Bottle o Tamoxifen
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Congrats on all the great news.Paula love the eye candy.
Kinda funny I used to call lab techs vampires too until I had one at the cancer centre who was furious about the patient before me.Aparently he had called her a vampire and she was very insulted.
So i stopped that nickname. Now I need to stop my husband from nicknaming all my oncs.
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Still having trouble moving this morning. Went to the Y Tuesday morning - worked out, but not that hard (stretched after). Since then my body hurts like I did a 10 mile run. (Been a few years since I did that) Muscles, joints. Have had a problem with my SI joint that has not healed in 10 months. Does the Tamoxifen hurt out muscles/joints or just keep us from healing quickly?
Feeling frustrated this morning. They tell us that exercise and not gaining weight is good for us and then they put us on a drug that can make you gain and seems to make it harder and harder to exercise. Sorry that sounds whinny.
Anyone find exercises that help?
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Paula - You are the best! Love the eye candy. What a way to get the morning started.
bgirl - I have heard of some doing yoga and it seems to help with the aches and pains. I have to admit I am not having those SEs or really any SEs for that matter. Every now and then I get a warm flush and it does not last long. I'm sure others will come along and share their experience with this stupid white pill.
mumito - I also have the habit of calling the lab techs vampires but not to their face. I hate my blood drawn as it is, I don't want to give them an excuse to miss and have to do it again.
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Well, 6 months ago I had bloodwork done by my family doctor and it was discovered my Vitamin D was low. He wrote me a perscription for 50,000 units of Vitamin D to be taken every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for 4 weeks and then 2,000 units everyday after that. Well, I refused as since being on tamox I have serious anxiety about taking anything now, even vitamins. Well, after 6 months he checked again and of course it was still low but this time I said I would try. I am on my second week with the high doses (even though I still have anxiety about it as I am scared of too much Vitamin D) and I can report that I do not have the muscle aches like I usually have. The doctor explained about Vitamin D being an important factor in helping the fight against breast cancer and reoccurance of it. My oncologist never told me that. Now I am hoping it will give me some energy back that I used to have!
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Hello Everyone - hope you don't mind if I jump in here for a moment. I am fairly new to all of this, but first want to say thanks to all of you b/c by reading all of your posts...it has helped me know what to expect, what to ask and have learned about LOTS of good pointers!
jmland - quick question for you; I recently had my Vit D level checked (had already learned that I was B12 deficient and have been on injections for 1 wk now) and it came back in the "nl" range at 38. I think the lowest "nl" is 25. Just curious to know if your doc indicated what the ideal level was for people like us. I know with the B12, medical professionals have done research indicating that the "nl" ranges that many labs use are not actually ideal b/c they list the low range acceptable as anything greater than 200...when actually that figure should be greater than 400. They indicated that the "nl" range is actually based on the average value of patients and not the ideal figure. Just wondering b/c since my value of 38 is kind of close to the lower end if I should be discussing a Vit D supplement? Thanks for any feedback.
Wishing all of you well!
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I believe he said that a sufficient level of Vitamin D is 30 ng and a deficiency occurs at 15. Some say 20 is a deficiency. I believe your range is an excellent range to be in....I know that the recommended daily intake of the D is 600 IU for ages 19 to 70 and 800 IU if you are over the age of 70. I am sure the guildlines change if osteoporosis is a factor. I currently live in the north (I am from Virginia) and that makes it more important for mine to be checked because it is common for women who live in the North to be deficient in Vitamin D because of the lack of sunshine in the winter.
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I had low normal vitamin D levels, but my MO wanted it more in the mid-range rather than low, so I have been on 4000 units/day, every day, and it is keeping it between 40 and 60. Low levels have been associated with breast cancer and metastases - I am not one to want to take much medicine or supplements, but there is very little worry about too much vitamin D for most of us, and is very important for bone health. There are LOTS of studies that show lower vitamin D levels are associated with breast cancer, and higher levels associated with less breast cancer and mets.
I am very curious about the relationship of vitamin D, the various bisphosphanates and bone drugs used for osteoporosis, the estrogen receptors on bone & breast, tamoxifen & AIs & other estrogen receptor drugs, the propensity for breast cancer to metabolize to bone, and how all this fits together to promote or inhibit breast cancer. I want to see one of those charts we used to have in biochemistry classes that had all the pathways and arrows all over the place to explain metabolism - I am a very visual person, and somehow, this stuff just seems like it ought to be able to be explained by some charts and diagrams. Any biochemicists or basic physiologists out there who can explain this stuff? Inquiring minds want to know.
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Did anyone get a abnormal pap after being on Tamoxifen
I had a negative then a HPV positive, WTF? Been on tamoxifen 2 years
Going for more testing.0 -
jan508 - sorry haven't been for one since I started.
I have been taking 1000u of VIT D a day with my tamox. At that dose it can't hurt and maybe it will help. Cheap too - bottle of 720 pills for about 8$ at Costco, so why not.
Got call this morning for cancellation at gyn on Monday morning. Said yes as she is so popular it can take up to a year to get in to see her. Already been waiting 3 months, but on a priority list for a cancellation. Figure any conversation that starts with "you might want to take a couple of Advil before you come" definitely does not bode well for more "cancer fun". Will be glad to get the biopsy over however.
Swam at the Y yesterday, helped with large muscle pain somewhat. Can at least walk better today. May try the gentle yoga class they have tomorrow. Have to watch too much rotation for SI joint, but this is more stretching and less pretzle forming.
Hope everyone has a great cancer-free weekend. Starting to see a little colour change on the trees here, so hoping to get out and enjoy.
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Jane I hope that they get you in quickly!
Linda your in my prayers!!
Kinda bummed out right now. Hubby got laid off today. I'm the insurance provider so we're ok on that part. But I don't know how we are going to manage my copay for the ONC every 3 months. I guess that we'll get that figured out. I don't know how long this lay off will last. Things aren't looking to good at work right now, so I to could soon be out of a job. We will get thru this, we always have. Just gonna be harder this time because of the medical bills.
Well all have a fun filled Friday! Love and light to you all my Tammo sistas! Love ya!
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Paula - So sorry to hear your hubby was laid off. I know that must be tough and sure hope the lay off does not last long. What kind of work does he do? I'm sure you and work something out with your onc about the copay. Most doctors can work with you on payment.
If I knew where you get all the find eye candy, I would send you one. But I can send you big hugs and kisses. Hang in there sweetie!
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Thanks Jo! He's a metal fabricator, but he's pretty much a jack of all trades. I just have to keep telling myself, this to shall pass. Thanks for the hugs!
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((((Paula)))) hugs and love.
Anyone here who used to be on tammi and now on an AI? Have looked at some of the AI boards - can't say I am overly excited at the prospect of trying one, not sure I am considered post-menopausal by the MO yet (Good Lord knows I SHOULD be by now!!!), but I have a feeling this will come up in a discussion very soon. Ugh.
Have a good Friday night, all!
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Linda, the Al's are just like Tamoxifen in that everyone reacts differently.I honestly don't think there is a "typical" reaction to any of the anti-hormonal drugs. I'm here because when I started treatment I was almost 20 years post menopause so I started on the Al's. My SE's, especially the joint pain, were so bad my MO switched me to Tammi. I think it is because I'm so far post menopause I haven't had hot-flashes and other SE's have been very doable.
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Paula - so sorry about DH, just what you need more stress. Will hope for a quick recall for him.
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Paula so sorry to hear about DH layoffs. That just really sucks, but I know that you have a faith in God and that will get you through this rough time.
Some asked about Vitamin D levels. My MO wants my vitamin D betweeen 60-90. He says it is good for cancer and heart health. I started off 2,000 per day, did not help much, then went to 5,000 a day and that did help. Have been on 2,000per day for last three months so will have it checked again on Friday to see if the 2,000 is maintaning or not.
Welcome ED2012 and jmland. this is a great bunch to hand out with and paula is great with providing us eye candy.
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Had endometrial biopsy this morning. Apt in 2 weeks to get results and discuss options for managing gyn symptoms from tamox. Hoping for B9.
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bgirl - Will keep fingers crossed for B9 results. As if we don't have enough to worry about then gyn issues are thrown in the mix. I also have had several gyn issues from Tamox. Two years in a row have had hysteroscopies. Not fun at all. Both times were B9 so glad about that. Please let us know when you get your results.
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bgirl will be prayig for B9 results.
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Thanks Jo & Sherry for the best wishes.
Jo, glad I was able to go sampling route for biopsy because I am premeno. Hoping to not have to go more invasive. My sister said why don't you just have it all out and not have to worry any more. Like that would really just make everything go away - perhaps it might be just the start of a different set of problems. I agree that it seems like every pill or procedure on this journey seems to lead to some long-term SE or another worry. Waiting for test results at this time last year. Sometimes it feels like it never ends.
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Jane you could talk to your doc about removing your uterus only if this continues to be a problem and keep your ovaries. I had my uterus removed years ago when I was young and Dr wanted to keep my ovaries because of my age. I am so glad he did. I am peri menopause now and glad my body is able to its thing naturally
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Jane, I am going to push my GYN to do a complete hysterectomy - includes ovaries next summer. I am 57 and have been in menopause for almost 5 years. I certainly don't need the plumbing anymore nor do I want to have hysterocopies every summer for the next 4 years. For me, I hope that takes care of all the gyn problems.
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Jo, I get that, doing this for another 4 years"+ seems like a crappy option too. Only 47 now, but I am so tired of drs and tests. If I had it done gyn would probably want to take ovaries too. cyst on one ovary before tamox has now become multiple cysts on both. Guess we will wait and see and try to be open about options.
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bgirl - I know the feeling about all the doctors and tests. I hope I am done with all that for quite some time. My next BC related appt in not until Dec. I see my GYN in June and would not schedule any kind of surgery until the middle of July. My 40th wedding anniversary is Jul 4, 2013 and I don'twant to be recovering from anything. I can wait a little longer. It is always good to keep an open mind and weigh all the options.
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Hi all,
Looking for advice. I took 3 years of Lupron following chemo, herceptin, bilat mastectomy - and now have been taking tamoxifin since January. Since January my hair has been thinning rapidly. Now it is falling out - reminds me of when the chemo kicked in. The fact that I have very fine/thin hair to begin with isn't helping things I am sure. It is becoming very noticable and very distressing. Obviously I realize it is more important to remain free of cancer and I hate even complaining about this. However, it is distressing. The weight has been horrible but my hair - again??
Is anyone else experiencing this? Is there anything I can do? Will it come back once I am done with Tamoxifin?
Any advice appreciated!
Cristl
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Cristi - Many of us have experienced the hair thinning and loss including myself. On the advice of these wonderful ladies, I started taking Biotin 5000mcg once a day and now my hair is thick - that is occuring to the lady that cuts my hair. It is really inexpensive and you can get it at WalMart or any place that has a vitamin aisle. Give it a try - it is well worth it.
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Hi Jo - I am actually taking 10,000mcg a day. I started this when my hair started growing out after chemo. It doesn't seem to make a difference. Thank you so much for responding and offering up the advice!
C
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Cristi - Really? That is interesting. So sorry I could not be of help. If you haven't done so, perhaps you can bring this issue up with you oncologist?
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Jo - I have a message into them. I feel strange complaining about my hair but I would like to know my options. I know they have better things to focus their attention on.
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Cristi - Their focus should be on all your care as it relates to your cancer. The hair issue is part of it. Don't be shy - you won't know what your options are until you ask. I have always said - there is not such thing as a dumb question. Besides, they get paid big bucks to put up with all our silly questions - LOL!
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