Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Let's see.  Since I started Tammy - decreased hot flashes - good thing.  Pains in my toe joints and calf muscles - bad thing - taken care of with Lyrica plus good sleep with Lyrica.  Not too bad of a trade off.  Have been menopausal for 3 years and first time I am not sweating and constantly changing clothes.  Yes, this is the gift that keeps on giving.  I am still looking for the refund counter.

    Tink - Oh!  I think you would crave anything I fixed - you might be a spoiled brat but you are not a picky eater - thank goodness.  hehe  I even found a dinner plate for you.

                              

       

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  • slinky
    slinky Member Posts: 397
    edited March 2011

    Tinkertude and Chabba, thats good to know that it just gives the symptoms and more.  I am trying to preparing myself for instant menopause when I go in for a hysterectomy in a few months. If this is what it is like, I can handle it.

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  • Linda-n3
    Linda-n3 Member Posts: 2,439
    edited March 2011
    slinky wrote:

    This is probably a stupid question, but doesn't Tamoxifen push us into menopause? And if we were to naturally go into menopause, wouldn't we experience the same side effects (if any) as Tamoxifen?

    Actually, tamoxifen has some estrogenic blocking and some estrogenic stimulating properties, and is used in some cases to induce ovulation!  It affects different tissues in different ways.  I will write more about this later but have to go to work this am. ugh.  Will check back in later today.  Hope everyone has a good day today!

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Linda - Tamoxifen does not push you into menopause but feel like it does.  It is a confusing issue.  Some of the other ladies will chime in later and give you more information.

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited March 2011

    NJVictoria-My MO did the test on me last month with all my other blood test.  I will get my results next Friday when I go back.  But from what I understand even if I don't metabolize well he will still keep me on Tami. I guess it just gives us a better overal look at things.

    Sandee-my SE's have gotten better except the sleeping and hot flashes.  I have very vivid dreams that wake me up after a couple of hours and cannot go back to sleep so I have resorted to taking ambien very night.  Even with Ambien I wake up at 4am with a hot flash call and can't go back to sleep.  The hot flashes started out mild but have gotten worse.  I am not a sweater but when I wake up my skin is moist so for others that would be like having to change clothes.  I go see the MO next Friday so will see what he says. I am going to talk to him about changing the time I take tammi from night to morning and see if that makes a difference.  Otherwise I think he will want to put me on effoxor and I am not crazy about that idea either.  But also not crazy about taking sleeping pills every night.  What to do?  Like others say BC the gift that keeps on giving.

    June-I love having 7 brothers (5 older and 2 younger) I have to say I did not date much in High School.  My bothers kept everyone scared of them, so had to go off to College so I could date.  Figured it was fate when I meet my husband and they liked him.  They are all still very protective of me.  I have to say through my cancer they have all been very supportive and calling and checking on me all the time.  They all worry about the stress my parents put on me and they are trying to help out as much as my parents will let them. So far it is working out I am organizing things and they are taking them to different appts which is helping. Although my Dad last night said I don't wan't the boys taking off work to take me places they need to work.  But I thought it is OK for me to take off work, haha he just likes having me there more than my brothers. He tells the Doctors Mom is his #1 nurse and I am his #2 nurse.  I have said that my parents must have done something right in raising us because with 8 kids we all get along and don't fight.  My RO was amazed at Thanksgiving and how we all get together and there are so many of us.  It was an adjustment for my Husband as he only has one sister and both of his parents come from small families.  Both of my parents come from large families.

    June I am glad your Dr is trying to figure out what is going on with you.  Hopefully it will be something that is easy to fix.

    Harley congrasts of 4 years doing the Happy Dance with you girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I like that 24 hour rule of Sandee's think I will adopt it as well.

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited March 2011

    Thanks, everyone for the Happy Cancerversary wishes!!  Yep, I am STILL doin' that HAPPY DANCE, Sherryc!

    Jo1955,
    Thanks so much for the pasta dish!  IT was DELISH!!

    Hope everyone has a great day!

    Love you ALL!!

    Harley

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Sherry - Try your Tami dose in the morning.  That is when I take mine and it is working out very well.  I just have to make sure I have a small glass of milk to drink if I don't eat my cereal.

    I guess I am luck that the Tami did not increase my hot flashes, in fact, it decreased then so much so that all I have now is warm waves that are really doable.  I had a script for Effexor on hand and gave it a try but I got so sick off one pill I stopped and threw the rest in the garbage.  Now this may not happen to you, so don't go by what I say.  Remember, everyone reacts differently.  

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  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited March 2011

    Jo...loving the Tink dish! Smile

    Finally got my period today after 50 days... wow! I had given up and thought it wasnt ever coming back .. oh well... maybe now I will get some relief and my moods will even out...

    Had a surprise visit today from my friend and my sweet little godaughter time to get busy and cath up on things around here.... see  you ladies later tonight!

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited March 2011

    Question for you ladies that did radiation.  I am 7 weeks post rads and my rads breast has a dull ache to it all the time.  Has anyone else had this and how long did it last.  I asked my RO nurse about it a couple of weeks ago when it started and she said it was normal and take tylenol.  She was not much help.  Gees I just get tired of the aches.  Will see my MO next week and will ask him about it but just wondering what others have had.

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  • jan508
    jan508 Member Posts: 1,330
    edited March 2011

    Hi All:

    It seems all my SE's on T have disappeared except the weight gain.  How did anyone handle that se? 

    I hope that doesn't mean the T has stopped working :(

    Jan

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  • surfette
    surfette Member Posts: 232
    edited March 2011

    Jan508: I gained weight on tamoxifen but its because it affected my thyroid. I've had to increase my thyroid dosage. That is a known side effect I am told.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Sherry - I have the same dull ache.  Finished rads on Dec 3rd and it is just now starting to settle down and comes and goes - more gone than here.  My BS even did a CT scan and bone scan - they did not show anything.  What I did find out from those tests was that I had lung damage from the radiation and a lung specialist said it was what I should expect - no harm done and nothing that needs to be treated.

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  • Teklya
    Teklya Member Posts: 435
    edited March 2011

    Well, just saw the radiation Oncologist and he said I could start the tamoxifen.  I had not done so as I have shingles right now and am just finishing up with the meds from that!  Sheesh!  These meds!!!  I typically balked tylenol at one time in my life and now I have been taking w-a-y more meds than enough. 

    Take good care and just breathe. . .

    Teklya

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited March 2011

    Harley ~ happy cancerversary !!! 

    ECG ~ I could be the one writing your posts.  I am very much in the same place many times feeling the same feelings as you.  Hang in there !

    I have been in bed for 2 days.  I "think" I blew my back out yesterday morning grabbing a gallon of milk off the top shelf of the fridge.  It was so bad.  And I was in pain before that from the darn 5K I ran Saturday.  (I don't think I am made to be a runner....)  Today it is much better but still painful.  Of course my mind goes to the dark and wonders if it is bone mets.  So not going there and am willing it away.  Fetal position with lots of motrin and chamomile tea. 

    ECG hubby hasn't even so much as stopped home and he works 5 mins away... all WEEK. grrr 

    I still have more reading to catch up.  Hope everyone is having a better week than ME !

    :)

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited March 2011

    Jo I will be glad to get rid of these aches and pains.  I am going to talk to my MO next week about changing when I take the tammi. In the mean time I am going to try to go to bed earlier and so that when my hot flashes hit I can just get up without feeling so tired.

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  • peg119
    peg119 Member Posts: 281
    edited March 2011

    Congrats harley on your cancerversary. 

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  • Sandeeonherown
    Sandeeonherown Member Posts: 1,946
    edited March 2011

    Tink/Eastcoast girl- well. it is working for me at the moment.....an instructor at the gym last year kept saying "4 more...it is only 4 more...anyone can do 4 more."...and this is kind of the same thing....if I go to sleep, well....tomorrow is a new day.

    Picked up a book called "codependent no more"....was thinking about all this taking care of other people stuff and connections with others...had been talking with a friend about the ex-friend I hrew into Jo's bonfire and I realised that it felt clingy...so I didn't want it....which made me think of codependence....anyhow, interesting book....lots of conections there...taking care of others can become caretaking so quickly...and if we are used to our needs not being met...well, easy enough to just take care of others instead, hmm? We get to cry, rail, and wail...and we should be able to ask for and receive hugs when we need them. ... and I guess we need to expect that not everyone, including our significant others, will 'get' or 'understand' what we are going through...let's face it. This is pretty scary sh*t!...so....24 hour rules!

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  • swanseagirl
    swanseagirl Member Posts: 393
    edited March 2011

    My goodness, I really can't afford to stay off of this thread it moves way toooooo fast. LOL

    Dealing with breast lymphedema currently so taking Tamox is looking like childs play.

    My hot flashes are still bad but not as bad as they have been. 

    Is anyone esle feeling old.  I look pretty good on the outside (even if I say so myself) but inside I feel about 90.

    Jo I need some fattening desert to cheer me upLaughing

    Jules

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  • Sandeeonherown
    Sandeeonherown Member Posts: 1,946
    edited March 2011

    Jo/Sherry- I also have a sore breast..finished my rads December 15th....it feels like scar tissue some days...like an empry space trying to fill on other days....I was actually about to ask if anyone else who is large breasted and had a lumpectomy is having difficulty wearing an underwire bra? Sports bras make me look like a uni-boob, the camisole I bought is fine some days and makes my breast ache other days....and most days the underwire bra makes my breast sore for two days (the side).

    Jo, I am waking up aching...lung-wise....like I am a bit breathless...flu going around but I have managed to maintain my immune system and I have not gotten anything ..sending teachers and students home right left and centre!

    Sherry- I am on zopliclone and take my pill in half does..am and pm...and th elast few days I have worken up at 4 and lain there until 5:30 wide awake....and of course, when I wake up, I realize I am really hot...so not sure..chicken and the egg syndrome...but this is recent.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Jules - This is pretty fattening and yummy too!

                               

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  • swanseagirl
    swanseagirl Member Posts: 393
    edited March 2011

    Mmmmmmm, thanks Jo!

    That dessert was just what I needed.

    Jules

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  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited March 2011

    JO never dissapoints does she ladies :)...mmmmm mmmm!!!!

    JULES..Yes especially with the fatigue part, used to buzz around still buzzing just a lot slower!!!  lol

    June.... miss you hope your ok today! ((((hugs)))))

    Alicia...sorry to hear about your back... feel better soon ....(((( hugs))))

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited March 2011

    Alicia

    Hope you are feeling better soon!  Back pain is jus HORRENDOUS!  and I know how easy it is for your mind to go to those dark places....    But listen, when I reached the ONE year mark, I helped my dh to turn our mattress.  Somehow, I hurt my back.  I had a lower lumbar MRI which showed a Herniated Disc.  I was NEVER so HAPPY to have a Herniated Disc!  

    Take care of your back.  Get some rest.  You probably just moved the wrong way...

    HUGS

    Harley

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  • EastCoastGrl
    EastCoastGrl Member Posts: 282
    edited March 2011

    Alicia, Glad I'm not the only one! ;) So sorry you hurt your back. :((( Hope you are feeling better soon. Make that hubby come home and take care of you (I feel your pain there). ;)

    Sandee, yes, you hit it...they don't live in "our" world so it is harder for them to get it...and it is a scary place to be. :(

    Harley, Sucks you had that happen, the herniated disc, but think we all here get the "happiness" it was just that! :)

    Hope everyone is having a great night!

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited March 2011

    Thanks girls for all the support. Back is feeling a bit better each day.  WHEW~~~

    JO ~ That desert looks divine ~ yummO.

    Sandee ~ would be nice to ask and receive hugs ! 

    I sometimes feel the world is just too busy for me ~

    Have a great day girls !

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Alicia - I have had back problems in the past so I know your pain - it really sucks.  I hope you find relief soon.  Don't rush it - be gentle with the back for awhile.  

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited March 2011

    This morning I actually went back to sleep after my 4am hot flash call.  This one always seems to be the worst one I have and it is so weird because my scalp even feels hot. So Friday night I am going to brave it out and not take an ambien and see how the vivid dreams go.  Figure if I wake up after a couple of hours I can always take the ambien because I can sleep in on Saturday.   I have been trying once a week to test the dreams.  Also this way I can report in to my MO since I have to see him next Friday. I have never had such vivid dreams before Tamoxifen. This little pill does such weird things.  The other SE I am having is weight loss.  I have lost 4 lbs since starting tammi Feb.  I really did not have that 4 lbs to loose. I have lost 25lbs in the last six months since DX.  The first 11lbs I tried because I started exercising and eating much better.  But since rads and tammi I have continued to loose and I eat like a horse, but a healthy horse. My DH is starting to get worried about my weight. I have even cut back a little on exercise so as not to burn up as many calories.  My BMI is still in the normal range but a few pounds more and I will drop to underweight. Guess I'll see if my MO is concerned about it next week.  Five years ago I would never have believed I could eat whatever I want and not gain weight. Wonder if this is temporary, seems my body has changed so much?

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  • June2268
    June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
    edited March 2011

    Sherry I am so jealous as I wish I could lose the weight.  I have gained at least 6 and really need to feel better so I can get out there and start walking again......Strange how each and every one of us has so many different things with Tamox......

    Alicia- back problems are the worst.  I hope to gosh you are resting and letting people cater to you.....after all you just ran a 5K.......hugs to you and hope this weather is going to warm your soul today......supposed to be sunny and maybe hit 60......yahoo!

    ECG are we feeling better today towards people and just in general....thinking of you and wishing you well......

    All you other ladies still have the stomach issues and waiting to hear back from the Doctors......waiting is the hardest part....I hope it is nothing but something at the same time if that makes any sense to you all.....I don't need other problems, but I don't want to feel this is all in my head either.....

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited March 2011

    June hope you get to feeling better soon.  I meant to ask you how do you like having such a large family?  I love mine but it was overhelming for my DH at first.

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  • Pegs
    Pegs Member Posts: 198
    edited March 2011

    i started chemo beginning of august and my last period was the end of august, doctor seems to think chemo has stopped my period but i guess it could come back at any time.  i started tamoxofen in december and the hot flashes were unbearable, but i started taking megastrol and i only have a few a night now.  the only thing is i can't stay on that pill for too long, not sure why but thats what the doctor said

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