Bottle o Tamoxifen
Comments
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bcincolorado you are too funny! The needles they use are so small and I lay on a table with my eyes shut and soothing music playing in the background and I don't feel a thing...usually. A couple needles hit a spot that hurt but most of the time if you focus on your breathing its all good.
Yes I am happy it seems to be working as well...I am like a real live vodoo doll!
Now maybe it can speed up my metabolism!!!!!
Have a good night all!
Diane
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DiDel: I love the voodoo doll reference! Funny!
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I've been on Tamoxifen since April but recently took a 2 week break. I had TE surgery yesterday and will start up again tomorrow.
I'm not looking forward to it as I have enjoyed not having middle of the night leg cramps and morning joint pain. But I'm willing to put up with it if it means keeping the BC away.
As for headaches, earaches, neck pain and such I too had that and was thinking that it was Tamoxifen related. I started seeing an Osteopath in July and she has helped me a lot and I've been headache free since the first visit. It was a big relief since I'd had a headache since finishing chemo in January - seriously!
A lot of my headache trouble and dizziness was from stress, sinus, and joint problems.
Well that's all from me for now - it's time for another pain pill and bed.
Marie
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Mariek CONGRATS on your exchange!! Mine is scheduled for the 15th and I am getting so nervous but I can't wait to have these TEs out of me. I hope it all went well and you are feeling good!!
Diane
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bcincolorado:
Finally got my blood work back with liver enzymes. Everything seemed to be normal.
AST 21
ALT 17
Bilirubin Total 0.6
Alkaline 50
Albumin, Serum 4.2
BUN 17,
Creatinine Serum 0.96,
BUN/Creatinine Ratio 18
Still have dull sporadic pain under right rib cage. Doc said if it was a fatty liver that was serious, enzymes would be higher. Said it may be gallbladder.
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Joyce - good news about your liver enzymes. It is so hard with Tamox to know what pains are from the tamox and what might be other things.
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Hi ladies! Today I'm starting the big T, had been putting it off as I have had delayed aches and pains from Taxotere, still have hot flashes etc., but I am going ahead and hoping that these things will not get worse. I have tollerated everything thus far really well, but the aches and pains in my joints was a bit surprising, I thought I had was past it. Diane, I think I am going to try the acupuncture, and I am stepping up exercising and stretching, maybe will try yoga too (I am so not flexible though) as my Onc said that will help the achiness. She also said that some of and maybe all of this stiffness will subside over the next year...
I have 2 friends on Tamoxifen, and both have tolerated it well, but both said in the first couple of months they had minor side effects, but they subsided.
Be well! I am very thankful for this thread along with this whole site, it has been a great source of information and comfort! Thank you all for sharing your stories!
Leta
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Welcome , Leta.
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Joyce, I know all about liver numbers and those are right in line. Congrats!
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Well ladies, I'm back on the Tamoxi-Train tomorrow! My docs told me to stop the Tamoxifen prior to my reconstructive surgery, and said I could go back on them 3 weeks post-surgery. I guess they want it out of your system pre-surgery because of the risk of blod clots.
So after a short hiatus, back I go! :-)
Alaina
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Hi All,
I have a question. I've been on Tamoxifen since July 5th and read about people asking their doctors for a test to see if their body is metabolizing the Tamoxifen. I asked my Onco about it and she didn't know what test they were talking about. Does anyone know so I can ask my Onco for it?
Thanks
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I think it's called the CYPD26 test or something like that. I think if you search on CYPD here on bco.org, you will find other posts about it.
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Yes, Shelly! It IS called the CYP2D6 test! I just had one 2 months ago. Mine was a blood test, but I've also heard of the "swab" test. The controversy seems to be that even if they find you aren't a good metabolizer, that it is still doing you some good. But my Oncologist said we should do the test, because if I wasn't a good metabolizer, she would put me on Femara. This is just for Tamoxifen. I WANTED to stay on Tamoxifen, (since January) because of the fewer side effects. So I was glad to find out I could metabolize it.
Maybe your Oncologist doesn't believe in it? Or maybe he/she is new? I would make sure I asked again! Tell him "Jeannette says".....Ha! Good luck!
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Apologies rgiuff! I'm sorry to be so slow in answering your question. Not sure where the doctors got that stat but I was quoted it independently by both by medical oncologist and radiation oncologist in separate appointments. You should ask you docs what they think. I will say that I have now been off Tamoxifen for just over 8 weeks and I cannot tell you how much better I feel. After being in so much pain from muscles aches and having such unbelievable fatigue for so long, I am so relieved that I might actually be on the way back to feeling healthy after 2 years. Yes, I know I'm running a small risk but I still firmly believe that whatever small increase in risk I am incurring by going off Tamoxifen, I am more than making up for my increase in quality of life. My preference would have been to stay on the Tamoxifen because I understand the benefit and I would still be on without the really awful side effects. If Tamoxifen works for you than I am all for it. But ultimately each of us has to figure out what works best for us and what we can live with. What was interesting is that my radiation oncologist who does actually see me and not just the cancer, did tell me that he supports my decision to go off the Tamoxifen and agreed that the quality of life gained would be worth the small increase in risk. But again, everyone has to make their own decisions. I would never tell anyone what to do. These decisions are all so hard. What I long for are the days where getting rid of cancer will not involve making you feel worse to get better. That's what I'm shooting for. Let me know what your doc says about going off Tamoxifen after 2 years and what benefit you would have gotten from 2 years. M.
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Welcome aboard Leta!!
Definitel try the acumpuncture. yesterday was my fourth treatment and today i feel great despite my exchange surgery I had this morning!! YEAH.
My ankles were the worst and I just feel completely better and pain free for the first tim in two months. I will continue to do Acuncture as maintence as needed since pain has subsided.
I do yoga too to stretch but can't work out while I am recovering. I strongly reccommend adding acupuncture to your regimen
Good night ladies!
Diane
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I talked to my onco last visit about CYP2D26 and he said it was not worth it to test me. I don't know if that has to do my age, cancer type, or what he based his decision on and just really didn't think to ask to be honest. I had a huge list of questions when I went so we kind of moved on to the next item when he said I wouldn't benefit from the test.
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Mine doesn't do that CYP test either. Who know's I will just swallow the white pill daily and hope it is doing it's job.
On another note ~ my uncomfortable crotch (tamoxifen related) has been better for about 2 weeks. LOW and behold... I got my period today after almost 10 months of chemopause. Guess the gyno was wrong when he thought I'd stay in menopause !
Have a good day TAMOXIBABES! Good luck to those just starting their T ~ hoping for side effect free days for you.
Alicia0 -
Alicia: Glad your problem has resolved. I know that sure is not fun to deal with and just plain icky!
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Hi Gals! just wondering....Have any of you had problems with your skin and rashes after taking Tamoxifen for awhile? I have had Stasis Dermatitis for years, but this last month, I can't control it at all! I have used the creams, Domeboro, the compression stockings, but I can't figure this out! I'm going to my PC tomorrow for a yearly physical, but she hasn't been concerned about this for the last 3 years....But NOW it is really bad!
I've been on Tamoxifen since January....I have read that "rashes" are one of the SE's....But I'm thinking, that it is causing this terrible rash & ITCHING on my one leg, around my ankle to get much worse! It used to come & go....like for 10 years now...Now it covers an area like 6" by 8".
And this is driving me nuts! Any suggestions would be most appreciated!
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HI Chevy ~ No rashes here..... sorry I have no insight. I hope your Dr. has some answers for you!
Good luck!
Alicia
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I haven't noticed any new rashes caused by the Tamoxifen, but it does seem to cause dryness throughout the whole body, and my skin seems more delicate, more prone to damage and tearing. The dryness may be aggravating the rash you already have, but that has been under control until now.
I always get dry skin cracking and breaking during the dry winter weather. It was bad the first year I was on Tamoxifen.
Hydration both by drinking more water and using more skin cream and being diligent about wearing gloves to protect my hands has helped me.
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Thanks Gals....My Doc said it was just the "same ole, same ole" problem I have had, & that I have to start using fluocinonide again. And that the Tamoxifen & stress could be making it flare up more now. So as long as she thinks this ointment will take care of it, I guess that's all I can ask. I use so much cream always now, and Eucerin is supposed to be real good! Here in Colorado, dry skin just goes with the territory, Ha! I just have to go back Wednesday for a possible melanoma on my arm.....but that's no problem.
It's ironic, because my youngest Daughter just had a skin cancer cut off her arm, but has to go back to have it done again! She & I must have the same genes....and we are so FAIR....unlike my Italian husband! I know....the sun, the sun! But as many times that I have shed my skin due to rashes, welts, hives, you would think I would have "new" skin....Ha, ha!
She said that now I can say I no longer have cancer, but I'm in "remission"...... I would just like to think "I'm DONE!"..... We just NEVER know though, but I thank God I feel as good as I do. I am so lucky, & fortunate that I have not had to go through what most of you women have had to face..... Have a fun day gals! xoxoxoxo
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No rashes for me. In fact my skin is the best it has been in years...havn't had a pimple in months.
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For those of you who are paying out-of-pocket for Tamoxifen, either because you are uninsured or underinsured, can you help me with updating the list of prices on the thread Price of Tamoxifen? I know we have it much easier than those who've been shelling out lots of money for years on Arimidex. Thankfully with the generics available now, those women are getting a break.0
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Chevy: I have been excessively dry lately and using a ton of lotion since we haven't had much rain on the front range. Maybe with some cooler weather some rain will fall and that will help too. You also might want to try to set up a humidifier at night in your bedroom and maybe that will help hydrate your skin.
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Chevy: I have been excessively dry lately and using a ton of lotion since we haven't had much rain on the front range. Maybe with some cooler weather some rain will fall and that will help too. You also might want to try to set up a humidifier at night in your bedroom and maybe that will help hydrate your skin.
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BC....yes, that sounds good! I have had a little fan going during the night in the bedroom, but in the days we DO run our swamp cooler! And that feels soooo good! I know....It's getting cooler now, so the humidifier IS what I will do! This ointment I got for this "Stasis Dermatitis" seems to be helping...The Doc says all the other things I have been doing aren't helping....and that if this Fluocinonide doesn't work, she will prescribe a different one! I just have to keeps my hands off of it...because sometimes I think I would scratch it in my sleep, & wake up with blood all over my leg. I cover it now, in bed, or when I wear slacks, to keep the ointment on, & my hands off of it.
It's just that the itching is SO intense! And once you start scratching, it gets worse.I told the Doctor that I think the BC was much easier to handle than this, Ha! I go in tomorrow to have this mole taken care of.....probably nothing.
By the way, MaryNY.....I get Tamoxifen at Super Walmart....The price is $6 a month! I just ordered the prescription for 3 months for $18 ! Hope this helps!
Thanks again! xoxoxo
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Chevyboy: How recently did you get your Tamoxifen at Walmart? The prices on their current list (revised 9/1/10) are $9/30 days and $24/90 days (these prices are for both 10mg and 20mg dosages). I don't see any drugs on their list for $6 and $18.
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Hi ladies, just curious what dosage are you on and have your Oncs explained why one over another?
I am on 20mg and there was no discussion, but I am going to ask her when I see her this week. so far no noticable side effects after a week, in fact some of my aches are easing a bit.
For those with dry skin, keep up your water intake, my bottle of Tamoxifen says to "take with plenty of water". My Onc too, has said water, water, water, can help with so many minor side effects, first from chemo, then from rads and now from T!
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Hi Tamoxitrainers,
Question: Any one have trouble with weight gain on the Big T ????
I didn't for almost a year ...I started 09-10-09....but the last few months I've noticed a slow steady gain. I did read where some women LOST weight on it.
Sure would appreciate some info.
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