It's Been Awhile

Laurel · 10-01-2020, 08:20 AM

Hey there, Kim!

Yes, it is good to be back on the board! Gosh, I forgot to update my signature to reflect that it is now 12 years NED, praise be to God! As for Tamoxifen, I opted to do my 5 years of anti-hormonals with an A.I. and Tamoxifen. Femara was torture on my joints, so after 2 years I switched to Tamoxifen. Like so many of us, I was encouraged to do another 5 years of either an AI or tamoxifen, but with such little gain in disease-free survival it did not seem worth the reduction in my QOL. I may live to regret that choice, but it is so hard to decide what path to travel with this wicked foe and the act of living life fully has value. I made my choice and now I walk it out.

Presently, I am up to running 3 miles a day and doing yoga, not too shabby for a 61 year old gal! I feel better today than I did 10 years ago when I was in treatment. Life is interesting, although challenging as we age, and I am grateful for having had the chance to continue on post-cancer. I hope to "hang around awhile..."

Hoping all is well with you and yours, Kim!

donocco · 10-01-2020, 12:36 PM

Laurel

If you are not Tamoxifen Im curious if you are on any antidepressant medications for hot flashes. If you are, you have to be careful which one has been prescribed. Tamoxifen is metabolized by the liver enzyme CYP2D6 to its active form. many of the common antidepressants such as Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil) Bupropion (Wellbutrin) and Cymbalta inhibit the CYP2D6 enzyme. I think you can use Effexor and Celexa with Tamoxifen. Id have to check.

Paul