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A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Shirley, NY

I am very concerned about the side effects of this drug. I am looking into natural ways to treat myself. If I do decide to go on it, can I take herbal remedies while on it? I have a small window to decide what to do and could use some advice please. Thank you!

May 2, 2016 (edited)
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A MyBCTeam Member

As I said in another post I believe modern medicine and the use of natural medicine should be used together. You just have to be smart about it and work with your dr.

May 5, 2016
A MyBCTeam Member

If you can find a naturopath or holistic dr in your area they can help with alternatives. I took tamoxifen for 3 months and hated it. Def would seek alternative supplements.

May 2, 2016
A MyBCTeam Member

Probably the most failsafe and natural way of suppressing estrogen production in pre-menapausal women is the extreme approach of removing the ovaries. Perhaps others know of a less aggressive solution.

Snippet from Breastcancer.org:
"Most of the estrogen in women's bodies is made by the ovaries. Estrogen makes hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers grow. So reducing the amount of estrogen or blocking its action can reduce the risk of early-stage hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers coming back (recurring) after surgery. Hormonal therapy medicines can also be used to help shrink or slow the growth of advanced-stage or metastatic hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers."

May 2, 2016
A MyBCTeam Member

I personally would rather take tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor and deal with the side effects than risk the cancer returning. A good friend of mine was Stage 1 and after mastectomy she was put on tamoxifen. She didn't like the side effects so she stopped taking it against medical advice. Her cancer eventually recurred and she is now Stage 4. Perhaps get cancer would have recurred anyway even if she had remained on the tamoxifen. Why take an unnecessary risk?

May 5, 2016
A MyBCTeam Member

I have been on tamoxifen since December 2015 with very minimal side effects. I also felt the same way and it took all my courage to take the first pill. I committed to myself to try it for 6 months and then evaluate again. The good thing is you can always stop taking it if you want. I know it's hard. Good luck with your decision! I am 32 years old and my doctor is recommending some type of hormone therapy for 10 years.

May 2, 2016

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