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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 461
    edited June 2016

    Good question. I can't be helpful since I haven't had a period in 16 months, but I'll be interested to see replies.

  • jojo9999
    jojo9999 Member Posts: 52
    edited June 2016

    ORgal - I think there is a correlation. Within one month of starting tamox, I stopped getting my period. Had some bad HF, then 6 months later they went away, and I got a period, then they came back, and no more period. I am perimenopausal at 53. I now have times when the HF are gone, and I feel like I am going to get my period, but I don't (althou had my estrogen tested during one of these times and it was very high, consistent with ovulation).

  • TinyDancer5
    TinyDancer5 Member Posts: 217
    edited June 2016

    I've been on Tamoxifen since January and I had a blood test in April that showed a very high estrogen level compared to last April before my diagnosis and treatments. My PCP had me take another blood test today to check it again. Has anyone else had this problem? My last period was in March.

  • el_tigre
    el_tigre Member Posts: 453
    edited June 2016

    TinyDancer, tamoxifen block estrogen effects on hormone positive tumors. I have not read if it lowers estrogen levels. I get a monthly lupron shot to "shut down" my ovaries. That lowered my estrogen and brought on some SE.

    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/ser...


  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 974
    edited June 2016

    If you google Tamoxifen and increased estrogen, there are alot of articles saying this can happen. They are mostly older studies and I have no idea what most of what I read means but apparently this is how Tamoxifen works.

  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 499
    edited June 2016

    labelle-

    There is a CONSTIPATION topic in the MANAGING SIDE EFFECTS Forum. There is lots of good information and tips.

  • Wenrisa
    Wenrisa Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2016

    so I've been putting off starting tamoxifen since I'm scared of the side effects... I was supposed to start a couple of weeks ago but I gave myself some extra time to get over rads.

    Anyway, my question is : what is the best time of day to take it; morning or night?

    And I know a lot of you take supplements to manage side effects. What do you take for what side effects? I want to be prepared just in case. I'm most worried about GI side effects since I have IBS.

    Thanks in advance!

  • molliefish
    molliefish Member Posts: 650
    edited June 2016

    I put it off a couple of weeks too and I take it between 8-9pm daily. That way any immediate side effects could be slept through. I've had no side effects that I can't blame one something else. Hang in there and best wishes making your decision

  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 771
    edited June 2016

    Hi labelle. Have you tried taking more magnesium? I take 6-7 500mg tabs nightly. Make sure it is magnesium citrate. You should take enough that you get loose stools and then cut down gradually. Good luck.....

  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,072
    edited June 2016

    I haven't had a cycle in 10 months, 6 mos since my last lupron shot. Having bad hot flashes at night. I wake up freezing and then I'm burning hot, without sweating. I take melatonin some nights. Melatonin always help before BC but not so much now. I'm thinking of trying a 10mg extended release version.

    I take the Tamox in the morning and my supplements including turmeric, ginger and magnesium citrate at night.

    Lala thanks for the advice on the ginger.

    Scottie

  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 499
    edited June 2016

    Scottiemom11

    I am taking 20 mg of Melatonin, as prescribed by a Naturopath and ok'd by my onc. It is working well. I don't think it's extended release. The company is "Pure Encapsulations."

  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 499
    edited June 2016

    As a result of Tamoxifen, has anyone out there experienced vertigo?

    I am waking up between 3-4 AM now every morning and have extreme dizziness. I go back to sleep and often don't wake up again until 8 or 9 AM.

    As I get up, I am dizzy again, and it goes away shortly thereafter.

    I should try eliminating the huge dose of Melatonin to see if it's a factor, but this wasn't happening prior to Tamoxifen.


  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 499
    edited June 2016

    lala1~

    Thank you. I am going for all that you suggest. We like the Gaia brand in our household...

    What's the ginger intended for??

  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 499
    edited June 2016

    Wenrisa~

    If you look at the posts just above yours, you will see that we've been talking a lot about side effects. There are many good suggestions here. There is also a forum called Managing Side Effects.

  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 499
    edited June 2016

    Yikes!!

    I am getting confused by the varying recommendations for all the different kinds of Magnesium. Would someone clarify each kind and their purpose?

  • Blownaway
    Blownaway Member Posts: 662
    edited June 2016

    I take 10 mg Tamoxifen in the morning and 10 mg in the evening. I find that this belps with s/e's.

  • Wenrisa
    Wenrisa Member Posts: 59
    edited June 2016

    thanks gandengypsy! I've been reading along but I guess I'm just confused on what supplements help with what side effects... Since I just started taking it I haven't experienced any yet...

    I've seen meletonin, turmeric, ginger and various magnesiums... But I don't really know what is for what purpose! Thanks

  • blueteal
    blueteal Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2016

    Hello, i was interested in your comment i have been diagnosed with breast cancer the beginning of May i had a lumpectomy and now am at the route of radiation. I was told that after radiation i will be on tamoxifen, i am very worried since all the forums say many negative comments. I was hoping i could chat with you so i can have the full details, maybe try a different drug with less side effects? I am post menopause, Im currently 29 years old and would hate to live depressed and with hair loss.. i need some advice please..

    greatly appreciate the help

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 8,643
    edited June 2016

    Hi blueteal, welcome to Breastcancer.org! Sorry you are here for this reason, but happy to see that you've found the perfect place to talk about tamoxifen side effects and more, and we're sure you'll receive support and learn a lot from all this kind and experienced ladies here.

    Best wishes, let us know if we can be of any help. We're here for you!

    The Mods


  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 974
    edited June 2016

    gardengypsy---My holistic doc suggested turmeric and ginger for heart health (I have a sister who dies of a heart attack in 2008 at 39 years old) and said as an added bonus both are anti-inflammatories which would help with the joint/muscle pain from Tamoxifen. I've taken both from the beginning and have very little pain now. I've never done an experiment to see if turmeric works without the ginger, I just happily take both and thank god something works for me!

    Also, about a year into taking Tamoxifen, I started having lots of dizziness but it usually came with nausea. I started on a good probiotic (I take Primadophilus Optima in the yellow bottle) and by the time I got thru a bottle both were mostly gone. Google Tamoxifen side effects and one of them is dizziness and another is nausea. Actually, pretty much anything can be contributed to Tamoxifen!!

    As to magnesium, this was how it was suggested by my holistic doc who was also a breast doc....magnesium chloride (he likes SloMag) for constipation and magnesium glycinate for muscle cramps as well as easing hot flashes. All I know is I'm regular as a clock after 50 years and my muscle cramps are gone and hot flashes are milder and shorter. Now...I also take Peridin-C (per holistic doc) and iCool (per MO) so who knows which really works for the hot flashes but all I can say is my Tamoxifen SEs are quite manageable, so much so that my docs are holding off switching me to an AI since I'm doing so well on this plan.

  • MJS1266
    MJS1266 Member Posts: 159
    edited June 2016

    Blue Teal,

    I am on Tamoxifen and I'm not depressed and my hair grew back just fine from Chemo.  I am quite a bit older but haven't had any significant problems on Tamoxifen.  I just pray it does it's job and that the cancer doesn't come back.  All drugs have side effects and not everyone experiences them all or to the same degree. Stay positive and the MO and the ladies on this sight will help you manage the side effects if any. Hopefully some of the younger women will also respond.  All the best, MJS

  • labelle
    labelle Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2016

    Thanks to all that chimed in on the constipation issues. I already take 500 mg of magnesium citrate in the morning and another 500 mg in the evening, but maybe I should try a bit more. I guess I will try some SloMag too and I am off to the health food store to pickup prunes, figs and golden raisins to make a recipe a friend told me about - mix with some water, simmer, add whatever sweetener you like, whirl in the food processor to make a jam like substance and then eat a couple spoonsfull daily-on toast or in cereal or straight up. She says you can make a big batch and freeze it. Some things like Senna Tea and OTC laxatives and stool softeners, and Milk of Magnesia (recommended by my daughter, a nurse) do work, but all say you should not take daily, are for occasional use only (they will make your colon lazy and or irritated with daily use). Since this seems NOT to be a temporary or occasional problem, I do need to find something that is safe to use everyday for about 5-10 years I guess..

    Do AI inhibitors also cause constipation? Just curious. I will probably do the switch in a couple of years..............

    Dizziness: When I first started taking Tamoxifen I got dizzy every day about 2 hours after I took my pill. This only lasted for a few weeks, as did the nausea. Aside from the constipation, which didn't start right way, most of the side effects that bothered me started soon after beginning the Tamoxifen and got noticeably better after a couple of months.

    I'm having a colonoscopy (routine screening) on the 20th and the gastroenterologist told me to go off of my Tamoxifen starting today, since it makes me constipated and she wants me cleaned out well. Also off my fish oil and aspirin until the colonoscopy is done. I can take Tylonol for my hip, but since it doesn't work as well, I'm not looking forward to the next few days in terms of hip pain, but the Tamoxifen break is so welcome.


  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 285
    edited June 2016

    recently I have decided with my Drs advice to stop all my supplements except calcium and D3. My kidneys made a severe turn with my last lab tests. I am now in stage 3kidney disease. Please read this article before under going colonoscopy.... http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/27/health/danger-to-kidneys-may-lurk-in-some-preparations-for-colonoscopies.html?_r=0

  • heidi s
    heidi s Member Posts: 398
    edited June 2016

    Thanks for posting that article, stage 1. Prayers and positive thoughts are out to you

  • labelle
    labelle Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2016

    It seems some gastroentologists have heeded the news of dangers about sodium phosphate in colon preps. Mine has me using only Miralax for prep. The other gastroentologist I consulted (and decided not to use for a variety of reasons) wrote me a script for colon prep that does indeed have sodium phosphate in it. Good stuff to know. Thanks.

  • Mm68
    Mm68 Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2016

    Blueteal,

    I started tamoxifen 14 months ago and have not been depressed. I started taking biotin because I was afraid of hair loss. My hairdresser says my hair is in the best condition she has seen even thicker-I have been going to her for over 15 years. I also take magnesium which helps with the hot flashes. Vitamin D, calcium and multivitamin. I have minimal side effects. Worst is brain fog.

    Take care

  • Blownaway
    Blownaway Member Posts: 662
    edited June 2016

    Mm68 - How much biotin are you taking. My hair is shedding severely for the second tome since starting Tamo 1-1/2 years ago. Also using Rogaine for men and Nioxin.

  • MJS1266
    MJS1266 Member Posts: 159
    edited June 2016

    Blownaway,  I'm taking 5000mcg of Biotin that I get at Costco.  I'm obsessive about my hair and so far it seems to be normal.  Hope yours improves the further you get away from chemo and Herceptin.  Hugs, MJS

  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 499
    edited June 2016

    lala1

    That is quite a plan you got there. I don't know if I can commit to all of that right now, so I will start with the Magnesium, Turmeric and Probiotics.

    So...you take two different Magnesium products?

    For heart health, my naturopath prescribed Coenzyme Q 10. Any thoughts on that?

    Thank you and blessed be your health, now and forever.

  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 499
    edited June 2016

    labelle~

    Thanks for letting me know that your dizziness went away. Fingers crossed.

    These posts are sharing loads of good healthy information for making SEs go away!

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