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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 166
    edited September 2016

    Yeah, I haven't stopped it. I figure I will just work through the side effects. Even if I stop and start to feel better after two weeks, I am not going to stop taking it all together so what's the use?

  • bradie234
    bradie234 Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2016

    do you ever have have hot hands that causes bad pain ?


  • Mom2fourplusmore
    Mom2fourplusmore Member Posts: 73
    edited September 2016

    my MO says I can't use any supplemental vitamins. I guess he's worried about it interfering with the tamoxifen. I haven't had the leg pains yet but he did tell me to take Schweep's seltzer water. I guess that's so common that he tells people ahead of time. He says the brand is important. And I can only hope this fatigue will improve. My blood pressure is normally low but this morning I was 92/53. I'm pretty sure I'm basically comatose on this medicine. Lo

  • lvbugs
    lvbugs Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2016

    I was hoping to find out how those that have had an oopherectomy felt after surgery? I guess I'm hoping SE won't be to horrible since I don't have many with Tamoxifin. Had Hysterectomy in November, because of fibroids and now looks like I may have to take my only ovary because of cysts.

  • Musosgirl
    Musosgirl Member Posts: 305
    edited September 2016

    lvbugs, I was doing great physically on Tamoxifen, then after my ooph the hot flashes and moodiness started. It's not horrendous or anything, but there was a definite change. Unfortunately I can't stay on Tamox and I am so nervous about what SE I'll have on an AI.

  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 974
    edited September 2016

    Lvbugs---I had an oopherectomy In Jan 2015. I did develop hot flashes about a month after which I'd not had before (I'm 53 now) but they are really more like warm flushes for me. I had them fairly frequently, mostly at night, till my MO put me on iCool (which some MOs don't like so check first) and now I have maybe 4 or 5 in a 24 hour period, again mostly at night and very mild. I think the hysterectomy/oopherectomy was one of my better decisions through all this! I feel great! I can get a little pissed off but I really think that is more because ever since BC I've learned to say no to people and take better care of myself. No more periods, bloating, and all that goes with it. It's taken awhile to find my balance but I'm think I'm finally there. I'm exercising and watching my diet and taking vacations and learning to really enjoy life. The surgery was surprisingly easy for me. I didn't have any gas issues, went home the next day, took only Tylenol the next 2 days and then nothing after that. I walked every day, was driving by day 5 and was back in the gym at 2 weeks (albeit taking it easy), I had a great ob/gyn who did everything he could to make it easy on me (especially since I was panicked about the idea of hot flashes!). And as a bonus, I don't have to worry about the Tamoxifen causing endometrial cancer!

  • lvbugs
    lvbugs Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2016

    Thank you for your replies. I will keep hoping that hot flashes are not to bad.

    Musosgirl, how come you can't stay on Tamoxifen?


  • Musosgirl
    Musosgirl Member Posts: 305
    edited September 2016

    lvbugs, the anti-depressant I need for my PTSD interferes with Tamoxifen. I tried Effexor--the one recommended for Tamox, with not so good results. So I am going back to my old anti-depressant and that means switching to an AI.

  • lvbugs
    lvbugs Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2016

    Hope you do well on the AL to

  • jennie93
    jennie93 Member Posts: 263
    edited September 2016

    Musosgirl, I just want to say, I know everyone is different, but I am tolerating the AI better than tamoxifen. (Anastrazole in this case.)



  • Cjs47
    Cjs47 Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2016

    Hi all,

    I've been on tamoxifen for about one year now and gave gained 15 pounds, have some hot flashes that cause me to feel faint, night sweats, and joint pain. I have gone to eating less than 1200 calories a day plus upping my cardio and strength training, but the weight won't budge. I have tons of energy and am very active. I'm not sure if the tamoxifen is working due to the fact my mo hasn't done any blood work to check my estrogen levels. I'm hoping the effects lessen as time goes by. Is anyone else experiencing these problems or am I one of the lucky ones

  • Musosgirl
    Musosgirl Member Posts: 305
    edited September 2016

    Thank you! Very positive story helps

  • Musosgirl
    Musosgirl Member Posts: 305
    edited September 2016

    Jennie93, thank you. Every positive story helps

  • superius
    superius Member Posts: 310
    edited September 2016

    So... I had Pap test last week. The Dr said even with Tamoxifen, my hormone just acted up enough to bring back my period, & also made the Hot Flashes gone away 2 weeks before that. MO next week to talk about possibility of Lupron? Oh yeah, will need to talk to MO if I need to take that ever again, cos my risk factor is pretty much at ZERO!

    I THINK Hot Flashes came back after period - VERY mild, it's just a warm flush I think. BUT I have been waking up VERY stiff. Not sure if it's Tamoxifen or that I need a new bed...

  • Mom2fourplusmore
    Mom2fourplusmore Member Posts: 73
    edited September 2016

    First day back to real work. My job is very physical and I didn't get any sleep last night. I think the tamoxifen is messing with my sleeping. I am beyond exhausted tonight. I've been going Mach speed all day and now I'm a blob of skin and the noises of the family are getting to me. I may need to live in a bubble soon. Lol

  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 499
    edited September 2016

    After 9 months, I am going back. Starting a new thread "Going Back to Work." Come visit. Lol

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 596
    edited September 2016

    Anyone here have postmeno bleeding on tamoxifen? I guess I should have taken the uterus when I had the ooph. Here I am back onthe gyn roller coaster. I'm inclined to wait until my Dec appoint. Can anyone weigh in? Thanks so much!

  • molliefish
    molliefish Member Posts: 650
    edited September 2016

    any unexpected bleeding post meno, on tam is a warning sign. Why wait?


  • notdoneliving
    notdoneliving Member Posts: 41
    edited September 2016

    My first month on tamoxifen was great. I felt better than usual. Then I started having a bunch of symptoms (weight gain, constipation, fatigue...) that my RO insisted weren't from the meds. I eventually was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

    If symptoms don't go away when you take a break from tamo, get your TSH tested, and maybe even T4 and thyroid antibodies. I'd never heard of Hashimoto's, but apparently it's not uncmmon!

  • Carlsoda
    Carlsoda Member Posts: 120
    edited September 2016

    farmerlucy: I think you shouldn't wait until December; at least call in and ask their advice. Good luck

    Mom2four: hugs!! Hope you can get some sleep tonight

  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 555
    edited September 2016

    Hashimoto's is very common, and there's an anecdotal link between BC and thyroid stuff. So . . . yeah, especially for those of us who had rads: get your thyroid tested!

  • labelle
    labelle Member Posts: 134
    edited September 2016

    I think you should contact your gyno ASAP, farmerlucy, and let him/her know what is going on. He/she may want to see you before December. My gyno told me to report any unusual bleeding right away. It can be a sign of trouble when you are taking Tamoxifen. Bet it gets you an endometrial biopsy. Yuck, but better safe than sorry.

  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 499
    edited September 2016

    Me too, mom. After 9 months out, I am going back in one week. Disability just approved me for 3-6 months out, but am too scared I will lose my job.


    Chemo brain, neuropathy, joint pain, insomnia. Here we go..

  • Blownaway
    Blownaway Member Posts: 662
    edited September 2016

    I asked the rad tech to cover my throat with one of the led aprons that dentists use and they looked at me like I was nuts.

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 596
    edited September 2016

    labelle et al -I'll call next week. This will be the third or fourth biopsy in as many years. Still better than an AI for me. Just can't see doing ten years of HT with all the issues.

  • notdoneliving
    notdoneliving Member Posts: 41
    edited September 2016

    That stinks Blownaway! Every medical worker should be trained never to look at a patient like that for ANY reason. I wish I'd asked for a thyroid shield. I don't know if it would've mattered, but I've been diagnosed with Hashimoto's since. Hindsight is 20/20.

  • PolkaDotPurse
    PolkaDotPurse Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2016

    Hi Ladies -

    I'm curious what your experience has been regarding your menstrual cycles while taking Tamoxifen. I had no chemo and started Tamoxifen just over 4 weeks ago after radiation. My period is 11 days late with no indication it's going to be starting soon. My cycle hasn't been regular this past year and I've skipped one period back prior to Dx. SE on Tamoxifen are manageable so far - a couple hot flashes and I feel achey (like I have a low grade flu). I'd appreciate hearing some of your experiences.

    Thank you!

  • RDA123
    RDA123 Member Posts: 55
    edited September 2016

    I did not have chemo or radiation. I had dcis. Started tamoxifen in April. Was getting regular periods until this month..no period!!

  • PolkaDotPurse
    PolkaDotPurse Member Posts: 6
    edited September 2016

    RDA123 - interesting. Thank you for your input. I should mention I'm 43 and last time I had my hormones checked, all was within normal limits. I'm not complaining about not getting it at all, but want to be sure this is typical. Thanks again, RDA123. :

  • tbalding
    tbalding Member Posts: 383
    edited September 2016

    Started tamoxifen 8 weeks ago & so far cycle is regular.