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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • Blinx
    Blinx Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2008

    Less than a week on Tamox, and I feel like such a grouch! Is PMS a side effect? I've been on Lexapro for about 6 months, and now it seems like it's not working anymore -- all my pleasantness has vanished! Does Tamox effect the mood as well?

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited February 2008

    Blinx- I think that PMS-type symptoms are one of the most common.  I call it the Tamoxi-Rage.  I've been having it a lot lately.  Think it is also heightened with stress.

    I also have been getting charley horses in my calves with greater frequency.  Someone suggested upping my banana intake.  It's now kind of like remembering to take the Tamox...now remember: eat a banana!  LOL

    Harley!  Have a GREAT cruise!  I will be thinking of you!  I wish you calm seas!!  :)  Can't wait to hear all about it!!

    Virginia

  • Blinx
    Blinx Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2008

    Virginia - how can you stand it?? I really don't know how I'm going to get through 5 years of this. If I had all of the side effects and described them to a doc as symptoms, they'd give me something to cure me. Arrrrgh!

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited February 2008

    Hi Gals,

    Forget not what Tamoxifen's for!!! To prevent recurrences. I've noticed some of the se's have gone away already; insomnia, foot pain. Blinx, I'm on Lexapro too and can still feel it's benefits. Maybe a dosage check?



    Virginia, I started the dreaded weightwatchers. Let me know if you jump in! Hope your life has a bit of ease.



    Harley, Happy Cruise.

    Hey, I'm doing a snowshoe stomp Sat for the cure. I'll stomp for you all. xxxBasha

  • Blinx
    Blinx Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2008

    Thanks Ash. I'm seeing my GP next week -- I'll talk to her about the dose. And it's helpful to know that the SE are not constant.

    As the great philospher David Letterman Laughing said last night, there are somet things in life that you just have to go through, there's no way of getting around them. And, as always, things could be much, much worse.

    (sigh)

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited February 2008

    Basha!  I was wondering where you were!!  Laughing  Good to see your post.  Good for you getting back to WW.  I have put that on hold...Dad is back in the hospital and not doing well.  He's really confused which is terrible.  I always thought his body would fail him, not his mind.  We are hoping the mind-thing is temporary.

    Blinx- LOL about the mood stuff.  I have to say that I thought it went away for a while.  I really do think that stress just heightens it.  I try and be patient, but it doesn't always work.  I might also be PMS-ing for real.  I was supposed to get my period on the weekend and it still hasn't come...  Weird that since I stopped chemo and my period resumed in Oct, it has been very very regular.

    My onc seems to think that I am having very few SE's from the Tamox and that makes her happy.  I read these posts and think - jeepers - is it doing anything??  UGH.

    Always something to obsess over and worry about, eh?  My onc said I would probably be on red alert for every ache and pain for a while.  She says (as all onc's I'm sure) that people are just so freaked out after the Big C...

    Like you all say...sigh....

    :O

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

    Thanks, everyone for all the warm wishes for my cruise!  I'll let you know what my onc says about the Effexor/Tamoxifen connection, because when I get back home, I'll call and hope that someone who knows what is going on will be there, to answer my ??? 

    Thanks!

    Harley

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited February 2008

    Wishiwere - yep, I had the AC.  I did have a normal MUGA prior to starting, but onc doesn't do another unless there's symptoms of heart failure. 

    Blinx - I'm definitely prone to crankiness and lack of patience these days, but I don't know what to blame it on.  lol  I'm still in chemopause so it could be due to that, or just to feeling tired, or pissed that I had cancer.  I don't think I noticed a difference when I started the Tamoxifen, but it's hard to say for sure because I had just finished rads which had done a terrible number on my emotions.  Every few weeks, though, I do feel more cranky and irritable so I'm wondering if I'm on a cycle of some sort.  Maybe, my hormones aren't high enough for me to actually get my period back, but high enough to affect my moods.   I hope if the Tamoxifen is causing your issues that your body eventually adjusts and they go away.  It seems as if many of us here have had some of our side effects lessen over time.  

    Harley - Happy Cruising! 

    Cynthia 

  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 934
    edited February 2008

    Cynthia?  What was your EF? Or would you rather exchange info in a PM?  I had one before chemo too (MUGA), but remembered I'd had a similiar test in a nuclear scan before a surgery 2 1/2 years ago.  At that time mine was at 61% and the one recently showed 55%, so I kind of disgruntled, that I wasn't told about the effects of the A/C until I was given a photocopy of SE's after the treatment was basically over with.  Yes, ms. naive here :(  Now I'm wondering if it's going to be a problem down the road. 

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited February 2008

    Wishiwere - I don't have a problem sharing...I'm practically an open book.  I don't know the actual EF, but it was 60 something.  At least 55% is still normal, but I can imagine the decrease is scary.  I wonder if it can vary?  I'm sorry you weren't told the risks ahead of time.  I was, but I had to do it anyway because of the 4 positive nodes.  I worry about the long term effects, too.  Sigh....

    Cynthia 

  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 934
    edited February 2008

    It's all so disheartening.  I suppose I'd have felt better had I known back in nov what I know now, you know?  Maybe I'll get some answers today, we'll see.  Good luck with your results, please share them when you find out.  Hoping it's only stress and something that's reversible.

  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 211
    edited February 2008

    Hi, fellow strap-hangers--

    Harley, just wanted to wish you a fun cruise...enjoy!

    Virginia, so sorry about your dad...thinking of you as you deal w/ his illness, as well as your own.  We really are the Sandwich Generation, aren't we?

    Hi to everyone else...

    Lynn

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited February 2008

    Lynn- thank you for the kind words.  My dad was much better last night, so it's encouraging!!

    I'm guessing that Harley is gone, but happy cruising one last time!!

    wish/cynthia- I have muga's every 4 months b/c I am on herceptin.  it IS scary how the numbers do go down.  my onc in NJ didn't want me to do AC chemo because of the damage to my heart, but my NYC onc insisted on the AC because I needed the herceptin and all the clinical trials on herceptin were done in conjunction with AC. 

    My dear favorite aunt (who succumed to colon cancer) always said, "If the cancer doesn't kill you, the treatment will..."  (Oy, I should be more positive, eh?  Sometimes you just want to not live in Cancerland for like one minute...)

    Virginia

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited February 2008

    Virginia,

    Glad to hear your dad is doing better.  I hope his progress continues.

    I just found out that my follow-up mammo will only be on my surgical side.  INSURANCE!  Also found out that my surgeon ordered an u/s.  Nobody told me.  Glad I happened to call.

    Wishi-

    Hang in there!  We'll get through this together.

    D

  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 934
    edited February 2008

    WELL LADIES! Another reason to ALWAYS get your copies of test results!  I've been bumming, b/c of the reduction in my EF as posted above, so today at treatment I asked the nurse for a copy of my test resulst last november! 66%!!!!!  NOT 55%~  Don't know who's test she read to me over the phone, but it wasn't mine!  YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    How does one have an increase I want to know?  I'm happy though!  And increase from 61 - 66! I'll take it! :D

  • susanmcm
    susanmcm Member Posts: 699
    edited February 2008

    Hi all,

    Is anybody postmenpausal and taking Tamoxifen??? like me???  I had 2.5 years on AIs and my onc just switched me.  Was wondering what to expect.  So far, what I've heard is not good.

  • GardenGirl65
    GardenGirl65 Member Posts: 22
    edited February 2008

    Hi Girls ~ I've been hanging around in the radiation thread, but will be having my last RAD tx on Monday and will probably be starting Tamox in thenext couple of weeks. Gonna have to call and make an appt. w/ the med/onc.

    I'm 42, pre-menopausal, and just about half-crazy naturally. I'm wondering what kinds of changes the Tamox will make in my life.

    I never did take change well. And now, in the past 5 months practically everything about my life has changed! Geesh!

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited February 2008

    Wishiwere - That's wonderful!  I'm so glad for you.  What a relief, huh?  Btw, I came across another thread here about Neupogen causing rapid heart rate that doesn't resolve after treatment ends.  It then dawned on me, that my symptoms didn't actually start with chemo, but with the first series of Neupogen shots two weeks later.  I was told it was an allergic reaction and to take Benedryl.  I guess I need to look into this possibility.

    Virginia - glad your dad is doing better! 

    Susanmcm - I can't help you, but there are postmenopausal women on here who will chime in soon, I'm sure.  I'm not positive, but I think, in general, postmenopausal women have fewer side effects than premenopausal women on Tamoxifen.   I hope you do well.

    Cynthia 

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited February 2008

    Sigh...one step forward...two steps back...  Dad was bad again last night.  What a heart breaker...  I'm ready to go to the loonie-bin myself.

    Wish- GLAD the stoooooooooooopid nurse made a mistake.  It's so horrifying how often this happens.  That's good news...at least it was a mistake in your favor...usually it's the other way around...

    GardenGirl...I have metabolized the Tamox fairly well.  I too am half crazy.  I notice that my emotions are more heightened lately, but my Dad is gravely ill, so that could be the reason.  But, I do have the Tamoxi-rage.  I have swelling in my hands, but I'm not sure if that's the Tamox or the Herceptin. 

    Susan- I am pre-menopausal too...sorry I can't offer any words of wisdom... 

  • awb
    awb Member Posts: 213
    edited February 2008

    susan--I'm postmenopausal and take tamoxifen and have for over 4 years.  SEs primarily hot flashes, some mild insomnia and achiness, but from what I've heard on these boards, tamox seems to be better tolerated than the AIs overall.

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited February 2008

    Hi all,

    Did the 5 k walk for breast cancer today and loved it. It was really a snowshoe and hundreds of women and men turned out. They called all the survivors to the front of the pack and i almost started crying. Whew! There's a camaraderie that compares to these boards. Was thinking of all of us. Maybe next year we have to be the Tamoxifriends Team, eh?? Basha

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited February 2008

    Donna,

    I'm a few years older to you and also premenopausal.  Our dx is about the same too.  Many have called me nuts! Welcome to our train.

    I haven't had too many SE's.  Still getting period, some achy joints.  Like Virginia said, some raging moments - -usually just before my period though. But stay on board this train -- this group of women are great about responding to questions.  They take us by the hand and help get through this jungle.  I hope I've been as supportive of them as they have to me.  So jump on when it's time to start the tamox and we'll get through this together.

    D

  • ChicoTrish
    ChicoTrish Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2008

    Virginia, I completely sympathize with the foggy memory:  Did I take it today or not?  I switched to taking tamoxifen before bed; most nights I crawl under the covers, get my book out, and am six pages in before I remember I've failed to pop my pill.  I force myself out of the warm nest back to the medicine cabinet.  And I keep wondering if I really need to do this ...  In the interests of never looking back and wishing I'd done things differently down the road with a recurrence, I'll continue my evening ritual. 

    ChicoTrish

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited February 2008
    ChicoTrish- the little pill box with the days of the week letters on it is truly a LIFE saver for my foggy/mushy brain!!  LOL  Glad I am not the only one.  I loved your comment RE "warm nest"  That was good!!  Wink
  • susanmcm
    susanmcm Member Posts: 699
    edited February 2008

    Well it's good to hear from some post menopausal gals. I haven't started with Tamox yet, the onc told me to take some time off after the AIs.  I will let you all know how it goes.  My pcp said most of her patients on tamox did well (SEs are tolerable) and about 50% of her AI patient had big problems like I did.

    thanks all,

    susan

  • michmom
    michmom Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2008

    Hi fellow tamox ladies.  I was wondering if anyone of you has taken a 'vacation" from the tamox to see if side effects subside.  The main think bumming me out is a weight gain of about 10lbs.  I was feeling good with myself after surgery and having lost 25lbs before surgery and now I feel horrible.  I really watch what I eat but its there anyway and I guess i would like to think that stopping tamox may make it easier to lose.  Has anybody done this?  I also have other mild side efeects but the weight gain was the icing on the cake! 

  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 211
    edited February 2008

    Howdy, train riders...

    Welcome to the new passengers--put your feet up, grab a pillow, and check out the bar, chocolate, and Starbuck's cars as you wish.  Might as well enjoy the ride as much as possible...

    Today I had to fax my onc...bring on the anti-depressants!  I had to get off prozac when I started the tamox. and thought I'd try to go without.  The mood swings, tears for no reason, sitting around without the energy to do anything, lack of focus at work, etc., etc., etc., are getting the better of me.  It's an old story...guess I thought I could go it alone, but I hate this feeling--like I'm right on the edge of being out of control in some way.  Hope the doc responds quickly...this is only the 2nd time I've contacted him since I've been back in Japan.

    Basha, your walk sounds like fun.  I did one in NY for a local support agency in September, about a month after my surgery...I enjoyed it, and plan to raise some $$ for it next year by putting the bite on my friends here.  My sister will have to do the walking, though...a little far to go for a weekend. :-)

    I'm too tired to respond to everyone...sorry.  Take care, ladies...may your SEs be few and far between.

    Lynn

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited February 2008

    Big cyber-hugs from half way around the world to you Lynn!! 

    I think I feel exactly the same way you do...  I think I am just emotionally spent...  Thinking of you and sending you good positive energy.

    Someone asked about weight gain on Tamox.  I haven't noticed...  I gained about 20 pounds before/during chemo.  (I stupidly fattened myself up for chemo).  I ended up gaining weight with the steroids b/c you had to eat to keep  from feeling nauseous. 

    Ok, please leave some chocolate for me in the choco car and some Gin in the bar car (do they go together???)  oh, and Lynn, can I add a Dunkin' Donuts car??  I don't like Starbucks!  LOL

    Virginia

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited February 2008

    Lynn,

    Hang in there!  Go out for a walk if weather permits!  Get a friend to go get something decantly delicious -- which ever car that might be.  The doc will answer you soon I'm sure.  Your notes are always an inspiration to me.  You always make me smile. We'll get through this too.

    Virginia,

    I wish we had Dunkin' Donuts here!  There was one near my dorm in college.  That's great comfort food!  A little wine with that maybe?

    Hugs to all on the train.

    D 

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited February 2008

    D where are you??  There are Dunkin's every 100 feet where I live!  My town (which is teeny tiny) even has 2 Dunkins!  LOL

    I just ordered a pedometer...I am hoping that it helps to motivate me to walk at lunch time...  sigh...

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