Should I stop taking Tamoxifen due to side effects?

It is a dilemma! I responded to your other comment. I had stage 1A IDC. 13mm tumor with one lymph node micromet. I had total mastectomy and following up with radiation. I really am hesitant about going on Tamoxifen. Compliance rates tell me it isn’t that great. Plus, I am having reconstruction in February, so I would have to stop it for a while.

Thanks for your response. I think it’s such a personal decision but I would recommend trying it and see how you feel. Everyone is different and my doctor says if you don’t want to take it you can stop or switch to an alternative AI medication. For me, I just want to feel my best and enjoy life. I went through hell last year with a heart valve replacement and then on the heels of healing was then diagnosed with breast cancer IDC stage 1A, had a lumpectomy with interoperative Radiation therapy, developed infection that did not heal until May of this year. I’m thinking I will monitor my health very closely and continue to eat well and exercise…take a holistic approach. I will first reach out to my oncologist and let her know my thoughts.

Abby - please share your holistic findings!!! Thank you!

 didn’t your doctor recommend letrozole I was diagnosed at 67. I’m 68 now I’ve been on Letra for over a year. There are a few side effects, but they’re not that bad and it definitely beats the alternative.

I felt my best when I was in IBrance. Four and half years into cancer

Talk to your doctors about taking an aromatase inhibitor. For me side effects less

Yes! Why Tamoxifen and not an aromatase inhibitor?

I had to stop my treatments . I had tripple negative breast cancer in 2024. I was fine in the beginning and after a while my body couldn't take it. I ended up in the hospital for 5 days. I stopped everything. I went to radiation and it was fine. After that I tried the chemo pills and after a while I ended up in the hospital for 5 days again. I had a lumpecty and lymp node removal earlier. I just had a mamogram and it was fine. You have to do what your body will allow.

Managing side effects from hormone therapy can be incredibly challenging, and it's completely understandable to feel torn between treatment benefits and quality of life. Many community members face this exact dilemma and find it helpful to discuss their concerns with their oncologist, who can explore options like dose adjustments, alternative medications, or timing changes that might reduce side effects while maintaining protection. Have others in the community found strategies that helped them work through similar side effect challenges with their medical team?