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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • Sparrow
    Sparrow Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2010

    Hi everyone!  I just took my first pill.  I'm really hoping I'll be one of the lucky ones who have no SEs...  but in case I'm not, how long does it usually take for them to show up?

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    Sparrow

    Hi and welcome to the Tamoxi train!

    I have been on board for 2 years, and my onc has switched me to Femara .... Jan. 1st...

    As far as se's are concerned, my onc said that if you are not getting hot flashes, then it's not working. So I think you want SOME se's...  ;-)        I didn't have too much trouble with se's...  some leg and foot cramps, stiffness in my neck... 

    Good Luck!

    Harley

  • sharons
    sharons Member Posts: 177
    edited January 2010

    I hope the onco test guidelines and insurance will now test those with positive lymph nodes....in early 2008 I didn't qualify because I had a positive lymph node.  I went ahead and did chemo, then rads and now tamoxifen...

    Thanks for the help with the rash....it is still there and I have a call into a doc

    For those of you just starting tamox...I had horrible leg pains for just about the first year...my feet tired by the end of the day and I am a distance runner and it caused some issues there.  However, I am happy to say that things are better in that area.

    I still wake up with the hot flashes and night sweats...taking it at night seemed to help a bit.

    Best wishes to you all

  • Sparrow
    Sparrow Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2010

    Thanks for the welcome, Harley!  :)  Pill #2 down, only 5 more years -2 days to go...   

    Still hoping for no side effects and maximum benefits.  I'll let you know how that works out for me.  ;) 

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    Sparrow

    Glad you are doing ok... it IS still only day 3...    LOL  I know, I am only on day #24 of Femara... as I told my onc about the Tamoxifen, I can't make any promises...  I made it thru 2 years on Tamoxifen, but I did have a little trouble with my uterine lining THICKENING, and I had uterine polyps... so I had a D & C after 7 months on the big T...   they were benign...   I understand being scared, because I was scared... 

    Hugs to you...

    Harley

  • Believe1
    Believe1 Member Posts: 31
    edited January 2010

    Has anyone experienced and mood changes on Tamoxifen? I have been on it for about 10mo. and I do have the hot flashes, but more than that I feel more emotional than I ever have. My feelings get hurt easier, I get upset with husband easier, just not like I use to be. I dont know if its all I have been through in this past year or if the Tamoxifen may be playing a part in all of it??

  • Ainm
    Ainm Member Posts: 362
    edited January 2010

    That's interesting - I have definitely been more emotional - can't believe how easy I cry for the least little thing but I had been putting it down to the actual cancer dx but maybe it's the Tamox.  I also find that I can be a bit short tempered too, kind of intolerant. I started Tamox at the very end of July.  Also I am really insecure!!!

  • bcamnb
    bcamnb Member Posts: 334
    edited January 2010

    Hi Believe and Ainm, My onc warned my husband he might not  like MY mood swings on T. Fortunately for him (and me) I haven't had any real changes BUT I know they certainly are a major possibility. Maybe someone else has some 'cure' for them.

    Hope everyone is having a good w/end. I purchased a new laptop (mine old one is SO decrepit) so I busy transferring all my files.....and I'm not much of a computer geek - so I hope I don't goof too badly.

    Cheers,

    C  

  • Susie09
    Susie09 Member Posts: 225
    edited January 2010

    Tamoxibeauties!  Hellooooooooooooo

    I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I feel a lot better.  We pretty much just layed around all weekend, ate, watched football and relaxed.  I think it is what I needed.  I love weekends like this.  It is still really yucky weather.  I think snow is coming tomorrow, but, not much.  I just keep thinking SPRING!

    Bonnie, praying that your little doggie is 100% soon!  I feel so sorry for our pets.  They can't tell us how they feel. 

    For anyone not sure of tamox, it is a personal decision.  I waited awhile too and was scared.  But, thanks to these wonderful ladies, I jumped in and I am glad that I did.  If, and, I say IF, I get a terrible side effect, I will deal with it then, but, so far, it isn't so bad.  We need to do all that we can to stay cancer free!

    I didn't have chemo and am so thankful.  I admire all of you that did.  You are true warriors!

    Well, time for bed.  I missed you all so much and hope to be on more. 

    Have a great day tomorrow!

    Love, Susie

  • Susie09
    Susie09 Member Posts: 225
    edited January 2010

    I know you all missed these, so, here goes another one.  So, do I hear an AWE????

    http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Cats/CuteKittyHug.jpg

  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,258
    edited January 2010

    AAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWW!  So sweet!  And so cute Susie!  She loves her "baby!"

    I still haven't noticed any "side effects" but it's been only 3 weeks!  Just "stupid" dreams, that make me glad when I wake up!  Wink  And is my Husband just being a DH more often, or am I just not wanting to put up with it?  I sass right back now...I wake up so happy, as always, but HE is in a bad mood more often!  Maybe HE is on Tamoxifen?  Ha, that's funny... Jeanentte

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    Susie,

    AAAWWWWWW!!  So cute!!  

    Glad you're feeling better. 

    Me, I'm feeling so tired today.  I went to work, but left after only a few hours.  I feel guilty about it, but maybe I'll feel better when I get some rest.

    Hugs to all

    Harley

  • Sparrow
    Sparrow Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2010

    Awwww!!!  Gee, I really miss my kitties!  We have 3 big dogs now and I love them dearly but I sure would like to have a cat again.  :)

    Rest up, Harley!  I'd love a nap right now.

    #3 down...  1,822 to go...  :P

  • vivvygirl
    vivvygirl Member Posts: 171
    edited January 2010

    Hey girls. Hope you all are having a smooth trip on the train.

    A friend of mine gave me some rooibos tea and said they are taking it for the anti oxidants.

    Do any of you drink this tea, is it any good and can I take it with the tamoxifen?

    Thanks if advance for your advice

    Big hugs

    Viv

  • CatbirdC
    CatbirdC Member Posts: 235
    edited January 2010

    Hi Everyone,

    SUSIE:   Glad to see you getting your groove back girl.  Thanks for all the cheers for Paige doggie.  She's back to her self again.  The picture of Mama and Baby Cat was precious. 

    HARLEY:  Don't feel bad about being tired and/or going home.  You have a daggone good reason why.  Hope the Femara is settling in without too many problems.

    SPARROW:  I usually had a dog and a cat or a dog and 2 cats so I sometimes miss not having a kitty too.  I just have the one dog now,  but she was abused and a rescue,  and was a full time job for a long time getting her to trust us and not be afraid. 

    Our warm  (high 40's) weather went bye bye and it's now snowing and dropping and very very very ccccccccold !!!!!!!!!

    BonnieCool

  • bcamnb
    bcamnb Member Posts: 334
    edited January 2010

    rooibos - seems fine from what I can read, so long as it is not the green kind. Seems like the S African honeybush tea, though is full of phytoestrogens. 

    C

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    ah, thanks for the 'feel better' wishes....  I know that I overdid it yesterday... cleaning... I mopped the kitchen floor, and cleaned up the kitchen.  It was a mess!  Then I vacuumed the living room, and I remember thinking...  Don't use your LEFT arm... but I did... I'm left handed, and that is the side where the bc was, and my lymph nodes were removed to check them for cancer.  The lymph nodes were negative...yippee... but....  I shouldn't have worked my arm so hard!  Now my shoulder was sore last night, and my underarm area hurts...  of course, you know I get worried... 

    I called work and now I have to work tomorrow afternoon.... ICK!

    Hope everyone is having a smooth ride on the Tamoxi train.

    Hugs

    Harley

  • Susie09
    Susie09 Member Posts: 225
    edited January 2010

    I hope you feel better Harley. Hopefully, you are snoozing away right now!  And, did I tell you that I love your new pic?  You look beautiful!

    LOL @ Jeanette!  Sassy is good! 

    Nite everyone!

    Love, Susie

  • kcl65
    kcl65 Member Posts: 741
    edited January 2010

    Hello Ladies!!!

     I'm back from my trip to see my boys and I had the best time with them!!!

    Bonnie, it was warmer there than here, but not warm enough to go without a sweater! Lots of sunshine on Saturday and Sunday! Cool BTW, we had an English Springer Spaniel for 16yrs...wonderful dog, always happy and I swear she could smile!  LOL

    I couldn't read all the posts, but I want to say welcome to all the new women! Laughing 

    Harley ~ Hope your arm is feeling better.  It's sad how we now worry over stuff like that even though there is a rational reason for the pain! :)

    Susie ~ I am so happy to see that you are feeling better and the kitty pic is so cute.

    Jeanette ~ You are hilarious!! I find that I get a little otherwise every now and then due to not sleeping too well at night... I just blame it on the T...    LOL!!

    Sully ~ I had my onc check up today and asked about the soy. She said exactly what you said, that there was no conclusive evidence on either side of the debate. But, she did recommend avoiding soy where possible! I guess it is better to err on the side of caution.

    MTG ~ Thanks for always supplying those threads and helping us out!

    Caroline ~ Glad to hear your daughter came to visit and see her nephew!  :D 

    I'm headed to bed and I'm looking forward to keeping up with everyones' news now that I'm back home!

    Hugs,

    Kelly :)

  • Sparrow
    Sparrow Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2010

    CatbirdC, all our dogs are rescues.  :)  I know how that goes!  We got our first one as a tiny puppy. We were only supposed to 'foster' the other two for a while till they were adopted...  ;)  Our rotti mix, Max, loves to chase cats.  I shudder to think what would happen if he could actually catch one.  :(  Luckily, he's not that fast on his feet.

    Harley, you sound like me.  I cleaned the house from top to bottom a week after surgery and I really regretted it later.  Some friends were dropping by from out of town and my husband had to work late and couldn't help.  If I had to do it over again I'd just let the dust bunnies multiply.  Our guests were all guys and I doubt they'd even notice.  ;) 

  • CatbirdC
    CatbirdC Member Posts: 235
    edited January 2010

    Be back later, but had to capture this.....

    My First Fail - Cat's dont' like to be eaten

  • kcl65
    kcl65 Member Posts: 741
    edited January 2010

    Bonnie ~ That picture is too cute.... poor kitty LOL!

    Sparrow ~ We had an English Springer Spaniel, and a Rotti/Black Lab mix.  The Rotti was so gentle with my kids, but very protective of our family, and adored my dh! She had decided early on that he was alpha! Both our dogs loved to chase birds and the springer spaniel did catch one once.  I didn't see her do it, but I did receive the gift at my feet...ewwe!! We got the dogs in 1993 so both have passed on, and we certainly do miss them!

    Kelly :)

  • CatbirdC
    CatbirdC Member Posts: 235
    edited January 2010

    Hi All,

    My daughter, as a toddler, did bite our puppy's tail.  I heard her scream and him yipe and went running.  She said:  "Mama....heem bited me so I bited heem."  Neither were hurt but scared the devil out of each other.  Neither bit again either.  LOL

      Sparrow:  When I say "rescue" I meant that our Springer was taken from a mill where she was used for breeding.  She was filthy and malnourished and scared of her own shadow.   But I know what you mean too because I've had the purebred that I purchased, the pound dogs, and lastly this rescued Mama. 

    Kelly..Hope I'm that lucky with Paige.

    Susie:  I've been having some headaches and wondering if they could be Big T related ????  The reason I think it is maybe is because I'm not one to get them especially daily.  I seem to get a SE and then it gradually disappears.   HOPE this does.  I really can't complain when I hear what some of the others go through.

    BonnieCool 25 degrees so not happening.  LOL

  • sullykm
    sullykm Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2010

    Bonnie-

    I've been having horrible headaches lately since being on T. I was convinced that it was a  SE. I was miserable for almost an entire week. Nothing could touch it- motrin, excedrin- nothing.  I went to my oncologist today to talk to him about it. He said that he doesn't think that the headaches are related to T, but he didn't completely rule it out either. I'm convinced that this is an SE though. He's halving my dose for 2 wks and then having me go back on full (20 mg) to see what happens. We'll see!

  • bcamnb
    bcamnb Member Posts: 334
    edited January 2010

    Hi Sully.

    I am SURE Susie will tell you about her horrific headaches as soon as she started T, that lasted for several weeks.....

    C

  • Neece
    Neece Member Posts: 18
    edited January 2010
    I have now been on Tamoxifen for 8 days! Thought I was gettting hot flashes but hey the weather here near Sydney has been way over 100 degrees for 2 days so maybe I was just hot??? Tongue out Just kidding. Actually I have not felt any se's so far but as someone said earlier on this thread it is probably way too early.... Have been gaining weight though - 3 kg in as many weeks - not sure if it due to eaing again after finishing chemo, or lower exercise levels during and just after chemo (still not back to normal) or both...
  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    SusieQ,

    Thanks!  I AM feeling MUCH better!!  I did sleep better last night....  

    ...oh, and YOU are beautiful too, my dear friend!


    CatbirdC,

    Thanks for the pic!  It's SO cute!

    Kelly, you are right.  I wish I wouldn't worry about every ache and pain... 

    Sparrow,

    Well, it HAS been almost 3 years since my bc dx...  You'd think that I would stop worrying about every ache and pain...

    Neece,

    Welcome!  Have a seat in any of the cars... the chocolate car is a favorite, or my favorite... the pasta car...

    Hugs to all my Tamoxi beauty friends....

    Harley

  • kcl65
    kcl65 Member Posts: 741
    edited January 2010

    Hi Everyone,

    Just thought I'd pop in before heading to bed! 

    Hi Neece ~ I am struggling to lose weight on the big T and you are right, exercise is the key. :D All I know is that Bonnie is going to be very jealous of your weather, she is freezing at the mo' !! LOL!! I used to live in an area where we would get temps over 100 and I was not a happy camper on those days! :D

    Bonnie ~ Sorry about the headaches, I'm sure they will go away.  I have had one for the last 2 days, but I think it is just stress. Love the story of your dughter and the pup LOL!

    Sully ~ Let us know how you do with the half dose of T and how it helps with the headaches.  

    Harley ~ So glad you had good night and that you are feeling better.  Wow almost 3yrs since your dx!

    Well my dear friends, I am off to bed! Have a goodnight!

    Kelly :)

  • Susie09
    Susie09 Member Posts: 225
    edited January 2010

    Tamoxibeauties..helloooooooooooo



    I am so happy that you had a great time Kelly with your boys! What did you do?



    OMG Bonnie..I love that pic. Poor kitty...OUCH! Just love it! Thanks for the smile it put on my face. How is your doggy doing? Better? I am so sorry you are having headaches now. Are they bad ones? I didn't normally get them until I started tamox, so, I know it has to be related. I took and still do take Excedrin and it makes them go away, so, I can't complain too much. Or, can I? LOL



    Glad that you had a good nites rest Harley!



    Well, nite all...love you!



    Susie

  • Susie09
    Susie09 Member Posts: 225
    edited January 2010

    Ok ladies, I had to leave you all with a chuckle...so enjoy!



    Supermarket Checkout

    A woman went to a discount store to purchase several items. When she finally got to the checker, she learned one of her items had no price.



    She thought she'd die of embarrassment when the checker got on the intercom and boomed out for all the store to hear, "Price check on lane thirteen. Tampax. Supersize."



    But if that wasn't bad enough, the person looking for the price misunderstood the word "Tampax" for "Thumbtacks."



    In a businesslike tone, a voice boomed back over the intercom, "Do you want the kind you push in with your thumb or the kind you pound in with a hammer?"

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