Bottle o Tamoxifen
Comments
-
Hi Sloan - I was just thinking of you today and wondering about your 2nd opinion. Please let me know how it goes as I am very curious about this 40 mg vs 20 mg.
I am just wrapping up my 2nd month on Tamoxifen and I have to say that I don't have any side effects except for night sweats and I had them before I started.
0 -
New-Girl it took me a year to talk myself into taking Tamoxifen. Like you, I wasn't terribly concerned about the common and annoying side effects that we can feel, the ones everyone says you can always quit if they are intolerable, but with the quiet and potentially deadly ones like endo cancers and blood clots, the ones addressed with the "This drug my raise the chance of very bad and sometimes deadly side effects like stroke, blood clots, or endometrial or uterine cancer" warning inside the package. Yikes! I really wished I hadn't read that part either, LOL!
Even though I definitely didn't want to deal w BC again and the odds are in my favor either with or without this drug that I never will have to, in the end I made a sort of peace with this and took the plunge. Some of the things that helped me are having a gyno who is willing to monitor me closely - we've set me up w transvaginal ultrasounds every 3 months-not fun, but not painful and very necessary for my own peace of mind. I am no longer am chained to a desk job and since I don't smoke anymore (smoke free for over a year now) or have to sit for long periods of time at work and because I do exercise regularly now, plus take aspirin each day per my OC, I've convinced myself that my personal risk for blood clots is low, or as low as I can get it.
The other SEs (many and varied) are not life threatening, certainly not experienced by all and can sometimes be handled with supplements, other prescription drugs, diet, exercise. etc.
I doubt anyone was more hesitant to take this drug than I was. For me being able to take it required getting the monitoring that makes me comfortable with this choice per my gyno and being proactive in preventing blood clots. Once I got these in place, I felt pretty confident I could deal with the less concerning (not life threatening), yet pretty crappy side effects. So far these have been few and minor for me and definitely manageable. Talking to your gyno and adopting a proactive stance might be some things you can do to help you with the fears you have about taking this drug.
0 -
Hi New Girl
I started my tamoxifen 3 months ago. I had really minor side effects til now. But my mo Said in time they will subside. Hopefully. I truly feel that not taking tamoxifen is not an option for me. I have to much life to live. Please consider trying tamoxifen. I encountered many women in radiation that were back because they stopped taking tamoxifen. Good luck and fight on!!
0 -
Hey everyone -- Add me to the Tumeric/Ginger bandwagon! I started taking a supplement called Deep Blue, twice a day which contains: Frankincense, Tumeric, Ginger, Grape Seed extract, Peppermint, Green Tea, Pomegranate Fruit extract and caraway seed extract. I started taking it 4 days ago at the advice of a friend who is into essential oils, and it seems to be helping a lot. Thanks for suggesting the Tumeric and Ginger, since that got me exploring something to take along those lines! So far, so good!
0 -
I am trying to find information about Tamoxifen & raised Blood Sugar. I had lab last Friday & the A1C raised 0.6 points, to 7.5! Of course I'm still catching up with going back to regular exercise routine after chemo & Christmas (church musician, supper busy). And I was eating all meals at home during chemo, more carbs (I ate more veggie etc at work).
Also how about BP? My MO said no... but it was raised mid Dec at my surgeon's office & in jan when I had the Echo.
0 -
My A1c has been the same as before on Tamoxifen.
0 -
TeamKim--Make sure your MO is ok with you taking the Deep Blue. It has grapefruit seed extract in it which is contraindicated with Tamoxifen. Maybe ask if the amount is small enough. I am using something called CitriDrops which I add to my saline nasal rinse for allergies. It has GSE in it so I had to check with my MO. He was ok with me using it because i only use a couple of drops and he said that amount wouldn't effect Tamoxifen. I see the Deep Blue has 50mg but I have no idea if that is considered a large or small amount.
0 -
Lala1 - Thank you - Just ordered my Magnesium Glycinate from Vitamin Shoppe - did so much research...goodness, so many kinds of Magnesium who knew? - Had bought another kind yesterday at a local big box store but will switch when the is order arrives -
0 -
For what it's worth, I use magnesium citrate which is suppose to absorb better. I have had some muscle spasms and the mag citrate definitely helps. I am trying turmeric but will need to check with MO for long term.
Scottie
0 -
Thanks everyone. I am slowly accepting the fact I will be taking it. Just need to decide when. Maybe I will start tonight.
0 -
Here is an article that talks about the different types of magnesium. Glycinate and citrate both are well absorbed. Citrate has more of a laxative effect (which can be a good thing!) and glycinate seems to help the muscle pain more.
0 -
Hi! Finished chemo in January and now on my 3rd week of radiation...still have 24 sessions to go but trying to prepare myself for the next step, tamoxifen. Really haven't done much research on this lately. When I was diagnosed last year, I ran across articles about needing to change my anti-depressants once I start tamoxifen. Wasn't very happy about that as Prozac/Cymbalta have been good for me for years and have even helped me as I dealt with BC. Have any of you had experience with needing to change anti-depressants? What have you switched to?
0 -
Lala - So funny...that's the article I read to make my decision - thank you!
AbreastO - I cannot speak to your exact question as I do not take anti-depressants but do know that I am on Gabapentin and there was talk from both my primary and rheumatologist that, if it does not help me, trying Cymbalta - they both know I'm on Tamoxifen and seemed okay with it - I haven't switched (it is supposed to help with nerve pain) but we spoke about it. The gabapentin seems to work, mostly, so going to hang in there a while longer. My tamoxifen was started during radiation, same week, so didnt really have time to deal with SE at that point - hope Rads goes well
0 -
I'm starting Tamoxifen on Wednesday. Throughout all of this....surgery, rads, etc....my period has been right on time. (I've always been every 28 days.)
Sunday, right on schedule, my period began.
It's always been on the heavy side, especially after getting my tubal several years ago. But holy cow! This period has been beyond heavy! I've never had one like it. This is my first period after finishing rads, so I don't know if that has something to do with it or not.
I'm interested to see if the Tamoxifen will cause changes to my period, like hopefully make it lighter!
This may have already been talked about and may have already asked this question.....but did Tamoxifen change your periods at all?0 -
Etnasgrl, I had really heavy periods due to a cyst in the wall of my uterus. After about a month on Tamoxifen, my period is significantly lighter and shorter, four days versus the seven or eight before starting Tamo. I also got mine every 28 days like clockwork, but since December it comes every 5 weeks. Not sure if this is because of the Tamo or my age (48). I've been on the med since early July.
0 -
I, too, was always like clockwork - once I started Tamoxifen, I got a normal period, then 3 weeks later, got one for a single day!! Then, three weeks later, had a 4 day very light period and now nothing for almost 2 months - so weird. I have all the symptoms but no bleeding. Just left my MO appointment and told him and he is not surprised. I am 49 and he said age has much to do with it.
Still trying to find the Magnesium - I ordered from Vitamin Shoppe and just got an email that they are backordered so have gone to three pharmacies - I live in a smallish town - heading out now to try another - oh my..who knew it would be so difficult. However, my PT at the Lymphedema clinic gave me Turmeric tea today so just had a cup - delicious!
0 -
MomofTwins98--I also buy my magnesium on Amazon if I don't feel like driving to the Vitamin Shoppe. i try to bundle things so I get free shipping. Amazon has it for around $20.
0 -
I would be very careful about buying supplements from Amazon.
I got my magnesium at CVS. I can't believe you have trouble finding it.
0 -
I refilled my prescription at CVS-Target and they changed the brand on me! I was using Watson before and they changed it to Mylan. I've heard some people say they get more side effects with different generics. I don't know if it's coincidence or not but my hot flashes have been much more intense and more often now. I hate that it was changed on me especially with a medicine so important like this. Of course the pharmacist says it's the same active ingredient, but the fillers and other ingredients are not. My next refill I will see about using a different pharmacy that doesn't use Mylan generic. Have any of you had this kind of issue?
0 -
I had my last period one week before chemo and nothing since (it's been just over a year) so I can't really say if Tamox had any effect. I'm 44 and both my MO and Gyn tell me that I'm probably not going to get them back. Checking hormones next month to see if I'm truly in menopause
0 -
I went in for a 2nd opinion regarding taking 40 mg/ day of Tamoxifen. The new MO was surprised at the dosage and recommended I stop taking Tamoxifen as start taking anastrozole. He's canceling the scans the other MO ordered, and we'll watch the CEA (which was up to 5.2) and get a CA 27-29 test.
I'm changing to this new MO because I thought I was being over-treated at the old one (40 mg and more scans), but I'm scared about elevated markers and no scans.
0 -
Is 40mg of Tamoxifen a high dose? I'm taking 20mgs and most ladies I talk with are at the same dosage.
0 -
Etnasgrl,
After about 3 months on Tamoxifen I missed a period, then the next one was really heavy. Then I had about two more somewhat regular (yet lighter) periods, and now I haven't had one at all in 3 or 4 months. I am 51 years old so it is time, and I had missed a couple about every nine months prior to Tamoxifen.
I do have a slight discharge often, kinda whitish, not too bad, but it's there, since starting Tamoxifen. I read this was normal but haven't seen anyone talk about it. Anyone else?
0 -
My concern is that Tamoxifen will make my periods much heavier. I have uterine fibroids and have had them for several years now. They cause SEVERE cramping and heavy periods. My Ob/Gyn told me that the only "cure" was a hysterectomy, but I never wanted to do that because I didn't want to take HRT since my mother had breast cancer and I knew it could bump up my chances of getting it as well.
Then, I got breast cancer. *sigh*
I spoke to my MO about all of this and he said that it's very possible the Tamoxifen will cause the fibroids to grow and continue to give me cramping issues and the heavy periods. He told me to be prepared for even heavier periods.....good grief!....I already go through a super plus tampon and an overnight pad together every hour the first 2 days!!! How much heavier can it get??!!!!
If it does get worse, I'm going to have to get the hysterectomy because I couldn't imagine living with that crap. Then the issue would be leave the ovaries or remove them? Ugh!!!0 -
Etnasgrl, I have the same exact situation. Although, I was given the option of having them removed, but it would be a major surgery. I still get cramps, but not nearly what I experienced before starting Tamoxifen, and the bleeding has lessened by about 50 to 60%. Before starting Tamo, I would go thru a S+ tampon and pad in under an hour on my heaviest days.
0 -
Etnasgirl. . .MO put me on lupron to stop my periods. . .the first time I stopped the lupron I had a very heavy one less than two months later. It has now been 3 months since I stopped again and nothing. I have been on Tamoxifen the entire time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they don't come back, but still having biannual ultrasound to check for cysts and/or thickened lining.
Momoftwins. . .try your grocery if they carry vitamins. I got my mag citrate at Krogers. . .Nature Made and it was bogo.
Scottie
0 -
hsant.....thanks for sharing your experience with me! That gives me some hope that maybe the Tamoxifen won't cause the fibroids to get worse. I know everyone responds differently to it, but at the very least, I have some hope now. Thanks!
Scottiemom.....I've never heard of Lupron. I'll have to look it up. Thanks for sharing!
0 -
I haven't had my period since after first Chemo (last was mid Aug). My MO thought it would be back by now. But I think it is still trying to come back (& quite on time), & I can feel it. Reading about the heavy period kinda freak me out a little -- just because I will be out of town traveling by car (geez, do i need to stay close to a bathroom, what do I need to bring?)
0 -
LovingisLiving - My pharmacy (Rite Aid) also changed my brand on me but I called them and they took it back. I had also read that people had trouble with switching so now, I just call a few days ahead and they special order me the Mylan (that's what I started with so just sticking with it) - Perhaps your pharmacy can do the same.
Trvler - I can find Magnesium but they are all the Oxide which I was told not to use as it is supposedly less absorbed. I did not realize and had bought that one - was at three pharmacies today and all only had the Oxide - Finally, at another Rite Aid, which has a small GNC inside, they had the Citrate so I got that. Will take it tonight at bedtime (which is any minute now:-)
0 -
LovingisLiving, Target/CVS switched the manufacturers on me too. In fact, they gave me my monthly supply in two bottles, from different makers. Next month they switched back to the original manufacturer, so I have about 20 pills from Mylan. I haven't noticed any difference in SEs yet, but I've only taken a few from Mylan.
MomOfTwins, my MO told me to take magnesium oxide.
Regarding periods, can't comment - my last period was one month into my chemo, almost a year ago. My MO says it most likely won't come back. I'm 46 now.
0
