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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • Libertine
    Libertine Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2018
    Hi All, haven't added my diagnosis to my profile...too much else going on since diagnosed in June 2017, then right side mastectomy in July...then Chemo, Radiation...now I just started Tamoxifen about 3 weeks ago. So far not much of a difference. I do notice the dehydration and have had some insomnia..oh yeah and hot flashes...those actually have been welcomed since we have had a real taste of winter here in Tampa,FL this year. Glad to see so many doing well on this. Doc said max of 2yrs on this since I am most likely headed into menopause anyhow. This isn't a club I would volunteer to belong to, but since I am here anyhow...happy to see lots of women who share their experiences. Makes things a lot less scary for me.
  • Artista964
    Artista964 Member Posts: 376
    edited January 2018

    you can just get the 20mg and use a pill cutter to split it if doc says no.

  • Chiarara
    Chiarara Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2018

    Still no hot flushes- although it is very warm, temperature-wise, here (It's summer). I keep thinking "Is that a hot flush?' and then realise it is just because it is HOT and I have been walking around.

    No further signs of insomnia. Bladder slowly calming down...


  • Lewhy
    Lewhy Member Posts: 33
    edited January 2018

    Hi All, I have been following this thread because I am almost done with radiation and will be starting Tamoxifen mid February. I am 52, 53 in February, and post menopausal. I had a hysterectomy about 8 years ago and they did leave one ovary in. I had blood work done before I started radiation and it showed I was post menopausal. Even though I am, my MO still said to take Tamoxifen. I have been dreading the hot flashes, because I have so many a day now. She did prescribe Gabapentin 300 mg as needed at bedtime to help with the hot flashes, but I have only tried it 3 times and I felt so tired when I woke up that I haven't used it again. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experience on Tamoxifen!

  • sg751
    sg751 Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2018

    Is anyone still getting the Teva generic filled by their pharmacy or has it actually been discontinued (their website shows it as available...)? That is the only one that hasn't given me side effects and my pharmacy (Express Scripts) doesn't have it. I'm in NC but I'm glad to order online, even out of network, if I can find Teva.

    Thank you!

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited January 2018

    yes...I get TEVA at CVS...

  • TaRenee
    TaRenee Member Posts: 406
    edited January 2018

    I have these horrible dark circles under my eyes. I know it’s the fatigue. What do you ladies use for that? I have rested a LOT the last few days. But the circles are ridiculous.

  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2018

    I’ve been on Tamoxifen a week tomorrow AM. So far I haven’t noticed any side effects yet. I get hot flashes at night anyway so I haven’t noticed if they are more frequent. I’m going to start trying taking magnesium that Michelle mentioned. Anything to help reduce even one hot flash at night would be welcome! So not fair we women have to endure hot flashes after years of dealing with periods. WTH. I sure miss sleeping great every night like I used to be able to. Hot flashes are just brutal punishment

  • Blownaway
    Blownaway Member Posts: 662
    edited January 2018

    Lewhy - I was in menopause at 48 (early bloomer) . Took Premarin, had a complete hysterectomy at around 51, continue with Premarin until dxed at 57. The Premarin was to keep the hot flashes at bay. After lumpectomy, chemo & rads, my onco put me on Tamoxifen due to a prior history of osteoporosis. I quit taking Tamo after this past Thanksgiving and the hot flashes are no better. The bone pain, headaches are gone and my hair is growing faster and my joints are not as stiff. Effexor, gabapentin and duloxitine did not help, even after many dosage increases. I have finally weaned myself off all those drugs. I see a new onco in March and will probably get fussed at for taking a break and put right back on either Tamo or maybe one of the AIs.

  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 327
    edited January 2018

    taranee, i use this corrective concealer from Physician formula. I love it. There are different brands but i find this one blends better. It is a different color so you might need to blend and try it out.

  • Lewhy
    Lewhy Member Posts: 33
    edited January 2018

    Thanks for the info Blown away. I am not going to bother taking anything for the hot flashes. I will just try to deal with them.

  • inccmd
    inccmd Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2018

    Trver - keep the tips coming. They're helpful.

  • sg751
    sg751 Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2018

    Thank you Scrafgal! I'm going to call my local CVS today!

  • Michelle_in_cornland
    Michelle_in_cornland Member Posts: 1,233
    edited January 2018

    TaRenee, I just saw a product last night that could possibly help. It is called Pure, and it is gel patches that go under the eye. They seem to reduce dark eye circles and puffiness. I have not tried them, but was interested in finding out more about them. There are 15 pairs for 19.00 and if you have Amazon Prime, shipping is free.


    image

    Here is a blurb on the use of magnesium to treat migraines. For those of you that have headaches with Tamoxifen, magnesium might be worth a try.

    Found on google:

    Symptoms of being low in magnesium include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle cramping, tingling, and muscle contractions. Low magnesium is also linked to headaches and migraines. ... Magnesium, and particularly magnesium oxide, is sometimes used to treat and prevent migraines.

    *************************************************************************

    I am taking the Magnesium Oxide, 125mgs which is 1/2 of a 250mg chalky tablet. As always, ask your MO before starting any new supplements, herb, therapies, etc. I did some digging, and there are no contraindications between Tamoxifen and magnesium (low dose).

    Here is a you tube video on how to deal with a hooded eyelid, that also has some good tips on camouflaging the under eye area.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfQ4n_Ko-fY

  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2018

    Does Tamoxifen thin hair? I don’t remember my MO even mentioning that fact!

  • inccmd
    inccmd Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2018

    I have been on Tamoxifen since September and have a number of SE although none of them severe - just a little annoying. One thing that has been more bothersome, and I'm looking for tips, is some swelling in the ankles. My MO says it's probably my body leaping into menopause (I'm 48 and was regular until this roller coaster ride). On the vitamin front, I take D, B6 and Mg in addition to a multi. Besides drinking lots of water, what suggestions do you have? Anyone else having this issue?

  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited January 2018

    Recommended to me but I do not have hot flashes is something I believe called Icool that can be found on Amazon. Also, a neurologist mentioned to me (not cancer related) that magnesium helps with migraines. So I started taking it years ago. A few varieties, also on Amazon, one called Migra-relief (close to that anyway!). It may have feverfew as well, which is good for headaches. Apparently, lots of people have magnesium deficiency. I now take with calcium, so I'm getting magnesium from another source.

    Cutting down on red wine every night cut down on my headaches! LOL

  • Chiarara
    Chiarara Member Posts: 20
    edited January 2018

    Ghionik, yes. The big T may cause hair thinning on the scalp, and may encourage extra hair in other places, a SE I hope I miss! The theory is that the blockade of estrogen means that androgens can be more active at the hair follicles, reducing hair growth on the scalp and increasing it elsewhere.

  • Ghionik
    Ghionik Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2018

    Chiarara - I hope I miss that SE too. Looks like you started the big T around the same time as I did. Xox

  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 246
    edited January 2018

    I have an increase in dark circles, almost purple like someone punched me and dry skin. found putting Nivea(round, blue container) has done wonders with helping me with moisture. I also found a concealer/corrector that Target carries called Pixi. Its a makeup dupe for high end concealer. It comes in a light peach or med. I put it on after I have dabbed on some foundation, then put it on, then a lighter concealer, then a dab more of foundation to blend.


    edited for spelling

  • TaRenee
    TaRenee Member Posts: 406
    edited January 2018

    I don’t generally wear makeup. Powder sometimes. Occasionally blush and mascara. Mostly I wear tinted Bert’s bees lip balm and that’s about it. Now I feel like I NEED it. Between the dark circles and the mustache and little beard hairs.... bleh. Guess I need to go shopping for makeup after all. And a good pair of tweezers.

  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2018

    Blownaway~ You are not a weak link! You are doing the best you can. I hope that you and your new onc find some solutions. <3

  • trvler
    trvler Member Posts: 931
    edited January 2018

    Dark circles because no one can sleep on this shi$!!! I am about one second from stopping altogether but I am stopping until I can get some sleep. I haven't slept well in weeks. I discontinued for surgery Dec 21 and started back up again a week later. My sleep has gotten worse the longer it goes. I am not taking the pill today.

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited January 2018

    Trvler

    I had severe sleep problems during the last part of chemo and for a coupie of months after....at which point I started tamoxifen too! It made me frustrated and irritable, and I was just not myself. All through chemo, I resisted taking anything to help me sleep.

    However, I finally relented and spoke to my doctor about various things such as melatonin, Ambien etc.

    It so happens that by the time I suffered enoughbto agree to take something, things got better. However, I was willing to get medicinal help, if it meant getting some sleep.

    So, I just want to encourage you to try some alternatives to help you sleep while taking Tamox. Who knows? Maybe your body will reset and you won't need the help for the long haul.

    Hope you rest well during your break from Tamox. The drug has a long half life so it might take a while to leave your system to relieve your sleep, but I hope you feel a difference sooner rather than later.

  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited January 2018

    I take melatonin every night right before Tamox. I've read something on this site about that actually being beneficial in some way besides sleep. (Can't recall exactly what at the moment -- thanks Tamox!) LOL

  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 327
    edited January 2018

    does anyone else bruise easier on Tamoxifen

  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited January 2018

    Yes. But I also take Omega 3 and Tumeric, which thin blood.

  • scrafgal
    scrafgal Member Posts: 413
    edited January 2018

    I read somewhere that low levels of melatonin could linked to breast cancer risk, which is why night-shift workers might have more risk. Lack of sleep might also indicate (or cause) low levels of melatonin?

  • Lurline
    Lurline Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2018

    Hi all,

    I started Tamoxifen in August after double-mastectomy in June.  I felt fine, no real hot flashes or anything, until 4 months after I started taking Tamoxifen.  In December I suddenly started to get bone pain (whole body).  After sitting for any period of time (like when I get out of the car) I feel like I'm 80 years old hobbling around.  I had started running again and was up to 7 miles but haven't run since 12/6 because the bone pain is so bad and my feet hurt especially badly.  Is this normal?  And if so is it normal to not hit until 4 months into it?

    Thanks!

  • trvler
    trvler Member Posts: 931
    edited January 2018

    I have taken everything and done everything I can think of. I keep making excuses each night why I don't sleep but I just can't escape the fact that it's the Tamoxifen. I was taking .5 mg of xanax through treatment and got off of that but started again when I was traveling a lot last year. I am down to .25 and I am not sleeping. I also take melatonin before bed and again around 1 am. My sister (I am at her house) says valerian root works for her so I tried that last night and nada. The last time I slept a decent night was just before I started Tamoxifen again after surgery. So I know that's what it is. My doctor wants me off the Xanax. Says it can cause dementia.

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