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Bottle o Tamoxifen

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Comments

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Posts: 7,545
    edited March 2012

    Thanks in advance everyone.  I will report in when I get back.  (((HUGS)))

  • schipmom
    schipmom Posts: 100
    edited March 2012
    Jo:  Just popping in to say I will be in your pocket today too!!Cool
  • June2268
    June2268 Posts: 926
    edited March 2012

    Ceez congrats on a clean and clear visit, nothing better!

    Sandee it has been a year already!  WOW!  It seems like yesterday....I am so glad a year is behind you and now party it up for your trip and have the best time.  You know you will be missed.

    Jo I don't blame you for worrying, but please know we are here to support you and yes it is okay to feel weak once every now and then.....you are one strong amazing lady and we will be holding you up today!

    Hugs to all you lovely ladies......

  • harley63
    harley63 Posts: 30
    edited March 2012

    YAY!!  So glad to hear the good news, Ceeztheday!

    Harley

  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Posts: 1,998
    edited March 2012

    Sadee... thanks but I havent taken a break from Tammi I wish lol!!!!

    Jo.. wings ready to be with you today!

    Paula..Oh the dmagae I could of done with Mimi sleeping and that eye candy... just too darn tired let him all for Junie...and you! ha

  • michellemc0
    michellemc0 Posts: 1
    edited March 2012

    Help!  I finished rads on Friday and started Tamoxifen on Saturday.  Well, I can honestly say that the last three days have been the worst (physically) since I was diagnosed in October.  I have not slept at all--am awake all night long, maybe catching 20 minutes here and there.  I have had a headache (which hurts like a migraine) since about 12 hours in to the first dose.  Tylenol does not touch the pain (due to a stomach issue I cannot take NSAIDs like Advil).

    I need some encouragement ladies.  I have three little ones and I can't even see straight today.  What have you done/What would you do?  I didn't even want to take it today.  I swear, I haven't complained during this whole journey (not out loud anyway, lol) but this is really affecting me.

  • harley63
    harley63 Posts: 30
    edited March 2012

    michellemc0,

    Take a seat on this train, and hold on tight...  sometimes it can be a bumpy ride!   

    I am sorry about the nasty headache, I get more than my fair share of them too.  I know another friend who says that she has been getting more headaches since starting Tamoxifen.   I don't take Tylenol, because it doesn't work; for me, I think it's a placebo!  LOL

    Maybe you could try Excedrin.  That works for me.   I also was dx'd with migraines, and if it doesn't get better, I take one of my migraine pills before I go to bed.  Usually, it's gone when I wake up.

    Good luck to you...     ooh,  when you get a chance, check out the pasta bar, and maybe the dessert bar....  

    Sending HUGS

    Harley

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Posts: 7,545
    edited March 2012

    Good Morning Ladies,

    I am back from my mammo and everything is okay.  The tech did 4 different views on each side.  It's funny - last year when I had my mammo - the tech only did 2 views.  When I asked you about it, she said they don't do diagnostic mammos anymore.  Looking back, I think either she did not know how to do them or was just plan lazy.  Most likely the latter.  Anyway, when we were finished with the views I was escorted to a private room while she went to talk to the radiologist.  I am now freaking out since I have never had this happen.  She did come back a few minutes later and said everything looked good.  Results will be at my MOs office by Friday and then I can get my recon surgery scheduled.

    Thanks for the pocket party everyone.  Hey Tink!  You can get off my shoulder now.   

  • Paula66
    Paula66 Posts: 1,572
    edited March 2012

    michelle are you taking the Tammo whole or are you taking it split.  Half in the am and half in the pm.  I dont know if this will help with the heasdaches or not.  My main issues is joint pain and hot flashes.  I know with the little ones Im sure you dont take a strong sleeping aid.  I dont know how strong the melaton is but that may be something to check out.  Good Luck and hang in there.

    Yahoo Jo Im so happy that all went well with your mammo. 

  • 1openheart
    1openheart Posts: 250
    edited March 2012

    Melatonin is helping me sleep.  I am still waking up with the night sweats, but can usually fall back asleep after the cover tossing and cover replacing cycle is over!

  • scrappylady
    scrappylady Posts: 4
    edited March 2012

    Michelle...I feel the same way you do...this tamoxifen has thrown me for a loop! Didn't realize this would be the hardest part of my cancer journey..and then to think it lasts for FIVE years! Yikes. i actually took the next 2 days off work so I could sleep when my body was ready; my kids are teenagers so its a bit easier as far as not having little ones anymore. Also in the past few days have noticed heart palpitations. Seriously?! crazy stuff for sure. I go to my med onc. tomorrow for check up and am making a list of all these side effects and will see what she says. Hope we can all hang in there.

  • harley63
    harley63 Posts: 30
    edited March 2012

    Jo, so glad your mammo turned out all GOOD!!  YAY!  Happy dance!!

    Happy 1st day of Spring, everybody!

    I have only 194 Tamoxifen pills left to go...     after today, that is...

    Have a Happy Day!!
    Harley

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Posts: 4,503
    edited March 2012

    congrats Ceez on the good news

    Jo I was thinking the same thing about 79 being hot.  That is like perfect weather to me.

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Posts: 4,503
    edited March 2012

    Jo seems I missed your pocket party, but I sure am glad everything was good so now you can move forward on the reconstruction.

    Michelle-I have been on tammi for a little over a year although I am on a break from it right now because of surgery next week.  but from day one i have had sleep issues with it.  I finally decided I could not take it any long and resorted to lunesta.  There are times I can take a break from lunesta and just take melatonin but I cann't sleep if I don't take anything.  I figure if I am going to have to take this for 4 more years I will just have to take sleep aides because I cannot go without sleep I become a real b*&%h and no one wants to be around me.haha

  • June2268
    June2268 Posts: 926
    edited March 2012

    Sherry and Jo.....not sure how you  Texas gals do it......We hit 83 again today and the rest of the week is  supposed to be in the high 80's.  I have not yet gotten any of my capris out so I am much hotter than usual.  Not sure if this is peri-menopause as well as I can't seem to stand the heat this year at all.  What gives?

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Posts: 7,545
    edited March 2012

    Oh June - Temps in the 80s are perfect days.  Those are the days I would like to skip work and be out on the golf course or in my gardens.  You have to remember, I don't get snow and nasty stuff like that.

  • Nunina
    Nunina Posts: 3
    edited March 2012

    Wow! Great to find this thread! It didn't occurr to me that it was the Tamox the culprit for the bags under my eyes!  I can't sleep very well either.  Now, when I do sleep, I dream weird, weird things!!! Are any of you dreaming weird dreams?  I could never remember my dreams, but this past month (1st month with Tamox) has been just one dream after another... hey, I even had a dream with my ex-husband! Surprised 

    On another note, I recently started having headaches although my BP is normal.  I also get ovary pain around 30 minutes after taking the pill and I get very dizzy.  Since Friday I've been having pelvic pain and pressure.  I am probably ovulating, but it's starting to get kind of anoying and I am not feeling too good overall... does any of this sounds familiar?

  • peg119
    peg119 Posts: 190
    edited March 2012

    Nunina - I have had very weird dreams on Tamox.  I have resorted to taking an Ambien almost every night but still can't sleep through the night and often have dreams so even if I do sleep it is not restful.  2 1/2 more years to go.

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Posts: 4,503
    edited March 2012

    Nunina I also have had the weird vivid dreams.  MO says that is a SE.  But luckily I did quit having them after awhile but still cannot sleep through the night without a sleep aid of some kind

  • ilovemykids
    ilovemykids Posts: 43
    edited March 2012

    Hi ladies, I'm hoping maybe one of you might have some insight for me. I have been taking tamoxifen for three years now. I'm considering stopping it at this point related to my cholesterol levels. I had my cholesterol checked 5 months ago and my levels were elevated. I changed my lifestyle dramatically over the last five months, vegetarian, cardio excercise 30 min every day and joined weight watchers to improve my diet only. I am at a healthy weight. I had my cholesterol levels checked again today and it is the same as it was 5 months ago. Any suggestions? Btw I also had a total hysterectomy two years ago when I was. 44 since I continued to have regular periods. Any suggestions. Thank you

  • Nunina
    Nunina Posts: 3
    edited March 2012

    Thanks peg.  I am a bit wary of Ambien.  I've heard too many stories about "things" happening while on the pill... 

     Sherry - what sleeping aid are you using?  I am exhausted! And it's only been 4 weeks since I started Tamox!  Should I tell my doc now or should I wait until my next appt which is in May? 

  • scrappylady
    scrappylady Posts: 4
    edited March 2012

    OK, first you Texas gals...I am in the Pacific NW (near Portland, OR) and we woke up to a dusting of SNOW flurries!!! I'll gladly take a bit of your sunshine :) Vivid dreams are crazy; I used to dream a bit before but now they seem so real! Last night Brad Pitt (who isn't even a "fav" of mine) and his oldest son were in front of me @ the movie ticket window...seriously? Where do these dreams even come from?!! Anyway, feel like my new depression meds have kicked in and I am climbing out of my funk so I am ok w/trying to cope w/pelvic pain, insomnia and headaches and vivid dreams from tamoxifen but will of course look forward to what my med onc. has to say @ appt. today.

  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Posts: 629
    edited March 2012

    HI girls ~ well I caught up with reading but thanks to tammi can't remember most of what I read !!!  OH boy.

    Welcome back to some old friends ~

    JO so glad your mammo was good.  

    To those struggling with tamoxifen side effects try to wait it out, they seem to come flooding in when you first start and then subside somewhat.  

    All is good here, SPRING has SPRUNG.  It has been very warm here ~ I have gone back to the gym.  (since the broken leg I haven't been there in months)  Going slowly but determined to get back in shape.

    Happy Hump DAY !

    :)

    Alicia 

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Posts: 4,503
    edited March 2012

    Nunina-For the most part I talke Lunesta, but I have taken Ambien CR and I have no problems with it either.  When I feel I am doing better I will take Melatonin 6 mg.  But if it does not work I go back to Lunesta.  It usually depends on how bad my hot flashes are.  If I am having a terrible time at night with them I use the Lunesta to sleep.  If they are mild I will use the melatonin.

    As far the vivid dreams mine did go away after a few weeks, but they were weird and off the wall stuff, nothing scaring just odd but I could remember everything.

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Posts: 7,545
    edited March 2012
    ilovemykids - I have been taking Tamoxifen for 14 months now and continue to also struggle with the cholesterol numbers.  My family doctor has me taking fish oil caps - 2 in the morning and 2 at bedtime.  I recently had my numbers checked and my total was up again but my LDL was 71, HDL was 135, and triglycerides was 171.  He is not too concerned about this.  I also changed my eating habits and am at a healthy weight.  My doctor realizes this will be a factor and we are trying to work around this.  He thinks the numbers are not the best but also thinks it is better for me to stay on Tamox for the full course.  He does not think I am at any risk for coronary disease at this point.
  • CatbirdC
    CatbirdC Posts: 235
    edited March 2012

     JO......

    I thought I'd read where Tamoxifen lowered cholesterol counts so I copied this from the search mode on this site.

     "Tamoxifen offers other health benefits that aren't related to treating cancer.

    While tamoxifen blocks estrogen's action on breast cells, it activates estrogen's action in bone and liver cells. So tamoxifen can:

    • help stop bone loss after menopause
    • lower cholesterol levels."
    I had high cholesterol but not from Tamoxifen...prior...and I too take the Omega3.  I was taking it for the aching knees but think it helped my cholesterol too.
     
    I do notice it says it   "can"   and not  "it does"  lower numbers.   :o)
     
    Bonnie
    CatbirdC 
    • harley63
      harley63 Posts: 30
      edited March 2012

      Jo,

      My cholesterol has been elevated also...  I never thought about the Tamoxifen being the cause.

      I will try to wait it out, since I only have 193 Tamoxifen pills left...

      Harley

    • odie16
      odie16 Posts: 1,415
      edited March 2012

      Hey ladies.

      Jo  - Congrats on the clean mammy...  What a relief!

      For those suffering from side effects, try to hang in there. They do get better, ease off  and/or change over time. (kinda like the box of chocolates - never know what you are gonna get!)  

      Had my 6 month follow-up with the BS today. Went well and I am good to go for another 6 months.....Will have to miss the pillow fight this weekend as I will be traveling to attend my grandma's funeral Saturday but will check back Monday..  

    • scrappylady
      scrappylady Posts: 4
      edited March 2012

      Oh my, I didn't know about the cholesterol level issues! I have recently lost a good amount of weight and changed my eating habits (over the past 6-8 months) and was thinking of having my levels rechecked to see if they had gone down...darn, sounds like I may have missed my window. Oh well. And from the sounds of it the Pacific NW is STILL the only area with winter weather...please, send us your sun & warmth...lol!

    • Sherryc
      Sherryc Posts: 4,503
      edited March 2012

      Odie so sorry about the loss of your grandmother.  I know mine was a very special lady.  My thoughts and prayer are with you.