Bottle o Tamoxifen
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I was pre-meno when I started, had 4 rounds of lupron with tamox, nasty cycle for one month, then three more rounds of lupron (which I can't tolerate) and no cycle for 12 months now. MO however, just told me that I'm in chemo pause, not menopause. I have to go at least another year without before I'll be there. Seriously don't miss them as pain was horrible and I often had cysts.
Scottie
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I'm 46. I'm not complaining either, my periods were pretty heavy. The first thing my dr. said was it could stop your periods..
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Does anyone else have a tight chest on Tamoxifen? I've been experiencing a tight chest this past week, sometimes needing to cough to make it go away. No phlegm or anything just feeling on the tighter side. I don't know if it's got to do with Tamoxifen but weird things that I've been experiencing I am relating to the Tamox (like achilles tendon pain, strange facial acne, etc.) so wondering if this is just another thing to add to the list. I've been on Tamox since February. I've also noted that when I get a different pharmaceutical company that's made the Tamox, I get different SEs. I've had Teva twice now, and the other one was a different company. Any thoughts on that ladies?
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All the different brands will give you different SEs. I used to be on Watson and swapped to Teva. Much fewer SEs on Teva. I just have to special request it with CVS whereas before they would just automatically fill every 3 months with Watson. And I would mention the chest tightness to your doctor. I had something similar but it wasn't so much tightness as just feeling like I needed to burp. Then once I did, I would feel fine. And it was sporadic...might go 2 or 3 weeks without feeling it and then burp like crazy for a day or two. I started taking some really good probiotics that I make sure stay refrigerated and now it rarely happens. My doctors just shrugged when I mentioned it. I love them but as far as Tamoxifen goes and it's SEs, they seem a little clueless!!
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Was in chemopause for ~11 + months. period came back so far 2 times (july4 then mid Aug), Lighter, Fewer days, Longer cycles. MO thought it would come back couple months after chemo. Had Pap test couple wks ago, the Dr said my hormone just acting up enough to bring back the period, even with Tamoxifen. MO this wk to talk about if we need to do anything about this...
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Kimmer - I had something similar. I wouldnt describe it as being breathless because I could still do my normal cardio exercise. For me it is more similar to a little heartburn. I did some research and tamox can cause some gastro problems. It has caused me to have dry patches of skin on the outside - so it is probably drying out parts of my insides...
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I haven't posted here in ages, but I have a question about Tamoxifen and menopause and side effects. The only side effect that has really bothered me is extreme skin and eye dryness when I start up Tamoxifen after being off it, e.g., before/after major surgery. This lasts about a month and then becomes manageable.
Lately, I seem to be flying off the handle about once a month and having a full on tantrum. Is it Tamoxifen or menopause? It scares me. Is there anything I can do to manage this? I would like to take a break from Tamoxifen for a couple of weeks but then I don't want to face that awful dryness again. Is it even safe for me to take a break?
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katcar--I think it could be either/or or a combination of Tamoxifen and menopause. Plus I think there is the point where all this cancer b.s. catches up with us. I'm on Tamoxifen and was surgically thrown into menopause Jan 2015. I find my tolerance for crap is very low. I snap at my DH for minor things. Fortunately most things just roll off his back. I don't know if Tamoxifen can affect us mentally but I do know menopause does and I absolutely know that BC does. Put all these things together and you have the recipe for lots of mini meltdowns. I will say that I started doing yoga a couple of years ago 2 or 3 times a week and have had not only my DH but friends mention how much calmer I seem when I go regularly. There are lots of yoga videos online if you don't want to pay for classes. Also there are lots of meditation apps which, in a pinch, I'll listen to for couple of minutes just to kinda reset myself. I think it's very important that we take care of ourselves after BC both physically and mentally.
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Lala - OMG, your post helped me so much. I was really beating myself up for my latest tantrum. I have been under a lot of pressure lately with security issues in Mexico, finances, medical crises (BF, two BFFs) and a whole bunch of other things, including I need a revision of my recon :-(. My two friends almost died this past month... one from complications from diabetes and the other from a severe case of brucellosis which caused a mini heart attack (she is only 37). That is the only good thing that came out of all this--why spend so much time worrying about cancer when there are so many other things that can get us, ha. I guess it's the proverbial "you could get hit by a bus" analogy, which I know is aggravating when we hear it because we know we are at risk (forever if ER+), but then, it's kind of true that anything could happen, not just cancer. But I do not think I ever have a day where I don't think about cancer, and yes, that wears you down.
Like you, my tolerance is very low. I was guilty of being too nice most of my life. I still "suffer" from that, but I do stick up for myself more now, and I have ditched friends who abandoned me during my cancer crisis. Here's a weird thing... I haven't had a period since I started Tamoxifen, yet I "feel" like I get a period every month, and that is when I am most emotional. And, it often occurs around a full moon, and that is when I don't sleep as well either. Isn't that strange??? Now you are going to think I am a freak, lol.
I really, really appreciate your suggestions about yoga. I like yoga but I always used it for my back problems--more like power yoga. Isn't there a type of yoga that is more relaxing, with breathing exercises? I'll have to look up what that is called.
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Just wanted to follow up re: post meno bleeding on Tamoxifen. After slight spotting for about three weeks, everything stopped. So hopefully that is the end of that. Hugs all around.
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katcar---My preference is hatha yoga. It's a little more relaxing. I actually do a class that is stretch yoga which is my favorite. After a mastectomy the tightness can be unbearable. Stretching (along with massage therapy) help so much. I still can't bear an underwire bra but at least I can live a mostly regular life while keeping active. Immediately after my surgery, I had so much tightness with muscle spasms that I really thought I wouldn't be able to continue. But thanks to yoga, myofascial release massage and walking and swimming, I'm feeling better than before BC!
As to your period, Tamoxifen really does a number on it. But as long as you have ovaries I think your body can go through a sort of monthly period. It's why it's so important to get regular gyn exams and preferably get a TVUS for a baseline comparison. Tamoxifen can mess with your reproductive system, your eyesight (so definitely do regular eye exams), your gastrointestinal system, etc. It wasn't until I had my hysterectomy that I finally started to "level out" emotionally. Of course, now it's hot flashes and heart palpitations but hey! if it's not one thing it's another.
Also, like you, I was one of those that could never say no. Well, I've learned how! My friends usually get very surprised when I say no and then congratulate me on finally caring for myself. I tell everybody this is LaLa 2.0 and if they don't like it, go lump it!! Sure is making my life much more pleasant!
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Lala -- Lala 2.0! I love that!! And it's great that your friends are supportive of the new version of you.
I think my aunt teaches Hatha Yoga in Nepal... she taught me some of that when I was there, and of course, I remember almost none except the prayer position, which is my favorite for stretching my lower back out. I will check out some videos tonight on YouTube before I go to bed. I liked Power Yoga, but I find it difficult for the very reason you mentioned--tightness through the armpit area, ouch.
Did you have a complete hyster with ovaries removed? My doc wants to switch me to an AI early next year... but I am guessing I am not through menopause yet. So, I am looking at shots or an ooph or total... not sure which is the best option for me yet. I guess it's a good idea to keep your ovaries for other health reasons, but I sure do want to get rid of any extra estrogen. I am switching gynos--I'd better get my baseline info to the new doctor. I love my old doc but she is so difficult to get into see now, and her follow-up is not good.
FarmerLucy -- Keeping my fingers crossed that "Flo" is gone for good!
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katcar--Yes I had everything removed. I was 51 but not anywhere near menopause according to my tests. I needed to do it because after a baseline TVUS which showed thickened endometrial lining, we watched it for about a year and it was just getting thicker. I also had cysts, fibroids and an enlarged uterus, all of which are fairly common but bear watching. I'm really glad I did it. I feel great! No more periods and cramping. And they were so sporadic on Tamoxifen! I did get thrown into surgical menopause which is not much fun. I was completely freaked about doing it because I was so worried about hot flashes but my awesome gyn pointed out that millions of women have managed to make it through menopause and I can too. He also pointed out that I'd managed to survive BC and it's treatment so I was pretty sturdy!
He was right. I'm a woman....and as far as I can tell there ain't nothing a woman can't do!! The hysterectomy is the permanent solution so maybe ovarian suppression first would give you a better idea of what you want. I do like knowing I don't have "those parts" than are just another cancer potential.0 -
Love that adjective "sturdy"! Yes, yes we are.
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Lala -- I guess there is something to "risk tolerance." I will follow my MO's lead on this one as I really don't know the answer. Obviously, with all your issues, you made the right decision that suited your situation. I do have a small myoma--had it even before taking Tamoxifen, and we have been watching that. It has stayed pretty much the same size. I have had follicular cysts on my ovaries as well. I had a lot when I was in my early 40s. I think those have resolved, although my gyno pointed out a follicle on my ovary after taking Tamoxifen. The thing that worries me are my high estradiol levels. It's time to get my hormones re-tested. Yes, sturdy is a great word! Sometimes I don't feel so sturdy, but your doctor is right--we have come through so much. I am going to make a toast tonight to all of us sturdy women!
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Katcar. . .I agree with lala. Try OS first. I had 7 rounds of lupron over 10 months. I too need to go back for another TVUS and need my bone density done, but I haven't had a cycle in over 12 months and don't miss them.
Scottie
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Hi katcar!
I've been off tamoxifen since March. I managed almost three years but one particular side effect became too much to bear (pelvic floor dysfunction). The pain was sooo intens. Since going off tamoxifen and seeing a urologist and physical therapist, my symptoms are gradually decreasing. I met with my MO again on Thursday and he recommended again trying OS and an AI. I've had several months to think about it and am going forward with OS using Zoladex on Tuesday. I'll have two rounds of Zoladex before beginning the AI. If I tolerate the Zoladex well, the ovaries will be coming out. My GYN, BS, and urologist want them out as soon as I'm post meno because of ovarian cancer in my family tree. My MO doesn't like to offer his opinion and only suggested OS for now. Best of luck!
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Hi Scottiemom! - Yes, OS would be less extreme. I won't really know what direction I am headed until I get my blood hormone tests. And, I got some good news today at the new gyno.. my endometrium is normal and thin, my ovaries are small (so they have shrunk), and I have no more cysts. The myoma has grown a bit, but the gyno was not concerned. The bad news is that I have some vaginal atrophy... which I suspected :-(. I'll get the blood tests on Monday.
Amy -- Thanks for telling me your experiences. I am so sorry about the pelvic floor dysfunction and am very glad for you that getting off Tamoxifen has helped, especially with the pain, although I think it would be good if you could try the AI and OS. I have some problems with incomplete emptying. I have to change positions on the toilet and do kegels to get everything out. I guess I had better do more kegel exercises?! I think OS and maybe surgical removal for you later makes sense considering your family history. Fortunately, there is none of that in my family, but then there was no breast cancer either...
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Any suggestions on an anti anxiety med that is good with tamoxifin?
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I'm on lexapro. Was on it for years before I started tamoxifen.
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I am on Lexapro and Klonopin (as needed)
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I'm so tense I think it's creating problems of its own. I'll.see the doc this week and see what they think could help.
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Hi Ladies,
I've got a question about different brand makers of Tamoxifen. I'm currently taking ones made by Watson. Started about 6 mo ago. Definitely bad hot flashes, about 7 lbs weight gain and no period. But that could still be from the chemo. My pharmacy Rite Aid just switched me to Mylan. I'm pretty nervous to change things up. Any advice?? I still feel pretty new to the tamox thing, hating it everyday.
Thx
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Hi, Starsarestars.
I've been on Mylan Tamoxifen since I started in April and my symptoms are the same as yours, although the hot flashes seem to be getting better. I just picked up my refill yesterday and there were 25 Mylan pills and 5 pills from another brand. That has me a little nervous.
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Wow - almost like a box of chocolates!
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I've had the Mylan ones for probably a year, just picked up my new one and it's Watson, so I was worried in the opposite direction. I've had tons of hot flashes on Mylan also. They seem to get better, then worse. They are currently worse. We'll see if Watson makes a difference for me.
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I was on Watson for 2 years then convinced CVS to order TEVA for me which they did with no problem. I'd say my SEs reduced in severity by half so I'm happy on TEVA.
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I've had few side effects with Actavis.
One or two hotflashes a day and some joint pain. The turmeric may be helping with the joint pain.
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I've had pretty good luck on Teva and Nolvadex and Tamox (generic Mexican brand). However, my docs don't like me taking generics, so I take Nolvadex most of the time.
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