Bottle o Tamoxifen
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Home for me is about 130 miles west of Austin. Did you have snow this morning? Where is Spring?
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Exodus, we did have snow. Not as much as predicted, we only had about 3/4 of an inch but it was pretty.
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Started it in Nov 2009 and definitely had the weight and every other side efect that it states. It was HORRIBLE however after about 3 months the side effects went away and I've done fine since then. I take my trusted pill every night before bed.
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I have been staring at my bottle of Tamoxifen for 2 weeks now and am scared to death to begin.
A friend at work has been on it for over 4 years and her only side effects were mild hot flashes and thinning of her hair.l
Any advice? Thanks!
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Miss TW - worrying about something that might happen is preventing you from moving forward in your fight against cancer. SE's can be dealt with. Doing nothing is giving in to fear. You want to fight cancer with your every fiber and every weapon at your disposal. Cancer is real. You know that. SE's may not happen, you may have mild SE's or your doctor may have to change the game plan.
You can do this. Fight to win. Don't stop now. You've come too far and fought too hard.
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Miss TW.....We were ALL afraid to take that first pill....and we were afraid to have surgery, & have our breast removed....and to take chemo.......so taking that first pill is really nothing compared to what these women have gone through.....
There is really no reason to be afraid of taking Tamoxifen....it is to protect us from our hormones feeding any stray cancer cells..... And if or when we get side effects, we deal with them....For me, I really don't even notice any now! I've been taking Tamoxifen for over a year, & look forward to taking it for 4 more years.....If I have the option, I would like to take it even longer....
So don't be afraid.....we are all here for you kiddo..... just give us a whistle, & we'll listen!
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Miss TW.. I understand how you feel, the first pill seems to be the hardest, but Exodus said it well, we have to do everything we can to fight the BEAST. Like she said you may not have any se and if you do they can be helped or will decrease or go away over time. You can do this and we are all here to support you along the way. Best advice I can say is go ahead start it maybe do 10mg in am and 10mg in pm, that seemed to help alot of us with se (that have them).. and drink drink drink ( water of course lol) and stay as active as you can. I have found exercise has helped me alot.
Good luck I love Exodus saying Fight to Win!! perfect...
remember Cancer is the enemy not Tamoxifen, took me awhile to get that too
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CHEVYBOY....HI!!!!!
HUGS
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Miss TW - I was very scared to start it, so tried splitting the pill for the first few days, then just hopped on board. I sympathize with you being scared. After a month on it my main issue is hot flashes, but no big deal or major discomfort. I wish you all the very best!!
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Have fun Alicia!!
Thinking about you Jo!!
MissTW, yes, yes, yes, we were all scared to take the first pill. For me, it mentally made it "do-able" to start at a teeny tiny dose and move up. That way I felt like I could slowly let my body adjust to it. And also, I'm sure it's a mental thing, I felt like I didn't have much in me....know I could of NEVER started with the full dose. I would of had placebo effect with side effects if nothing else I was so scared!! LOL I got 10mg tablets prescribed by my Onc because I was going to be slowly increasing and cutting pills. Easier with the 10's. So I started with 2.5mg......had some mild nausea every day for about a week, then it went away. I upped it to 5mg and have done fine on that as well. So I will probably go up to 7.5mg on Monday. My train is slow and steady....choo choo....
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Good point Tinkertude - Tamoxifen is not the enemy. I've been taking Tamoxifen for a year now and yes, reading the literature, searching online and hearing of the terrible possible SE's sure made it hard to take the first pill. After I did, I just waiting for something to happen to blame it on the Tamoxifen. Guess you could say I was over sensitive to the least little change.
What I'm trying to say is that most of us were afraid to take the first pill. It would be so nice if cancer treatment actually ended and there was never a threat of a recurrance. On the other hand, how lucky we are that there is a little white pill we can take to reduce our risk.
Miss TW, you can do this. You've already proven yourself. You are a survivor.
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I just don't know how much more I can take mentally. Having another biopsy next week after a lump recently developed under the incision site of my breast reduction. Fortunately it is located on the non breast cancer site, may only be a hematoma or fat necrosis. Sonogram indicated abnormal findings.
All of my friends and family think I am so positive, upbeat and strong. Three years ago I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer so I worry about a recurrance about that and now breast cancer. Recently divorced, just so much going on. Trying to hide my fears for my teenage daughters too.
I will try splitting the tamoxifen tomorrow. Thank you for listening.
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MS TW.. So sorry, sounds like you have alot of other things on your plate right now. You have come this far and you can keep going. We are here for you!...
Please let us know how your biopsy goes, will be thinking of you!
Maria
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Miss TW,
I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.... and hoping for benign findings!
Harley
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MissTW - like everyone has said, we were ALL scared to take that innocuous looking little white pill! And I don't know why - I guess we get ourselves all psyched up based on the worst that could happen. I just started on Jan. 1st and told myself that all of those are extreme cases and the odds are in my favor that I won't be one of those.
I'm sorry you have all this other stuff going on at the same time. I've been divorced about 8 years, but I still resent him for not being here helping me with all of this. One day, about 3 months after I was diagnosed, I started feeling extremely anxious and I had never felt that way in my life. I called my doctor and he prescribed Xanax, the anti-anxiety drug. I had never taken one before, but it made a HUGE difference! I was able to have a conversation without the back of my mind humming around my worries. Maybe you could ask your doctor for some - it really eased my mind.
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I also started tamoxifen on February 1st. I had worried myself sick about it for months because of all the horror stories on the forum. I have come to realize the ones that write about it are mostly the ones that have negative experiences. The other 90% or more percent are just taking it and doing ok. So far so good. Nausea is ever so slight. I don't feel any different than I did before. What a waste of time it has been to worry myself silly about this white little pill. There were days that I thought, oh if I can't handle the side effects, I will have a recurrence. As if I did not have enough to worry about.
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MissTW....yep...we have all been nervous...and it seems we all have a multitude of things going on in our lives...I jumped on the tami-train three days into radiation because the thought of ending or starting just one more thing just about put me over the edge....I met teh oncologist the afternoon before radiation started and got my prescription, had a blood test done to see if I was indeed post-menopausal and as soon as I got the results back, I popped my first one! Hot flashes the first month made me start splitting the pill...10mg in the am and 10mg in the pm and I am not having the same problem.
Like you, my partner/husband left me pre-cancer diagnosis and everyone thinks I am strong and upbeat..and you know what? Most days I am! I was depressed as hell when the love of my life left (true what they say about men turning 45 ...geez..WTH??) and honesty, I cannot maintain that level of sorrow...sucked my energy out, snapped my rose coloured glasses in half and I looked and felt like crap....Cancer on top of that...wellllllllll, not what I would recommend as the best solution to moving on but in all honesty, you hav eto focus on you when you get this diagnosis....and that helps with the other things as well.
Be gentle with yourself...don't worry about the side effects. As Gutsy just said, those of us who have commented on the forum are commenting because we are looking for advice and solutions...those who do not go on the forum don't generally have problems with it...breathe and keep writing us!
hugs
Sandee
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Miss TW - ditto what everyone has said. I'm the biggest chicken ever, esp when it comes to medicine. I started Jan 1 and did the same thing East Coast Girl did - I eased into it and took 1/4 pill the first two weeks; then increased to 1/2 pill. Probably silly - but whatever gets you through it! So far so good.
All my BEST for a benign biopsy - thinking of you & your two girls! Do something special for yourself & w/them this weekend! This train goes 24/7 - always another passenger around if you need the company!
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Been away all day - no power due to an ice storm. This train moves too fast and I am not going to try and comment on all the posts.
I really did not want to board the Tammy train after the horrible experiences with the AI's Started with 10mg the first week and then went of the full dose - splitting it morning and night. Had some stomach issues but found out if I take it with milk, I am okay. Don't think about taking the little white pill. Just put it in the mix with the others I have to take.
With the power outage and no water most of the day, still managed to get to the surgeon for CT & Bone scan results. The long and short of it is I have lung damage from radiation and have to see a pulmonologist on Feb 15th to assess the extent of the damage and then go for follow up with the surgeon on Mar 4th. At least I know what I am dealing with.
The RO is not going to get out of this unscathed. I will be calling him on Monday to tell him what he did to me and how pissed I am. When I voiced my concerns about lung and/or heart damage from rads he would not even address the issue - said it could not happen. Well, it did. Now it is more doctor appts for me. So tired of going to see doctors. Too busy for this. Not going to worry about this or get stressed. Nothing I can do about it now - the "damage" is already done. No pun intended.
This too shall pass and life goes on.
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Jo OMG I am so sorry to hear that. My heart aches for you......Were you having problems is that how you ended up having to do a bone and CT scan? I worried the first time I lied down on that table and I still do to this day......my heart breaks for you girl, please know I am thinking and praying for you......
Miss TW- I too worried my ass off as I heard so much negative about this little pill and not enough positive. Well I took it without thinking about it on the last day I finished radiation and I worried every day as I tend to be the type not to do well on any pills what so ever..... but let me tell you this has been pretty easy for me.....yes I have had some SE but nothing too serious and sometimes I wonder if it will get worse but I have to think this is a life insurance policy and I will do whatever to be here for my family.....
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JO..I am so sorry to hear this... After all you have already been through. I cant believe he wouldnt address your concerns . When I went for a consultation the RO I saw said it was uncommmon but a possibility, so sorry. Please know I will be keeping you in my prayers, . I dont blame you for being tired of doc appt, hang tough like you are, we are pullling for you and are here!!!!!
Maria
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June - I finished rads on Dec 3rd and started having a burning sensation just to the right of my nipple as I look down on Jan 2nd. Funny how we can remember dates along this journey but can't daily stuff. This has been going on since then. I also had another seroma that had to be aspirated 2 weeks ago. When I mentioned the burning to my surgeon he ordered the scans. I thank God there is no new cancer. At least I can deal with this without losing any sleep.0
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My left arm is feeling tingly and I want to say numb but that is not quite the word for it..wondering if the air pressure due to flying is the cause. or maybe from carrying my laptop on that side all day?..again.all the stuff I have read has penetrated a few layers into my brain...just the mere idea of lymphoma scares the crap out ot me!....so....keeping it moving....massaging it. Think I will sign up for a massage this week to "drain" the lymph areas....
Jo, all I can say is "You go girl"! If he did not want to talk about it or tell you the dangers, he did not do his job. I had o sign a waiver saying I knew of the potential danger...was shown pictures and read up on my own...that he did not want to go there with you was negligent on his part.How can we make decisions we will be comfortable with about our health if the practitioners are not informing us?? You are in my thoughts...and boy, would I like tobe a fly ont he wall when you give him hell. I suspect you will get your point across clearly..and while th eonly benefit you may have from saying it is peace of mind and a clear conscience, possibly the wome who meet with him this week will be provided with the full picture..so not too shabby a week's work when you think about it. I will keep you in my thoughts. More dr appointments suck....but if they help you to ensure you get all that you need to fight this, then I hope the dr.'s you get in the next couple of weeks are honest, open and gentle with you!
Night all!
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Jo - it's so upsetting to hear this! Praying the pulmonologist gives you good news that any damage was minimal and no long-term health effects. Still - this kind of thing makes it really difficult to trust doctors & even medical equipment for potential malfunction. My only suggestion is to maybe talk to attorney before you talk to the RO? I'm not an attorney, but I think even if you sign waivers, that does not protect the dr/hospital from claims due to negligence.
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TINK!!!!!!! ((((((((((hugs))))))))))))) !
You gals are soooooooo fun! I hate to hear about you going through ANYthing, much less side-effects! I'll raise my glass to you kids! Oh wait, I'm not drinking...yet! Wish we were all on here at the same time, like a conference call, & just commiserate... (See that means, talk it over!)
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JanetinVirginia - There is no doubt in my mind I am going to let my RO have it. He is such a moron anyway. Wouldn't even let me use creams during rads until it was too late - had burnt and got an itchy rash. Had to go to my BS to take care of the rash. I think my BS spoke to him at some point because his attitude changed some - for the good) but it was way too late in my book.
I suspect the RO will want to see me but I am not going in. Don't want to see him or go near the facility - just want to let me know how incompetent he is. If I have to call my attorney, the RO can talk to him and he doesn't want to go there.
IT'S BREAKFAST TIME!
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Jo so sorry to hear about the complications. It is awful when the treatment has its own health risks. You sound like a very determined lady and feel you will face this challenge head on.
Breakfast looks delicious.
MissTW how are you doing after your first Tamoxifen? The first one is the hardest to swallow. It gets easier. Vent any time you need to and be rest assured we will support you any way we can. You are NOT alone.
Sandeeonherown how is your arm doing this evening.
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Dear Exodus,
Arm is better..thank you! it was so weird last night...kind of freaked me out..tingly but no in a good way, you know? No swelling but I fear it. I have only had one incident ever with flying where I had swelling in my ankles...couldn't get my hoes back on...it scared the life out of me...this was similar...but woke up this am and all was well so...weird weird weird....
Hey Chevyboy...maybe we should set up a skype call!
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Nancy, I had a low level headache from Tamox, for almost a year. I started taking Gabapentin for the hot flashes & found that it took them away as well. I take 300 mg, 3x a day, which is a low dose. Made a world of difference for me.
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Nancy - I also didn't have headaches with chemo but I haven't had many on Tami either.
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