Come join others currently navigating treatment in our weekly Zoom Meetup! Register here: Tuesdays, 1pm ET.
Join our Webinar: REAL Talk: Healthy Body and Mind After Breast Cancer Treatment - Jan 23, 2025 at 4pm ET Register here.

Bottle o Tamoxifen

1…300301303305306…1022

Comments

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited January 2011
  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,258
    edited January 2011

    Morning gals!  I had read a couple months ago, on another thread, about several gals taking Ambien....They were going through LOT & needed help sleeping....But they posted several sites, & also talked about their experiences while taking Ambien....Like for THEM, their sleep-walking, and conversations were not remembered by them when they woke up.  Husbands told them what they had said, but they could NOT remember any of it.....So just be careful. 

    I also read somewhere that Melatonin IS a natural sleep aid, & that we DO produce it until we get older....and also, it "helps" the Tamoxifen somehow work better....All I did was go to Dr. Google.Wink.....and I found that.

    But all of our systems are different...and some things might not work the same way for you.....

    Okay, Dr. Chevy has left the building!  xoxoxoxoo

    http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_side_effects_of_Ambien 

  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 629
    edited January 2011

    wow... this train has been moving fast !

    Congrats to those who have finished RADS - I think there were 2 of you lucky gals !

    Welcome to those just starting that "little white pill".  May your side effects be minimal.

    I read on here recently someone was taking One a Day multivitamin for menopause (supposed to help with the hot flashes)  I saw it in the store yesterday and it contains SOY.  I am under the assumption no soy ~ so I didn't buy it?!  I am back in menopause..  yes chemo and tamoxifen have messed with my periods, I have had 3 periods in a little over a year.  When I had them my hot flashes were gone, the minute I missed it again they are back full force. 

    Have a great week Tamoxibabes !  Loved all the train pics and drinks too ~

    :)

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited January 2011

    I started tamox about a week ago and I have been having difficulty sleeping.  I have been since the chemo though - the steroids really screwed me up big time!   I never attributed it to the taxox so I'm really interested to find this this thread. 

    I was finding that Ativan really helped, as does Xanax but I stopped both of those since I didn't want to begin an addiction cycle.   Didn't know Ativan was addictive until I googled it. 
    I'm finding that one benadryl helps.....but not always and the one time I took an Ambien, I didn't like how it made me feel. I was sleepy all the next morning and my dreams were WILD on it.

    I see a naturopath and my  next app't is Thursday.  If he recommends anything I will post it on here.

    I'm really bummed and scared about being on this medication.  The risk of blood clots and the other SE's scare me silly. I lost 25lb in the past year because of exercise and now I'm scared of gaining it back.  The thought of that keeps me running almost every day but still................ :(     Just wondering if having my ovaries out would be a better option.  But I had a friend who is Brca positive and she just had hers out but is still on hormone therapy--started with tamox and they switched her due to SE's.  

  • surfette
    surfette Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2011

    I started January 1 and have had trouble sleeping the first two nights as well. One product I have used in the past is Calms Forte, it's homeopathic and supposedly all natural.

  • Beanius
    Beanius Member Posts: 1,494
    edited January 2011

    Well, here it is Jan 3 2011 and the day I started tammy. I was too scared to take a whole pill so I cut it into quarters and took 1/4. That was about 2 hours ago and I'm still on the planet. I must say I'm feel rather low about 5 years of this...hoping for minimal SE's. Best wishes to all of you!

  • surfette
    surfette Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2011

    Hey Beanius, if I were you I would not cut the pill. My bottle has a warning not to cut or crush it. I guess it would reduce its effectiveness?

  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,258
    edited January 2011

    This is GREAT NEWS! 

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110103/ap_on_he_me/us_med_cancer_blood_test

     I had read that about Soy products also...but then I read that as long as your diet isn't loaded with soy products, you are fine!

    calamtykel .....don't be afraid to start....You can always try it, & after a couple weeks, you will know, probably if you don't want to take it...but you might be like me, & not notice anything you can't live with!  Some gals don't notice SE's for a month or longer...But usually, they will drive you nuts at first, and a couple weeks later, they won't bother you......

    My Oncologist told me that with all the Estrogen & birth control pills I took, I wouldn't start worrying about blood-clots now....

  • Beanius
    Beanius Member Posts: 1,494
    edited January 2011

    tinkertude - thanks for sharing...I took 5 mg this morning and I don't know if I'm just upset about having to take this or that I didn't sleep well last night or what, but I feel a little like I took a step back into chemo brain fog. I was just getting out of that and feeling better and better. Also just finished rads, so I'm just upset at having to start a whole new 5 year trip on a new drug. I just hate taking any pills. Somehow I've got to get my attitude right. I think the idea of working up to the 20 mg is just perfect for me. I really like your idea of 5 mg for a week, then 10 for a week then 10 + 10 - will try it that way. Thanks again for sharing.

    susansgarden - interesting about low melatonin levels...that connects with less sunshine in WA...I was told to take vit D too.

    I'm looking at this as I did the very enjoyable chemo ride (can you tell there is some sarcasm???) - I was told for chemo that the women who do best are the ones who drink a lot of fluids (water, herbal tea, etc.) and keep moving (some kind of daily exercise, be it cleaning house to jogging or whatever). I have been a jogger most of my life since high school. I kept jogging through chemo and most of the way through rads (but weather - hideous rain storms and hail made it difficult to get out). Yesterday I got out again for the first time in a couple of weeks and did my regular jog. Today is sunny so I'm doing it again today. I was drinking 80 ounces of water each day through chemo so I'm just going to stick with that amount through the Tammy train. Five years - oye vey! May need a new pair of running shoes!

    Any advice is surely welcome as I start on this new adventure!! (I'm so scared!!!) Chemo made my brain so foggy and spacey and I was just getting to feel back to normal. I don't want to lose my brain again.

    Wanted to say hi to jo, swanseagirl (tanks for the bubbly), and DorothyK, my darlings from other threads...

    Chevyboy - loved your post about melatonin! You have a fun way of wording things!!

    phxsunshine - thanks for the glycine idea. One of my problems even before bc was anxiety. I have battled it with exercise because I don't like pills. The idea of starting this Tammy train is anxiety provoking for me. I don't know how it will be, but I sure appreciate you sharing about something that has worked for you.

    I'm sorry if I've missed anyone, I just claim post-chemo brain and current tammy-brain. I have trouble remembering things anymore.

    To all my new friends on the Tammy train I send love and hugs and best wishes for a great 2011!!

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited January 2011

    Beans 

     

  • lorieg
    lorieg Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2011

    Hey ladies....quick question.  I just started tamoxifen 2 days ago.  How long should it be until I start having hot flashes or other side effects?  Just curious.  I am on 20mg once daily.

    Thanks!

  • Beanius
    Beanius Member Posts: 1,494
    edited January 2011

    jo - you are so sweet, thanks, I sort of melted down today...It's been 3+ hours since I took 5 mg and really nothing bad has happened.

    lorieg - I just took 5 mg this am and haven't had any hot flashes yet...I dunno...good for you if you aren't having SE's!

    One of my bco friends from another thread, chrissy, reminded me that Tammy is my friend and doing a good job for me so not to be afraid. This helps get my mind straight about it!! Sorry for freaking out today, but that's life for me...one day ecstatic to be alive...next day melt down at having gotten bc...this being a transition day to a new unknown chemical is a melt down day!!! But tomorrow I'll be better and Tammy is my friend.

    Thanks for reading my blah, blah, blahs! ~ Beans

  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 1,998
    edited January 2011

    No problem Beanius. I hope it works well for you. I have been back on the 20mg for a little over 2 weeks now and I have that foggy anxious feeling although not as severe as before.. heres hoping and praying this is as bad as that gets. Keep me posted!!! we can do this a day at a time!!!!

    Cool

  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 1,998
    edited January 2011

    Meltdowns are ok... thats what we are all here for, to support eachother. I sat at dinner last night and cried and said to my hubby well at least I was happy and felt good for the first few weeks and then an hour later was ok.. go figure can you say mood swiiiiiing! lol

  • whitedove
    whitedove Member Posts: 121
    edited January 2011

    Surfette,

    Thanks for the info about Calms Forte. I just bought a bottle of it today. I really hope it helps. Main SEs right now are like what many are you are having, except for the leg cramps. Does anyone know what the physiological explanation for the SE of hot flashes?  I have not found anything that helps (yet). I have not slept well in 2 months.Frown Also not sure if I'm feeling depression, but lethargy for sure...My body feels slower, creakier, heavier...well....older.

  • EastCoastGrl
    EastCoastGrl Member Posts: 206
    edited January 2011

    Wow, alot of us starting at the same time! I go tomorrow and am sure I will get the script for the Tamox at that time. Onc has been wanting me on and I have asked for just about every test under the sun to get before starting. I am so aprehensive about it. But I must get my mindset right as well....it is doing something very good for all of us!

    However, I will start with 5mg, move to 10mg and then probably try to do the divided dose of 10 and 10. We'll see how it goes! ;) That's all I can do I suppose.

    I also would like to thank each and everyone of you who keep up with this thread and post your SE's. It's so helpful to all of us. MANY THANKS!! :) I was encouraged to read that Chevyboy is doing well after one year! Thanks for posting that Chevyboy! :) Every good little bit is huge right now. Would be sooo nice if there was a bonus side effect that goes along with all the bad ones....like you feel euphoric every day! LOL I keep searching for that SE but haven't found anyone with it yet. Darn. ;)

    I am battling some depression myself (not the normal down feeling but true depression, unmotivated, no joy, ugh it's miserable)...have had some hard things in my life leading up to this and still ongoing so that has not helped. BUT, I feel like my body is already having some reduced estrogen. I feel like I am having some symptoms of that. Weird. Could removing my breasts and taking away that estrogen production there have that much of an effect?? Worried that the Tamox will only make that worse. 

  • hindimetfan
    hindimetfan Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2011

    Hi all!  I was supposed to start Tamoxifen in September, when my burns had started to be a little less crispy.  Sigh.  Took the whole 20 mg. pill at once and then - whoosh! Out it came!  They had me break it up, 1/2 in the morning, 1/2 at night - whoosh!  It made morning sickness seem like a piece of cake!  Finally, my onc prescribed it in 10 mg tablets.  On her instructions, I quartered those (!) and did a week of 2.5 mg., then a week of 5, that being 2.5 in the morning and 2.5 at night.  I got all the way up to 15 mg. and then whoosh!  Started again (with "well meaning" family members constantly commenting on how I'd better get it to stay or the cancer'll grow back!) Got all the way up to 17.5, yup, whoosh again!  THis time my onc prescribed zofran to go with it and help with the nausea.  So, as of 12/31/2010, I am now, finally on the full dose!  The only SE's I have, so far, and they're rather challenging, is extreme waves of nausea when I get my period.  Luckily, the zofran helps.  I still turn absolutely green and everyone at work tries to get me to go home, but no whoosh!  So, here I am on the tammi train, finally! 

  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,258
    edited January 2011

    whitedove....Just a note here!  MY body feels slower, creakier & "older" because I AM!!!  Ha, ha! No kidding.....!!!  But actually my little brain is working great!  I mean I have a lot better "re-call" than I ever have.....I won't ask if any one else on Tamoxifen has, because you will think I am nuts, but I DO! 

    But I don't think the Tamoxifen makes me feel "older".....it just happens, I tell my self. 

    And I would support the theory that the physiological explanation of those hot flashes, are your body just trying to figure out WTH is going on in here!  The Tamoxifen stops the estrogen from running rampant in your little system, trying to find cancer cells to grow on!  The T pill will not let your natural hormones, (even after menopause)  feed any stray cancer cells.  In other words your estrogen has been "silenced" but still helping your bones & other organs.  I rather like that explanation, even if I just made it up.

    And little lorieg ....You will never have any side effects from Tamoxifen....Honest!  Just keep telling yourself this over & over....& just take charge here...Just show yourself WHO is boss... either you or the T pill.

    I just want you to feel alright with this! Wink 

    BEANS!!!!  Yes, Tamoxifen IS our friend!  It's taking care of us...I really believe this!  It is one of the oldest, and proven treatments we can have! 

    So did you read today about that new blood test?  For cancer?  I posted it this morning!  I think that is the best news for this year! 

    So go play now..... xoxoxoxo

  • janet in virginia
    janet in virginia Member Posts: 923
    edited January 2011

    I will be starting w/ 1/4 ticket too.           Coming soon to a station near you.......This train is bound for glory, this train.  This train don't carry no gamblers, this train. :)   

  • lorieg
    lorieg Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2011

    Chevyboy,

    Thanks for the encouragement!  I am not really worried.  Check out my stats!  Nothing (in my mind) compares to facing stage IV cancer so I know I will be fine with this little white pill!  My onc told me 1 in 20 women can't take it, but he says he know I will NOT be one of thoae women.  I have done well from a side effect standpoint with 16 straight months of chemo.  I say, bring on the hot flashes if it keeps my cancer at bay.  LOL!!

     Thanks, everyone!!

  • Beanius
    Beanius Member Posts: 1,494
    edited January 2011

    Tinkertude - thank you! I was having a meltdown morning but better this afternoon! I should be used to these ups and downs as I went through a lot of them while on chemo. I was so happy to be done with all the hard stuff, then got scared of tammy today. Definitely feel better. I dipped my toe in a bit more and took another 5 mg at noon with lunch. I notice a bit of anxiety, but it's not overwhelming. Thanks so much for your understanding!!

    Whitedove - I'm sorry you aren't feeling so good...I don't understand hot flashes and still have not had them...I definitely feel creakier and older!!

    EastCoastGirl - More than one of my friends on bco gave me a gentle push today so I'm not delaying as it is supposed to be protective. Since I just started today I can't say much other than I totally understand feeling apprehensive. I really liked the idea of "dipping my toe in" with 5 mg. That set okay for six hours so I popped another 5 mg. So far so good. I'm so sensitive to meds I really felt it best to do it that way. I'm sorry you aren't feeling real up right now and I sure hope that turns around.

    Hindimetfan - Thanks for sharing your experience, you tell it so well too!!

    Chevyboy - You make me smile! I know I'm getting older (53) and creakier! I'm glad your brain is working great! That gives me hope for my post-chemo brain!! I so love your words of wisdom to take charge and show the T pill who's boss! Such great attitude!!! I am now thinking of how it is in there stopping any estrogen from driving my breast cells crazy. I don't remember if I mentioned that my Mom had the same chemo I got and tamoxifen back in the late 70's and she seemed to be fine with it. She never had a bc recurrence. I heard something about a new blood test for cancer...don't know the details yet. Thanks again sooooo much!!

    JanetinVirginia - love the train pic - bound for glory for sure!!

    Lorig - What a trooper you are!! My Mom was IV at dx and had a year of chemo then tamox, but 16 months of chemo, that should make the Tammy train an easy ride!

    I say thanks to everyone, too!!! Thanks for all your help!! ~Beans

  • rachel5738
    rachel5738 Member Posts: 658
    edited January 2011

    I am about 2 weeks into Tamoxifen and although I seem to be achey--not sure if it is SE or the fact that I stepped up my exercise. I have had a couple of headaches though which are not common for me. Nothing major. Other than that, hot flashes like crazy. I thought that I would escape the hot flashes as I had rad hyst back in May and had ovaries removed but still getting new hot flashes (I am guessing from Tamox and Chemo).

    Cal--I had my ovaries out with rad hyst and they still prescribed me Tamoxifen due to my age--my MO indicated that if you are younger they may still prescribe Tamoxifen due to bones and the fact that Tamoxifen doesn't have same SE as others with osteoporosis (sp?). I am seeing my MO in a couple of weeks when he will see how I am doing on the Tamoxifen. Hoping that he might have ideas on how I can get more sleep.

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 7,545
    edited January 2011

    Haven't been on here much today and wow have you ladies been busy.  I think I got everything read.  Got a lot of good information on how you all are taking T.  Will keep that in mind - I see me MO on Wed to get my ticket for the tammy train.  Will be waiting on the platform for the train to pick me up.

    Beans - Save me a seat!

    Jo - Lump, no chemo, 25 rads + 5 boosts, ER+/PR+ 100%

  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 1,998
    edited January 2011

    Eastcoast girl... I know Tamoxifen plays with my emotions big time. My onc. also said that we go though what she described as post tramatic stress syndrome, she explained it that when we are first diagnosed everything we do is cerebreal we make appt have surgies etc... then we get to this point and all the emotions kinda flood us and boy do they flood.. big time. It is a ride for sure.. hang in and we are in this together!!!!

    ok where the bubbly again?????

  • imbell
    imbell Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2011

    Started tamox in September after had to stop Abraxane even though I am 67. Arimidex and Aromasin did not work. Have had a series of weird side effects. My back is in knots which causes a stiff neck which causes headaches. My side hurts 24/7 so I am taking Nexus for acid and tramacet for pain. Have chest pain which I am not sure if it is bone or muscle. Still have neuropathy four months after Abraxane with foot burning and shooting pains in my toes. Hot flashes are minimal. I have been freezing to death so was hoping for a hot flash or two. Had scans and results will be this Wednesday. Had regression with the Abraxane so it will be interesting to see if tamox is doing the trick. Will report. Is it progression or is it side effects.

  • Resting
    Resting Member Posts: 117
    edited January 2011

    Has anyone had problems with blood clots or redness in your leg - like a round redish area?

  • janet in virginia
    janet in virginia Member Posts: 923
    edited January 2011

    ECT - my onc said be on the lookout for any swelling/pain/warmth in one leg which could indicate a blood clot.  I can't remember if he said redness.  You should call just to be sure it's nothing to worry about.

  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,258
    edited January 2011

    ECT....if you can't figure that out soon, I just want to mention what I had.  I have had for several years something wrong with the area around my one ankle...like it flares up once in awhile...It is very red, & rashy, & itches like crazy! 

     Mine is called Stasis Dermatitis, or something to that effect, & I have worn compression stockings, used Domeboro rinses, & just went nuts, Now, I just rub on this cream called Fluocinonide. It is mostly gone again, but stress will wake that puppy right up!  And I mean the itching is intense!   The scratching makes the rash worse, & painful!  So have it checked out before your leg drops off.

  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 1,998
    edited January 2011

    I have to say Chevyboy I find alot of comfort in your words! Thank you :)

  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 3,600
    edited January 2011

    I did a month of Arimidex. My Onc switched me to Tamoxifen because of extreme se's to A.  So far no side effects worth noting.  I've been on it just a bit over two months.

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.