Why do doctors push tamoxifen?

Doctors prescribe tamoxifen because it's a highly effective hormone therapy that blocks estrogen from fueling hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, significantly lowering recurrence risk and preventing new cancers in high-risk individuals, acting as standard treatment for ER+ breast cancer by stopping cancer cells from growing, though its side effects like hot flashes mean many don't complete the typical 5-year course.

Is tamoxifen really necessary?

Tamoxifen is a highly effective breast cancer treatment. It may significantly lower your risk of breast cancer recurrence or invasive breast cancer. People who are at high risk for breast cancer may take tamoxifen to reduce their chances of getting the disease.

Can tamoxifen cause vertigo?

However, it has many potential side effects, including hot flashes, blood clots, endometrial disease and coronary artery disease risk. Two less-common side effects are dizziness and anemia. Dizziness can mean vertigo (often described as spinning), but also lightheadedness, which is what I think you mean.

Does tamoxifen cause diarrhea?

This treatment may cause diarrhoea. Diarrhoea means passing more stools (poo) than is normal for you, or having watery or loose stools. You may also have stomach cramps. If you have a stoma, it may be more active than usual.

Can tamoxifen cause coughing?

Conclusion. The study highlights that if the patient on tamoxifen develops high fever and cough with dyspnea at 2–3days after the first administration, tamoxifen-induced pneumonia should be suspected.

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What is the most alarming side effect of tamoxifen?

The most severe adverse effects of tamoxifen are life-threatening conditions like uterine (endometrial) cancer, blood clots (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), and stroke, which can be fatal, though rare, and necessitate immediate medical attention for symptoms like unusual vaginal bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, or sudden neurological changes. 

What happens if you skip tamoxifen?

Women who receive fewer than five years of tamoxifen have significantly higher rates of recurrence and death, they say. Not adhering to treatment or, particularly, stopping it early are “likely to result in significantly worse outcomes.”

Does tamoxifen make your pee smell?

Also, you may encounter smelly discharge and urine while on tamoxifen, a hormone therapy medication for breast cancer.

Does diarrhea mean your body is healing?

Yes, diarrhea can be a sign of getting better because it helps your body flush out harmful bacteria, viruses, or toxins, acting as a defense mechanism to clear an infection. While it's unpleasant, it often signifies your immune system is working to resolve the issue, but prolonged or severe diarrhea needs medical attention due to dehydration risks. 

What does tamoxifen do to the gut?

It is more likely that tamoxifen's effects on host ER resulted in a damaged gut epithelial barrier, increased inflammation levels, and changes in the gut microbiome. Tamoxifen may also impact microbiota alteration and inflammation through changes in TLR5 expression.

Does tamoxifen affect your ears?

Tamoxifen's anti estrogenic effect is primarily mediated by its action on the estrogen receptor ER-β. It is therefore possible that Tamoxifen could have potentiated noise induced hearing loss by blocking estrogen's effects through ER in the inner ear.

Why am I feeling dizzy and lightheaded?

Feeling lightheaded and dizzy often stems from temporary issues like dehydration, low blood sugar, orthostatic hypotension (standing up too fast), anxiety, or inner ear problems, but it can also signal more serious conditions like heart issues, anemia, or stroke, so see a doctor for persistent, severe, or recurring episodes, especially with chest pain or inability to walk. 

Can tamoxifen affect your eyes?

Extensive retinal lesions and macular edema with visual impairment have been reported in a few patients receiving high-dose tamoxifen. Less extensive retinal changes may occur in patients receiving low doses for long periods, and isolated retinal crystals may be observed in patients without visual symptoms.

Why would a doctor prescribe tamoxifen?

Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body in men and women. It is used to treat early breast cancer in women who have already been treated with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.

When do tamoxifen side effects kick in?

Tamoxifen side effects may begin as soon as the first dose. Some side effects may start in days or weeks, but many patients have no side effects.

Is there an alternative to taking tamoxifen?

If you can't have tamoxifen for any reason, your doctor might recommend you have other types of hormone therapy such as an aromatase inhibitor. Or your doctor might recommend surgery to remove your ovaries.

What trauma is stored in the neck?

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What emotions are stored in the neck and shoulders? Typically, feelings of burden, responsibility, and unexpressed grief settle in these areas.

Why do I have nervous poop every morning?

Stress and anxiety may cause frequent, loose, watery bowel movements, called nervous poops. Nervous poop is a term for the sudden urge to have a bowel movement when you feel anxious, stressed, or scared. It's not a medical diagnosis, but a common symptom of your body's stress response.

Does diarrhea mean you're detoxing?

As your body readjusts to a new normal, all of your systems can experience symptoms, including your digestive system. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are all common symptoms of alcohol and drug detox as your body tries to regulate what you're now putting into your system versus what you have in the past.

Why do I have a funky odor down there?

Sweating also can cause a vaginal odor. Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of bacteria typically present in the vagina. It's a common vaginal condition that can cause vaginal odor. Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, also can lead to vaginal odor.

Why do chemo patients smell?

There are several reasons for this, including cancer's effect on surrounding tissues, your metabolism, etc. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy may also create conditions for unpleasant odors. For instance, treatment can cause nausea and vomiting, which leads to bad breath.

What causes a fishy smell when you pee?

Trimethylaminuria (trī-meth'il-am-i-nyūr'ē-ă) is a metabolic disorder that makes your sweat, breath, saliva and pee smell like rotten fish. Metabolic disorders affect how your body processes nutrients and enzymes. Healthcare providers may refer to this condition as TMAU or fish odor syndrome.

Can I take tamoxifen once a week?

You take tamoxifen daily at the same time every day. To treat early breast cancer, most people take tamoxifen for 5 years. In some situations, you might take it longer.

Does tamoxifen affect joints?

Joint and muscle pain can also be a side effect of other hormone therapies such as tamoxifen.

What is the washout period for tamoxifen?

After tamoxifen use, a washout period of 2 months is advisable based on the known half-life of tamoxifen. In case of an inadvertent pregnancy, risks and options should be discussed.