Tamoxifen

One month following surgery I was prescribed the delightful Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen is a hormone blocker as my breast cancer is ER+ and PR+ which basically means it is fed by estrogen and progesterone.

Tamoxifen attaches to the hormone receptors in the cancer cell, blocking estrogen from attaching to the receptors. This slows or stops the growth of the tumor by preventing the cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow.

Even though I have had all of the breast tissue and early disease removed, it is to help stop any reoccurrence in the remaining breast. I have to take it daily for 5 years and it comes with a whole range of side effects! The main ones are similar to menopause - Hot flushes, insomnia, brain fog, brittle nails, aching joints are among my top ones! I am trying to manage these symptoms holistically by taking various herbs, to help with sleep etc. I take sage tablets and HTTP. I also have a diffuser that I add various different essential oils to, to help clear the air and create a calming atmosphere! It takes approx 4-6 weeks to settle into your body. So I am giving it another go. Part of me wants to stop, but then I’d kick myself if I did and something happened to my left boob.

My latest prescription is now a different brand and I am actually (touch wood) now managing to sleep and the hot flushes are subsiding. I am now on Wockhardt, from RelonChem. I don’t know if I am just becoming more used to it, but this latest batch seems much better. Fingers crossed!

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