Bottle o Tamoxifen
Comments
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MHP70 There is a direct correlation between caffeine and hot flashes. I am stubborn and can't give up the coffee but have given up the sodas. That has helped. I haven't started the Effexor yet and plan on holding on to it for awhile to see if I really need it.
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I have a week of rads left and then will likely be starting Tamoxifen. I have an appointment with my oncologist on Friday. I have been concerned about the hot flashes, but hearing that cutting caffeine helps is encouraging, as I have never been a coffee drinker. Perhaps that explains why I only got "warm flashes" when going through menopause. So maybe it won't be so bad after all.
I am glad to have you ladies going before me, so that I can learn from you. I wish you all well with SE's and other issues.
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My first week has been uneventful - but I'm only taking 1/4 pill:) Next week I'll go 1/2 pill and ease into this. I did notice my mouth/throat is dry especially overnight but I thought it was just winter/dry heat in the house until I saw some of you report that as a possible side effect.
Susan - I was like you. Only had occasional hot/warm flashes during menopause. But it's funny that ever since - for several years just like clockwork at 4am every morning - I feel hot (I suppose it's a flash) & kick off the covers. But within a minute or so I'm pulling covers back up! I've got to think there are some kind of bio-rhythms at work with hormones. Will be interesting to see if this changes.
For now, I guess I'll kick back and enjoy the scenery out of the Tammy train window
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Thanks Jo and Didel.
MHP70, have been off of the caffeine for 6 days. Haven't seen one difference in my hot flashes, well more like tidal waves. Ordered a hand held fan that spritz' water for my plane ride. I've been researching herbal remedies.
I'm sure the flight attendants are going to put me in the "special" section when they see me coming. Bald, sweating and wearing a lymphedema sleeve. My daughter is betting they will upgrade me. LOL, I wish.
BC you've got to laugh or you'll cry.
Jules
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JanetinVirginia - I am doing the same thing you are - easing into the T. I am taking a 1/2 pill this will and then will go to the full pill sometime next week. I think it is better this way. Once I am on the full pill, I am still going to split the dose 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night. Hope this one will be easier on my stomach.
The scenery is quite nice right now and the train is going at a slow pace.
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Well - here's one technique. Makes you wonder about previous generations - maybe that's why all the ladies with their hand fans???
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Janet:
LOL...been there done that!
Jan
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Swanseagirl, you made me laugh so hard! I am flying tomorrow, sleeve, moth-eaten hair, low sodium meal...aw, heck! I'm sick of feeling like a pariah!
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My SE from Effexor had to do with feeling light-headed and nauseas and almost like I was drugged. Maybe I didn't give it enough time, I dont' know. I didn't see how I could work that way though. My hot flashes weren't bad enough to have to change clothes but was prescribed for the anxiety I've developed since starting Tamox. I'm already stressing about the coming snow storm to hit sometimes tomorrow and into Monday and driving (even though I won't be the one doing it). I am worried already about my daughter driving next week too and my son the end of the month.....the anxiety is the worst SE I have from Tamox but I still don't know that I want to try Effexor again yet.
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Janet - I have a hot/warm flash at 4am every night also. I'm getting used it now. Sometimes I have more than one a night but always at 4 o'clock.
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MHP70 safe travels.
If anyone gives you a look. Just know it is jeoulasy, she isn't as hot as you:)
Jules
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JanetinVirginia - Love the pic - I had done that from time to time. Okay! still do it. LOL
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Hi All: I really am learning a lot on this thread. I seem to resonate with so many people's SEs. The one I am most worried about is my mood. Just like someone spoke about having a hot flash and almost losing it because the cashier was so slow, I have noticed a spike in my irritability. I am also having more mood swings. BTW, what I thought was intermittent insomnia due to the T. is now becoming a nightly thing. Waking up exhausted with bags under my eyes. I am sure that is part of my horrid mood. I really am loathe to start an anti-depressant, as T. is already such huge drug shift for me. Any tips before everyone around me starts to hate being around me?
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whitedove - Welcome to the group but hate to see you here with us. I really can't help you as I just start T myself and have Effexor on hold for right now. There are lots of ladies in the group that can help - I just wanted to welcome you.0
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My first few days on Tam I was up all night but my body has seemed to adjusted and I am sleeping through the night just fine. I think a lot of these side effects are temporary as our body adjusts. My recommendation is don't panic and just try and be patient.
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Hi gals! Sometimes I feel funny about posting, because I'm not going through all the side-effects you all are talking about....I'm really not bothered by ANYthing anymore....Except maybe the snow, & I can't get out, ha! This is Lacee, & her favorite time of year! It's snowing hard here in Denver right now!
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surfette - Haven't seen you in awhile - good to hear from you. I am on half dose of Tamox right now and no se's at all. The hot flashes are going away and I am sleeping well. The full dose starts middle of the week.
Chevyboy - I am glad to hear you are having no side effects - keeps me encouraged to continue taking it. Keep posting the no se's. Don't want to rub it in but it is 77 degrees here and I am in shorts. Can't stand the cold weather - lived in Cheyenne, Wy for almost 4 years and glad to be out of there.
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Hi girls,
do you mind if I join in? I started taking tamoxifen three weeks ago and have been wondering about the SE's ever since. I went through neoadjuvant chemo - Zoladex that destroyed most of my tumour and had my lumpectomy one month ago and all through this time was quite lighthearted about my treatment (I had my lows though, but not too many), but now I'm feeling anxiety and am often depressed. I'm angry at how feel - now that there's only rads in front of me, I would want to be happy and relieved, but I'm not. Does anyone have similar SE's to mine? I know antidepressants would be a solution, but I'd prefer not taking additional meds....
Thanks for any help!
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58 days on Tamox, so far minor se's. Probable se's, some dry mouth, pain in big toes in the night. Probable se. increased pain and weakness in joints that already suffer from arthritis. Very liveable after a month on AI's. That was severe pain.
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chabba - Hoping for a good ride on the tammy train. I go to a full dose next week and hope I have minimal se's.
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Hi girls-I pop in this thread every so often. I have been on Tamox for six months and haven't really had any side affects that I have noticed except for lately it feels like my memory is not as sharp. I keep losing my train of thought in the middle of sentences and forgetting names, and repeating myself. Anyone experience the same thing and attribute it to the Tamox?
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sweetie2040 - I do that now and just started Tamox. Gee! Is is gonna get worse?
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jo1955- I didn't notice it in the begining but it seems to be happening more now. However who knows if it is truley the Tamox or my age (45) . I think I need to do puzzles or more reading or something to sharpen my mind, but I do wonder because it becomes very annoying at times. I see my Dr this week and I will ask him.
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sweetie2040 - Besides working at a full time job, I also am doing my quilting to have something to focus on. I am 55 and it is annoying to me to. Let me know what you find out.
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Magda....try and just hang in there for awhile....usually the SE's will level out after a couple weeks! And that's good, because just when you think they are gone, you will get different ones that also drive you nuts! But eventually you won't notice ANYthing different at all!
I've been taking Tamoxifen for just over a year...and honestly, my brain seems to be working better than it ever has.....I didn't have chemo...just radiation. But I can "recall" better than ever, & I can "organize" things around the house better. I mean now it makes sense! And I can actually find things again.....
But in the beginning, the Oncologist told me that I would become "bitchy"....but I showed HIM! I could not do that, because with an Italian Husband, they prefer you NOT to assume you are the one in charge...
....So I remain the ever loyal servant...Hah! I think not! But I never was bitchy. So I sure wouldn't start that with the Tamoxifen. I haven't needed anything for moods or depression either....but like I said, I didn't have chemo, added to everything else. Like I said, I couldn't be moody with an Italian Husband!
They have that market cornered! xoxoxoxoxoxo
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Eeeh.....I used to watch my mom go through hot flashes...I was always a cold kid and I thought "oh. it would be nice to feel warm"...NOT...
I dress in layers and start peeling...wearing underclothes/bras that 'wick' like athletes were is also useful as it takes the heat away...you can also get socks that do the same thing....As for the night hot flashes...I am keeping my bedroom window open and th eheat in my bedroom OFF ( I am in Canada on the east coast so right now we are just at the freezing point..drops a bit at night). I start off with a beanbag heated in the microwave and a feather comforter and flannel pjs'...and at 4am when I wake up, I peel it all off...toss out the beanbag and snuggle back under the blankets naked. I am taking a sleeping pill my doc prescribed , a hypnotic that the pharmacist has assured me is not habit forming...zopliclone...it knocks me out and keeps my mind from going to dark places..which seems to only happen a bedtime when I stop...but I still wake up with the hotflashes...
taking 1/2 my pill in the am and 1/2 my pill at night has helped this past week so...I am goign to keep doing it for a bit longer to see if it is truth or my hope playing tricks on me.
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Chevyboy do you mind me asking if you are pre or post menapausal? I am pre. Have been on since Sept took a break for surgery in Nov and slowly started to increase my dose now take 10mg in am and 10mg in pm for almost 3 weeks and I have alot of brain fog and anxiety .SOmetimes feel like im not quite "here" does that make sense?/.. So there is hope that all that will pass??? I have noticed I am not as patient with some things and yet things that used to bother me I am like eh whatever, that may be the whole cancer thing though, but yes little more irritable than normal. I exercise evryday and that honestly does seem to help alot. It is good to know that it does get better though!,.
Sandee, splitting my dose has helped me so far too! hope it continues to work for you
Maria
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For those of you asking about the irritability at the begining of taking Tamoxifen; I had that too, but it did go away. Also, just tinkering with the time of day you take it, spit dose etc is a great idea. All that helped me find a place of balance, a place I could live with. Now, I have no real problems with it, other than weight gain but I know what I have to do about that. I've been on it three months.
For those thinking about the Effexor; I'm not sure I understand your concerns. I think of it like this - if I had a headache, I'd take Tylenol or Alieve, if I had a strained muscle I'd take Advil, If I broke my leg I'd go have it set. Severe hot flashes and anxiety can really make havoc in our lives and often the other members of our families suffer too. Like all medication, it takes time to adjust and time to find the right amount that works for you with the least se's. I've been on Effexor for three months, have changed the amount I take once (from 75 mg's to 37.5mg's). I've changed the time of day I take it three times and I think I might even change the amount once again. But all in all it's working and the se's are minimal. I say all this just to give another perspective, I don't see many on this thread that are taking Effexor or at least we do not hear from them much.
Chevyboy - love the pic of Lacee!
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ECT - Thank you for sharing your experience with Effexor. I have an RX for it, but after reading on this thread, I was hesitating taking it. I am doing the split dose of Tamox, although I am only on 10mg for now and will go to the full dose later this week. Will continue to do the split dose for the entire 5 years. I have been so confused as to whether or not I was going to start Effexor. But you are right, if I have an ache or pain I do take something to get rid of it. Why not take something for the hot flashes if it is available. My onc wanted me to wait on the Effexor to see if I would be able to do Tamox - had a rough time with the AIs.
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