Bottle o Tamoxifen
Comments
-
Oh, someone mentioned dry dry dry eyes...catbirdC I think...do you know about flaxseed oil or fish oils to help this? Several years ago my optometrist recommended taking a good dose of flaxseed oil everyday to help my dry itchy eyes and it definitely helped. I put it on my cereal, or use it as the oil in pancakes. Some people mix it into yogurt. Not sure if it'll offset a tamoxifen drying effect but might be worth a try, esp since its supposed to be good for health (and anti-cancer) generally. Lest you think I'm a rogue nutrient pusher
you can google "dry eyes flaxseed oil" and find background explanations. 
indeed - its sunny here in CA too. cs
0 -
Hi cs7777 ,
Welcome to this great site. We are all very friendly and super supportive to each other.
Just a comment:
You might want to rethink flax ANYTHING. It is a phytoestrogen big time and will inhibit the tamoxifen. Google phytoestrogen and see the list you should avoid.
Many of us here avoid soy, flax for sure and many of us avoid revesterol, hops, licorice, fennel, black beans.... especially if we only partially metabolize Tamoxifen.
C
0 -
Hi Gals! It is STILL snowing hard here in Denver! Yikes! And just plain cold & dreary out! I even worked a little in my back garden yesterday, because it was over 60!!!!!!! Oh well, the snow will really get those Spring flowers going!
But STILL!!!!!!
BCinColorado...where is it that you live again? Stay warm & dry!
NANCY....was it you that posted the article about cancer? I also posted it on another thread, because I thought it was so profound! And excellent piece to read....Thank you! Bonnie....Aren't the leg & foot cramps the worst? I only get them at night, & almost have to finally get up & just walk around a minute! And I found out if I take all my vitamins before afternoon, I don't dream as much!
Frankenboob....I'm so sorry for you feeling bad about your boob....Even at 72, like I am, I thought so much about, "what would I do if I had to have my breast off?" You NEVER want to lose your breasts, even at my age. But I would do it in a heart-beat, if they told me I needed to! THEN I would do like you women....try & feel "pretty" again, & at least try & makes my boobs match...but I fear at my age, EVERYone would just laugh......And they would call it "vanity".....But I feel like I was born a girl, then a woman, & our bodies are SO who we are, & I try & keep up the facade of being a "beautiful woman." So I commend you little frankenboob!
Hi Nancy! Congratulations for your one year cancerversary!!!! WOW! I hope to be the same someday! I don't blame you at all, for wanting to look "even!" I understand! But at MY age, I would have to think it all over again, about a Lumpectomy......My surgery went great, but there is always the possibility that it could come back...& if it did, I would honestly think about having them both removed... the "girls" belong together, whether on me or off..... Geez, that sounds scary......
I made what you might call some sort of "cake"....Ha! I mixed up some Bisquick, an egg, a little Yogurt, & milk, sugar, & butter...then poured it over some cut up fresh pineapple in a "little" ceramic dish.....Then sprinkled it with brown sugar! Then I baked it....so far so good? Well it was too full...So it sort of made another little "cake" over the side of the dish, onto the pan, & commenced to cook! It looked like a volcano, Ha! But it tasted good! I cut it off.... & my Husband thought it was great!
I told him "that's what it was supposed to do!" Okay gals! Till later! Jeannette
0 -
Hello Ladies,
Just a quick Susie driveby...
CS7777~ Welcome to our thread!
HARLEY ~ You are so sweet... thanks for being so encouraging! I know the time will fly!
CAROLINE ~ How is the cabin? Is there any snuggle time in your near future?
JEANETTE ~ mmmmmmm! That sounds absolutely yummy! I actually have some fresh pineapple as Whole Foods has a special on them at the moment.
FRANKENBOOB ~ ((((((((hugs))))))))
Have a great evening all!
Kelly
0 -
Frankenboob: When I saw your screen name I had to laugh but we are all made up franken-something in our lives.....either we dye our hair, wear glasses or contacts, braces, something is different inside or out. I don't blame you one bit for wanting to be "even" after all this time you deserve to be. I know your daughter means well and is trying to save you from more surgery, which is never fun. I hope you will get to the place where you are comfortable with your appearance at some point before long.
Chevyboy: I just started driving this week and then winter decides to tell us it is going out with a bang! I'm not strong enough to drive in the snow yet so my husband had to go out and take me again today. At least it is a fast moving storm and sun coming again on Sunday! I am ready. I am tired of trying to put on heavy coat with a sore arm too!
It is interesting since I wondered how people consider their "cancerverary" and everyone seems to pick a different day. I guess I'm a "newlywed" if it is when the cancer was taken out finally with my mx in January. Long way to go!
0 -
Just started T on March 9 and began reading this thread. Thank you all for you input.
HOOD1980 RE: Sugar and hot flashes. Before BC hit me last year I was in perimenopause so have had hot flashes for a few years. I did notice a large decrease in hot flashes when I gave up sugar. It made a difference for me. Staying off the sugar is the challenge!
0 -
Juli: Don't think I can give up the sugar. We eat pretty healty but I do indulge a couple of times a week in a fantastic donought our Albertsons has filled with yummy white sweet frosting. Decadent! That's about my "badness" but just can't stop them. I guess Ishould have given them up for lent and then I would have felt guilty if I ate them and gotten that monkey off my back!0
-
Hi all. Thanks bcamnb for the comment about flax and phytoestrogens. The area of phytoestrogens, incl those in flaxseed, and their possible good/bad effects is a huge dietetic, medical and scientific minefield of disagreements. I'm not a good enough writer to succinctly describe some nuances to the phytoestrogen data that influence my decision making, so I'm going to just comment we'd probably all agree that each of us must consider what's known/unknown to our satisfaction and eat and take meds in ways that make us comfortable that we're doing the right thing for us. The good news for anyone not comfortable w/flaxseed is that you can get the good omega-3s as well as vitamin D from fish oils, so there are alternatives. (The even better news is that we have forums like this to exchange info and support eachother.
) Re the dry eyes, my optomotrist said the fish oils will work too. For a veggie source, I think walnuts have high omega-3s w/o much PEs too.Have a good weekend everyone!
cs
0 -
Hi Ladies,
For those of you who suffer back pain do you mind me asking what form it takes?
I get lower back pain that is quite uncomfortable and it lasts about 3 days and then it clears up for about 10 to 14 days and then the cycle starts again. Sometimes it is on the left lower back other times it is the right. This is in addition to general daily aches and pains!!
I'm just wondering is this just another tamoxeffect!!
Thanks - hope you are all enjoying the weekend.
0 -
Hi Everyone,
Today is not as warm as yesterday, not much sunshine so no
today Bonnie!CS ~ You are so right, we do need to do what we think is best and the most comfortable thing we can live with. As you say there is a lot of disagreement withing the science community about the effects of phytoestrogens and in women with breast cancer. My onc said that there hasn't been enough research (either way) so her advice is to just avoid soy products as mcuh as possible. I just wish there could be a well done study by a reputable program to finally put this all to rest for us.
BCINCOLORADO ~ Sugar is definitely a monkey on the back... Lol! I have to say I have managed to cut most of it out of my diet and only indulge in dried fruit... no added sugar of course!
JULI -CA ~ Welcome aboard our train! I get mainly night sweats only had one or two hot flashes and not that severe at that. I have also heard that caffeine and alcohol are a no go when suffering from hot flashes.
AINM ~ Good to see you again. I have to tell you, I would love to visit Ireland! I was watching a show on tv about Ireland and it is one place I want to see. Maybe when DH and I go for a visit to England we'll just pop over for a visit. So sorry about your back aches, hopefully someone will have some answers for you. I hate backaches!
GINA ~ Wondering how you are doing? (((hugs)))
A shout out to Sparrow!!
Hugs to all,
Kelly
0 -
My back pain is in my lower back. It seems to stay for a while and doesn't go away for long. I am also having a lot of aching in my hands.
0 -
Well I managed to only get up 3 times last night for "cooling down". Of course when you wake up, then you also have to go to the bathroom and it's hard to get comfortable again with TE in place, but at least it was Saturday and I got to sleep until 7 when the alarm goes for med time in our house!
The sun came out again and melted the snow away, so I can drive again, which is good. I'm still not comfortable with the driving in the snow yet after surgery.
I did go shopping today and stocked up on berries that were on sale (my favorite fruit) and even treated myself to some sugar-free candies we found. Maybe that will help me with my sugar cravings!
0 -
Hello,Just want to tell everyone , I really appreciate Your Concern & Prayers! When Life get challenging & really difficult it helps to have people like you to lean on for Support & Thank you for making a hard time easier for me with your gentle Hugs & concerns & esp your Prayers. They are working , I have a much better day today, I am still very tired, But Physically & emotionally is improving & I felt stronger today, It probally the beautiful weather! My Onocogist took me off Tamoxfin for a month, My leg are feeling better & Not as weak, so Is it Me feeling better because Infection gone & post -op almost 2 weeks Or because Iam off "T"????
Hope you all having a great weekend!
A pink pal Posted this on Breast cancer .org fro My Jan Mastectomy Group & it Beauitiful & I wanted to share with all of you! Please click & watch ! Thanks
{{{hugs}}}Gina0 -
Gina: It is great to hear you are doing a bitg better! I watched that video ealier. Made me cry. I'm so glad you are improving. It will just take time. You've been through so much. Know we are all pulling for you and you are in our thoughts and prayers!
0 -
GINA ~ It is so good to hear from you and I am so happy you are doing better! I will stilll keep you in my prayers! Thanks too for the video, it was so touching!
BC ~ glad you could drive again today!
Hugs,
Kelly
0 -
Morning Girls! Yes Kelly, we bought our pineapple at Whole Foods also, Ha! Only 99 cents! I love that place!
Ainm, you are right! It DOES seem to go in cycles, then waits awhile, then it is there again! Not constantly all day, but it is just "there!" I had back surgery about 15 years ago, but since I started the T pill, it comes & goes, in the middle of my lower back. The surgery was on my lower back. So I guess it IS the T pill? But I want to hope that by taking this, it is helping me to stay away from cancer! HOW BEAUTIFUL, that you are really in Ireland! Can you post some pictures of the more beautiful sites there?
Hi Colorado buddy, Ha! Yes, it really helps when the sun DOES warm things up a little! I want to start some of my seeds today, in the little peat pots....Gotta get those tomatoes going!
0 -
Nwood450- Loved the article from the paper. So well said! I am from Fall River so we are neighbors!
Just read a few posts to catch up. I am going for my dmx with immed. lat dorsi recon on friday at women and infants in providence. It is getting so close and I am kinda nervous. My BS say Tamox. is a def. for me afterwards so I follow this thread sometimes. Lotsof good info here so thank you everyone for posting!
Hugs!
0 -
TAMGAM ~ All the best for your surgery on Friday. I will pray for you and we'll all be pulling for you! Please let us know how you are doing as soon as you are able. ((((hugs))))
JEANETTE ~ Hi to you too!!
Hugs to all,
Kelly:)
0 -
Happy Sunday All,
YEAH Gina - you are sounding more like yourself - what a double wringer you've been through!
Welcome TamGam - lots of support and love here - yes, you will be in many prayers for Friday - and then there will be a whole new you
I came across an article I think everyone struggling with tamoxifen/AIs should read. I was so impressed with it, I printed it out. Check out:
main page -
article:
http://www.lbbc.org/data/transcript-file/LBBChormonaltherapies10.pdf
I will be interested in your comments. It is the most succinct, easy-to-understand article I've seen.
Best wishes for next week (my baby comes to visit on Sunday - yahoo!!!!)
C
0 -
Another thought on asprin - posted by someone on the asprin site but relevant for all of us, I think:
"Saw the oncologist last week. Asked about the aspirin. Now, he is a VERY scientific-minded guy - everything is about trials and things being scientifically proven. So right away he started saying that the trial was not specific enough or accurate enough or something like that. I KNEW he would blow it off so i was prepared to press through his resistence, which is why I didn't absorb it that much. I said that even so, the results were pretty outstanding and would it be ok if I took a regular strength aspirin 3 or 4 days a week? He said I could certainly do so, but I would notice bruising all over my body, bleeding under the skin, and possibly bleeding in the stomach. He was VERY negative about it. But he is sort of negative anyway. So I wrapped up by asking AGAIN if he had any negative feelings about me taking that dose that many days, and he said no, go ahead if you want to.
So my question is - didn't people use to take aspirin for headaches before there was tylenol and advil? Did they bruise all over their bodies and bleed through the stomach? Is there REALLY that much risk? That just doesn't sit right with me. I am 52 and in excellent health (well, except for the cancer). "
these debates keep our brains sharp
C
0 -
LOL!! CAROLINE~ I was just planning on doing a drivebyand not post, but your post about your onc just made me smile. Thanks for the links Caroline I'll take a look at that tomorrow... so tired I can hardly think straight. As for apirin, I have heard it causing stomach problems from prolonged or over use but so does ibuprofen. I take a baby aspirin everyday and if I am traveling, I actually take two a day. I'm curious, what does the study say about bc? You're right these debates do keep us sharp!
Kelly
0 -
NOT MY ONC - I DON'T HAVE ONE ANY MORE - someone else's........I just thought his remarks interesting
More curious about aspirin? check out the thread.....too much to repeat here (but in v brief - looks like aspirin is helpful in preventing recurrance - but there is a debate about the dosage. Seems that a reg asprin several times a week is the way to go)
C
0 -
Well ladies, it's official .....had my Lupron shot last week and will be switching from Tamoxifen to Arimidex soon. The wierd thing is my hot flashes (averaging almost every 2 hours) have all but stopped since the shot.
Anyway, I read on another site about a great and easy alternative to ice packs for hot flashes - fill a water bottle and freeze it. I use this method when at the beach and the water stays frozen for hours. Just wanted to share.
0 -
Hi MTG - should have read this before the private message....(question has gone off to my niece...)
Amazing the difference a day makes in our lives! And it never seems to get less complicated. I was talking to someone about your choice and I said I likely would do what you are just doing. Ovaries aren't all that good to us after 50 - the only thing might be the instant menopause - but then, I think with the Tamoxifen, maybe you already have had it!
Best wishes
C
0 -
C-
Hey, dont age me; I still have 2 years left in my 40s ! ~smile~
But, seriously, the bottom line is the same: I'm very unlikely to be looking to get pregnant and, more importantly, I need some sort of coverage. When I first got my path results after my lumpectomy, there was debate about whether or not I should get chemo - one onc said yes (since I had some vascular invasion) but the other and my bs said I could get by with just radiation and tamoxifen. I figure I took my risk with no chemo; I have no interest in playing russian roulette
0 -
Hello all of my beautiful friends ...
What a beautiful weekend here on the east coast. Lots of sunshine and plenty of opportunity to wear these
!!!! About time I say!Welcome to our new friends!
bcincolorado: You will be celebrating a year before you know it ... although it seems like forever going through it. I look back now and can't believe how far I've come (and how much I went through). Hang in there!
Jeannette - Loved the story about your "volcano cake". And thanks for your encouragement.
Kelly, Bonnie, Sparrow and Susie: warm thoughts headed your way.
Gina - How are you making out? Hugs to you, my friend.
Thinking about making the call to the PS today. I read a post on another thread about my PS. It wasn't real positive. But I have had nothing but a good experience with him. It makes me nervous, nonetheless ... I guess we all have different experiences with docs.
Nancy xoxo
0 -
Tamgam: Totally missed your post ... A Fall River girl! Wow! We truly are neighbors! I'm from Dartmouth! Had my biopsy and all of the pre-op stuff done at St. Anne's in Fall River.
Good luck with your surgery on Friday. I have you in my prayers. Please let me know how you make out ... we are very close (geograhically) so if I can be of any help just give me a shout!
Nancy
0 -
Caroline: Thanks for the info. It will give me something to read tonight while basketball is on. I HATE March madness!
MTG: Wow! You were having severe hot flashes. Mine only seem to last a minute or two and I can calm them by cooling down at least.
Chevyboy: I gave up on growing 'maters when we moved here from Texas in the early 90s. I don't have the patience for them in Colorado. My husband was "ordered": to post-transplant clinic at UCH this am so he left at 6 to head up. I usually go for those things but since I've had so many appointments and off work so much already this year we decided I would stay here. Glad the appointment was today and not tomorrow since the storm is on the way tomorrow again.
Nancy: I totally agree with your comment about people having different experiences with the same doctor too. We all have different personalities and some doctors are very "authoritarian" some just are more "laid-back" and some just present the facts. How much they do themselves or have an assistant or nurse do varies too it seems. The main thing is for YOU to feel comfortable with your doctor team involved in your care.
Tamgam: Best of luck to you on Friday! I hope your surgery goes smoothly with NO complications and you have a fast recovery!
May all my Tamox buddies may you have a SE free day!
0 -
Gina, good to hear from you! Enjoy your T vacation & take it easy so you can heal.
Tamgam, I will be sending good thoughts on Friday. The best of luck to you!
Bcincolorado, ugh, I hope this is the last storm of the season!
A shout out to all my T buddies!
You're helping me stick with it. If you weren't there it would be so much harder! 0 -
bcincolorado - oops, I guess I didn't express myself as clearly as I should have. Like you, my hot flashes lasted only a minute or two but I often had them every two hours at night so I kept waking up. Still, since T actually helps our bones and is generally the least of all all evils, I wish I could metabolize it.
0
