WHY I PICKED TAMOXIFEN An Important, little-known, fact

 "Even if you have stopped menstruating, your body may still produce small amounts of estrogen in the adrenal glands, fat tissue and even breast tissue." (From JohnsHopkins)

My doctor and I chose Tamoxifen even tho I was definitely very post-menopausal.  .  
To understand why I was glad to, it is important to know the difference between Tamoxifen and "those pills."   

Tamoxifen inhibits cancer cells from acting in the breast tissue.  Hopkins says specifically:"This drug impacts the effects of estrogen in cancer cells and helps reduce the risk that the breast cancer will recur in women of any age by almost 50 percent."  

The Aromatase inhibitors (such as "Arimidex" on the other hand  belong to a class of drugs that work by reducing the levels of estrogen in the body. I didn't like thinking about how they would do that.  

In either case, when it comes to aches and pains and other side effects many of us on either medicine could sympathize with those in the other. 

 Also, I had had DCIS, and Tamoxifen was already accepted for use there.

And once my dose had been halved, I was glad of my choice.

So I'm glad I chose it.   

Do I worry now without it?  No.  If I do, I'll let you know.

Am I "better." without it?   The best way I can answer is only to say:  I'm even more determined to be as healthy as I possibly can be. 
I wish you health.

Now ANOTHER MONTH WITHOUT TAMOXIFEN.

Am I my better after two months and a couple days without Tamoxifen?   If my new pills would please stop confusing me, I might know the answer.

I actually went back thru old day-at-a-time notebooks to see what I was complaining about several years ago.  Alas, I did not have a day-by-day notebook for that crazy time -- those am-I-insane months before the doctor cut my dose in half.  

I did have some muscle aches, but not the horrid wake-up-all night aches and cramps that my friend suffered on "the other medicine". 

  

The sad thing is those first months of Tamox-brain still at times make me mistrust my memory for no reason.

The main difference on no-Tamox?  I have mild (so far) hot flashes!  How's that for a joke on an 80-year old woman?! In Texas.

Maybe I'll still be better after a few months.

I wish you health.