Bottle o Tamoxifen
Comments
-
Chriself you did not say how long you have been on T but I had many of the same symptoms that you are experiencing. I got nauseated about 2 weeks into it and it was so bad I could not even get out of bed and go to work. Called the MO and he took me off of it for a few days and treated my tummy with reglan. Then when he put me back on it he added a prilosec daily along with it. I have been fine with that every since. The stiff joints and muscles lasted a while but my MO put me on Glucosomine chondrointine with msm twice a day. It did help and I think my body just finally adjusted. But also I now have bad hip pain so I have been put on celebrex so I think that also took care of my stiff joints. I had a rough start with T but my MO keep telling me my body would adjust and it would get better. I took about 2 to 3 months for all the SE to settle down and then I was OK. The only SE's that I have now are insomnia and hot flashes. The hot flashes come and go and I finally gave in to the insomnia and take Lunesta. I tried melatonion and it worked for awhile but then the hot flashes got so bad that the malatonion does not work any longer. Hate taking all the drugs but I hate being sleep deprived even more. If you want to PM my anytime feel free.
0 -
Just popping in to say Good Morning - may be out of touch this week - working solo.
0 -
Just saying HI as well !!! Hope everyone had a good weekend. Thanks for those that commented on me stressing and not coming here as much as I used too.
Shari ~ sorry for all your family is going through.
MamaV ~ hang in there. Live in the moment. (I know I know easier said than done)
Jo ~ how sweet of you with your co-worker.
Paula thinking of you and praying all will be well !
To anyone I missed newbies and breast friends ((((HUGS)))))
Alicia
0 -
Hi Ladies ~ I start Tamox in a week or so and am so grateful to absorb all your info and am touched by your empathy and true open hearts with eachother. I'll be joining in soon but I have a quick question. What is the 24 hour rule you speak of? Big Hug.
0 -
MamaV and Paula so sorry to hear all that is going on with you ladies. Someone said it in a earlier message that sometimes it is so hard to come on here everyday as it just seems to be sad news all the time and after getting to know all you lovely ladies, it hurts to read all the pain and suffering and stress each one is going through. Please know even though I am not on here as often as I like, I love you all.....
Sandee I have to agree with Tink, I love the new profile pic pretty lady.
Ok, so I have been told off by what I thought was a good friend to find out is not today. She laid into me about my character and how I treat her as opposed to my other friends and went on and on about what a shitty friend I am......She brought up an incidence that happened at a party I threw for the 4th of July and only 2 weeks after my father dies. Why I continued to let her slam me is beyond me....I hate confrontation at all times, but she laid into me for almost 2 hours and I stood there and took it.....what the hell is wrong with me? I can honestly tell you I cannot be friends with her but her daughter and my daughter love each other and she is our sitter, so what the heck am I to do about this? She even told me her 15 year old daughter says I treat her Mom differently and noticed how I am as a person......WTH! I guess according to her I have huge flaws and it is all MY FAULT!!!
0 -
Lavendar is a rule that we calm done and just breath 24 and then freak out about whats going on. It really does help. If you have any questions feel free to post them. The gals around here are so helpful. We do get silly at times but we also can get down to bussiness as well.
Chriself I too had pain like you wouldnt believe. It went on for months and months. I thought I was gonna scream because my joints hurt so bad. My hubby has been great about it. He has become alittle over protective at times. But up until about 3 weeks ago the pain was still there. I started taking the Tammi in June so thats how long it lasted for me. Hot flashes are still bad though. Thank goodness its coming upon winter and if I have a good one I just go outside or stand on the porch for abit. I never really had tummy issues so I am no help there. Good luck and post away any questions you have or just need to vent.
Tink have you in my prayers!
Jo been missing you! Hope your not working too hard!
To all my tammi sissies have a great day and enjoy it!
0 -
OMG June I just saw you post. WTH kind of person is that. Lets see her handle what you've had to in the last year and see how she handles it. Not only did you have BC to deal with, your fathers passing as well. Its enough to handle one on its own. Its sounds like she is the one who has her own issues that she needs to get over herself. You have many other people who love you for you and dont need someone this toxic to you! Some people dont get how BC can be a life changer. You always here how it changes people and how they look at life in a different way. But do they really let people know what changes it can do to a person in all areas of their life Plus to drag a child into this is low in my opinion. You dont have put up with this kind of abuse if you dont want to. I hope some others can help you along. If she was closer to me I would get MamaV wicked pillow and show her how we do it Tammi style! Hugs to you my sissy!
0 -
JUne I can't believe she lit into you for 2 hours. I think I would try to find another sitter and get that toxic person out of my life. As Paula said you have had enough to deal with in the last year. You really do not need her crap.
0 -
Had a few minutes to just pop in. Work is so incredibly crazy busy. My coworker called and she made it to Ohio safely.
Paula - miss you too.
Don't when I can come back but rest assured you are all in my thoughts and prayers
0 -
Paula and Sherry I cannot be friends with her anymore, I am just afraid at how this is going to affect my daughter who is friends with her daughter. Yes her daughter is 4 years older than mine, but the love my child has for her daughter is immense and she is a great sitter......I just cannot believe I am such a looser that I listened to her go on and on for almost 2 hours....I need to get my head checked.....
Now off to see Mom and hope she is doing well.....love to you all!
0 -
Chriself- I learned on this board tosplit the does 10mgs inamand 10mgs in pm...really slowed down the hotflashes...I am now on arimidex and have had the same thoughs as you...'to hell with these side affects...I will go without!"...but here Iam 8 weeks later...waiting formy body to calm down and adjust...as I said to my chiropractor today....I donot even realize how much pain I am in until I feel tears rollingdown my cheeks or burst into tears over 'nothing'...but doing things like going for a massage, the chiropractor and naturopath help....immensely!
June-Your friend sounds lke the shitty friend....some people deal with pain with aggression...like you, I do not want conflict..Iwant to sort the world out so there isn't any and when it comes hurtling my way, I try to dodge it ...my sister did the same thing to me two Christmas's ago...I knew at the time (and still know) that it is how she dealt with my having shut down emotionally...I felt safe enough with her to not have to pretend that I was any way other than I was....she let me have it the night before Ileft...right after a lovely meal when we were both relaxed.....while still in the restaurant....and then said ' Do you have anything to say?".....uh....no???? but she was right...I was treating her differently....I was snapping at her..giving her one word answers when she deserved more...I was able to find 'polite' with other people but with her I was simply in a big black depressed hole....unfortunately....it has really affected what I do and do nottell her...and because of that reaction, when I was diagnosed, I did not have her with me the day of surgery...and that too has put a huge rift between us .... guess the question is...did she lash out at you maliciously? does she usually handle emotional crises this way? is she missing you and feeling left out and doesn't know how to tell you appropriately?...or is she simply a lousy friend and one you can do without....as for why you listened for two hours....because she stunned you?...honestly, some people seem to have a power over us and we end up beingdeer in the headlights....I could no more have walked out of that restaurant than you could have walked away from your friend....
You may not be able to be friends with her any more...fair enough....but are you able to tell her how you feel and that you are going to pull away but are happy to have her daughter continue to babysit? such crap..sosorry you have this added to your plate!
0 -
Junie.. what in the wordl... she sounds spolied and like she wasnt getting enough attention!!!. That is unbelievable to me. You are an amazing person. You know what, soooo what if you may have had some unpleasant moments sooo what you have bben through hell and back and a real friend get that and has your back no matter what! Love you Junie!!! you got us and so many others babe xoxoxoxox
Ladies
went to MO today. I love her really, she said she would do whatever she could to get me through these 5 years and beyond. Took bloodwork to see if Vit D B12 AND THYROID are in check and could be causing hand/finger joint pain. She said it is not a typical se to TAM but did not dismiss it She said she sees that I am ultra sensitive to the medication ( ya think lol) and some women are and it could be that. She said that if blood work is normal that I should go to my PC and thinks it could bethe start of carpel tunnel so we will see. The US sounds results she said were very indicitive of TaMOXIFEN and to just watch it. She prescribed Effexor and said to see what they did for the weepiness and moods, so at somepoint I will start it and give it a shot...
0 -
Tink sounds like you have a wonderful Doc who doesn't blow you off......I wish we could all have that. I love my Doc's but they do blow me off......
0 -
Hi everyone,
I started the tamoxifen about 3 weeks ago. This past week, I have noticed a "depression" coming in. I have a history of a low level depression and have been on a antidepressant ( serzone) that has worked really well for me, but now I am feeling that "depression" return two weeks post T. I take the T in the morning, as one time I forgot it and took it late afternoon and have a very hard time sleeping that night, even with the sleeping pill I take. Has anyone with a history of depression that was under control start having difficulties again with the Tamoxifen? Anyone else have trouble at all with depression since starting tamoxifen? Did it resolve itself? Did anything help?
I would appreciate any feedback!
Thank you!
0 -
Greetings to all my buddies. I am sending lots of extra hugs out to Jo, June, MamaV, Marie, Sandee, Sherri, Paula, Alica, and anyone else I have forgotten to name. Sounds like you all need some!
Singlemom, I had a lot of problems with depression when I started tamoxifen, and actually quit taking it after a couple of months with that, plus pain issues. When I started it again, I took half dose for a week, then half dose twice a day for a week, then full dose in the am. I don't know if that helped, or if it was my imagination, but it seems that my body adjusted to it better with this approach.
0 -
Linda - Thanks for the hugs - sure needed one today. Hugs back at you.
Missing all my Tammi friends. Super busy at work - so I may be MIA for the rest of the week.
0 -
June you are not a loser for not saying anything. If anything you took the high road which is a lot harder to do than to react.
Tink glad you appt went well and that your Dr listens to you.
0 -
I just wanted to post that since we have some new gals reading that now would be a good time to let them know about mixing Tamoxifen and other drugs. Awhile back Jo posted a great site and its called drugs.com. Check it out before you take anything even doctor prescribed. There have been some gals who have posted that even though thier doc prescribed it, it didnt work well toghther. We have to be extra careful while we are taking Tammo and other meds, just sayn.
Singlemom, I take Effexr and I can see a difference with it. I am still edgy at times or I have weepy times but I chaulk it up to the Tammi and what its doing to me.
0 -
Paula66--Just wanted to add that your pharmacist is a great resource. They seem to be more on top of interactions than the doctors sometimes.
0 -
Thanks SAB I forgot about the pharmacist. I go to him now even for OTC meds as well. I dont do many of them so I forget about him. Also a quick shout out for the natural stuff out there for hot flashes. My Onc has told me to be careful of them because they arent good to do because of the natural estregen that they have in them. She told me if I had any questions about them to just call her. Im sure there are some that are safe so someone here might be able to help with that.
Well all I have 4yrs and 6 months left of my Tammo. I have made it thru the last 6 months and it has been a ride for sure. Some SE has worked themselves out, while others just hang on. The hot flashes are still a bugger and Im glad its winter so I just step outside and cool down.
0 -
Paula - Drugs.com and your local pharmacist are both good sources. If you check amitriptyline and Tamoxifen - it says there is a medium risk of drug interaction but in talking with both my MO and the pain management doctor, the benefits of taking this drug far out weight the risks. Where have we all heard that line before???? I have 4 years and one month left on Tammi - but who is counting. LOL!
0 -
Paula that was a good idea to post the drugs.com. I always refer to that and if something comes up questionable then I call my MO. They have a very extensive database that they use and sometimes will tell me to go ahead and take the new drug. But I have had them tell me do not take the new drug and they will help me find something that I can take.
As for the natural things for hot flashes. The only one that I have read that is not a phyto-estrogen is black cohosh. I have not tried it so I don't know if it really works or not.
0 -
Hi,
I'm a big fan of drugs.com before any new drug. I know we all have good drs, but I think we need to be vigilant, as even unintentionally, the drs can't think of everything and things can fall through the cracks. I actually drove everyone a bit crazy until we found an asthma med for me that didn't contraindicate with tamoxifen. Everyone was too blase, saying it was nothing, but you know, it's my body! Not nothing to me. I say we have to be our own advocates. Not necessarily our own drs, but we have to be nudges sometimes. Not worry what they think of us. I would suggest not even trying black cohosh without checking if it's ok as I read that it might be a problem w tamoxifen. Another good site is www.aicr.com. American Institute of Cancer Research. You can send them questions about supplements and they'll write back to you.
June, I hate that this woman did this to you! I think that stresses between people can be the worst, especially when we're so sensitive and still vulnerable. You don't need to have stuff that festers or aggravates you. I know that you're used to having her in your life, but she doesn't sound like she's that good for you. People can change and one thing that someone said to me is that with breast cancer she had some real surprises about people. Some of her 'best friends' couldn't deal with it, with her. And some acquaintances rose to the occasion and became closer friends. There have been so many shifts in our lives as a result of this crazy disease, maybe reevaluating friendships is not a bad idea. I know it may feel like a loss at first, but if she's poison for you, it'll be better for you, to not have her in your life. I'm not so good at this and I probably would have sat there like you did. But unless you can hash it out with her, and she can understand what it's like to be you, and empathize,...good riddance. Better for your daughter, too, to see the example that you only keep people in your life who are good for you. It is hard, though, to be disappointed in friends...
To the ladies who are having joint pain, I've found that this helps me: omega 3 capsules, drinking lots of water, yoga, walking and swimming. This SE also has lessened with time.
Dad is getting outpatient treatmt for his new leukemia. Doing ok w the side effects so far. I am planning to come into the states to be with them for a while in January. Keep him in your good thoughts, Ladies. Thanks.
MamaV and Paula, there with you in pockets. I've got my mammogram on Sunday (coincidentally, my birthday!) Wishing everyone well.
Shari
0 -
Forgot to add that I was so impressed with Jo for helping out her friend. That was such a nice thing you did, Jo.
Nice bunch of women here...
0 -
sgreenarch - My friend really needed to be home and it was the least I could do for her. She could not give me enough hugs before she left.
0 -
Yes Jo is a sweet lady and we are all lucky to have her, love you JO...... Shari, it is sad and I lost a lot of sleep over it last nite, but after all she said over something so small in my eyes and to ream me the way she did and go on and on about my character, I really don't think I can go there and I think is it me??? Should I just continue and try harder, was it all me? But then on the other hand she has been making small comments for awhile especially since I lost some weight and feel better about myself. She always tells me I dress like her daughter (who is 15 years old). Yes there are times when I wear something I never would have worn before when I was heavier, but I am not at all trampy or dress like a teenager....PLEASE I am 46 and married for goodness sake. So with all the small hurt over the years, I think she is poison and I should do away with her. It's just hard to lose a friend who I thought I cared about and vice versa.
Thank you all for the constant support regardless if it is not cancer related. You guys are the best comfort a girl could ask for.....and she is probably jealous that I have you ladies as well.
0 -
June - I am so sorry you're going through such crap with this supposed friend. You've got (we all have!) enough on our plates without adding something like this. From what I know of you, you are lovely, delightful, kind, & intelligent. My first reaction is that she's jealous of you. I don't know, and I'm not trying to presume to know her reasoning. But I know for ME, it's really hard to NOT take things like that VERY personally, and to heart, and to dwell on them. It's also hard for me to cut loose someone I thought I was friends with.
So, I doubt any of that ramble was helpful, just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you.
Huge purrs,
Jenn
0 -
June - all I can say is that is just WRONG! She is not a friend. Time to let her go out of your life. I would tell my daughter that the girl's mother had some unkind words for you and that you are going to still let her sit for you, but you will be limiting your contact from now one. Our daughters are almost the same age ... she'll get it.
Update on me: I had my followup mammogram today and my BS wanted to see it before I left. After sweating it out, they told me the only changes in my breast were the surgical area, so sent me home with a 'normal'. I don't really know if this makes me feel much better b/c I had three mammos last year - my first ever at 40, a follow up 2 weeks later b/c of dense breasts, and then a diagnostic two weeks later b/c I felt the lump - all three came back "normal". Ultrasound and MRI proved otherwise then. I talked to the nurse a little more about the MRI from last week and she said she expects the BS and MOs to 'watch' a few areas for changes b/c I have never had a baseline MRI. (only MRI I had was last year after excisional biospy came back with BC). So, I think I'm feeling a little less stressed, but will feel better when I see the RO and BS next week.
Still wondering if I should just get a mascetomy so I don't have to go through this all the time ...
Vicky
0 -
June - Tell me where this person lives. I am going to snatch her up and throw her ass in the bonfire and watch her burn very slowly. It is cold in deep South Texas and the fire needs some fuel. When I am finished with that - I am going to come up there and give you a great big hug and then we will share a bottle of wine. Once the bottle is gone - well, we won't be responsible - LOL!!!! Love ya darlin'0
-
MamaV glad everything is clear for now. I know what you mean. I have dense breast as well and mammo's are quiet a joke for me. All my Docs say they are worthless yet I still have to have them. Even with insurance breast MRI's are expensive. I was already thinking of doing a BMX and after my scare last month and surgery it cinched the deal. I am moving forward with it at the end of March. It is all a very personal decision but I know it is the right one for me. After I interviewed three PS and finally made my mind up about who and what kind of reconstruction for the first time since all this started I felt at peace so I know it is the right thing for me. Good luck, I just hate the rollercoaster.
0
