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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 211
    edited January 2008

    Whew, Cynthia...thanks for interpreting the chart for us.  I'm off to stirfry some broccoli, snow peas, and other veggies for dinner.  Wishing you sweet dreams and flexible fingers!

    Lynn

  • Kara
    Kara Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2008

    Whew.  I'm glad there's no problem eating broccoli and brussel sprouts.  I have broccoli 3-4 times a week.

    At one time (prior to surgeries) I had been taking an 81mg Aspirin a day.  It sounds like that might be a good thing to start up again. I checked out the combination at a drug interaction web-site and it checks out ok.  The site did mention avoiding grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Tamoxifen. 

    Here is a link to the Drug Interaction Web-Site:

    http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited January 2008

    Welcome to WackyJackie and Aussie Jane!  The more the merrier!?!?

    Basha, I'm thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed. 

    Cynthia, the altitude can DEFINITELY have that effect on you.  It can cause all kinds of weird things -- for me it was always difficutly sleeping.  If you go back there, keep it in mind so you can find out for sure.

    I've been on tamox for almost 2 months now.  I'm stilling taking Ambien CR to sleep.  The anxiety is still there for me.  I'm hoping when I have my 6 month mammo in about 4 weeks, that'll improve. At 48, I guess I expect that my joints might be stiffening anyway.  The evenings are the worst -- knees and ankles.  I guess I need to put that on my list of questions for the med onc in March. 

    Also, wanted to thank everyone for just being there.  I don't get on too frequently but you are always so upbeat that I get strength from you.  Thanks

    D

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited January 2008

    Dear Darling Tamoxifriends,



    Thanks again for all the well wishes. I had my stereotactic today. As I lay on the table with the hole for your boob, squashed between glass plates, I could almost touch my surgeons head. When he looked up at me I said, "Flood me with lidocain", which he must have, because it really didn't hurt this time. Now I'm sore, but not too bad.



    On thurday at 430, I get the results and will run home to let you all know. People experiencing joint pain on Tamox, my onco sad it's real and the best thing to do is use those sore joints. My feet and ankles get very sore.



    Love to all, Basha

  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 211
    edited January 2008

    Basha--

    So glad your biopsy is over...thinking of you and sending prayers for good results.

    Re: the joint pain...I've really been trying to exercise more, as it truly does help.  Yesterday I even started with the weight machines...just did the arm/shoulder ones, but it's a start.  This arthritis pain is so weird...one day I'm limping like I'm 90, and the next I'm bouncing around like...a much younger person (I won't put an age on it).

    Better go get ready for work...today is my first day teaching after my conference.  It'll be good to be back in my own space.

    Take care, fellow strap hangers!

    Lynn

  • wackyjackie
    wackyjackie Member Posts: 107
    edited January 2008

    Ladies,

    Thank you so much for your warm welcome and all the valuable information I've read so far.  I started my tamoxifen this morning and I'm grateful to know you are all here for me.

    Hugs, Jackie

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited January 2008

    Basha,

    I'm glad to hear that at least the biopsy was ok.  I did the same with the lido -- I would recommend that to everyone!

    I'll be thinking of you and keep good thoughts. 

    Lynn,

    Thanks for the advice on the joint stuff.  I'll try to do some of that.

    D

  • honeygirl
    honeygirl Member Posts: 136
    edited January 2008

    Cynthia , Thanks for having a good eye for detail! I too was upset to see it , I love both of those and am glad to see we can all still enjoy.

    Glad to here you are sleeping better.

    Ashaby , good luck! My prays are with you.xxxx

    Welcome to all the newbieSmile!

    I have a question for you ladies. Has anyone experienced palpitations from effexor or tamoxifen? I've had them before , but my bp med , Ziac takes care of them. But this am I woke to a "run" of palps. I called my onc and he sent me for blood work and had an ekg. Everything was fine. I came home and took a xanax and an hour later they stopped and I haven't had any since. My nurse and I discussed the fact that it was this time last year I was dianosed and maybe subconciously its effecting me. OK , just wondered if anyone else had this.

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

    Hi everyone,

    Hope everyone is doing well, and not having too much se's from the Tamoxifen...

    Cynthia, Lynn, and Lilith -- an update on the Tamoxifen refill...

    I don't know what the problem was, but after being told last week that I couldn't get a refill put through with my insurance for at least THREE weeks, I called today, and asked WHEN WILL I BE ELIGIBLE for a refill on the Tamoxifen?  You know, the lady was very nice, and she said...."Oh, you can get a refill right now!..."   So, I told her to go ahead and process it, and on my way to go out shopping, I picked it up!  I paid only $9 for 3 months supply....

    Why did that other woman give me such a hard time???

    Oh, well!  All's well that ends well, I guess...

    Harley

  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 211
    edited January 2008

    Woohoo, Harley!  So glad it worked out for you...it would have been awful if you had had to go to the dark side and get your tamox. fix at the local crack house. 

    Who knows why you sometimes get the runaround with insurance companies and the like.  When I was finishing up my treatment in NY and getting ready to start tamox. I sent in the form with the prescription, marking that it should be sent to me in NY this one time rather than to my PO box in Japan.  After waiting a ridiculous amount of time for it to arrive, I discovered that it had been sent to Japan after all.  I called the co. and asked if they could send me a partial prescription so I could start it as my onc wanted...this snotty woman said they don't do partial prescriptions.

    When I told her that it was her company's fault that I couldn't start my medication as needed, she changed her tune completely...apologized profusely and sent another full prescription to me in NY.  It gets to be a hassle, but I guess the squeaky wheel theory works.

    I'm on my way to becoming the female Arnold S.--after much hemming and hawing, I've started using the weight machines at the gym this week.  I've done the arm machines twice, and the torso machines once.  I feel that good hurt--that "I've done something good for myself" hurt through my shoulders and back.  In my quest to get healthier, I've signed up for two local "Biggest Loser" groups...one at school and one on base.  Wish me luck...I hope to win both!  Exercise helps the aches and pains from tamox., so it's a win-win.  If I can just sustain this energy...

    Wishing everyone a good day!  Harley, when do you leave on your cruise?

    Lynn

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited January 2008

    Honeygirl,

    I tried Effexor once for severe depression and felt like I was speeding; couldn't sleep, hyperactive, palps. When I went off, back to normal. Are you taking it for flashes? I think some of us aren't wired for the noraepinehrine in it. Hope you can tolerate it.

    xx Basha

  • conniehar
    conniehar Member Posts: 585
    edited January 2008

    Hi all -

    I checked in on this thread in the beginning but haven't kept up with it.  I hope everyone is doing well.

    Do many of you have insomnia?  I have battled this since dx and took sleeping pills off and on through tx.  I feel like I should not be taking them anymore, but I cannot sleep!  I lie there wide awake at night (even though I feel tired all day) and I never feel like I get into a deep sleep.  Does Tamox. cause insomnia?   Should I just succomb to a life of sleeping pills?

    Thanks for the advice!

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

    Lynn,

    Thanks!  you are TOO FUNNY!  LOL  I picture myself, going into the seedy part of town, to meet with someone who "knows a guy", so I can score some Tamoxifen.....  

    Really, how pathetic!

    Hugs

    Harley

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited January 2008

    Hello ladies!

    Honeygirl, I know exactly what you are talking about!  I'm as relaxed as I think I can be then I'm in the grip of a palp.  My primary doc told me that is the time when we are most susceptible to an anxiety attack -- we've let our guard down so to speak.  She said that she has many college students with migraines that make it through finals -- stressed, not sleeping enough, not eating well -- and they don't get a headache until they are home.  A bounce back migraine.  She says the attacks are like that. 

    Connie -- I've tried to stop taking sleeping pills but I don't sleep and I think it is more important to get a good night's sleep then get off the pills.  You need to sleep to heal.

    I have a question for the group though -- has anyone had a S/E of recurrent yeast infections?  I've been on the tamox for 6 weeks now and have a third infection.  Is this because of the tamox?

    D

  • karol61
    karol61 Member Posts: 36
    edited January 2008

    Hello ladies,

    Honeygirl, I have been on Tamox since 7/07,am also on BP meds and had those palpitations before I had BC. It's been happening for years, all of a sudden I'll  feel my heart jumping and I start to get very anxious.  I  take Ativan 0.5 mg and do relaxation breathing to zap those panicky  feelings. I also have had it checked by my  doctor. 

    dcbkc,I take Ativan one mg to sleep because I cannot function w/o a good night's sleep. Maybe the recurrent yeast infections are triggered by Tamox.

    karoline 

  • conniehar
    conniehar Member Posts: 585
    edited January 2008

    Thanks for the advice on sleeping everyone!  I guess I will just take them.

    dcbkc, when my onc was going over side effects of Tamox, he mentioned one lady who consistently complained of yeast infections.  That stinks - I feel for you!

    Have a good night ladies!

  • wackyjackie
    wackyjackie Member Posts: 107
    edited January 2008

    Hi Ladies,

    I don't sleep good at all any longer since my dx.  I used to be a deep, heavy sleeper.  I started tamox on Monday and I feel during the day like my body is racing a little.  Does anyone ever feel like that?  It's not really palpitations but sort of like adrenaline.  Maybe I'm crazy. 

    Have a great night ladies.

    Lots of hugs, Jackie

  • karol61
    karol61 Member Posts: 36
    edited January 2008

    Jackie,

    Maybe it is adrenaline,you don't sound crazy. I feel like that sometimes.  I get an adrenaline rush but there's no danger to run from.

    You have a good night,too.

    Karoline 

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited January 2008

    Hi Ladies,

    I've been having an "adrenaline-like" sensation as I'm trying to fall asleep at night.  It's the weirdest thing, it's as if a wave of something moves through my body.  Last night, my legs even felt tingly or antsy.  I hate it!  I never considered it could be due to the Tamoxifen.  I hope it eventually goes away.

    I see my cardiologist Friday for a treadmill test and to be fitted with a 30-day event monitor because of the heart palpitations and tachs that aren't responding to the heart meds I'm on.  My gp thinks it's due to anxiety, but I don't know what I can do about that since I'm not feeling anxious.  Kwim?  It's weird, I'll be sitting on the couch and suddenly have a tachycardia.   I don't think the Tamoxifen has anything to do with it, but who knows. 

    Harley - glad your got your rx situation handled.  That's a relief.

    Take care everyone!

    Cynthia 

  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2008

    Hi ladies--

    Got room for one more?  Started my tamox yesterday.

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

    Welcome, Jane!  Fasten your seatbelt, because you are in for a bumpy ride!

    Cynthia,

    I'll be thinking about you tomorrow, as you go for your treadmill test, and get yet another heart monitor...  I hope they can find out what is causing the palpitations and tachy.

    Hugs,

    Harley

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

    Welcome Jane!! Good to see you!!

    I went to get my tamox filled yesterday on my lunch hour...I was down to zero pills..shame on me!  They were out!! I ended up having another store fill it.  I had an appt at my bs today (everything went great), so I stopped by my oc office, and had them give me a scrip for the next 11 months!! Yeah..no waiting anymore.

    D...no yeast infections here. Sorry you are experiencing that! On top of everything else.

    I am sleeping fairly well.  I have my nights.

    I am getting geared up for my surgery (reconstruction) in about 1 1/2 weeks!  Excited and nervous.  I asked about taking my pill the day of, and they said I could.

    Basha, waiting to hear back from you, and how everything went today!!

    xoxo

    Lisa

  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2008

    Thanks for the welcome--I got lots of reading to do on this thread to get up to snuff for this ride!  Yup, seatbelt buckled tight!!

    Hey ladies, does this train have a Bar Car?

    Lisa!!!!  We gotta talk!  I wrote you two long PM's that the computer ate and I got disgusted--PM me your phone number and a good time to call--I had the same TRAM that you are scheduled for (and all the other things we have similar!) and I think a phone conversation would be great!

    I took tamox number 2 this morning--feeling nothing yet--he he he he--

    Wasn't sure whether I was getting on this train or going the AI route, but saw my onc Wednesday for post-chemo scan results and hormone therapy planning (PET and CT scans clear!  Yay!) and when he saw the dexa scan results from the rheumy just last week, he agreed with me that the tamox was the train for me to jump on--I am thrilled and thought I would have to argue with him about it since I am post-menapausal.  But, he agreed and here I am!

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

    Jane...I will pm you my cell and home.  Are you a cell user with verizon?? If so...that would be free.

  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2008

    Yup Lisa, but I am in CT this week (in the woods with no cell service) so I will call you from my landline.

    Also when is a good day time to call?

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

    So, you are Verizon? 

    That is ok, if you have to wait.  I am off on Thursday's, Sunday's and Monday's.  If you want to wait until Sunday, when it's cheaper.  It's up to you.

    I am off here in a few minutes to run errands.  I will be home later around 2pm.  I will be in bed early on Thursday's, since I have to be at work at 4am on Fridays!!

  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 63
    edited January 2008

    Got your pm Lisa--I will give you a call at home later today!

  • karol61
    karol61 Member Posts: 36
    edited January 2008

    Jane and Lisa,

    Welcome to the Tamox Train, it has not been a very bumpy ride for me. Hope it is not a bumpy ride for either of you.

    Lisa, glad your docs agreed on Tamox to keep ur bone density. I have osteoporosis so my rheumy+PCP+oncs agreed it was Tamox for me.

    Take care,ladies,

    Karoline 

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited January 2008

    Jane - heck, ya, it has a Bar car...and a Starbucks car, and a chocolate car, and a car for knitting while drinking and eating chocolate.  Wink  Welcome aboard!

    Cynthia 

  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 934
    edited January 2008

    Okay, your train ride has been on my favs for a month, reading and trying to keep up!  Forget that, too much info for this chemo-brain!Laughing

    But I have a question I hope is appropriate for this posting?  I'll be starting tamox in the future, probably by the first of March.  I'm wondering.  What is the protocal for gyno checks during this time on these meds?  Do you see your regular Doc, a specialist for gyno, reg gyno?  Who watches for the SE's that are possible? 

    I have a new family doc (who started this ride) in sept.  When I mentioned i needed a gyno check, he said he'd do the check and then send me on if needed?  Well, first off, he's a ...oh shoot...Not an M.D., the other one.  I'm really not comfortable with him doing it, be/c I have a history with problems.

    1) @15 y/ago, I had cervical dysplasia level IV (back then that's what they called it) the stage just before cancer dx.  Had a cone biopsy and such.

    2) Summer of '05, had a 7 cm dermoid cyst removed from my right ovary.

    3) have had 7-10 periods every 21-24 days forever. Then in '07 had a 24 day period in April, missed 5 from june to late sept, missed 3 more till first chemo dec 5th and none since. 

    So, I'm not sure whether this all menopause related, or something else, but am a bit worried after this BC dx.

    So....any advice? 

    2)

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