, hugely impacting QoL (Quality of life)

QUESTION for folks who had to make a similar choice:

Did anyone have to make a choice for the two options below, and what were your experiences in terms of hair loss / side effects? 

- Letrozole (aromatase inhbitor)

-Tamoxifen

- taking neither (refusing adjuvant treatment)

Thanks for sharing

  • Hi, I am of similar age to you and have just started on Letrozplole yesterday, and one of my biggest concerns is hair loss.  Probably sounds a bit daft when you read the info that comes with the drug about possible side effects-such scary stuff!!  But it seems from here that there is a lot of variation as to side effects/severity.  The thing is that hair loss can be so noticeable, whereas a slightly mis-shaped boob isn't on show for the world to see.

    I breezed through my menopause 15 years ago, so let's see what the induced one brings Face palm. I wasn't given any choice of drug-although being post menopausal, I don't think tamoxifen would have been an option.

  • Hello,  I am on anastrazole which is an aromatase inhibitor and have noticed hair thinning.  I bought the Irestore helmet about 3 years ago and use it every other day.  It is red light therapy and has helped with thinning hair.  It was about $700 on sale but that is the older model and the new model is very expensive. My hair was always thick but did have thinning.  I think I am doing ok with my hair.  
    I have muscle aches mostly in my thighs, dry skin, dry mouth and dry vagina.  Hot flashes on and off.  I exercise regularly to keep myself in shape and eat a plant based diet.  I am 76 now and had breast cancer when was almost 72 years old.  Had DCIS in right breast and stage 1 in left.  Two lumpectomies, bilateral radiation and Anastrazole for 5 years.  I have about 2 years left on Anastrazole.  All in all doing good and keeping active really helps me.

    Hugs to you.  I do miss my HRT as I took it for 17 years.  Boo hoo but no more HRT for me.  

    Barbara 

  • Hi, I am about to start on the same drug and keen to hear how you are getting on, I have read lots of mixed reviews

  • Hi Marietta, I have been taking Letrazole for  about 3 weeks now and luckily I don't seem to have any huge side effects.   I seem to be losing a bit more hair than usual when I wash it, but I always used to lose some and have lots on my hairbrush anyway.  And my skin is a tad drier-but not excessively so.  I have noticed intimate dryness tho-something that I have never been bothered with before, but again, not excessively so.  Oh and maybe a slight lowering of mood-but that might be because I'm feeling a bit stir crazy as I'm ready for getting back to work, to my own home ( I'm staying at my partners in the country during my recouperation from surgeries)  and normality lol..

    But all in all I consider myself lucky -as many people report pretty debilitating bone pain etc. 

    Oh and I asked for the Accord brand of Letrazole after reading on here about some people  having lesser side effects.