Bottle o Tamoxifen
Comments
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June - Thanks so much for checking on me. Still feeling puny - has been an all day affair. Did manage to get a good nap after being up most of the night. I am going to try and eat something in a little while and see if that helps. If I don't feel better in the morning, I am going to call my MO and see what he can do. I only took one Effexor and this. Well, I think the rest of them are going in the trash. I won't even consider trying it again.
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Has anyone been told to stop tamoxifen for a medical procedure?
I am having a biopsy on the lump found under my incsion site. I was told to stop all aspirin, vitamins and tamoxifen a week prior.
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Sherrc- pick up some glycine and give i a try..it has helped me the last fe nights to sleep soundly and to get back to sleep when I wake up at 3am
danio613- I got tired after radiation too but it was about 4 or 5 weeks after starting...or maybe i was already tired (I was an emotional basketcase so I guess that is fatigue too) but faking it because of Christmas....but January was exhausting and I noticed today that I have black rings under my eyes so...I was reminded last week by someone that it takes a minimum of 6-8 weeks to recover your energy and most people take longer.
Until I got onto thie discussion board, I had never heard of a tamoxifen metabolizer....which was a good thing because I didn't wonder if I would metabolize it or not...just assumed it would help. ..think I am going to put my rose coloured glasses back on!.
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sandee - I like those rose-colored glasses! They keep me in a damn good mood!!
June - yes, I quit worrying about the metabolizer test, too, when she told me the blood work would tell her everything she needed to know. The world of medical tests is a slippery slope, and I just feel like the fewer, the better.
OH! I can't wait until March 13th! At least we'll get an hour extra of light! Every year I say I can't wait until summer (when I'm cold) or winter (when I'm hot) but this year, I'M SERIOUS! I'm sooooo tired of freezing all the time! Plus, the chemo took my thick head of hair - I had NO idea what a difference that would make! I'd heard about it, but experiencing it is a whole 'nother thing!
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MissTW - To have to stop taking certain medications and supplements prior to a medical procedure is not uncommon. Surgeons have different philosophies when it comes to this. Tamoxifen takes quite a while to get completely out of your system and I don't think the surgeon would let you go unprotected. Aspirin is definitely one you want to stop prior to surgery. It thins the blood and does not allow it to clot properly.
Hoping to hear B9 results.
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Heartandsoul....yep...the rose coloured glasses , with a good tempering of practical anti-glare, is in order when dealing with BC...I ant toknow what I need to know...have 15 books onthe subject on my book shelf and believe in being informed so I can steer my own life....but some hings...well...I like the pink hue (not baby-light piink....more of a hot pink!)
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Rose colored glasses for everyone!
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Oh yes... those rose colored glasses do come in handy! Always good to have a spare just in case!
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My onc started me on Femara back in September, but I've had three short Femara holidays already: one to see if it caused my rotator cuff/frozen shoulder issue (it did not improve off Femara); the other two breaks were related to deeply worsening depression (history of depression made significantly worse). At my onc followup in a couple weeks, I'll be tested to see if I metabolize for tamoxifen and if so, they may start me on that. I've had depression for most of my adult life, and all attempts to go off antidepressants have been unsuccessful, so antidepressants are a must for me
About 6 years ago I had a complete hysterectomy with ovary removal. At that time I was put on low-dose bioidentical estradiol and the dose was lowered as I reached menopausal age. When I was diagnosed, I took the patch off immediately as I was ER+. When I was without an estradiol patch for 5 months (and my body was producing estrogen from other sources, adrenals, etc.) I had only a couple hot flashes.
I did get occasional hot flashes with Femara, but only about a couple nights a week. The very noticeable *major* depressive dip is the only reason I'm agreeable to going off AIs, although I have to say I welcome any anti-estrogen hormonal drug that has less side effects than the AIs.
If I start tamoxifen, what side effects and issues might I have as compared to the AIs? Are they both just as rough on our systems, or do more women tolerate tamoxifen as a rule than AIs?
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Welcome Dawn!our stats are very similar...I had surgery, radiation and now tami.... I have been on Tamoxifen since November 22 and have had minimla side effects...I am taking the pill in two half doses..10mgs in the am and 10mgs at dinner.
I was having hot flashes before that every night but now only have them occassionally and if I wear layers and take the top layer off as I start to feel it happening, it tends to only last a few seconds and not go the whole meal deal of soaking my shirt etc. Others here have said it made them depressed or cramps in their legs etc...you may want to read back a fair bit to get more information...this is a very fast moving thread so there is lots to read. (340 pages worth) but a lot of the information we post comes around again every few days so. So far all is well on my end and I am hoping it stays that way.
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Welcome dawn - I had a really rough time with the AIs - Arimidex & Femara. Had massive hot flashes and nausea so bad I stopped taking both. Tammy has been much better for me. Very little hot flashes - more like warm waves. I have noticed the joints in my toes - of all things - ache all the time but manage the pain with Aleve. Had a bit of a queasy stomach but found I could tolerate it much better if I drink it with milk. I, too am taking a split dose - at breakfast & dinner. You may also want to know that Tammy is easier on your bones vs the AI's.
Sometimes I wish I had done Tammy in the beginning. The train ride is much smoother.
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Anyone get 'belly fat' (lower abs) from Taxoxifen? I go to the gym almost daily and gained weight since being on Tammy...in belly and cannot get rid of it.
Lipo maybe???
Jan
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Jan, I know of at least one person who decided to do it. My onco acted like it is normal to gain and very difficult to lose while on Tamox.
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Yes, it is tough to lose
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That is why I ramped up the exercize and went form pump classes to a personal trainer. I hav enot lost any weight but I haven't gained either...though last week I felt bloated as all get out! I have also banned all sugar from my kitchen as I wake up at 3am on these sleeping pills and I eat sugar...or maybe it is because of the tami..someone posted here before that tami makes you crave sugar...now THAT is a sure way to gain weight (also noticed my typing gets whacky if I write a message after I have taken a pill..clealry a message there!...turn off the computer and then take it and go to bed!)
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sandee thanks for the tip on the glycine, will get me some and try it.
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welcome DAWN!!!!.
loving the rose colored glasses!!! awesome...
JO Hope your feeling better tonight and tomorrow is a better day for you .. hugs to you!!!!!!
My weight has been ok on Tam but i exercise everyday and cut out alot of stuff no more pepsi
...but guess its a good thing didnt quench my thirst anyway... still indulge in chocolate when I feel like it though 
MSTW...Hope everything goes well with your biposy.... thinking of you!
SUSAN... I needed a chuckle today so glad it was just beet "juice" lol!!!!
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OK I think it is official tha Tammi is messing with my sleep. Went to bed 2 hours later woke up took a vistoril that I had slept for 3 hours and awake again. Catnapped the rest of the night. Will stop at the store for some glycine to try. Also have ambien cr so I may try that tonight cages right now I am exhausted and I just got up.
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Morning gals! Yes Dawn, I also think Tamoxifen is MUCH easier on you than any of the other choices...Arimidex & Femara cause terrible joint pain & bone loss in many of the women taking it. My Oncologist wanted me to start Femara, even gave me 3 month supply, but I read every thing I could about them, the SE's, & was really afraid to start....So I begged & whined & told her I wanted to take Tamoxifen instead.
Tamoxifen has really been easy, looking back on it now. Started Jan. 2010...The SE's we get usually level off, & some just go away!
And Sherry...Tamoxifen DOES like to drive us nuts trying to stay asleep. If you read back on these pages, you will see what the gals do to help that....Everything from Glysine, to Melatonin, & even a quart of whiskey before bedtime usually helps...(Just KIDDING!) But even that one is a lot better for me. I mean the sleeping.
Tink! No Pepsi? Not even one a day? I like the Pepsi Zero....If you just have one a day, I tell myself it is GOOD for you...
Well, it's either that or a White Russian...Ha, ha! See at my age, I figure I can do ANYthing now.....Just not too much... After while's Crocodile's! 0 -
question for you nice ladies, i told someone that tamoxifen will reduce my estrogen, and they made a comment, does that mean ur gonna be more hairy and have less women features, i thought huh?
and then realised that estrogen makes us more womanly.........will i become hairy? on the flip side i heard it makes u lose wieght...
so ladies, are these myths or true??? im waiting to fully heal from rads before i fill in my RX of Tammy!
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Chevyboy.. you are a riot!!! lol... No not even one day I will swipe a sip once and in awhile from my daughter though... I like the white russian idea though!!!
RED..From my understanding and I hope this is right, but it doesnt reduce your estrogen it just stops it from binding to any cells that might be cancerous or feeding off the estrogen so they die and will not develop into anything further...kinda like a protective coat on your cells...
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Tamoxifen does not reduce estrogen, it binds with the estrogen so that the cancer cannot use it. The estrogen stays in the body and continues to help our bones. It can make your hair thin and many gain weight. Many women have few mild SE's or none at all. Some women have symptoms of menopause. The symptoms generally fade after a few months and are generally much easier to deal with than those of the other available meds. The worst for me after three months on it have been occasional sleep issues and toe cramps.
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to those veterans of tammi out there does the insomnia go away as your body adjust to being on this medication. I love my sleep and after two nights of no sleep I don't know how much more of this I can take. I know I am whinning, but I do like my sleep
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Sherry - Sleep is important to all of us. We really need it. I hope you find something that works for you. I have found I sleep better since being on Tammy - it could be because I am not waking up drenched in sweat several times a night and have to change clothes.
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Hi RED....Chabba is right....Tamoxifen does not stop your estrogen in your body....What it does is STOP any cancer cells from binding to your hormones! You need those hormones, to keep you looking & feeling "girlie-like".....
I wanted to slap one of my Gal friends, for asking, "So will you start growing a beard now?" What a dink! She was thinking of Testosterone instead of Tamoxifen.... The other Al's DO stop you from producing estrogen....that is why there is bone-loss & so many aches & pains. Ah yes....toe-cramps....they are very friendly with me...but better than it used to be!
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Chevyboy - I thought I was going crazy and the only one with toe cramps. I was beginning to think it was all in my head. They don't hurt as much when they are warm - someimes I have to put on 2 pairs of socks to keep them that way.0
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My question---Why the toes for so many of us?
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chabba - Who knows? I don't get aches and pains anywhere else and I have arthritis in several places. But if that is the only SE I have to deal with I won't complain. A few Aleves take care of the problem.
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So true Jo. Naps help with fatigue from occasional insomnia and Advil helps the rest.
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NAPS are SO good!!!!
Harley
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