Tender and sore breasts

Yes, I started getting breast pain and growth when my Testosterone returned.

I still had my repeat prescription for Tamoxifen, so I took a very small amount of that (10mg twice a week by snapping 20mg tablets). That stopped the pain instantly, and reversed the small amount of breast gland growth which had happened. Of course, I have no idea if that might have happened anyway, but I suspect the Tamoxifen played a part.

My oncologist hadn't heard of this before, but was fine with me having gone back onto low dose Tamoxifen.

However, taking Tamoxifen when you aren't on hormone therapy might not be a good idea (although pretty sure my Oncologist wouldn't have known this - it seems not many Andrologists do either). Tamoxifen is occasionally used to boost Testosterone in men with hypogonadism (low Testosterone) when the cause is low Leuteinising Hormone. It blocks the Testosterone receptors in the Hypothalamus and Pituitary glands, making them think you are shorter of Testosterone than you are, so the Pituitary produces more Leuteinising Hormone to tell Testicles to produce more Testosterone. My Testosterone was being measured and at last measurement, was slightly higher than the max normal range. However, that didn't correlate with when I took the Tamoxifen, so may be unrelated, and I've no idea what "my" normal Testosterone level is as it was never measured before hormone therapy, so that could be normal for me. Next PSA/Testosterone test will be Jan or Feb.

Note that Tamoxifen won't boost Testosterone while you're on hormone therapy.

Hi Andrew

Many thanks for the reply & chat.

Just wondering how long this will go on for and what I could do.

My GP just says this condition is usually only seen in men with low testosterone and wasn't interested in prescribing tamoxifen.

Thanks for that.

I was going to ask how long will it last and will the changes be permanent?

But I guess, as you say, no one knows.

I can theorise that as the body experiences a resurgence of testosterone it begins its rebalance of oestrogen, one cause of this increase is the moobs! Just a thought.

I've a review this week with my CNS and will ask them. The odd bit of pain is not too bad but permanent boobs is not a look I want.

Needless to say this doesn't exactly help my mental health!

Cheers 

I'm hoping it's just temporary....hormones rebalancing. It's a 2nd puberty - so I guess I'm turning into Harry Enfield's Kevin! S'not fair! Will it be spots next?

I've got a review with my CNS on Friday...I'll ask and push for tamoxifen at least.

Edited by member 29 Dec 2022 at 09:41  | Reason: Addition

Thanks for sharing your research Esteban. I finish Bicalutamide in five weeks time so I may have to be prepared for my already hard, tender, sticking out nipples to get a tad worse. Unfortunately getting my Tamoxifen prescription after the problem started hasn't really eased the symptoms. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for the hormone imbalance to right itself. Keep us posted.

Hi again. Just read your bio.

Hmm, difficult passage eh.

I do wonder what would've happened if you'd gone down the HT RT route 🤔

Hmm, hindsight eh.

However it seems like things are getting sorted and I wish you all the best.

HT for me (see blog) was awful and nearly killed me by my own hand...so not always a great option but like you...I'm a survivor!

Yes - it's probably the big question us guys ask about the past treatment.

The webinar series last year by PCR was very good (I got paid for being a reviewer!). Esp the one on making that big decision. For me, I had no choice but it can't be easy. I was impressed by the blunt honesty of the consultants.

Even the last session, on end of life, was exceedingly well presented. Let's hope neither of us needs that just yet....👍🥰

Thanks for that. Yes, I guess like pubescent youths, it resolves itself.

You've had quite along PCa history. And quite surprising that you went for the orchiectomy. But the outcome seems good. Just shows that the chemical version is not as good as the surgical one. Cheers!

Great result on your latest PSA Esteban. Long may it continue. Like you my gynecomastia is irksome but still not quite six weeks since I stopped Bical, but give it time.