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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • DianeE
    DianeE Member Posts: 30
    edited March 2008

    Betsy,

    I did not know there was a salad car.  I will be joining you there for now because with easter around the corner, I will probably want to spend time in the "eat the head of the chocolate bunny car because it freaks out the kids to eat the eyes". 

    Take Care everyone,

    Diane 

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited March 2008

    Dear Betsy and Diane,

    You 2 are funny ones. I'll join you in the salad car for lunch and the chocolate bunny head car for dessert.



    Basha

  • louishenry
    louishenry Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2008

    Hi girls. I typically post on the DCIS thread, but I am taking tamox for it. Has anyone heard from there onc that tamox could stimulate breast tissue  in some women and create more tumors? I have read inconclusive studies on it, but I wasn't sure. Mine gave me an option to try it. I went for it because I did not not have rads. I have no se's. I am pretty freaked out and don't want to take my pill today. If true, how would you even know? Thanks, Nada.

  • foreverblue
    foreverblue Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2008

    Hi Ulla

    I know exactly how you are feeling.  I am having such a difficult time starting this terrifying drug.  It helps to read that some ladies here have less se's than others - but those that say they have no se's?

    What about loss of libido?  One of my biggest fears is that my sex life will be gone forever.... not that I actually have one right now.  But how does one go on without hope?  I guess I am looking for quality of life not just life...

    I know I have to take this drug but am stalling for a few more days...or weeks.....

    Take care,

    Michelle

  • louishenry
    louishenry Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2008

    Hi Michelle. I don't really have se's. Trust me, I wish I did. I fear it's not working. My few se's include a little loss of libido. I don't feel like having sex, but when things get started, I'm ok. That could also be 46 and married 21 years. My periods are a little irregular, but not bad. This sounds crazy, but I wish I had hot flashes. It would tell me that my estrogen was going down. But my onc says there are women in natural menopause that don't have hot flashes. I hate this drug!!! Nada.

  • kiki
    kiki Member Posts: 38
    edited March 2008

    Hi Ladies, I've been reading along for awhile now.  Thought I'd finally jump on.  I've been taking my Tamox for three months now and have mostly just had hot flashes, some trouble sleeping and a little loss of libido.  No period since my first chemo treatment in Sept. 07, we'll see what happens there.  I am confused today about even taking the drugs because my onc. tells me 15%+ ER 40%+ PR puts me into a good bracket to take the drugs and see a benefit.  My PS says her onc. consult says no I don't need them.  Am I positive or negative, I don't know.  Guess I'll stay positive for awhile and see how it goes!!  I'll be in the salad car, lost 15 of the 20lbs I gained during treatment.  (Still could lose another 20 at least!!)  Isn't this where I read about Webkinz?  My best friend sent me my own and named it NED for me.  OK I've rambled enough.

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Hi Kiki,

    Welcome!  Yes, I think that Cynthia was talking about Webkinz on this thread.

    See, we are a very FUN group!!  Sit back and enjoy the ride!

    Harley

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 146
    edited March 2008

    Hi, Kiki. My onc said anyone with more than 10% ER/PR receptor expression is considered hormone positive. I believe the info on this site states the same thing. So under that criteria, you'd be hormone positive. Hope that helps!

  • kiki
    kiki Member Posts: 38
    edited March 2008

    Thanks Nash yes I choose to believe I am positive and helping myself with these little white pills!

  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 211
    edited March 2008

    Good morning, ladies--

    Welcome, new people!  Since it's Holy Week, I'll try to maintain a little self-control by bypassing the chocolate car and hanging in the salad car.  I've lost about 15 lbs. since treatment ended, and I'm determined not to gain it back.

    No real news from here, except that my hot flashes, while still mild, seem to have increased since I started taking Effexor.  Isn't it supposed to be the other way around???  My mood is so much better, though, and that was definitely what I wanted "fixed".  No real complaints here.

    I have to go fix my lunch and get ready to leave for work...it's pouring rain outside, which we desperately need, but makes for a messy day with kids in and out of my classroom all day.  I'm going to see "Juno" tonight at the base theater...has anybody seen it?  I'm lucky--I can see (relatively) new movies like this for only $3.00; nicer than the king's ransom I paid in NY last fall.

    Take care, everyone...have a nice evening!

    Lynn

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited March 2008

    Hey Lynn,



    I saw and loved Juno. Hope you enjoy it.

    Do you have any experience, (or anyone else) posting JPEGS into the boards? I want to show you all some of my art. Tain't working.



    xxxBasha

  • honeygirl
    honeygirl Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2008

    Hi Basha , I think you have to download it to photo bucket and then direct link copy to here. I can't wait to see it!xx Mel

    Welcome newbies!

  • texas94
    texas94 Member Posts: 61
    edited March 2008

    Hi girls! I started taking Tamox 3wks ago and no side effects yet (saying my prayers :).  I am on Wellbutrin also, which I know is controversial and I've read all the reports, but my onc is one of the best in the nation, and she says I'm ok to take it, so I'm going with what she says (she helped develop the oncotype dx test... I'm going to assume she knows more than me :).  Anyway, I feel sure the anti-depressant is helping me? Maybe it's just too soon to tell.  Would love to hear from anyone else taking what I am.

    EHK

    p.s. I did take Lupron years ago for endometriosis and have never felt so bad in my life, and since that was my other option, maybe the Tamox won't be so bad even on down the road...

  • CowgirlTuff
    CowgirlTuff Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2008

    Hi Everyone,

    Checking in after 9 days of taking tamoxifen.  Today I had really sharp pains in my right side on and off all day, pretty much where my ovary would be.  Anyone else have ovarian pain with this?  I'm guessing it's ovarian pain, but I guess it could be something else.  I've had endometriosis in the past, so I'm kind of familiar as to where ovarian pain is located, but that was more of a dull ache.  This was/is a really sharp pain.

    Anyway... Just thought I'd ask.  

    Knock on wood, (and I'm even kind of afraid to type this) but I'm feeling pretty good otherwise. 

    I hope everyone is doing well!

    By the way, EHK-- I took lupron for endometriosis, too (years ago) and it made me feel awful, too.  I also had my left ovary and half of my right ovary removed because of the endometriosis.  Now I'm kinda wishing I'd had both ovaries removed completely-- maybe I could have avoided this bc adventure!

  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 146
    edited March 2008

    Cowgirl, I haven't had ovarian pain, but I've had mild menstrual like cramps.

    Glad you're feeling well otherwise.

    I switched my tamox to the night, which makes the dizziness more tolerable. The nausea and headaches have settled down, but I feel like my body is under strain, like it was with the chemo. My heart is pounding and it's hard to breathe. Anyone else have that? It's more intense than an anxiety reaction--definately feels drug induced.  

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Nash,


    That is funny, because I switched from taking it in the evening to taking it at lunchtime, because of the terrible night hot flashes.  They seem better, so maybe that helped.  Funny how just a simple switch like that can help sometimes.

    I had a little trouble with my stomach feeling unsettled, but now I take it with food, and that seems to help.

    best wishes,

    Harley

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited March 2008
    Photobucket
  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited March 2008

    Mel,

    My son did the upload for me!



    Everyone, this is from my bc show. I call her Madonna. This was after my first lumpectomy last May. Basha

  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 211
    edited March 2008

    Beautiful work, Basha!  Wow...we have an artist on our train! 

    Cowgirl, Nash, and EHK...sorry you're having tamox problems.  No words of wisdom from me, I'm afraid--all I can do is offer my hope that the aches and pains stop.  No issues with me right now, except that my hot flashes still seem to be on the increase.  Strange...thought Effexor was supposed to rein them in.  Oh, well...

    Harley, how go your flashes and sleep cycle?  Hope you're doing okay.

    Basha, I saw Juno...loved it!  What a cute girl...and I loved her parents, too.

    Off to work...take care, ladies!

    Lynn

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Lynn

    I seem to be doing MUCH better in the HOT FLASH dept., and sleeping better, too!  Thanks for checking on me...

    Say, how long have you been taking the Effexor?  Have you just started it?  I know you have to start it at a really low dose and build up to the standard dose.  Maybe the hot flashes increase, until you have built up the Effexor in your system.  I know that it takes awhile to get Effexor OUT of your system, when you go off it, and you have to wean yourself off it slowly, so it makes sense that it takes a little while before you see the benefits.


    Good Luck!

    Harley

  • Lolita
    Lolita Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2008

    Basha,

    I like your Madonna. You express something that touches me. Your picture reminds me of how I felt after my surgical biopsy and before my mastectomies.



    Harley,

    I'm glad that your new tamox schedule works for you. It seems that yoga and melatonin are taking care of the worst of my side effects. This is the end of my third month.



    Lolita

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited March 2008

    Thanks, Lolita!  I used to do yoga, maybe I should start again.

    I'm so glad that you are doing ok, too!  Happy THREE months on the tamoxi-train!!

    Harley

  • betsy13
    betsy13 Member Posts: 18
    edited March 2008

    Basha,

    I LOVE IT......it is truly beautiful.....can we have an "ART Gallery" car:)

    Betsy 

  • betsy13
    betsy13 Member Posts: 18
    edited March 2008

    OH.....

    ooppss just realized I posted a ? under TVUS......I am back on Thurs to have another one......? about relation to Tamox.....although my se are minimal....it seems I may be starting to have trouble with my menstrual cycle......I am running late to do some errands so instead of posting the ? again.....if anyone has time and could check out my ? and respond.....I would be truly grateful:)

    Betsy  

  • Miss_Lolli
    Miss_Lolli Member Posts: 72
    edited March 2008

    Basha, I can tell your art comes from your soul. Would love to see more.

    Lynn, so happy the Effexor is working for your mood. Everything is such a struggle when you're depressed. I saw Juno in Feb and LOVED it. Enjoy!

    If I wade out into this latest load of snow dropping on us (ugh) I should be starting my tamox on Sunday. (It would be my Mom's bday, so I figure I would not ever forget that as my start date). Besides which, it buys me a few more days of no se's (or lack of) to worry about. lol

    Happy Easter everyone!

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited March 2008

    Tamoxidarlings,



    I'm off to Sanibel for a week tomorrow. Keep a barstool warm for me in the chocolate Easter Bunny Head car.

    Thanks for the nice feedback on my painting. I hope to put up the whole show again next Spring.



    XX Basha

  • Gillkath
    Gillkath Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2008

    Hi everyone ....

    I have been on these boards many, many times during my breast cancer journey.  I made it through my mastectomy, breast reconstruction, and chemotherapy with diligence and perseverence.  Now I find that I am scared, for some reason, to take the tamoxifen.  I was given my prescription for it in January and finally got the courage to fill it at the pharmacy yesterday.  I still haven't taken it -- I can't figure out why I am such a chicken.

    Can you ladies give me some inspiration and help me make up my mind to just take the medication.  My breast surgeon keeps telling me that I have made it through the hard part and taking tamox is the easy part.

    Laurie

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited March 2008

    Dear Laurie,

    I can totally relate, hence I started this thread!! My surgeon finally said, if it doesn't work, you go off it! That got me to take it. Welcome to the train!



    Basha

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited March 2008

    Hey Laurie,

    I'm from Putney, VT! Wow! My first Vermonter.



    Basha

  • Gillkath
    Gillkath Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2008

    Hi Basha,

    I'm thrilled to meet another Vermonter on this site.  Where did you go for treatment?  I am going through Fletcher Allen -- in fact, I am trying to get a program going there -- I call it the "Camisoles for Comfort Project."  Check out my posting under "Surgery - Before, During, and After, a topic called Breast Cancer Support Question."  I have been asking women for their experiences after surgery.

    Thanks for your noteabout the tamox. 

    I'm walking in the Boston 3 Day in August -- want to join us?

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