Tamoxifen and sudden period

[Tracyb1968]

Hi,

I’ve been two years past chemo, rads and lumpectomy and was peri menopausal before diagnosis. I did have large fibroids before diagnosis but onc said he wasn’t too bothered when first put on tamoxifen.

This month I had a very light period which lasted 9 days and spotting since. All of old well known symptoms came with period too! Spots, back ache and headache...

Anyone else had similar experience?

[Hidden]

Hi tracy, don't know if you have seen my recent posts regarding tamoxifen and certain side effects i.e pressure feeling in abdomen, bloating. I've had no bleeding, no spotting, no discharge. My periods stopped over 2 years ago during chemo, been on tamoxifen 2 years now. So given these side effects I went to my GP who referred me for an ultrasound at hospital. First question I was asked at ultrasound was had I had any bleeding. Ultrasound found a large cyst on left ovary and a thickened lining to uterus so referred for MRI and then an hysteroscopy procedure where a camera is inserted into cervix to look at uterus etc...luckily results of the biopsy taken during that procedure have come back negative for uterine cancer which as you should have had explained is a small risk factor with tamoxifen. If this bleeding is new for you then you are urged to report it, see your GP who should be already aware you are taking tamoxifen. I've been told since all my goings on that if I get any sudden bleeding I have to tell them immediately, I am still under gynecologist, looking at surgery for cyst removal and I want to discuss a hysterectomy as I cant take any more of tamoxifen side effects.

It sounds like you have a history already, i.e fibroids, that would cause issues for you but don't rely on that.

Best wishes

[Batey60]

Hi Tracy I was post menaposal when I started Tamoxifen and iv been on it nearly 2 yrs 6 wks ago I started bleeding which lasted 8 days.Went for ultra sound and iv got a polyp and thickening walls in uterus.Waiting to see gynaecologist now

[Redwine50]

Hi try not to worry .i didn't have a period until a year in with tamoxifen,then 3in a row .was referred to gynaecologist who didn explority op.nothing to worry about just due to medication.i kept my worries inside and made light of it to friends and family as I didn't want to worry them .so now a check on womb and breasts every year .so like many of us ,try and stay positive and be strong as you have been .good luck kx

[Tracyb1968]

Thank you ladies.

I’ve put a call in to my BC nurse again as when I told her when it first happened she said it can start again during Tamoxifen.

Although she did say they’d refer me to gyaenocologist if they felt it was necessary.

Now waiting to see what oncologist says as I’m due my review any day.

It just never seems to end does it!

[lizzyHZ]

Hi Tracy

I recently posted something very similar - mine started after a year and came back with a vengeance --as bad has they had been before - so I came on this forum and asked for advice - as I was worried the tamoxifen was not doing its work properly and the ladies here suggested I call- my oncologist which I did - I was referred to a gynaecologist in December as he said that he sees a lot of ladies with similar symptoms and some ladies also get a thickening of the Uterus wall and he did a very unpleasant procedure - it will be repeated next week as he did not take enough cells

I saw my oncologist yesterday and she is happy with the way things are going but when I go for my next mammogram they will do blood tests to check my hormonal levels

I would say do not worry but do get it checked out - better to be safe than sorry

On a brighter note after a miserable week in November and December - I have no had another period since , let's see how long this last

I have another 1.5 years of tamoxifen before I have to change medication

All the very best

Elizabeth

[LaineyG]

I've been on tamoxifen for 3 years. Had my last period in July 2014 after my first chemo, started tamoxifen in December 14.

Had bloods done and was confirmed as post menopausal in 2015 with fsh levels over 50. Since August 2016 I have had 4 episodes of bleeding- all of which involved flooding to the extent i can't go out the house for a couple of days.

I have had ultrasounds, transvaginal ultrasounds, hysteroscopy and biopsy. All clear, showing thickening of the endometrium in line with tamoxifen.

I was at my oncology check up last week and was advised that I'm likely to be staying on tamoxifen for the full 10 years and that I need to have every bleed checked out. I had asked gynaecology if I could have an elective hysterectomy, but was told no, although they may reconsider if bleeding continues as I'm now confirmed as having another 7 years on tamoxifen.

[Tracyb1968 in reply to LaineyG]

Thank you for letting me know your experience.

Mine hasn’t been heavy just, light and constant.

I’ve been reading other stories on the Breast Care forum as well and I’m surprised at how many have very similar experiences too!

I’m just waiting for appointment now.