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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited January 2008

    Basha- caboose...you are funny...

    Yep, I look like Bozo the Clown today...curls all sticking straight out on the sides.  Last week it was Grandpa Munster...can't wait 'til next week!!  :O

    I am only taking Tamoxifen once a day as well.  I don't even know the dosage...that's pretty bad, eh?  Guess I should know...  I take it in the AM...in the beginning I had pretty regular flashes during the day, but very mild (not the crazy sweats).  Thank goodness...

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited January 2008

    Oh and Basha...yes on the WW!!  I will keep you posted as I go to get "reprogammed"!!  :)

  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 1,291
    edited January 2008

    Hi ladies!

    Harley and Virginia...about the hair..haha.  I trust my hairdresser so much, so when I sat in his chair (which by the way, felt so good to do again)  and he began shaping up my new hair, I couldn't believe how much better and fuller, my hair looked.  He did not take much off, actually..there was not much there, length wise.  As for the color...I had the salon do that as well.  She used one that does not have any strong ammonias or whatever it is thats in color.  I have had no problems at all, and that was over a month ago.  I totally trusted them when they told me not to worry.  They had already dealt with several bc patients..go figure!  Darn disease!

    My hair has grown so quickly in the last month!! Everyday at work people are saying...wow it looks so much longer!  I use a hair paste to style it (and tame it) Very curly!  Thank goodness for all the products out there.

    Virginia...keep up the good work on remembering that tamox!  Lately my hotflashes have seemed to increase, and I am on month #3.  I have had allot of joint pain too.  Not sure if that is from the tamox though?

    Well off to bed, I have to work tomorrow.

    xoxo

    Lisa

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited January 2008

    Hi everyone,

    Glad to see I'm not the only one who's a little reluctant to get my new hair cut.  lol  It's very curly, and I gel it to death to keep it under control.  It's darker than it used to be, but I don't think I have any more gray than I did before it fell out.  I keep telling myself to make an appt with my stylist to discuss whether to cut it short like it was before or let it grow, but I'm just not ready, I guess.

    Today was the one year anniversary of the day I got my diagnosis.  I can't believe how fast the year went by and how much of it is a blur.  I remember that day as if it were yesterday...better than yesterday, actually, since my memory sucks now.  lol  

    I saw a cardiologist today.  She's having me do a stress test and then wear a 30 day event monitor.  Fun, fun, fun.   She said that my heart looks good, so these tests are just to try to figure out if the skipped beats are coming from the top or bottom of the heart because I guess it matters. 

    Welcome to all the new riders on our train!  

    Harley - I take my dose in the morning and I almost always have a hot flash as soon as I get all warm and cozy in bed every night, and every morning when I wake up.  The others times are unpredictable.  Sorry to hear about your intimacy issue.  My cardiologist's nurse asked me if I used birth control and my immediate thought was, what the hell for?  lol  My poor hubby!  I really should make more of an effort to be accommodating.  

    Lynn - I hope you get good results with the Traumeel and it works quickly.

    Basha - glad your onc appt went well and I hope the 21st gets here quickly for you.

    Abbi - congrats on getting your port out and welcome aboard.

    Have a great weekend everyone!

    Cynthia 

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited January 2008

    Lisa,

    My onco told me yesterday that my sore ankles and feet were likely from the tamox, and the best treatment was exercise. I also take Advil. Good luck.



    Basha

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited January 2008

    Lisa- that's so funny...I feel like my hot flashes are coming BACK as well.  (Could be b/c I am remembering to take the danged pill??)  Craziness. 

    Yes, I am going to have to go to the salon as well.  I had a 10" ponytail cut off last MARCH...  I told the owner why I was doing it and he said that I would need maintenance cuts while my hair was growing out...said he would do it gratis.  Anyhow, I should drag myself over there just so he can have a look at my head!!

    Sorry about the joint pain...haven't gotten that...just the nasty swelling...

    Ok, off to indulge myself at the mall...  Feel the need to spend money!!

    Virginia 

  • LottaQuilts
    LottaQuilts Member Posts: 10
    edited January 2008

    Gee, I don't know why I take the Tamox twice a day.... I'm just doing what my onc. prescribed.  So far no SEs, but it's only been like 3 days.

    As far as hair coloring, my onc. said it was ok as long as I went to a professional who understood that my hair is like baby hair and uses something gentle.  I don't quite have enough hair for her to do anything with yet though.  Virginia, you're right - every day is a new hair adventure to see where it's gonna be sticking up.  But I don't care - I'm just happy to have been able to ditch the scarves and go commando - even if I am a bit goofy looking!

    And by the way, I'm a former WW meeting leader and I need to lose 10 lbs too!  I started counting those points on Jan 2 and hope to get myself back into a meeting room this week.

    Abbi

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2008

    Abbi

    Congrats on getting your port removed!! 

    Oh, about the Tamox. dose... I read that we ALL get 20 mg, once a day... that is why I am confused.  Your onc prescribed 10 mg. twice a day??  I wonder why....  Maybe I should call your onc??  LOL

    Good Luck to us all! 

    Harley

  • unlimited
    unlimited Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2008

    Harley  --

    I wanted to give you another ' heads-up ' on a shampoo/ conditioner... that is just as good as Nioxin but cheaper.

    Its called   .... Nutri-OX ....  I have purchased one kit thus far - and it seems to have really helped my hair appear fuller and thicker.

    I am close to needing to buy more...  my hair has been thin for yrs prior to BC -- tends to happen with underactice thyroid patients... but thus far appears I have more thicker hair up there in that area  woo hooo  hope it remains ..

    I have been taking tamoxifen since end of July 2007... no se's  - not even a hot flash... only some weight gain like 10 pounds  grrrrr... 

  • louishenry
    louishenry Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2008

    Hi. Is anyone out there taking lexapro with tamox? I was on paxil for panic, but the whole interaction thing bugged me so now I have switched. Thanks in advance, Nada.

  • Kara
    Kara Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2008

    Whew.  It took me days to get through all the posts here.  Let's see...my first tamox was on Jan 4th, so I'm just over 1 week and no bad se's.  I do get the hot/cold issues and either toss blankets on or off.  The last two nights have been better and I've been able to keep the covers on all night.

    I usually take my tamox in the morning ... after breakfast.  But I forgot to take my tamox yesterday morning and remembered around noon when I was at work.  I took it when I got home.  I'll take today's a little later and then get back on the regular schedule.

    Virginia:  I'm in Livingston, NJ.  So you're probably not too far away.

    My hair is starting to come in  ... looks more grey and darker than before, but hard to tell because I had so many highlights I don't know how much grey I had before.  It will be a few months before I have to worry about a trim.

    Last night I was at my Mom's with my husband, brother & his family and my sister & her husband.  We were going to go out for dinner and my Mom was gong to call in a reservation.  I started to try to count everyone to see how many we were, got to 4, gave up and said "I can't count that high".  There were only 8 of us!!  LOL.

  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 1,291
    edited January 2008

    Hi ladies!

    Kara...That is how I take my dosage as well.  I even bring it to work with me with my oatmeal, if I am not hungry before I leave the house.

    I found that my hair ...looked so much thicker and fuller after I had it colored.  I think the grey took away from the thickness..the way it reflected light or something..haha??

    Basha..thanks for the info about the aches....I do exercise..Hmm??

    I have been running 3 miles 4 times a week since Thanksgiving..so, not sure why I am hurting?  Maybe from the running..haha.  I don't want to stop, because it is really helping me lose this weight.  Not sure how much I have lost, but I am starting to fit back into my pre cancer clothing!! I want to lose more before my surgery on Feb. 4th.

    I hope I can.

    Virginia...I had my long hair cut off last March too!! Did that before it all fell out.

    Abbi...havíng the port out is wonderful isnt it?  congrats!

    Cynthia..good luck on your stress test.

    xoxo

    Lisa

  • 2dogsnburg
    2dogsnburg Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2008

    Abbi, my onc.let me choose between 10mg 2x a day or 20mg once.I have a hard time remembering to take it once! Lol!

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2008

    Cynthia,


    Good to hear from you again!

    I trimmed my sideburns, but so far, my hair is only 1 inch long, and I don't want to cut it yet. 

    Happy Anniversary!!  ONE year!!  YAHOO!

    Good Luck with your stress test!  Let us know how it goes.

    I guess I shouldn't have given so much details about my problem... I have a gyn appt. on Feb. 4th, so I guess I'll ask my pcp  about it then.  Oh, and I just remembered that there is a message thread called "I want my MOJO back!", and it discusses all sorts of stuff like this, so maybe I will search there for more advice...  It is embarrassing! 

    I just wish I could go back to feeling NORMAL again!

    Best wishes,

    Harley 

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2008

    unlimited,

    Thanks for the information about Nutri-OX... Where can I buy it?  I bought a starter kit of Nioxin, and since I didn't have much hair at first, it has lasted a LONG time!  But, $40 for 3 small containers of product is ALOT of money!

    I also have an underactive thyroid, and I was so scared that my hair would never come back, or not come back as full.... I still am worried about this!

    how old are you?  Maybe you won't have any hot flashes.

    Harley

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2008

    Kara,

    I know about the chemo brain... I can't seem to remember anything anymore, unless I write it down!  I am so worried that this won't get better with time!  Well, you can always visit me in the mental hospital, or wherever they send people who have lost their mind!

    Hugs

    Harley

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2008

    Lisa,

    My hair is very thin, and coloring will "plump" up the follicles or something like that... at least, that is what my hair stylist told me.  I hate this gray, but I don't dare use color again, in case it had something to do with getting bc...

    Harley

  • unlimited
    unlimited Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2008

    Harley --

    I will be turning 43 this Wednesday -- looking forward to this bday - since the last bday I was spending time that month buying wigs  lol ...

    I purchased  the Nutri-OX kit at a hair / beauty supply store ( mine was Sally Beauty Supply ) the cost for the kit that contains shampoo, cond, and a liquid that u place on hair without rinsing - for "30 -day" amount was like $17.00.

    Like with u - Its lasting me a long time as well - since I only concentrate mostly to the front of my head where the thinning is.

    Due to my thinning -- it has made it take longer to go hatless... althou finally in public since 1/1/08 I stopped wearing a hat.

    Stopped wearing a wig sept 1, 2007.

    I have been on thyroid meds since age 23. I recently had mine increased due to the start of taking Tamoxifen. Taking 112 mcgs now vs 100 ... and the oncl will again check my TSH levels at my next appt 1/23.

    For some reason it taking forever for the hair to really grow in front -  my sides and back is a good2.5 - 3 inches of curls... i want bangs so  bad  LOL

    I , too heard  coloring ur hair  - or more like  hi lighting will make the hair look fuller -- looking to do that sometime in March .

    Hope you can find the Nutri-OX.....  I kept looking for Nioxin  - but the girls at the store say this is just as good - without paying for the Nioxin brand  price. 

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2008

    unlimited,

    Thanks!  I will look for it at all the local beauty supply stores, and ... DUH!  I can even search the net...  $17 is ALOT better than $40!!   It sounds like the same thing as Nioxin!  My hair is very thin on the sides, but the top looks fuller, kind of like a mohawk thing going on!  LOL 

    I am 44 y.o., and I started having hot flashes and was dx'd with premature menopause at the age of 35 or so...   My dh and all my friends keep telling me that I should be done with menopause, but I think that it might last forever!  UGH!!!

    Since starting Tamoxifen, the hot flashes haven't been too bad, though.

    Have a very Happy Birthday!!  I started to reach the point where I didn't want to celebrate my birthday any more, but now I am really happy to celebrate birthdays, because after bc... I am STILL HERE! 

    Hugs

    Harley

  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 1,291
    edited January 2008

    Happy b'day in advance Unlimited!  I just celebrated my 48th 2 days ago! Enjoy your day!!

    I agree Harley...I am glad I am here to celebrate a b'day!! woohoo!

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited January 2008

    Happy Birthday, Unlimited!!!!  Smile

    Cynthia 

  • unlimited
    unlimited Member Posts: 25
    edited January 2008

    Thank you girls for Birthday wishes -- appreciate it =)

    I am so glad that 2007 is behind me - went fast - and fortunately I did very well with the chemo and rads -- just have a mild LE to tend too since July2007..... but under control now that its a wisconsin winter lol  -- humidity was a culprit to bring on the swelling - thou in a mild way - we have to be careful and proactive in out daily ways.

    Now with the weight gain with Tamoxifen my goal for 2008 is to lose weight - I know that in itself will also help with my LE arm this summer.

    Keep up the good work tamoxifen gals =)

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited January 2008

    Ok Girls...I am going to miss you all.  I am going to be AWOL for a couple of weeks.  Actually going on a Caribbean cruise...  Went on one back in April prior to chemo...said it was my bon voyage to my hair.  So, now I am going on another one to welcome back my hair and wish bon voyage to my extra pounage!  LOL

    My Dad is in the hospital with congestive heart failure, so it makes things tough...feeling guilty about leaving him...

    Does anyone have charlie horses in their calves in the middle of the night?  This seems to be something new for me...  Wondering if this is a SE of the Tamox as well...

    OY! 

  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 1,291
    edited January 2008

    Virginia...have a wonderful time on your cruise!! You go girl!!

    I will pray for your Dad to recover and return to home quickly. 

    I do not have charlie horses in my calves now, but I have before.  The cure is getting more calcium and potassium...so drink some milk..eat a banana!

    Have fun!!

    Lisa

  • prayrv
    prayrv Member Posts: 362
    edited January 2008

    Virginia,

    Yes charlie horses are a se of tamoxifen and I am now getting them.  I hate the ones in my feet as I'm going to sleep!  Have to get up and walk around - sigh.  Have a great time on your cruise.  Sending prayers for your dad.

    Take care,

    Trish

  • betsy13
    betsy13 Member Posts: 18
    edited January 2008

    Hi All,

    does anyone remember an entry about the different manufacturers of Tamoxifin......I can't find it and remembered reading an entry about how one manufacturer used fillers/binders that gave this person a rash (which I am experiencing) when she asked her pharmacist for a different manufacturer she was fine.....I asked my pharmacist today and mine is made by Barr.....she said she would order from any manufacturer I want....I just have to get her the name......3 more days till the first breast MRI (moved up to Wed. and the other breast on Friday.....can't wait to get it over with:)

    Betsy 

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited January 2008

    Betsy - It was NYJanet that had the reaction and she's currently taking Ivax.  Good luck with your MRI.

    Virginia - I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise.  {{Hugs}} about our dad!

    Cynthia 

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2008

    Virginia,

    Have a great time on your cruise!!  We are going on a ONE week cruise in Feb., leaving on Feb. 8th to get on the ship on Feb. 9th.  I am so excited!  Cruises are the best!

    I'm keeping your Dad in my prayers!

    Hugs,

    Harley

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited January 2008

    Thanks ladies!!  I appreciate all the kind words!  I am also on a cruise bullentin board and everyone has been so kind!!  So, with all this good karma, dad has to do ok!!

    Thanks for the tip on more milk and bananas...  I know i've gotten the charlie horses in the past occasionally, but now it seems like every night.

    Harley- what is your cruise?  Where?  What ship?  I am going on the Norwegian Gem right here out of NYC.  Nice and close...just a 30 minute car ride to the pier.

    Thanks again for all the kind words...it means the world to me!!

    Virginia 

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2008

    Virginia,

    I am going on a Holland America cruise, and it's eastern Caribbean.  I just LOVE St. Thomas!  The ship is ... oh, it's one of those dam ships!...  The Zuiderdam!  It leaves from Ft. Lauderdale, so we will drive down and spend the night at a hotel before boarding the ship on Feb. 9th.  I even bought some new clothes to wear for dinner, to show off the new breasts! 

    We left from NY a few times, too, when we lived in Maryland.  We flew from Kennedy airport to Turkey for our Meditteranean cruise, over Sept. 11th!  It was scary, trying to get home!

    We had been planning a cruise for our 20th wedding anniv., but my FIL got sick and was dx'd with kidney cancer with mets to the bone...He passed away two years ago.  We are now also planning a two week cruise for Christmas & New Years 2008 - 2009!!  It will be our 23rd anniversary.  We were married on Jan. 4th!  It will be an ultra luxury cruise line... The Silver Sea...It costs more, but ALL your drinks are included!  I can't wait!

    With so many people praying for him, your Dad will be just fine!

    Enjoy your cruise!

    Harley

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