Bottle o Tamoxifen
Comments
-
Jburke1, you are welcome! And, please keep us updated on how you do.
It seems like so many bc survivors love their rad techs and rads oncologist. I wonder why that it is? I don't read where they say they love their plastic surgeon or their oncologist or anyone else that much. And, you should stop in and see them. I still do. Ofcourse, like I said, my rads oncologist is pretty much taking over my treatment now.
Well, be sure and keep us informed on how you are doing.
Susie
0 -
Hi tuckertwo! I was scared to take tamox too. I just stared at the bottle not knowing what to do. Finally, I took my first one Sunday night and so far, I have only had a headache everyday, which isn't great, but, I can live with it. ( i think, not so sure my hubby can though lol )
You just do what you feel is in your best interest. Do what feels right to YOU. Maybe, you just need some more time, and if so, then that is your right. Noone should be pressuring you. This is your body, your life.
I wish you all the best and let us know how you are doing. That is why we have this site, to support one another no matter what!
Susie
0 -
jburke, I hope that you have no side effects with tamox. Some have bad ones, I know, and, some have very few. It seems to vary a lot. Let us know how you do on tamox.
And tuckertwo, taking tamox is hard for some. I know several women that delayed it for months, and, a few that aren't going to take it at all. Talk it over with your loved ones, your oncologist and know all of your facts. Maybe you will take it now, maybe you won't ever, or, maybe you will just wait awhile. It is up to you. Just know that we are here for you.
Jeanne
0 -
tuckertwo.... I was like Susie and so many of us ....scared as all get out of the Big T
and found it so hard to take that first one. It is your decision. I'd just say that since you
have a much lower percentage there perhaps give it a try and if side effects are bothersome
just drop it.
It's great to know we have our sisters here to come to and talk about anything. And as I go
along, I have seen just about EVERYTHING discussed. LOL
CatbirdC Bonnie
0 -
Hi Tucker,
As I understand it, the Herceptin SEs can be very severe flu-like symptoms and are very common amongst users. Tamox, on the other hand, has a lot of annoying SEs (hot flashes, weight gain, headaches, body aches), but I don't think anything as severe as Herceptin - or at least I haven't heard of anything really horrible over the last couple of months that I have been on this thread. I have been taking Tamox for 2.5 months and my SEs have been very mild so far.
If you're able to tolerate Tamox with out much inconvenience, then it would certainly be worth taking it for a 4-6% risk reduction. Unfortunately, you won't know your tolerance level unless you try it. Also, from what I have read, it appears that when someone takes a Tamox break - stops taking it for a period of time - their SEs stop almost immediatley. And when someone resumes taking it (after a tamox break), their symptoms are much less severe.
There are a lot of discussion about Tamox SEs further back in the thread, so if you have a chance take a read through.
Best,
J0 -
Hi Tucker,
Don't forget the benefit of tamoxifen FOR THE OTHER BREAST. It has been said it may decrease recurrance there by up to 50%. That's the main reasin I am taking it, as it is helping less than 5% for the bc one.
0 -
Susie, I didn't do rads, so I don't have a rads oncologist, but I love and trust my breast surgeon, and my plastic surgeon, and have recommended both of them to others. My oncologist...
0 -
I am so lucky to have my rads oncologist! He is the one that is helping me so much, even though I have finished my rads. He is just so understanding, kind, funny, smart, just everything anyone would ever want. My plastic surgeon was great, but, I haven't been around him that much. I had a lumpectomy, so, I have only talked to him a few times. My oncologist, yuck. I think he will be fired shortly. lol I have just spent so much time around my rads oncologist that I know him so well and he has been so great to not only myself, but, to my hubby, and, that means a lot. I just hope everyone has some doctor that they can really talk to and feel good with. That is so important.
Susie
0 -
bcamnb: I didn't know that about the other breast. Thanks for that info!
Susie
0 -
Excellent point, BCamb! I always forget about the other breast.
0 -
I did know about the Big T helping not to get cancer in the other breast and that was a big factorswaying me to go ahead with it even though I was so afraid of all the possible horrid side effects.
I had a lumpectomy and was scheduled for rads when my biopsy came back from a second opinion at Mayo and showed more cancer microcalcifications with unclear margins. That is why I had to go to mastectomy. But then I was told no rads but Tamoxifen.
We each have our variations on all the various types. No one would ever believe how much unless they actually had it themselves.
There is bright sunshine here in southeastern Ohio. I'll send it your way.
CatbirdC Bonnie
0 -
It is sunny here today too Bonnie, but, windy, really windy. I hate when it does this because it makes it so much cooler than it should be. But, I will take it over rain and clouds anyday! Or, snow! OMG, I do not want that.
And, the sun brings out more of the ladybugs/beetles. Yes ladies, I am still at war with them and it looks like I will be for awhile. lol I got little bowls of water and soap and now I have started "capturing" them and drowning them. Or, did I already tell you that? lol Rad brain you know...forgetful.
I am loving all of the good info on here. Keep it up ladies! Enjoy your sunshine!
Susie
0 -
Oh Susie You Are Cracking Me Up With The BUG MURDERS !!!!!!!That is just a riot. At least they get a bath before they bite the dust. LOL
May I ask what state you hail from? If you don't mind that is.
) For some reason I was thinking mid west???? Ohio is the first state of the mid west ....which to me is ridiculous. We're not west enough. LOLBut like a tomato is a fruit ~~ so be it I guess. Like you said we learn on here.
Thanks For The Smiles
CatbirdC Bonnie
0 -
So, what is everyone doing for the weekend? Anything special? It is suppose to be really nice here and I think thru most of the US, so, let's get out and do something. ( or not haha)
We have so much yardwork to still do before winter hits, but, I love working outside.
Jeanne
0 -
Susie09, and MTG
yes, Susie, I am almost finished Tamoxifen... I may wait til Jan 1st to start the new drug, so that is why I am saying:
56 more Tamoxifen pills....
MTG,
yes, one day we'll be finished with treatment, I hope, and then our lives will return to 'somewhat' normal... or as the others here say... The NEW NORMAL... I don't know about you, but I want my OLD normal back!!
0 -
Wow Harley, only 56 more pills to go with tamox! That is great! I hope I can make it that far and finish! It just seems like forever, doesn't it? What new drug are you suppose to take Jan 1?
And, when you wrote about the New Normal that so many say, I am with YOU, I want the Old Normal me back. I can always hope, can't I?
Jeanne, for the weekend, we are suppose to go out tomorrow night with some friends for pizza and beer. I plan on eating too much pizza and drinking too much beer. lol We always have a great time with our friends. Then, going back to one of their homes to just talk and drink some more. Sounds like a HOOT to me!
Sunday, we usually just lay around and watch football together all day, movies, just snuggle up and relax and enjoy our day together. I love it!
With the daily headache I am getting, I think, as a result of tamox, I bet this hangover will be a doozy! lol
And Bonnie, I DO MURDER BEETLES/LADYBUGS AND I WILL CONTINUE! LOL I took a nap today and had a dream that they all got together and carried me to the bath and drowned me. LOL I do have an imagination, don't I? LOL
Susie
0 -
Well, I just finished one week on Tamox. Yay for me. So far, I have experienced fatigue, nausea (that is getting better...I take my medication with a glass of milk before I go to bed), insomnia and headaches (that too is better today). So far, so good.
Mary
0 -
Wow Mary that sounds awful! Your attitude is GREAT!
0 -
Jeanne D - I'm in DC for a few days. Lived here for over 20 years so lots of friends to celebrate with and my godson (16) and goddaughter (13) who are fantastic (They normally take turns spending part of their summer with me, but that was cancelled this year due to this garbage.) Looking forward to just going back to my normal routine with friends.
Harley44 - I completely agree. Everyone talks about the new normal but my old normal was just fine, better than fine. I felt great before the surgery, am back to feeling great again and really dread feeling icky with the big T. Just hope its not too icky.
Rachel - Really cute photo of your son.
Now, what is it with Med Oncs ? Surgeons - everyone loves. RadOncs - Everyone loves. Med Oncs - ???? Meeting a new one next week just to keep trying.
0 -
I am 3 weeks on Tamox now and have had crazy night sweats and hot flashes and some nights I get bad leg cramps. Hope fully that's a sign it's working and that my body is just adjusting.
0 -
Hi Keno- yep, it sure is. Hot Flashes are a very good indicator- although if you did chemo it can be a little confusing if the HF are from Tamox or Chemo...
Someone else here was having leg cramps and I dug up some info from mayo clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/night-leg-cramps/MY00410
and then someone told us about putting a bar of Ivory Soap in your bed by your feet, and as crazy as that sounds, its got a lot of good data behind it... with no explanation, it seems to work!
here's a snopes review of the ivory soap cure:
0 -
Hi,
Several of you who have recently started Tamoxifen may find that your SE calm down after a couple of months. Mine did. I had REALLY dry eyes, horrible night time hot flashes, nausea, and vag dryness, and my periods stopped. All of the SEs went away, except missing period within two months. Six months after being on Tam I had a full Hyster/Ooph, and that transition has been pretty easy--not difficult at all, I think it was because I was on Tam for months before. I've stayed on Tam and will move to an AI later. I guess the only thing that really bugs me is that I'm more forgetful and more tired, but it has been such a huge year bc, blm, reconstruction, hyster/ooph, oldest son moved away, started grad school while still working 40 hours a week, and now a torn rotator cuff, oh and I got a puppy. So, really at this point who can tell why I'm more forgetful and tired. I encourage those new on the drug to be patient, keep your onc updated on how you are feeling, but there is a very good chance the SE will pass.
Have a great weekend!
KarenW
0 -
That's encouraging Karen knowing that these SE's might take a hike after a few months.I just have 8 weeks of the Big T in so I have a long long trail to go too.
The hot flashes have minimized to "almost" never, foot and leg cramps "almost" never, same with the nausea. My one SE that didn't show up for a few weeks but won't seem to go away is the dry eyes. I actually looked like I had pink eye for a time. Now I just look like I had one too many at times. LOL Funny but not funny altho I can laugh here.
)Susie: Still making me crack up with your bugs. Oh My Bet that reads funny to someone notfollowing us regularly.
Hi to All.
CatbirdC Bonnie
0 -
Rachel,
I didn't do chemo as my Oncotype Dx was 15 and I opted out.So the side effects are just from the Tamoxifen. I did just have to give in a cheek swab to my health care provider to see if I was metabolizing it fully, so we will see. It certainly feels like it!! I did see that crazy idea about the soap and am willing to try anything at this point! If I try it, I will let you all know how it works.
0 -
MTG, and others--I understand about the search for a "good enough" med onc. I had accepted I would not find a "perfect" med onc, but I had no idea what a search I would have for one that was "good enough" and trustworthy. When I was first diagnosed years ago, I went through 3 before I finally found one that I respected and felt respected me. I later moved to another state, and tried one before settling with the second--with whom I had an "off again, on again" relationship (just when I thought I would walk out and never come back he would be helpful in some particularly helpful way and I would stay around...). When I was diagnosed again a few years back, I had just moved to another state, and I went through 2 before finding a 3rd (and I got a 2nd opinion at a regional comprehensive cancer center to make sure I was on track with #3), who has been my onc for 3+ years. Thankfully I had a pretty good relationship with him with ca diagnosis #3, or I would probably have wanted to "go round the bend." He never makes me feel rushed, rarely if ever minimizes my concerns, has a sense of humor, is willing to say he does not know something if he does not know, thanks me when I bring new research to his attention, and responds with sensitivity when I feel anxious or just down right crazy. If possible, I recommend searching until you find the right fit; it's worth it.
0 -
...wow... it seems that there are so many new riders on the Tamoxitrain!! I don't even feel like I belong here any more...
Susie,
Yes, I am almost finished the Tamoxifen... but that is because I started menopause at an early age... so I can take one of the Aromatase Inhibitors... either Femara or Aromasin, I think. I will have to discuss it with my onc. when I see him again... that will be December 11th... so technically, I may be starting the AI on Dec. 12... so that would make it... let's see... 36 more Tamoxifen pills... I read that there was some kind of study which showed that for us older gals... (but I'm NOT old...) it is beneficial for us to take Tamoxifen for 2 years, and then switch to an AI for 3 years... My onc. mentioned that this would be the plan, so I guess he's heard about the study also...
MTG,
You will be just fine... I know.... I was afraid to start taking the Tamoxifen, but it's been two years, and it wasn't too bad.
HUGS
Harley0 -
Mary: So sorry about your side effects with tamox. I am only having daily headaches so far, but, I have only been on it a few days. I hope that your se's subside soon for you.
MTG: Enjoy DC and your time with your family! I hope the weather is great there for you!
Keno41: Yes, from what I have been told and read, if you have se's with tamox, then, that means it is working for you. Hang in there girl!
KEW: Thanks for the encouragement. I and the others can sure use it.
Bonnie: LOL Yea, if someone hasn't followed my posts of the BUGS, they will be going HUH, WHAT, I DON'T GET THAT LOL
Brendatrue: You are so lucky to have an oncologist that you trust and like and that makes you feel good. The one I have now alway seems so rushed and I just don't like him. I see him again later this month, and, if he isn't different, he is fired! Thank goodness I have the best rads oncologist and he is pretty much taking care of me now, with tests etc. So, I feel well looked after!
Have a great weekend!
Susie
0 -
Harley: You stay right here! Don't you go anywhere. We need you, we need your wisdom , your experience, your sistership with bc! Everyone belongs here, new users, old users and undecided users!
Susie
0 -
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, anyone have any good or good and healthy recipes that they would like to share? Everything I cook is probably very unhealthy, but, GOOD!
And, I love this thread! It is just the way it should be!
Jeanne
0 -
Harley, did you see the post from meg about a new study that says that it might be equivalent to stay on Tamoxifen- IF the low metabolizers are eliminated from the analysis? She didn't post a link to the study but she's usually very knowledgeable and reliable.
0
