A reader writes:

"I originally refused Tamoxifen b/c I was uncomfortable with the risks. This year my tumor marker was very high, so my oncologist recommended I think about it again to bring the marker down. In just a few weeks on tamoxifen I've had leg cramps, severe shortness of breath (like a panic attack) and mood swings. My hot flashes are more intense but not more frequent than before. Has anyone else experienced the panic attack/short breath? Its very scary, and I'm worried about heart problems after taking Herceptin for a year. If my marker goes back down to normal, I will stop taking it again. I hate being on drugs."

Blog response: I was on Tamoxifen but had pulmonary embolism and had to stop the treatment. I had severe shortness of breath and nearly died because I went to the emergency almost too late. I had leg cramps, pain and swelling and other warning signs such as being hospitalized for unrelated reason and in bed for three weeks, overweight and immobile. I should have known better but was released from the hospital by intern who dismissed my concerns. At home, as luck would have it, I happened to see a woman on Larry King Live reporting the warning signs after her journalist husband died embedded with troops in Iraq; I had several of those warning signs so my son called an ambulance. I did not want to go earlier to the hospital because my hair was dirty so I nearly lost my battle for a stupid reason. If you are on Tamoxifen, know the warning signs. Shortness of breath is very serious. Get medical help immediately. Listen to your intuition.