Jun 6, 2010 01:15PM sjp616 wrote:

Hi Alessandra,

I took Tamoxifen for 5 years and just stopped, yesterday was my first day without it.  I've also been wondering about withdrawal symptoms. I asked my Oncologist and he said there aren't any.  However, I've read that some women experienced an increase in hot flashes and weight gain, yikes!!  I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in 2004.  My chemo started in November, Tamoxifen started in March 2005.  Mine was also Estrogen positive which my doctor had told me is the one that tends to "behave", as he put it.   

When you say you're not feeling too well, what are your symptoms?  I had issues with depression after 3 years of taking it though not sure if that is the cause. I'd heard that depression is one of the side effects of Tamoxifen.  I've been taking a very low dose anti depressant since then. I still get bouts of depression now and then but they don't last more than a few hours and I can control them rather than them controlling me.  I elected to stay on the low dose and deal with it rather than increasing the dose.  Have you experienced any depression symptoms while on it or after?  

I have noticed slight bouts of feeling blue for the past 2 days so I'm wondering if my body will be going through this for a while.  Also, will I eventually not need the anit depressants anymore.  Beyond this though, I haven't noticed anything else. 

I hope my info helps.  I'd love to hear back from you if you have the time.

Thanks,

Susan

P.S.  We're FINISHED with our treatments, YAY!!!  And congratulations!!!!!

Jul 7, 2010 06:16AM Musical wrote:

I temporarily stopped for 2 weeks for the sake of surgery and have just restarted. Ive only been on it for 5 months or so.  I didnt really feel that there were any withdrawal symptoms.

Musical

Jul 7, 2010 12:19PM dianna2 wrote:

Hi Alessandra,

I too just stopped taking Tamoxifen (July 1st to be exact), and I'm curious to your side affects. What exactly are your symptoms?  I was due for my period on Monday & got it on Saturday & it was a little heavier than it's been.  I'm also getting a lot of cramps.  At first I thought it was my period, but now it's over & I think it's actually gas pains.  I'm not sure it either are due to Tamoxifen withdrawals or not.  I was wondering if you have the same symptoms.

Thanks & good luck.  

Aug 1, 2010 01:27PM Nattacia wrote:

I'm not sure of your situation, but if you're having bleeding after Tamoxifen and you still have a uterus, consider talking to your doctors. Tamoxifen can to cause uterine cancer. I have found that much out from the internet.

Jan 7, 2016 04:16PM 10yearsofTamoxifen wrote:

I have finished 10 years of Tamoxifen in August. I also had some pretty severe joint pain, but it lasted only a few months. I'm a nurse, so I am usually on my feet for most of my 12 hour shift. But I found that keeping moving actually helped. The pain was worse on my days off when my activity level was down to that of a normal human being. My advice is to get outside and take leisurely strolls, it helps.

Now, 4months after stopping, I am experiencing bouts of deep sadness. My oncologist assures me that this is just another little bump in the road and is most likely Tamoxifen withdrawal. How long will this last? And what else can I look forward to? Since I am one of the first patients to take Tamoxifen for ten years, no one has any answers. So maybe I'll cry all day 2 times this week and maybe just once next week for no reason, but I will celebrate 10 years as a survivor EVERYDAY! ( and at least I'm not vomiting everyday 😂)

WE DID IT!