Is there a link between Tamoxifen and MS?

[Silverfox]

As a breast cancer patient, I took tamoxifen for several years. Shortly thereafter, I started developing MS related symptoms and was subsequently diagnosed with MS. I have spoken with a few other women who also developed MS after taking tamoxifen. I am curious if this is an isolated coincidence or if there are others who have developed MS after taking tamoxifen.

[cheerleader]

Welcome Silverfox---
So sorry you find yourself here, on this board. Hope you can get some answers and healing.
Yes, there is a known connection between tamoxifen and death of myelin making cells (OPCs), which could potentially look like (or exacerbate) MS lesions on MRI.

In the Journal of Neuroscience paper, Noble’s team first identified central nervous system (CNS) cells that are most vulnerable to tamoxifen toxicity. Chief among these were oligodendrocyte-type 2 astrocyte progenitor cells (O-2A/OPCs), cells that are essential for making the insulating sheaths (called myelin) required for nerve cells to work properly. Exposure to clinically relevant levels of tamoxifen for 48 hours killed more than 75 percent of these cells.

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/stor ... fm?id=3935

I've been writing about chemo and damage to the brain and myelin on my blog.
http://ccsviinms.blogspot.com/2014/03/c ... rophy.html

take care--do all you can to help your brain heal with nutrition, exercise, healthy fats, stress reduction. Let us know how it goes. A healthy lifestyle can really make a difference.
cheer

[Silverfox]

Cheerleader,
Thank you for the reply. It was very informative. Does anyone know how to get info from the FDA about whether the destruction of O-bands by tamoxifen has been recorded as a SAE?

[sargologo]

You may want to stay on tamoxifen if you have MS