Bottle o Tamoxifen
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Hey All!! Congrats to everyones milestone with T!! I am still on my break afer taking it for 4 days..
My PS and Onc decided I should wait until after my exchange surgery next month to start again. I was curious if anyone can tell me if your PS wants you to stop T before surgery like you have to stop every other medication pre-op.????I have my first mammo since surgery tomorrow and I am sooooo nervous.
Hope everyone is staying cool this scorching Sunday.
Diane
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Hey All!! Congrats to everyones milestone with T!! I am still on my break afer taking it for 4 days..
My PS and Onc decided I should wait until after my exchange surgery next month to start again. I was curious if anyone can tell me if your PS wants you to stop T before surgery like you have to stop every other medication pre-op.????I have my first mammo since surgery tomorrow and I am sooooo nervous.
Hope everyone is staying cool this scorching Sunday.
Diane
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Hi and congrats to all the T anniversaries.
This thread has been so helpful as I am still on the fence, lurking as to pros and cons...
-DiDel, I too was told to wait until after Xchg to take T. The rationale apparently is that the body is in so much flux", wounds healing, pain/ exhaustion etc. that it doesn't make sense to add the effects to the mix. Was told: "better to let things settle down before starting.
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Hey, fellow T-takers! I haven't been on this thread in forever....probably since I gave my one-year T-Anniversary SE update last Feb...I've been more focused on dealing w/ my recon and getting that all finished......
Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone is dealing with hair loss? I noticed that someone had mentioned about the relationship between T and alopecia....this isn't real alopecia (no bald spots), just what seems to be a lot of hair loss, especially when I blow dry my hair...I think I've had this since I started T, if I really stopped to think about it......the white sink tells no lies....
Thanks for your advice! And I'm 17 months down....
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CS: I love the attack dog analogy!
Val: I know Tamox can thin your hair. I started using Pantene "full and thick" since I already had thin hair to start with. So far so good and no hair loss. If you have a fmily history of women getting thin as they age (I sure do) I would be a little more nervous about it.
Whitedove: I know my BS wanted me to wiat to start Tamox until all my "big" surgeries were over with since a big side effect is blood clots and after surgery you are more sedate and not so active so that risk goes up.
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Whitedove-I wanted to wait until after the exchange to start T. too, well actually was tying to put it off as long as I could! My Dr said no, he wanted me to start it now. I was thinking like you, but didn't want me to wait so I am officially on it now.
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Thanks, bcincolorado! I was blessed with fine, thin hair, too, so losing it is the last thing I need! I'll try a thickening shampoo and cross my fingers....
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Only 54 months left for me. Anyone that has lost weight while on this, I would LOVE to hear any tips you have on what to eat and how much to exercise, etc.
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didel, It seems some docs tell usto stop T before surgery and others don't. Mine said I didn't have to stop before exchange surg that was only about an hr long, but I know some others on this board have been told to stop. As bcincolo said your chance of blood clots goes up after a surgery (any surg) and since tamox increases that a bit more some docs feel its prudent to avoid that increased risk. I found some British medical guidelines once that recommended not automatically stopping before a surgery but weighing individual risk of clots vs tamox benefit.
Val, I haven't independently verified it but another BCO member PM'd me with data saying that in a clinical trial 5.5% of tamox takers had hair loss while 4.2% of control group did. So, that is an increase, but still relatively rare. But if you're seeing it then you're seeing it.
Sorry I don't have any answers beyond bcincolo's suggestion, other than to ask your doctor. Or perhaps your hairdresser. CS
So cool to hear everyone's "time done"!
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Thanks for the responses. I see my onc in two weeks for my 3 month check up. I can't believe how fast the time as gone by. I had my first post mx mammo today to get the all clear before my exchange surgery and I am happy to report lefty PASSED!! Gosh I was a nervous wreck, now I feel a LOT of relief to move forward. I am thinking my onc is going to wait til after surgery. My PS told me today he does not want me to take anything before surgery so I may as well wait till my body is healed to start taking again. I am happy to say I took a page from Raili's book, and started Yoga in the morning. I am finding it a nice way to start my day and stretch my aching joints.
Happy Monday everyone!
Diane
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Blondie, I lost weight on T...no big tricks, I just don't feel hungry. I did do Weight Watchers four years ago and it realy worked for me...
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Diane, I definitely know the nervous feeling about the first mamo! I have mine coming up on the 17th and am already nervous. I guess when you are a uni or were able to have a lumpectomy it is something you have to live with...the stress. But of course stress will cause grey hair.....and I sure don't need any more of those!
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need to say, my first post op mammo was a snap - although it did turn my cups into saucers - and one into a demi cup saucer ;-(.... not a big deal at all - and so wonderful to have normal results
Best wishes
C
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i see a lot of people posting how long on tamox... i am 35 months with 25 more to go... yeah!!
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hi all, I'm new to this thread, just been lurking a little bit. I started the big T a month ago, which was a month after my last chemo tx. I starting having bad hot flashes/night sweats after my final chemo & before starting the T (from "chemo-pause" I guess) and they have not really gotten better yet. BTW I just turned 38 and haven't had a period since just following my first chemo. Has anyone started cycling again while on the T?
The other thing is that my onc recommended considering taking Effexor to help with the hot flashes. I currently am on Lexapro as an antidepressant (10 mg; fairly low dose) which is "medium" as far as interfering with the Tamox. I used to be on Effexor but I switched, I think because of weight issues. Which of course I'm fat again so I'm afraid to go back on Effexor! But my onc also said that the study showed that women LOST weight while taking the Tamox/Effex combo.
Anyone out there have any experience with T + Effexor or any other antidepressants? Thanks!
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Hi horsedoc and welcome! I started cycling again just over a week ago. I hadn't cycled in over two years and was very cautious at first as I have some neuropathy on the right side. But once I got on the bike, it all came back. I suppose it's like they say ... you never forget how to ride a bike. I've only taken a few short rides yet as it's too hot. But I do find cycling more pleasant than walking in this weather as you can at least get a nice breeze.
I've been piling on the weight. I can't just blame Tamoxifen as this started as soon as I finished chemo and before I started Tamox.
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Congratss Kate! Just over 2 years left for you!
I don't know about losing weight. My onco told me that for some people they become nauseated which I imagine would help contribute to weight loss. I think for most of us we do gain weight. I think some of it could also be because of the night sweats we don't sleep well which also makes exercize more difficult.
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Mary, you made my laugh...I had to reread the post from Horsedoc. By cycling I think she meant she got her "cycle" back...you know Mother Natures Monthly.....Or at least that is how I took it...
So I have a question that I don't think I have posted here, but perhaps I did and the chemo brain is still lingering..I have been on T for the last two months, but for the past 3 weeks I have been having the worst itch in my girl bits. just in the hair line. In fact I noticed small cracks in the skin. I have tried a mixture of cortisone cream and canestin ass well as vagisil. I use natural soap and wear cotton panties...It is not a yeastie thing. Help, the itch is driving me crazy, and my DH is wondering when when he will get lucky again.
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Aagh, you're right Michele. The cycling question was preceded by a comment about her period. As they say it's all about context. I did wonder at the word cycling as Americans usually say bike riding or even biking. Oh well, I think you should all hop on your bikes anyay. As Einstein said ""Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving."
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Michelle, I to had the itching for the last almost thiree years off and on... when I asked about it I was told get used to it on tamox. Then my OB dr said get used to it.. she said it is more of a yeast problem that bulids up because of the medication.... I got stock in monistat and if I have a flare up I use it... my husband said what if it is just itchy and maybe it is not a yeast in fection? well, i went to have labs done for my second stage reconstruction and well my yeast levers were off the chart at 10,000.... haha, yeah... its a yeast infection so my surgeon said buy more stock in Monistat... oh well what do ya do.... only two years left... HUGGS TO ALL!!!!
Horsedoc: here is a link I got from this thread months ago about antidepressants and tamox...
http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/721747?src=cmenews&uac=101636HJ
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Well, I am officially on the Tamoxy train...lol. Day 2 for me here. I noticed yesterday when I took my first one that I was having more 'tropical heat waves' than before and yes, a little more intense. Hope they don't get worse!
Michelle and Kate - sounds like we have yeast infections to get used to on this med? Ughhh - like there wasn't enough of that during chemo..lol Oh well, only 1760 days left till I'm s/e free from this ;-)
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haha! Oops sorry for the confusion, yes I did mean my menstrual cycle. I'm a vet and we talk about mares (female horses) cycling so I'm used to saying that. I should start cycling on my bike too. It has a flat tire though, have to get that fixed!
Thanks Kate for that link, I will check that out.
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horsedoc: flat tire is no excuse! get on that darn bike. Well, maybe I'll give up a pass for the next few weeks as the weather is so hot, but after that -- either a horse or a bike.
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well I HAVE been riding my horse almost every day, and have started competing again.
I do need to get some of this weight off though; I ride more effectively then. I will try to fix my bike this weekend!
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I did have one horrible yeast infection when I first started on tamox (within the first 2 months)--treated with Diflucan and never had aother one during the 5 years.
Anne
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Welcome Horsedoc. Funny I knew exactly what you meant with cycling. Riding and competing I imagine is good for your soul. Riding is definatly good for my head and soul. I don't have any personal experience with antidepressants and tamoxifen. There has been previous discussions on this thread. I have been thinking about asking onc at next appointment about effexor.
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hi Nicole; yay, another rider!
The research about the antidepressants shows that Lexapro (that I'm on) is ok and doesn't interfere with the Tamox metabolism, so I guess the main issue would be the hot flashes. They are driving me crazy. Of course having an extra hot summer isn't helping matters! I will try to find the other discussions about the subject, thanks!
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I tried the Effexor for hot flashes and didn't find any relief. I am now taking 1000 units of vitamin E that I think is helping. Hope everyone that has them finds some relief.
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Well some daytime flashes have started bothering me which didn't before. I'm not sure what that is about. I've been thinking more about talking to my onco at my next appt about Effexor for flashes but also anxiety that I think is Tamox related. Has anyone had anxiety issues with Tamox?
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Hi everyone!! Just thought I'd pop in and see how everyone was doing. I am still in a holding pattern for re-starting T but I am ok with that.
Funny thing...as I noticed my peach fuzz monkey face growing in I started thinking about previous posts etc. Well obviously I went to sleep thinking about it as I had a dream that I woke up one day and had LONG fuzzy GRAY chemo hair on my ARMS...my forearms!! LOL In my dream I was panicked about what to do with my monkey arms. then I was like well someone on BCO said it just fell off, but then someone said I should NAIR it...or was it shave it..oh well I'll just let it fall off naturally. SO me and my monkey arms went out on what apparently was a breezy day..and people were staring ....THEN I woke up in a SWEAT...what else is new these days. Ha ha it made me laugh though, I can't stop looking at my peach fuzz face and chemo hair in my 10,000 times magnifying mirror so only appropriate I start dreaming about it.
Have a good weekend everyone! Its supposed to be GORGEOUS here, hope you have have the same weather.
Diane
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