how long does tamoxifen stay in your system after you stop t...

how long does tamoxifen stay in your system after you stop taking it

Good question! Anyone out there know? I would think that it depends on your body chemistry, your dosage, age, metabolic rate (slow/fast/sluggish), and health. Ask your doctor - and then share the answer with us, please.

I have that same question.
I read that it can be up to 6 weeks to leave your system.
I had to stop my tamoxifen after just a year due to WEEKLy yeast infections! I have been off 2 months and still having hot flashes. I had one cycle last month. I am 48 years young so am wondering if it's menopause. I would appreciate any other insight as well.

1/2/2010

I was told by my oncologist that it keeps working in your body for five years. I am due to come off meds in November. It will be five years. Two years on Aridimex and then Tamoxifen. His receptionist who is also on Tamoxifen said they are now recommending you stay on it for life. Seeing as I've had no life in the last 4 years and a bit, I am finishing. I get stining in my left breast, but my breast surgeons said stinging is not a symptom of breast cancer. I trust him.

Isabella

I had been taking Tamoxifen for almost 3 and a half years as a breast cancer preventative. I had a full hysterectomy after one year on the medication. Last Spring I started having some weird symptoms (racing heart, shakiness). I was told to keep taking the meds. I decided to stop the meds this December 2009 after too many days of feeling out of it. I initially felt much better, but still have some days that feel like I did when I was on the meds. How long does it take for the Tamoxifen to leave your system? Has anyone had the same side effects that I have had? I take no other medications, except a multi-vitamin and calcium+D supplement. I know Tamoxifen is a chemotherapy type drug, but I have no idea the length of time it remains in your system. Any thoughts would be most appreciated. I have discussed this with my breast surgeon and oncologist and have not really received any substantial information from them. I am scheduled to see a cardiologist for the racing heartbeat, but my gut is telling me that the Tamoxifen still might be the cause.

I was on Aridimx for two years and ended up with osteopenia in my spine, right hip and neck of the femur. Now I'm on Tamoxifen. I have also heard that you should stay on it for life. I agree with Isabella. There is no life on these medications. They are horrendous. I am always so tired, feel sick, bones so painful, nausea, etc. etc. I just want the old me back.


Jade

Thanks for responding. I still haven't gotten any answers from my doctors about the after effects of taking Tamoxifen. Maybe since I had the hysterectomy my body is still going through surgical menopause.I have decided to stay off the tamoxifen for now.
Take care.

I was on tamoxifen for 3 1/2 years. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 after all the treatment 3 to 4 months after the radiation was over I suddenly had anxiety attacks (I have never had these before) I couldn't sleep and struggled to cope with every day life. Stuck with the tamoxifen until I got really bad yeast infections and headaches, oestrogen was very high 6000 I still have periods so havn't gone through the menopause. My oncologist said I could stop the tamoxifen and see how I felt, I am getting back to my old self. I do not get anxious, I can sleep!

My doctor said it could take 6 months to get the tamoxifen out of the system, I am sure on one level it does prevent the cancer coming back but it can cause no end of other problems.
Rgards Christine

i have been on Tamoxifen for 7 months and 2 months into it started having racing heart symptoms which led to anxiety attacks as well. I went for a full cardio work up and the cardiologist said it was likely a hormonal triggerbcz my heart was fine. I find it happens close to or during my periods. I was also put on a low dose of Lexapro which seems to maksk the symptoms since I've been back on the Tamozifen so I do feel better. I also feel better knowing I am not having heart issues.

THe frustrating thing is that the oncologist won't acknowledge the anxiety or heart racing has anything to due withthe Tamoxifen.

Did you have Chemotherapy? Chemo. can cause various heart problems. There have even been cases where people have had to have heart transplants due to the damage caused by Chemo. - although those are RARE complications:

"Heart problems and leukemia

Heart problems and leukemia are severe but rare side effects of chemotherapy. Leukemia has been linked to the use of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and epirubicin. Heart problems, like cardiomyopathy (enlarged, weakened heart) and congestive heart failure, have been linked to the use of doxorubicin and epirubicin, and to use of trastuzumab (for more, see Targeted Therapy). These conditions can sometimes be reversed if the drugs are stopped at the first sign of heart damage. Before you begin chemotherapy, your heart function will be measured to make sure that there are no pre-existing heart problems.

The risk of heart problems and leukemia is related to the dose of chemotherapy drugs. With the lower doses being given today, the risk of having either heart problems or leukemia is very low (less than two percent) [21].

For most people with breast cancer, the benefits of chemotherapy far outweigh these risks."
http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/ LongTermSideEffectsofChemotherapy.html
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http://www.chemocare.com/managing/heart_problems.asp
http://www.chemocare.com/managing/rapid_heart_beat.asp