Bottle o Tamoxifen
Comments
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Kara,
I take thyroid medication first thing in the A.M. I was told to do it this way, since it needs to be taken on an empty stomach.
What I have read is that whatever you do, make sure you are consistent with it. So, if you take Tamox. with thyroid hormone, take it like that EVERY DAY... My sister takes ALL her meds at once, in the AM and the PM, and this works for her. Although, she isn't taking Tamox.... I really believe that it should be alright, just make sure you ALWAYS take them together.Hugs
Harley
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I take my multi vitamin with my tamox. I know that is not the same, but I was unsure if that was ok, so I asked my oc..she said fine.
Hmmm...now you got me wondering..did I take it this morning?? I usually have my bottles sitting inside a small dish beside my kitchen sink. I take them out of the dish, and put them on the counter, that is my signal to take them. They don't go back into the dish until I have taken them. But...I am second guessing myself!!
xoxo
Lisa
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Thank-you ladies. I think I'll continue to take them separately, even though I don't take them that far apart. I'll be going to my endo in a few weeks so I'll check with her if I need to adjust the timings.
My husband suggested I get one of those weekly pill holders and put my pills in there at the start of the week. Then I'd at least know if I missed taking one. Gee, I only have to take 2 pills a days ... why is that so hard to remember?
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I recently started using those pill holders...I resisted for a long time, but it's just easier to prepare them for the week and then put the box on the counter.
Tamox. is the only prescription thing I take, but I'm taking calcium, multivitamins, magnesium, etc. I'm doing pretty well taking them every day...and no one will ever accuse me of being organized. :-)
Lynn
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Harley - when I was trying to get my Tamoxifen via an online distributor, I asked my onc's office for a rx for a 3 month supply with 3 refills (because this is the only way the company accepts it). Well, my onc wrote it for 100 days and 4 refills. lol I called the rx company and they said they couldn't fill it. So, I told my onc's office that it wouldn't work and I needed the 3 month, 3 refills which they got right this time. Long story short, I have my original rx with available refills at a local pharmacy, a written rx for 100 pills refillable 4x, and the new filled rx of 90 pills with 3 available refills. Plus, another time, my onc wrote me a rx for something (can't remember what now) and I gave it to my husband to take and fill. Well, he mailed it along with the bill payments. Hehehehe! My onc wrote me another one, no problem, after I explained what happened. The post office eventually mailed me back the first one because my name and address were on it.
I hope your onc helps you out. If he won't, not taking it for one day won't affect your levels if that's all you would miss. I'm surprised that the pharmacy is making you wait to refill...maybe, another pharmacy would be more accommodating.
Good luck!
Cynthia
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Cynthia,
How are you doing? Have you been sleeping alright? I am having trouble sleeping... just can't seem to sleep thru the night! Now, I am sleeping only in the A.M., and then sleeping til 9:00am!
Yes, I am surprised that the CVS is giving me such a hard time about refilling Tamoxifen! I mean, it isn't like I'm going to OD on estrogen blockers! hehehe But seriously, another friend told me that you can get a "vacation override" on your Rx, once a year. I believe that I saw a commercial on TV about CVS being such a "caring pharmacy", that they even delivered a medication to an elderly patient who couldn't get in to pick one up... so much for that TV ad!
At least I will be seeing my onc before I go on my cruise, so I will ask him if he'll give me a scrip for one month, or something, to get me through the week I'll be away. I think I may be looking at 3 days or more, if we stop at a friends house in Cocoa Beach, on the way home... Gee, they always seem to make these things more difficult than they need to be! I really don't want to do anything that may mess things up... I want to do this the right way for the entire time I am taking these medications! I know that it isn't like missing a birth control pill, but... it IS part of the plan to keep this BC Beast from coming back!
That is funny, how your dh mailed a Rx with a bill!!Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know what happens. It seems that there is never a dull moment.
Harley
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My Mom told me how she keeps track of when she's taken her medications ... she just makes a dot on her calendar. So I have a small calendar for the year and after I take the Tamoxifen,I'll cross off the day on the calendar. Then at least I'll know later in the day if I forgot. Sounds simple.
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Man, I felt like crap today. My arthritis/joint pain was in high gear...I ate Tylenol arthritis tabs and rubbed on the Traumeel. Too much sitting...had to travel from Tokyo back to Sasebo. Long taxi ride to the airport, 2-hour wait for my flight, two hours to Nagasaki, and then another hour drive back home. It's so good to be back home!
Tomorrow will be better...I was just taken off guard because I had three pain-free days.
Harley, hope you get your refill. Sheesh...you'd think tamox. was something you could sell in a dark alley for a quick high or something.
Kara, go with the pill holder...takes the guesswork out of things. Whatever works, right?
Hope everybody's doing okay!
Lynn
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Lynn,
Yes, I know... I have been thinking...Gee, it's not like I am going to OverDose on Tamoxifen or something!!
I have an onc appt. on Feb. 5th, so I think I will wait til then. Maybe my onc will just write me a new scrip so I can get it filled ASAP, right before my cruise.
Really, they are making a mountain out of a molehill, I think.That sure sounds like TOO much traveling to me, Lynn... I get tired on long trips now.
Harley
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Hi Everyone,
I take Thyroid medicine too. I take both together in the morning is this wrong? I have a onc appointment in Feb so I will ask then. I also have a breast surgeon follow up on Monday. Maybe she can give me some advice on that. I was also thinking about getting the pill box. Why does that make me feel old???
Joyce
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Good morning tamox friends.
Lynn, your joint pain sounds like mine. My oc said the pain I was having in my left knee could be arthritis. I have been experienceing allot of joint pain lately, especially at night! I notice on the days that I don't run..my knees seem to be worse!?? I had a couple of nights where my ankles, elbows and wrists and calves hurt so bad, I woke up and had to take something to help the pain!
Any ideas if there is something I can eat or take to help with this?
Thanks!
xoxo
Lisa
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DEAR Tamoxifriends,
So Mon. is the day I have my biopsy for possible round 2 of DCIS. Think of me at 830. It's been hard waiting but I'm doing ok.
Basha0 -
Basha,
I will be thinking positive thoughts and prayers for you on Monday morning!
All the best.
xoxo
Lisa
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Ashaby - I'll be sending you positive thoughts on Monday and hoping all turns out well.
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Ashaby
I'm keeping you in my prayers! Hope all goes well on Monday!
Hugs & Prayers!
Harley
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{{{Ashaby}}} I will be thinking of You also!
Helping with joint pain--Omega3- I take 1000 a day!
PLEASE Remember to talk to Your dr, about Help with fluid buildup!!
I wish I had this advice when I took Tamox. My head hurt so bad
because of fluid, that I finaly talked to my Pharmist, He told me
that tamox. was the problem!!! He was Right!!! also helped with
Pain!!
You Girls, are doing wonderful! So Happy You have Each other!!
"THE BEST MED OF ALL"
Puppy
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THANKS EVERYONE!!!
Basha0 -
Basha--
I'll be sending positive thoughts, prayers, and good karma for Monday. At least the wait is almost over!
Lisa, it's 6 a.m. on Sunday morning, and I'm sitting here drinking coffee because my hips and lower back were hurting so badly I couldn't stay in bed. Ack. I did almost an hour of cardio yesterday, and I've been stretching like a fiend...must be the dang tamox.
So, Puppy...fluid buildup in joints is caused by tamox.? And Omega 3 takes care of it? I'll be googling as soon as this is sent. Pain in joints and working w/ elem. kids just isn't working for me. I'm starting to feel like Grandma Moses.
Harley, keep us posted on your refill quest. Perhaps we could get together a "care package" for you since this seems to be turning into such a pain in the neck. Why must the easy be made difficult???
Take care, all...Basha, let us know how the biopsy went.
Lynn
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Lynn,
Thanks so much for the kind offer! I just know that insurance companies are just trying to make things difficult! It is silly, really. I will see my onc on Feb. 5th, and will ask him if he can write me a NEW scrip, so I can get it filled and have enough pills on hand, so I won't run out.
I'll let you know how it goes...
Thanks! You are such a nice person!
Hugs,
Harley
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Hi Ladies,
Good luck to you Basha, sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
I will be jumping on board soon, sometime in the next week. I just finished radiation this past Tuesday, and am in the process of getting the RX filled. I will pick it up tomorrow but wont start till after the holiday-you know, a slight break in between.
In the meantime- a question. Is it better to take it at night? I take BP med in the morning plus vitamins, fish oil, calcium and a little more and I dont want all that stuff in my system the same time, call me paranoid. Overload.
Also, someone mentioned acupuncture for side effects (see, I havent started it yet and Im already worrying-but believe it or not its less than what it was)? Is it working really well? Thats something Im considering too just to try it.
I almost wish I could stay at my Drs office for 24 hours right after taking the pill for the first time just to monitor me. I have a tendency to worry alot, can you tell
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Welcome, labhusky--
I've been reading your posts on the other thread re: tamox. Come on and get on board...as I see it, you can always opt out if it doesn't agree with you. Re: your ?s...I take my 20 mg. in the morning, not because I was told to, but that's just my choice; from what others have said, it doesn't really matter. Ask your onc and make the best decision for you.
I just had my weekly shiatsu/acupuncture appointment this afternoon...I swear by it. Since I go weekly I don't know how things would be without it, but all I know is I felt like crap before I left--some depression, joint pain big time, and fatigue--and I feel much better now.
While tamox is your best bet for keeping a recurrence from happening, don't give it more power than it deserves. So far--I started it on Nov. 3--it isn't a total cake walk, but it isn't hell on earth either. Come have a seat on the tamox train...there's safety in numbers!
Good luck...
Lynn
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Lynn, Hope You can find what You need on Goggle LOL
I took My Tamox. 10 in the morning and 10 in the eve.
You Girls(ladies) "ROCK" Proud of You All
Puppy
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Hello My Tamoxifen Heroes,
I did pick up the RX today, and read BOTH inserts. Theirs the usuall one from the pharmacy PLUS another medication guide. It sure brings it all home to me. The mentioning of blood clots and stroke . It says, "for all women in this study, taking tamoxifen tablets increased the risk of having a blood clot in their lungs or veins or of having a stroke." It sure isnt a comforting thought.
How do you all manage to take it. Im sure I will but man!!! And of course theirs a risk of endometrial cancer? But I hear thats 2%.
I am like this with every pill I have to take if its a prescription. I am tempted to take a half a tablet first to see how I am. Maybe thats a big no-no?
HELP!!! I had grade 3 with comedo necrosis. Those are the two factors for me to take it. Mine was single focal, 8MM in size and a great 14mm margin. Im 51, and a mom of a 14y/o labhusky hence my nickname.
Ive heard alot of success stories with this stuff and hardly any problems, from someone I know that just got off of it and the hot flashes were the only issue with her that I know about, to a friends aunt that took it 20 years ago with NED's since.
How do you deal with this? I read too I cant eat broccoli and brussel sprouts? I hate grapefruit anyway so thats ok. Thats the only 3 things that Ive heard of. Its never easy I guess.
Carol
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Dear Girls
Am new to this chat room thing- am signing in from Australia, Central Coast. Hi to you all!
I was diagnosed four years four months ago and have been on Tamoxifen since then. Was unable to tolerate the 20mg, had severe PMT type symptoms, night sweats, insomnia etc.. so reduced the dose to 10mg and have tolerated that just fine.
But re the weight loss thing- don't believe it- its definitely weight gain- about 5 kg- even though I'm a serious exerciser, gym, weights, swim etc.. impossible to lose the weight that all seems to be fluid.
My dilemma now is that am nearing the end of the magical 5years - the usual time Clinical Trials are funded and patients followed up-and the time frame whre the evidence has been collected- and am now at the point where as a pre menopausal woman- the risks are starting to tip the balance away from benefiting my health and for continuing this medication.
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Aussie Jane
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Hi Ladies,
I'm joining this thread. I will start taking tamoxifen tomm. I have to take a baby aspirin a day because my platelets are high and that will decrease my chances for bloodclots. I am very nervous about starting.
Carol, why can't we eat broccoli or brussel sprouts? I never heard of this.
Is there anything else I should know. Thanks for the information.
Lots of hugs, Jackie
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Jackie and Carol--
What's this about no broccoli or brussel sprouts??? I had read about grapefruit (no problem--I, too, hate it), but my onc says to eat a cruciferous veggie daily, which I've been doing pretty faithfully.
So what's the story on these veggies? I love them...I'd need some pretty convincing evidence of harm to give them up.
Aussie Jane, I LOVE your country! I've been twice and can't wait to go back again.
Go Giants...woohoo!
Lynn
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Welcome to all our new riders!
Carol - I haven't read of any restrictions about broccoli and brussel sprouts. In fact, those are very good for preventing a recurrence. As for blood clots and strokes, the risk is very, very small for healthy women with no family risk factors for these. That isn't to say that I don't worry about it, lol. I worry about everything, but I just tell myself that most women use it without too many problems so I hope to do the same. I think I'm going to begin taking aspirin, too, to lower my risk even further (it also protects against cancer, too). I take the Tamoxifen in the morning, and my heart med (Toprol XL) in the evening with dinner. I usually take my calcium in the morning, too, and you're not supposed to take it with Toprol so that's why it has to wait.
Ashaby - I hope all goes well tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you.
Harley - Sorry you're having trouble sleeping. I hope it gets better with time. When I first started sleeping without the Ativan, I had the worse nightmares (I think from the Toprol). Now, I still have a lot of dreams, and wake up a few times a night, but all in all it's tolerable. I am having more hot flashes at night, though, probably because I'm awake more. My appetite seems better now. How is yours?
Aussie Jane - I think you're our first Aussie to board our train. It's so wonderful to have such an international group of so many wonderful women. I am also premenopausal and I figure that I'll probably be on some type of anti-estrogen therapy for most of my life since the current research is showing a benefit. I have read, also, that there are studies to see if taking less Tamoxifen (like you did) is as effective as the current 20mg. So far, it looks to be true. I've been lucky that the only side effect I have is hot flashes.
Lynn - "safety in numbers" - roflol. Glad acupuncture helps you feel better. I would definitely be doing it, too, if I could afford it. Maybe, one of these days. I'm sleeping better and I'm off the Ativan. I do wake up more frequently without it, but I figure I can deal with it since I can't take it forever (wish I could, lol).
I've been experiencing some edema in my hands, but I had it even before I started the Tamoxifen. I would wake up with swollen and stiff fingers, but it would go away within a few hours. It rarely happens now, but the funny thing is, it happens after I drive to a town in the foothills an hour away from me. The only thing I can think of is that it's about 2000 ft higher in altitude. Does anyone know if that could be it? I can't think of anything else.
Take care everyone,
Cynthia
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Their is a chart at this website. WWW.medicine.iupui.edu/flockhart/table.htm I hope I put it in right, but if you scroll down to "inducers" you will see broccoli and brussel sprouts listed.0
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labhusky - the broccoli and brussel sprouts are under the column for a different pathway, not the 2D6 pathway. Not to worry, we can eat as much as we want.
Cynthia
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Harley, about the pills for your cruise: I had a similar issue some yrs ago (other medics), and the pharmacist told me to call the insurance. After I don't know how many hours waiting on the stupid call centers, actually the insurance agreed to provide the medics earlier than the actual prescription, and called in at the pharmacy. Give it a try...
Otherwise, I am sure the doc will give you a new Rx.
Have a great time!!!
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