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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • jpBCfree
    jpBCfree Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2016

    For vaginal dryness I've had success with organic coconut oil (i use dr bronners and company is honest and natural committed) and just ordered Rebecca's salve off site called womens intimite solutuons as highly suggested by someone on this site.

    IMO sleep really important and i've had good luck with 5g Melatonin (brand Xymogen) just before bedtime and making my room very dark (no blue light from radio or nightlight and no devices or TV 1 hour before bedtime) . Also when my monkey brain not settling i listen to audiobook of wellness -sleep affirmations from woman named Belleruth Naperstek (sp) available on you tube or download from health journeys website. I used her guided imagery during reconstuction surgeries (dr allowed me to listen in room while under ) and calmed me and i had very successful surgeries. As you think so shall you be

  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 579
    edited October 2016

    my big problem is my feet. my feet hurt all the time. it's worst in the morning, and does get better the more I walk, but it never goes away. and if I spend a whole day on my feet, barreling through laundry and housekeeping or out running around with my two small kids...forget it. my feet and hips ache for days afterward. if the pain in my feet would stop I could handle it. ergh.....

  • Blownaway
    Blownaway Member Posts: 662
    edited October 2016

    mvspaulding - I had all your s/e's, plus more. I took a 2 month break from Tamo and only the headaches resolved. I'm back on Tamo and taking 20 mg at night instead of 10 mg morning and night. So far, the headaches have not resumed. I saw a rheumatologist who prescribed Cymbalta for all the other s/e's except hot flashes and so far, I'm doing better. BTW - The Cymbalta is replacing Effexor.

  • Stenokim
    Stenokim Member Posts: 76
    edited October 2016

    omg, tresjoli, when I read your post, I thought I posted it and forgot. I have the same exact pain in my feet also. I also have very tight tendons/muscles/ligaments in my hamstrings and hips. I've been on tamo for 2 1/2 years, and this all started about 6 mos ago. Also my wrists hurt. Kim

  • bethanygb1
    bethanygb1 Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2016

    Are there different doses of these meds? Anyone on a lower dose?

  • reckless
    reckless Member Posts: 50
    edited October 2016

    I was on 10 mg for about 6 weeks due to severe muscle cramps caused by tam. They went away, I am now on 10 mg twice a day. My MO said that there are studies for 10 mg and even lower doses, they just were not conducted for as long as for 20 mg, which became the standard.


  • candi07
    candi07 Member Posts: 77
    edited October 2016

    I was just told I might need to take Tamoxifen....the S/Es sound really scary. I know everyone is different. I'm currently menopausal and experience hot flashes mainly at night...wondering if it gets worse while on Tamoxofen. I've seen comments about taking tamoxifen during pre and post menopause. Anyone going through menopause and taking tamoxifen?

  • superius
    superius Member Posts: 310
    edited October 2016

    I don't have s/e that I can think of, that are noticable. even the hot flashes went away. not sure if it's because I started putting turmeric & ginger in my coffee. but MO said they (hot flashes, etc) come & go.

    oh wait, there's one. edit to say that since tamoxifen a year ago, my period so far came back twice (beginning of July & end of Aug this year). I am 43.

  • tsoebbin
    tsoebbin Member Posts: 199
    edited October 2016

    how much tumeric and ginger do you take? Does anybody take capsules?

  • superius
    superius Member Posts: 310
    edited October 2016

    this is the basic recipe I found on Pinterest http://deeprootsathome.com/how-to-make-use-turmeric-golden-paste/

    since Ginger is also beneficial, I just add equal part ginger & turmeric to make this.. I don't know if you would store it at room temp, but there's  A LOT & I portioned it & put in freezer. I probably put about 1/2 to 1 tsp to my coffee. It has some grainly residue bottle of the cup, though. And I think it makes urine yellow. :p

  • labelle
    labelle Member Posts: 134
    edited October 2016

    I take Sports Research brand C3 complex turmeric curcumin capsules, made with bioperene and suspended in coconut oil. No fillers, says 500 mg of complex turmeric standardized extract. I take one capsule twice a day. I buy this on Amazon.

    I don't think I have any more or fewer hot flashes on Tamoxifen than I did before, but I do have ongoing problems with constipation and vaginal discharge .Annoying, but not life threatening. If you are post menopausal and taking/planning to take tamoxifen you should also talk to your gyno about possible increased surveillance since taking tamoxifen does increase the risk of endometrial cancer. I now get a transvaginal ultrasound every 6 months and have had to undergo a biopsy due to thickening of my endometrial lining. Everything was fine, although the biopsy was so NOT fun, next TVUS is scheduled for January. Making arrangements with my gyno to step up the monitoring of my endometrial lining, helped ease some of my fears about taking Tamoxifen/developing endometrial cancer.

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

    I take PureSun turmeric capsules with bioperene from Amazon.

    Scottie

  • superius
    superius Member Posts: 310
    edited November 2016

    I JUST noticed my bottle says manufacturer is Mayne. (I think I had Teva before). I did a brief search with that name. It looks like Mayne bought Teva, Maybe that explains my disappeared s/e? Although one of the poster said she call them & they didn't change the formula.

  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2016

    Teva bought Mayn, I thought.

  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 974
    edited November 2016

    I take Gaia turmeric with the black pepper included. It's made in NC and my holistic doctor visited the site to make sure it was cleanly produced. I take 1 capsule a day and it works great for me.

    candi07-I've had a total hysterectomy and am still on Tamoxifen. I plan to stay on it as long as my MO will let me since I've managed to find ways to mitigate my SEs. I was on Tamoxifen for 2 years prior to my hysterectomy and never had a hot flash. They didn't start till about a month after the surgery and I've found ways to manage them as well.

  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 166
    edited November 2016

    Thanks for all your replies. I took my two weeks off and was just starting to feel pretty good. I just started back up on Sunday night. I am hoping that everything doesn't come back. I didn't even realize until I read your post Stenokim that my left wrist was painful before and I never attributed it to the evil pill, but I guess it was because it stopped hurting when I stopped it for the two weeks.

  • Mom2fourplusmore
    Mom2fourplusmore Member Posts: 73
    edited November 2016

    imageI woke up this morning with a massive bruise. I didn't fall or do anything that caused it. It's 6inches wide and 4 inches high. It's swollen and more black then blue. Has anyone had this with tamoxifen and should I call the doctor? I figure it's no big deal but I want to be sure. Thanks.

  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 974
    edited November 2016

    mom2four---are you also taking a daily baby aspirin with your Tamoxifen? My MO put me on aspirin to help prevent blood clots. I woke up one morning with a big bruise on the side of my chin. I just happened to have a doctor's appt that day and we finally figured out it was the exact size of the palm of my hand....as in resting my chin in my palm!! My MO told me to reduce to a baby aspirin twice a week instead of daily. He feels it give all the benefits without the bruising part. It does help but I do still tend to get blood blisters on one forearm (I think it's where I catch my purse when it slides off my shoulder) and still bruise a bit easily. Of course, if you're not on an aspirin, none of this matters!! Maybe check with your doc to be sure.

  • Mom2fourplusmore
    Mom2fourplusmore Member Posts: 73
    edited November 2016
    no, I don't take anything else other then tamoxifen.
  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 974
    edited November 2016

    Wow! I take about 15 pills a day and 14 of them are to counterbalance the SEs of Tamoxifen!! Loopy (Some, of course, my MO requested that I take....)


  • katcar0001
    katcar0001 Member Posts: 321
    edited November 2016

    Ouch, mom2four! That does not look good... esp. since you are not taking aspirin or anything else that could thin the blood. Do check with your doc!

  • Blownaway
    Blownaway Member Posts: 662
    edited November 2016

    Has anyone stopped seeing their onco after 2-3 years? If so, who renews your Tamo prescription?

  • lovelightandbreastcancer
    lovelightandbreastcancer Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2016

    I am new to this but am looking for advice please.

    I am really nervous to start my tamoxifen and as stupid as it sounds - I have had the prescription for 3 weeks and haven't taken it yet. I have been afraid to take it because of the side effects. Here's the thing.....I went through 8 rounds of chemo ......and that is some serious medications yet I'm allowing THIS to scare me? Help.....

    Dx 1/21/2016, IDC, Right, Grade 3, Stage 2, 0/2 nodes, ER+ 10%, PR- HER2-

    Surgery 3/24/2016 Double Mastectomy

    Chemotherapy 5/5/2016 - 8/19/2016

    Surgery 10/24/2016 Expanders Removed / Implants Inserted

  • tbalding
    tbalding Member Posts: 383
    edited November 2016

    lovelight, I know what you mean. The first time I took it, I put it on the counter and stared at it forever. I started taking it July 16 and have not had any noticeable side effects. Now I consider it the most important pill I take. Everyone is different. If you have se you'll work with your MO to manage them.

  • tsoebbin
    tsoebbin Member Posts: 199
    edited November 2016

    I'm in day 3... no side effects here yet! LOL

    I was supposed to start taking in August and have made so many excuses they got to be funny. But I found out last week I'm going to be a grandmother for the first time, so I decided what the hell... I'd better try everything I can to make sure this cancer never comes back!

  • SerenitySTAT
    SerenitySTAT Member Posts: 3,534
    edited November 2016

    tsoebbin - Congrats on incoming grandchild! I'm on day 3 as well with no side effects. Winking I started a few days after I got the script. My MO made an appointment for a month out so I felt I couldn't delay. Sneaky on his part.

  • Lovinggrouches
    Lovinggrouches Member Posts: 346
    edited November 2016

    I started in July, of course I don't know what, if any side effects I may have had since I started it five weeks after my hysterectomy, so most of the problems I've had may just be the surgery. My hot flashes, mood swings, crying spells and brain fog are signs of surgical menopause lol!!! Kind of glad I don't know lol!!! I will take that dang pill come he$ or high water!!!!!! I HAVE to do all I can!!! Of course, Effexor and ambien have greatly improved my hot flashes and insomnia. Two years ago, I only took one med for reflux, now i take 13 that include supplements. I take pepcid, aspirin, ambien, effexor, a torvastatin, magnesium, senna, Januvia, metformin, vitamin d, tamoxifen, calcium, biotin for the hair falling out. The biotin has worked for slowing down the hair loss

  • MJS1266
    MJS1266 Member Posts: 159
    edited November 2016

    Mom2fourplusmore,

    You should get that checked out it could be a blood clot?  Is it on your leg?  Blood clots are a potential SE of Tamoxifen.  Sending positive thoughts.  MJS


  • Mom2fourplusmore
    Mom2fourplusmore Member Posts: 73
    edited November 2016

    MJS...thanks. I was wondering the same thing. But my thought is that it's not a clot but rather a burst vessel. I don't think any blood is stuck because now it's all in my muscle. Lol. But I wouldn't know the signs of a blood clot. I see the Dr in a week and a half. I figure I will check then. Thanks.


    Tsoebbin, congratulations. They say that being a grandparent is reward for us not killing our kids. Hahahahaha...seriously though there is nothing like new life in a family. A baby is Gods greatest gift. Enjoy and post a picture when the baby is born.

  • Catkin
    Catkin Member Posts: 42
    edited November 2016

    lovelightandbreastcancer I think you should have a go and take the pill. You never know you may have hardly any side effects, we are all different in how we react, if at all. I remember the evening I took the first one with trepidation. It does feel like crossing over a threshold. I never had the chemo thing, makes me feel like an amateur :)

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