Tamoxifen Success --- Reduced my reoccurring post-op gynecomastia

[justahandfull]

I recently had an unsuccessful surgery and went to an endocrinologist to figure out what was going on because it appeared the gyne was coming back. Anyway, I was prescribed Tamoxifen(used for breast cancer) and it has completely reduced the right side of my chest, and has significantly reduced the left side. The PS on the other hand told me not worry about it, that it was just swelling, blah blah blah. Well, if I did listen to the PS I wouldn't have been able to take the medicine because it needs to be used while the gyne is coming back. Word of advice, don't listen to your PS. I've come to realize the majority of them do this for the $$$.

There have been some side effects, but totally worth it:

Extremely tired all the time
Weak and sore legs/joints/calves/ankles
Headaches
Nauseous(no vomiting though)
Mood swings

[moobius]

the tamoxifen may help reduce fluid retention post-op, but the sides you listed sound like a hormonal imbalance...

if your gynecomastia was caused by a hormonal imbalance that has remained uncorrected, then surgery is probably just  a temporary solution. you've got to get your body chemistry right before the gyne surgery otherwise you risk a recurrence

[Time_to_fix_it]

if your gynecomastia was caused by a hormonal imbalance that has remained uncorrected, then surgery is probably just  a temporary solution. you've got to get your body chemistry right before the gyne surgery otherwise you risk a recurrence

I couldn’t agree more.  The fact that your gyne was returning AND responded to the Tamoxifen both indicate that there may well be an underlying problem, possibly with your oestradiol and or testosterone levels.  I assume your Endo ran blood tests before prescribing the Tamoxifen, if so what were the results (including the lab ranges)?

The reason I ask is that some Endos have only a basic understanding of the levels and balances required in the male.  If blood test results come back within the “normal” range they say everything is ok.  However things aren’t as simple as that a lot of the time.  Balances are equally as important.  The problem is often a large proportion of Endos specialise in the more common diabetes area.  I saw 3 before I found one who had experience of the subject and knew it beyond basic level.

It is common for a doctor/Endo to prescribe Tamoxifen at the original onset of gynecomastia as it often gets the patient over a temporary hormonal imbalance such as happens around puberty, during courses of some prescription medication or after some types of chemotherapy.  If a patient has a number of such imbalances (or more likely a continuing one) then I would have thought a pretty thorough investigation of the cause should be undertaken.  I speak from experience.

You don’t give your age, how long you had gyne before surgery or any other medical problems you may have had. All these could be important factors.

[m9taylor]

Hey there,

Could you give us a bit more detail about your case?

I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks