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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited April 2008

    Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay for BASHA!!  Laughing  So nice to celebrate happy news!!!  So funny about your 'girls.'

    Layne- your comment about the dirigible almost made me fall off my chair.  That was hilarious.  And holy mackerel...you walked to work.  You go girl.  I scarfed some Chinese food and tons of cookies and 2 pieces of cake...  I am outa control...

    Had another Herceptin treatment today...one step closer to being done.

    Oh, and I complained to my onc nurse that I had no SE's from Tamox and she said, "are you crazy???  would you rather HAVE SE's..."  She laughed at me...  bah...  I shouldn't complain...just ride the wave and hope that it's doing its thing....

    Happy weekend all!!

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

    Congrats, Basha!  Glad your mammo report was ALL clear!!

    Happy Weekend, ya'll!!!

    Harley

  • Miss_Lolli
    Miss_Lolli Member Posts: 72
    edited April 2008

    WTG on acing your test Basha! Glad all the positive vibes helped.

    Barbie...honey you just can't seem to catch a break can you?Cry I hope the LE scare turns out to be water retention or residual swelling or something. Keep us posted, and I'll put you on my prayer list.

    Virginia, I'm with you, I'm paranoid because I have "flushes" instead of "flashes". lol  But...."they" keep saying no se's doesn't mean no benefits, so we just gotta keep believing.  I'm sure it's very rare not to metabolise.

    Deb, have fun at your party tomorrow. Hope your mom is feeling better.

    Have a lovely weekend everyone! Hugs!

  • GardenGirl65
    GardenGirl65 Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2008

    Hey Tamoxi-girls ~ I have a strange question for you all ... Has anyone had lower abdomen pain since starting the Tamox? It kind of feels like cramps, but it almost feels like it's focused right on my ovaries and lower back. My menstrual cycle is all screwed up, so I don't know if this is the regular time that my period would have been here, therefore maybe I'm having some cramps? Or what? Anyone have any ideas?

  • yellowrose
    yellowrose Member Posts: 181
    edited September 2010

    -

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited April 2008

    Gals,

    I think the Tamox can cause all symptoms of PMS or menopause. I always had low back pain before I bled. Now I just get the mother of all hot flashes on occasion. Now my sore back is due to raking, digging, kneeling; what is this obsession we call gardening?



    Layne, Great work on that five mile walk. For all the sports I love, I'm a terrible walker. I hobble, I whine, I give up for drink breaks!!



    Have a grand week, all. XXXXBasha

  • awb
    awb Member Posts: 213
    edited April 2008

    nativemainer----My mom took tamox for 5 years with no SEs and is now a survivor of over 21 years without a recurrence! I tolerate tamoxifen very well, I've taken it for over 4 and a half years now (mild hot flashes, achiness, mild insomnia--but oncologist feels my SEs are more from the loss of estrogen from my total hysterectomy)  and all scans are clear.  So you can have little to no SEs and it is still doing it's job.
  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited April 2008

    Basha,

    I am so stoked that all's clear.  WAHOO!!! You go girl!

    Donna,

    Cramps was one of the things that I was monitoring for the 4 weeks that I was off the tamox.  They went away at about the 3 week mark.  So consider it a s/e and that the tamox is doing it's thing. 

    BTW, I thought we were into spring?

    Lori,

    Thanks for asking about Mom.  She actually did go back into the hospital on Friday for gamma globulin treatment.  She goes home today after the 3rd one.  Her count went way up -- doc is very pleased.  Mom was positively chipper!  He wants her to have one more round of treatment before they go on their cruise on the 18th (from the Med up to St. Petersburg then to Stockholm -- for her 80th b-day and their 60th anniv).  Also, the party was great fun.  Had about 40 people here at one time or another. Everyone was gone by 10:20 and we were cleaned up by 11.  I'm exhausted now though.

    Have a great weekend to all you great ladies!!

    Deb

  • GardenGirl65
    GardenGirl65 Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2008

    Hi Girls ~

    Thanks for the info regarding the Tamox cramps. I've looked Tamox up in my Drug Guide for Nurse's a dozen times and it doesn't say anything about cramps being a s/e. It talks about all the other s/e we've all seen on this train, but nothing about cramps, so I needed to ask you gals.

    It's really uncomfortable. My lower back and abdomen ... they ache pretty damned bad! I've got an appt with a new GYN towards the end of May. I've always just seen my family practice doc for annual pelvic exams, but now that I'm on the Tamox ... well, you know the rest.

    I hope it goes away soon!

  • Barbie7
    Barbie7 Member Posts: 126
    edited April 2008

    Donna - I've had the pelvic cramping and pain, lower back pain, and hip pain for about 3 weeks.  Some days are so bad I need to go back to the Vicodin.  Others are more tolerable and I can use Motrin or Tylenol.  I haven't had a day without any pain reliever for three weeks.  I made an appointment to see my PCP this afternoon for a pelvic exam and to try to get a referral to a lymphedema specialist.  I also have had a low grade fever since starting on Tamox.  I'll let you know what I find out. 

    Barbie

    Barbie

  • nativemainer
    nativemainer Member Posts: 7,922
    edited April 2008

    awb-

    I do know that tamoxifen can be working without side effects, but between having no side effects and being on prozac, an SSRI that inhibits tamoxifen metabolism, I was terrified it wasn't working for me.  My onc gave me an alternative (lupron and arimidex) and I feel much more comfortable with this approach.  For me, this was as much an emotional issue as an intellectual one.  I'm not trying to convince anyone else to do the same thing, I just know it's what I needed to do for my own peace of mind. 

    Tamoxifen is a wonderful tool in the bc care box.  It works wonderfully for many women, for which I rejoice.  It probably was working for me, but I couldn't believe in that, couldn't trust in that.  What I'm on now I feel I can believe in and trust.  Like I said, an emotional choice, not a rational one. 

  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 211
    edited April 2008

    Hi, y'all--

    I've been reading but not posting much lately.  Last week was so crazy busy...it's a relief to have a normal schedule this week. 

    Sorry some of you are having so much trouble w/ tamox.; I truly hope you can get some relief soon.  Keep us posted!

    Basha, I'm so glad your mammo was normal...great news!  Your rowing sounds fun and interesting.  I took a sea kayaking class about five years ago and got certified but haven't been out since.  I really want to get back into it...might help my "maw-maw hangs"/bat wings/whatever you want to call them; that's what I have instead of tricep muscles. :-)

    Not much tamox news from here except that my hips have been really hurting lately.  Today I have an appointment with the acupuncture/acupressure guy, so some relief is on the way.

    Take care, ladies...I'm trying to stay out of the bar car and in the veggie car.  Look for me there!

    Lynn

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited April 2008

    Hi Tamoxifriends,



    Hey, Lynn thanks for the congrats. I have just had a new lease on life. If you were here, I'd talk you into rowing. I have maw-maw hangs that have considerably improved with rowing.



    Yesterday, my surgeon decided to take the rowing clinic I co-coach. I'm really glad because I find him adorable. Don't tell my adorable husband!!:)



    Cynthia,

    Please post cause I'm worried about your mood state. Remember i had 30 years as a therapist. It's engrained. Basha

  • Kara
    Kara Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2008

    Boy do I have alot of catching up to do! I need to go back to page 38!

    I just wanted to mention something I saw in a magazine yesterday.  It indicated that for hot flashes/night sweats, you should wear your socks to bed - it sounds wierd but the article claimed wearing the socks helps reduce your internal core temperature.

    Don't know if this really works.

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

    Kara,

    Thanks for the tip about wearing sox to be...  I always were sox to bed in the winter, 'cause I am so cold!  But, I haven't noticed if the hot flashes get any better when I am wearing the socks.... I'll try an experiment!

    I am having trouble sleeping at night, and I think only PART of the problem is the hot flashes.  I don't know WHY I can't sleep for more than about 2 hours at a time!

    Basha,

    Glad that your mammo came out ALL CLEAR!!

    Hugs

    Harley

  • wandralong
    wandralong Member Posts: 17
    edited April 2008

    Hi ladies.  I finished my chemo on the 11th.  My onc said that he I should begin taking the tamoxifen two weeks after my last treatment.  However, he didn't put that in my records.  Anyway, he went away on vacation (to Africa) so I couldn't get the nurses to call in the prescription.  I was starting to freak out pretty badly.  Anyway, he called into the office and the receptionist let him know that I had been hounding them so he authorized it.  As of Monday, I am now part of the bottle of tamoxifen group.  I'm hoping that I am one of those that wont have any side effects.

    P.S.  I am taking it at night; does anyone know if taking it at night lessens the chances of side effects?

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

    wandralong,


    WELCOME to the Tamoxitrain!!

    I have started taking Tamoxifen at night, too... but I get the hot flashes only at night, when I am asleep, so it wakes me up!, and I'm grumpy, 'cause I can't sleep! 

    I don't have any advice about this, but maybe someone else will have some advice.  I think taking it at night minimizes the hot flashes... before, I was taking it at dinner time, and I would get this HUGE hot flashe at 10:30pm!  So now, I take it at bedtime, and I go to sleep, and TWO hours later, I wake up with a hot flash... and it goes and and on, all night!!

    Hope you have a smooth ride!!  Be sure to visit the bar car, and the chocolate car, and stop by whenever you need to talk...someone will be here...

    Harley

  • buffy2az
    buffy2az Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2008

    I'm new to this thread, but I've been on Tamox for a couple of months now.  I take it a night because I wanted to lessen the chances of nausea from it.  Like Harley, I have the hot flashes about every 2 hours also.  But I get them through the day also, so I'm not sure if changing when I take it (at bedtime) to during the day would help at night or not.  It DOES get tiring waking up so often at night! Has anyone tried switching? If so, did it help?

    Buffy

  • Cynthia1962
    Cynthia1962 Member Posts: 236
    edited May 2008

    Hi Basha - sorry to cause you worry.  I'm doing okay.  I still have the blues, but not every day anymore and usually for just half a day on the days I do.  I hope I continue to feel better and can avoid having to take anymore medications.  It's hard enough to remember to take the ones I already take or, when I do take them, to remember if I took them. lol  Thanks for thinking of me!

    Take care everyone and welcome to the new riders,

    Cynthia

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited May 2008

    Phew Cynthia, glad you're ok. I have such an aversion to depressed feelings that I'd do anything to allay it.

    Harley, Did you ever take your Tamox first thing? I get day flashes but never at night. I act like a polar bear at night.

    My bc wants to come row with our club! What power I'll have! If I don't like something he says, flip into the water he goes.



    I'm out to garden.

    XXXX Basha

  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 211
    edited May 2008

    Hi, ladies--

    Cynthia, glad you posted and are having some good days.  We miss you...post when you feel up to it.

    Hi to the new riders...sorry you have to be here, but welcome!  FYI...I take my 20 mgs. in the morning.  I have some night sweats, but nothing much during the day, so I see no need to change when I take it.  It's suddenly gotten humid here at night, so I think I'll get out my fan tonight.  If I could just get my cat to quit trying to wake me up to be fed at about 4 a.m. I'd be much better rested.  Grrrrr....

    Basha, I'm going to get busy with the kayaking; hopefully my maw-maw hangs will diminish.  Is that your husband who will be getting involved w/ your rowing club?  Such power!

    I'm scheduled to take scuba lessons Memorial Day weekend...I'm pretty excited!  Not sure if I'll like it, but I hope so.  I've snorkled a few times and loved it.  If I get certified, I'm thinking of Christmas in Palau...sounds pretty exotic, huh?  It's supposed to be the best diving in the world.  Stay tuned...

    So glad tomorrow is Friday.  This weekend should be much more relaxed than last weekend.  Take care, everyone...

    Lynn 

  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 200
    edited May 2008

    No, Lynn, I meant to write bs!!My breast surgeon, whom I pretty much adore. He's a Jewish transplanted LI boy, like me, and we share a lot of ethnicity in pokey Vermont. I guess it's my turn to teach him!

    That's the plus of small town life.





    xxxxBasha

  • dcbkc
    dcbkc Member Posts: 137
    edited May 2008

    Hello my friends,

    I agree with Lynn -- I take it in the morning.  I haven't had much of a problem at night.  When I was getting the flushes, it was more during the day.

    Basha,

    You crack me up.  I remember when my brother rowed -- he really got into shape.  I think there might come a time when you should put your bs in the water just because!  Tell him it'll help with the Jewish guilt -- which my mother tries to put on me ALL the time!!

    Cynthia,

    It's great to hear from you.  Know that we are all thinking of you and sending you good vibes.

    Glad to have you new riders along -- wish you didn't have to be here -- but the dessert car IS very inviting Embarassed.

    Lynn,

    You make me jealous with the exotic trips!  Grab a little beach time for me. And I understand about the cat.  Ours sleeps on my ankles which doesn't help the joint stiffness and the dog sleeps against my stomach.  No moving for me.

    Hope everyone has a great day.  You always bring a smile to mine.

    Deb

  • wandralong
    wandralong Member Posts: 17
    edited May 2008

    Thanks for the welcome guys.  I do have hot flashes but I was getting them from the chemo so I don't know  if they are now from the tamoxifen.   I go for my first post-chemo appointment with my onc in two weeks kinda scary but doable.

  • pip57
    pip57 Member Posts: 7,080
    edited May 2008

    I have been on tamoxifen since Oct 07. Was taking it right at bedtime and have terrible hot flashes trying to get to sleep. So I started taking it 2-3 hours before bed and that works well for me. I still have the flashes but I would rather get the bad ones at night than during the day. I take imovane so I sleep like a baby and they don't really bother me that much.

  • Miss_Lolli
    Miss_Lolli Member Posts: 72
    edited May 2008

    Hi Cynthia...glad things are slowly improving.

    I take my 20mg in the evening as well. I'd rather have my flushes at night too. I rarely get one during the day. Sometimes I wake up briefly (anywhere between one and four times) to toss the covers off and other nights I just sleep right through. I have no idea if the hot flashes are just stronger on the nights I wake up, or I'm just not sleeping very soundly.

    Lynn, for some reason the thought of being under water like that panics me! So, I think you're brave. I do love tropical weather and the ocean, but at the same time I'm very frightened of it. Kind of funny considering I live in MN (the state of 10,000 lakes). So, I spend plenty of time in the water. lol

    Basha, too bad you didn't know he wanted lessons before your surgery. You could have made a trade-off. hehe  We promise not to tell your adorable husband that you think your bs is a little adorable too. Wink

    Welcome to all the newbies and hugs to everyone. Have a great weekend!

  • flfish
    flfish Member Posts: 309
    edited May 2008

    Great information gals.  I will remember to take this at night.  I just got my rx today and I will start on Monday.  Thanks for all the tips. 

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

    Basha,

    I used to take my Tamoxifen at lunchtime, so it was around 1pm, and I had terrible hot flashes at night... I'm not sure if taking it in the morning would help, since lunchtime didn't really keep the night flashes away.  Also, I have to take Levothyroxine for my thyroid, first thing in the am...

    I wish there was an answer...Some women take 1/2 in the am and 1/2 in the pm, before bed.  I wonder if that helps any, or if the hot flashes last ALL DAY this way???

    Cynthia,

    Glad you are doing better, if even a little... I also have some trouble with the blues, and now that I have stopped taking the Effexor, and my onc really didn't have any suggestions for alternative anti depressants, I guess I'll just suffer...  but I will bring a long list of questions when I go back, in July.  I'll be seeing his nurse, Jennifer, and I can talk to her better, I think. 

    I know what you mean, about forgetting to take meds... I forgot one of the Tamoxifen one night, and I really flipped out, when my dh found it on the table the next day.

    Hugs

    Harley

  • Miss_Lolli
    Miss_Lolli Member Posts: 72
    edited May 2008

    OMG our train traveled to the second page. Can't let that happen. lol

    Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying spring. Hugs!

  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 314
    edited May 2008

    Hi Girlies!!

    I'm guessing the train is speeding along!!!  I have been in the chocolate car...  Been downing M&M's like crazy.  Good news is all the red and green dark chocolate M&M's I got for Christmas are GONE!  My supply was replenished in March for my birthday with Ghirardelli dark chocolate squares...  Sigh...

    Work is crazy busy...that's a good thing...  Although, I have been noticing little hot flushes and I don't know if it's b/c I eat something hot, or I'm running around, or it's the tamox...  I had them in the beginning, but acclimated...but now they are back...weird...

    Layne- thanks for asking about Dad.  He's much better than he was in Feb.  Much much much better...  I still go to his house every night and make his dinner...but I am grateful he is better and for the "extra" time I've been given with him...

    We have started to test ice cream here at work...  Yesterday I had a "little" taste of chocolate...  I LOVE ice cream...  It made me very happy...

    Well, I'm coming up on my 1 year Chemo-versary...started on May 10th, 2007....man, did the time fly...what a crazy journey.

    Hope everyone is well and out there enjoying life!! 

    Hugs,

    Virginia

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