Hi all
Following lots of treatment, I am currently on Bicalutimide 150mg for two years. At the start of this treatment, I received RT to my chest (10 mins each side) as a preventative measure to stop breast growth and breast pain. unfortunately, it didn't seem to work - growth and more significantly, pain have occurred anyway. I spoke with the PCUK nurses, who suggested Tamoxifen as a potential remedy. For those who have not come across this before, it is a hormone treatment most commonly used in treating breast cancer and works by blocking oestrogen, in much the same way Bicalutimide blocks testosterone. It seems that our bodies have a constant struggle for dominance between the two hormones, so when Bical blocks testosterone, oestrogen takes the upper hand and manboobs ensue. Something like that anyway.
So I have read lots about Tamoxifen, the most useful report being https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1741-7015-10-96 From what I can deduce from this, it seems more efficient than chest RT in avoiding breast problems. So I wonder why my onco didn't take that approach to start with? There seems to be a question about long term use of tamoxifen, but two years doesn't come under that heading.
Armed with my knowledge, I asked my onco for a prescription of Tamoxifen and explained my thinking. She OK'd this, and prescribed my 10mg daily. Strange, as the report states that 20mg daily is notably more effective. I guess some of this is down to how different trusts around the UK take different approaches, and it's often down to us punters to do our own work. PCUK nurses are great! Also of note, my GP told me that 28 days of 10mg Tamoxifen costs around £50, whereas 28 days 20mg Tamoxifen costs about £2.40. Strange world! A pill cutter costs £2...
Side effects/adverse events: Seems that an mild extra level of fatigue and possible hot flushes are the main concerns, and even then not as likely as with some of the other meds we get to take. Apparently it doesn't reduce boob growth, but does stop the pain.
And finally, I get to my questions. Have any of you fine people out there had any experience with Tamoxifen, and if so, would you be OK to share? I promise to keep this thread updated with my progress.
Many thanks
Graham
Edited by member 27 Sep 2017 at 13:00
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