Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

jo1955

Alicia - I know what you mean.  The guys are something else.  I have to be in the bedroom when mine lays his clothes out to be sure everything matches of all things.  Then I send him away so I can pack.  If I left it up to him, everything would be wrinkled when we got on the ship.  Whew!  You have to get up before the chickens.  Hope you get some sleep on the flight.

Glad you are feeling better off the Tamox.  I have to say the Melatonin has made a new person out of me.  Day 4 and what a difference it has made.  I am taking the bottle with me. 

JustmeAlicia

Jo ~ so glad the melatonin is working for you.  I may have to start taking it religiously when I go back on the tamoxifen.  It is nice to know my foot pain, knee aches, and lower back pain is all tamoxifen related.  I feel so much like my old self it is wonderful.  WILL be hard to swallow that little brat tami again in MAY !  And yes our hubby's may be related as far as the packing goes.

jo1955

Alicia - If you make the decision to start Melatonin, let me know and I will let you know what I am taking.  I am also considering using the glucosamine for my joint pain and getting off Lyrica.  I think that is part of the problem I can't sleep.

Sherryc

Ducky I would not be so worried about.  I am 48 and I did have many SE's but they have all resolved themselves.  It took 2 1/2 months for my body to adjust but being that I will take this for the next 5 years what is 2 1/2 months.  The only thing that is still bothering but is much better is the insomnia.  I am now taking Melatonin and that has fixed the problem.  Hopeing I can eventually stop taking that as well but for now I need my sleep.  My hot flashes got really bad and then suddently went to very few warm flashes so I can live with that, not very bothersome.  This board was great when I was first on it and having so many problems.  I just look at it as added insurance.

duckyb1

hey ladies ..............was on another thread, and was checking out some of the things being posted about tomox, and liver problems was one that was mentioned..........have any of the girls on this thread heard about that.............Problems with getting a fatty liver from tamox..........

Good heavens I have enough fatty things on my body without adding my liver...............

jo1955

ducky - I know I have a liver function test done on a regular basis - every 3 mos by my GP.  He also tests for my cholesteral and high blood pressure.  In January, my liver function numbers were up some but had only been on Tamox for a week or so, so I don't think that was the problem.  It was probably the cholesterol meds at the time.  I recently had them done and they were ok.  Bottom line is, I don't know if liver problems is a real issue.  I would hope your MO is checking them regularly.

June2268

Alicia and Jo so very excited for the both of you as it is so close to departure......YAY!!!!   As for the men, they are all the same.  My DH actually insists on rolling his shirts up as they fit better and don't get wrinkled.......it does work.  However he is more of a T-shirt man than dressy.  Also, so happy that you are both getting relief from no Tami and Lyrica......you go girls!

Rainy day here in Mass, yuck!!!

jo1955

June - I saved a space in my suitcase for you.  The weather is going to be gorgeous where we are going.

June2268

Okay Jo you convinced me......tuck tuck me away!!!

Sherryc

I'm coming too Jo.  Can't stay home alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jo1955

Okay!  I have June & Sherry coming.  You two make have to make room for Tink and her wings.

swanseagirl

Don't forget me Jo. LOL

Jules

jo1955

Jules - I have the suitcase open - jump on in. hehehe

I really have posted this before but I don't want anyone to have to go back through the pages to find it.  This is what will be in my hand shortly after we board the ship.

                            

Chili

Hey Sunandsandgirl

 sorry for the bad news, remember, one step at a time, try not too worry too much until you have the biopsy,  Fingers crossed it's nothing serious.  Sounds like you need a heart to heart with your doc  on your side effects and the options available.   It's a tough decision to make, good luck!!   

 i didn't know tamox could affect your vision too?  wth?

Sandeeonherown

Sunandsand- OY!!!....no comment except to send you hugs

ducky- If you end up on tamoxifen, split the doe in half...10mgs in am and 10mgs in the pm so you do not have the flashes etc...How's your heart? the report I saw today says the cardiologist is blaming tamoxifen for my heart attack (blood clot) and I just turned 49

alicia- I have lost 3 pounds sinc eI was last at the gym 3 weeks ago..not sure if it is from going off tamoxifen, the walking or a combination but....an upside for sure. Glad your back is feeling better!!!

Tink- How was today my friend??

I go to the oncologist tomorrow am to discuss my options....right now, with a BP of 100/70, all I want to be told is "you will be fine without adding anything else to your mix!"....what are the chances???

Linda-n3

Chili, tamoxifen can increase risk of cataracts. 

I started poking around trying to understand the basic physiology of how tamoxifen works, and it is very complicated and convoluted.  It is a selective estrogen inhibitor, meaning that it has different effects in different cell types.  It is metabolized by the liver, and some people metabolize it more quickly than others. There are tons of SEs, but not everyone gets them, and there doesn't appear to be any agreement by the experts as to whether people who metabolize it fast or slow get more or less SEs or more or less benefit from taking it.  There are lots of SEs that are such low incidence that they don't mention them before you start the drug, but if you are the one getting them it makes a LOT of difference!  They also don't agree on whether it is truly effective for Pr negative, although they believe it is but don't seem to be able to explain it based on mechanism of action.  And they also don't seem to agree on why some Er+ tumors become resistant to it (hence the recommendation currently for 5 years or switching to AI, which may be used for 5 or more years - and they cannot seem to agree on that either!).  

However, they all seem to agree that there is a significant benefit in reducing recurrence rates and in preventing some high-risk women from getting BC to begin with, so there you have it.  Some good, some bad, some ugly. Just have to weigh the benefits vs. the risks for one's own situation.  And don't ignore changes that may indicate need for attention, such as vision problems! 

jo1955

Sandee - Hope your MO appt goes well tomorrow.

Linda - Thanks for posting that information.  Most of it I already knew but there is some of it that is an eye opener.  This is a complicated drug we are having to take.  The big thing I did not know was that some ER+ cancers can become resistant to Tamoxifen.  I hope that does not happen to me because I can't take any of the AIs.   

Sandeeonherown

Thanks jo...fingers crossed...no matter what he says tomorrow, I am not putting ANYTHING new into my body until I have thoroughly researched it myself, have aclimatized to these heart meds and have some energy back....holy Dinah!

Linda- Wow..didn't know about the cataracts..and you are right....minor unless you are the one with the side effect.You have explained it all very clearly. Thank you.

jo1955

Sandee - Good for you.  We have to be our own advocates.  No one else is going to take care of us better than we can.  Thank goodness for Mr Google and all the information out there on the internet.

June2268

Wish there was a like button cause Linda you said it so well......

Alicia and Jo can you handle it???   I mean, you gals are practically out the door......

Tink I am thinking of you and sending a great big HUG your way!!!

Sandee how are you feeling?

jo1955

June - Oh yes sweetie I can definitely handle it.  Some of the clothes are laid out and most of the laundry is done.  Have to work tomorrow and then the vacation begins.  I am hoping to get out of here on Friday afternoon.  If not, then we will head out on Saturday morning.

Tinkerdoodle -  SENDING BIGS (((HUGS)))!  Miss you!

tinkertude

HI LADIES... Miss you all too! thanks for your prayers and thoughts and your hugs!!!!! you are all so wonderful and I am grateful to have made such great friends! Today was a little more settled still tears but moving forward and getting on my Tinkertude so I can be strong for her... get to see her tomorrow for an hour cant wait!!!!!!

Linda.... great info!!!!

hugs to all you wonderful ladies!!!!!

jo1955

Tink - Glad you are doing better and here is a big (((HUG))) for your Tinkertude.

duckyb1

sandeeonherown........................Not on tamox yet............they want me to go on Femara....honestly don't want any of the shit, but its a necessary evil.......................and I have already had a heart attack in 2007.  Not a main artery, a branch artery, but a heart attack just the same......completely clogged.  On meds for it, and doing great, but I don't need more crap in my life with the heart, so Tamox is out.  thanks and prayers

swanseagirl

Jo, I'm jumping in and can't wait to enjoy those cocktails. YUM!

Tink, wishing you a good visit with your daughter. Hugs xxxx

Jules

tinkertude

Thanks Jules hugsxo

JustmeAlicia

ahhh this is where I will be Saturday afternoon.,    JO can you wait.  GIRLS squeeze tight I have room in my garment bag you can stand up !   

Tink thinking of you and your daughter... 

HUGS !

jo1955

Alicia - Glad you are willing to take some of the gals.  Whew!  My suitcase is crammed full.  I can see arms and legs sticking out.  Will have to somehow get those tucked in and secured.

This is where I will be on Sunday night.

                               

sunandsandgirl

Thanks Chill and Sandeeonherown.  I am hoping it is nothing.  Keeping the positive spirit. 

Sherryc

LInda thanks for the info that was great.

Ducky good luck with the Femera

Jo and Alicia you girls are going to have a great time and you both deserve it.  Jo don't close that suitcase on my leg that would hurt.  If I grow wings like Tink I can fly back and forth between both cruise ships. Hey that would be fun.

Sandee hope you get some answers soon on all your meds etc.