Monday, May 20, 2019

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.


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