Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

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  • AbreastO
    AbreastO Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2016

    Hi! Finished chemo in January and now on my 3rd week of radiation...still have 24 sessions to go but trying to prepare myself for the next step, tamoxifen. Really haven't done much research on this lately. When I was diagnosed last year, I ran across articles about needing to change my anti-depressants once I start tamoxifen. Wasn't very happy about that as Prozac/Cymbalta have been good for me for years and have even helped me as I dealt with BC. Have any of you had experience with needing to change anti-depressants? What have you switched to?

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  • MomOfTwins98
    MomOfTwins98 Member Posts: 69
    edited February 2016

    Lala - So funny...that's the article I read to make my decision - thank you!

    AbreastO - I cannot speak to your exact question as I do not take anti-depressants but do know that I am on Gabapentin and there was talk from both my primary and rheumatologist that, if it does not help me, trying Cymbalta - they both know I'm on Tamoxifen and seemed okay with it - I haven't switched (it is supposed to help with nerve pain) but we spoke about it. The gabapentin seems to work, mostly, so going to hang in there a while longer. My tamoxifen was started during radiation, same week, so didnt really have time to deal with SE at that point - hope Rads goes well



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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited February 2016

    I'm starting Tamoxifen on Wednesday. Throughout all of this....surgery, rads, etc....my period has been right on time. (I've always been every 28 days.)
    Sunday, right on schedule, my period began.
    It's always been on the heavy side, especially after getting my tubal several years ago. But holy cow! This period has been beyond heavy! I've never had one like it. This is my first period after finishing rads, so I don't know if that has something to do with it or not.
    I'm interested to see if the Tamoxifen will cause changes to my period, like hopefully make it lighter!

    This may have already been talked about and may have already asked this question.....but did Tamoxifen change your periods at all?

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  • hsant
    hsant Member Posts: 790
    edited February 2016

    Etnasgrl, I had really heavy periods due to a cyst in the wall of my uterus. After about a month on Tamoxifen, my period is significantly lighter and shorter, four days versus the seven or eight before starting Tamo. I also got mine every 28 days like clockwork, but since December it comes every 5 weeks. Not sure if this is because of the Tamo or my age (48). I've been on the med since early July.

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  • MomOfTwins98
    MomOfTwins98 Member Posts: 69
    edited February 2016

    I, too, was always like clockwork - once I started Tamoxifen, I got a normal period, then 3 weeks later, got one for a single day!! Then, three weeks later, had a 4 day very light period and now nothing for almost 2 months - so weird. I have all the symptoms but no bleeding. Just left my MO appointment and told him and he is not surprised. I am 49 and he said age has much to do with it.

    Still trying to find the Magnesium - I ordered from Vitamin Shoppe and just got an email that they are backordered so have gone to three pharmacies - I live in a smallish town - heading out now to try another - oh my..who knew it would be so difficult. However, my PT at the Lymphedema clinic gave me Turmeric tea today so just had a cup - delicious!

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  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 1,147
    edited February 2016

    MomofTwins98--I also buy my magnesium on Amazon if I don't feel like driving to the Vitamin Shoppe. i try to bundle things so I get free shipping. Amazon has it for around $20.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited February 2016

    I would be very careful about buying supplements from Amazon.

    I got my magnesium at CVS. I can't believe you have trouble finding it.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2016

    I refilled my prescription at CVS-Target and they changed the brand on me! I was using Watson before and they changed it to Mylan. I've heard some people say they get more side effects with different generics. I don't know if it's coincidence or not but my hot flashes have been much more intense and more often now. I hate that it was changed on me especially with a medicine so important like this. Of course the pharmacist says it's the same active ingredient, but the fillers and other ingredients are not. My next refill I will see about using a different pharmacy that doesn't use Mylan generic. Have any of you had this kind of issue?

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited February 2016

    I had my last period one week before chemo and nothing since (it's been just over a year) so I can't really say if Tamox had any effect. I'm 44 and both my MO and Gyn tell me that I'm probably not going to get them back. Checking hormones next month to see if I'm truly in menopause

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  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 896
    edited February 2016

    I went in for a 2nd opinion regarding taking 40 mg/ day of Tamoxifen. The new MO was surprised at the dosage and recommended I stop taking Tamoxifen as start taking anastrozole. He's canceling the scans the other MO ordered, and we'll watch the CEA (which was up to 5.2) and get a CA 27-29 test.

    I'm changing to this new MO because I thought I was being over-treated at the old one (40 mg and more scans), but I'm scared about elevated markers and no scans.

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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited February 2016

    Is 40mg of Tamoxifen a high dose? I'm taking 20mgs and most ladies I talk with are at the same dosage.

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  • ORgal
    ORgal Member Posts: 56
    edited February 2016

    Etnasgrl,

    After about 3 months on Tamoxifen I missed a period, then the next one was really heavy. Then I had about two more somewhat regular (yet lighter) periods, and now I haven't had one at all in 3 or 4 months. I am 51 years old so it is time, and I had missed a couple about every nine months prior to Tamoxifen.

    I do have a slight discharge often, kinda whitish, not too bad, but it's there, since starting Tamoxifen. I read this was normal but haven't seen anyone talk about it. Anyone else?

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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited February 2016

    My concern is that Tamoxifen will make my periods much heavier. I have uterine fibroids and have had them for several years now. They cause SEVERE cramping and heavy periods. My Ob/Gyn told me that the only "cure" was a hysterectomy, but I never wanted to do that because I didn't want to take HRT since my mother had breast cancer and I knew it could bump up my chances of getting it as well.

    Then, I got breast cancer. *sigh*
    I spoke to my MO about all of this and he said that it's very possible the Tamoxifen will cause the fibroids to grow and continue to give me cramping issues and the heavy periods. He told me to be prepared for even heavier periods.....good grief!....I already go through a super plus tampon and an overnight pad together every hour the first 2 days!!! How much heavier can it get??!!!!
    If it does get worse, I'm going to have to get the hysterectomy because I couldn't imagine living with that crap. Then the issue would be leave the ovaries or remove them? Ugh!!!

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  • hsant
    hsant Member Posts: 790
    edited February 2016

    Etnasgrl, I have the same exact situation. Although, I was given the option of having them removed, but it would be a major surgery. I still get cramps, but not nearly what I experienced before starting Tamoxifen, and the bleeding has lessened by about 50 to 60%. Before starting Tamo, I would go thru a S+ tampon and pad in under an hour on my heaviest days.

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  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,298
    edited February 2016

    Etnasgirl. . .MO put me on lupron to stop my periods. . .the first time I stopped the lupron I had a very heavy one less than two months later. It has now been 3 months since I stopped again and nothing. I have been on Tamoxifen the entire time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they don't come back, but still having biannual ultrasound to check for cysts and/or thickened lining.

    Momoftwins. . .try your grocery if they carry vitamins. I got my mag citrate at Krogers. . .Nature Made and it was bogo.

    Scottie


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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited February 2016

    hsant.....thanks for sharing your experience with me! That gives me some hope that maybe the Tamoxifen won't cause the fibroids to get worse. I know everyone responds differently to it, but at the very least, I have some hope now. Thanks!

    Happy

    Scottiemom.....I've never heard of Lupron. I'll have to look it up. Thanks for sharing!

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  • superius
    superius Member Posts: 340
    edited March 2016

    I haven't had my period since after first Chemo (last was mid Aug). My MO thought it would be back by now. But I think it is still trying to come back (& quite on time), & I can feel it. Reading about the heavy period kinda freak me out a little -- just because I will be out of town traveling by car (geez, do i need to stay close to a bathroom, what do I need to bring?) :p

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  • MomOfTwins98
    MomOfTwins98 Member Posts: 69
    edited March 2016

    LovingisLiving - My pharmacy (Rite Aid) also changed my brand on me but I called them and they took it back. I had also read that people had trouble with switching so now, I just call a few days ahead and they special order me the Mylan (that's what I started with so just sticking with it) - Perhaps your pharmacy can do the same.

    Trvler - I can find Magnesium but they are all the Oxide which I was told not to use as it is supposedly less absorbed. I did not realize and had bought that one - was at three pharmacies today and all only had the Oxide - Finally, at another Rite Aid, which has a small GNC inside, they had the Citrate so I got that. Will take it tonight at bedtime (which is any minute now:-)

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited March 2016

    LovingisLiving, Target/CVS switched the manufacturers on me too. In fact, they gave me my monthly supply in two bottles, from different makers. Next month they switched back to the original manufacturer, so I have about 20 pills from Mylan. I haven't noticed any difference in SEs yet, but I've only taken a few from Mylan.

    MomOfTwins, my MO told me to take magnesium oxide.

    Regarding periods, can't comment - my last period was one month into my chemo, almost a year ago. My MO says it most likely won't come back. I'm 46 now.

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  • lala1
    lala1 Member Posts: 1,147
    edited March 2016

    My holistic doc actually told me to take SloMag which is magnesium chloride and i buy it at Walmart. I've been taking it for the last couple of years. About 6 months ago I added magnesium glycinate, which helped with hot flashes, and split between the two. Then about a month ago I just went with the mag glycinate. I don't seem to be as "regular" so I have added back the SloMag. I take 2 of those in the am which is about 150mg and 1 mag glycinate in the pm which is 200mg. This way I hope to get the benefit of both the laxative effect from chloride and relaxation/hot flash reduction from glycinate.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2016

    I was surprised that my MO told me she thought my period would come back. I am closing in on 53 and haven't had when since chemo started. She also told me I would likely have discharge from the Tamoxifen but I haven't really noticed it.

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  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 280
    edited March 2016

    Hi Sloan - good you went for a second opinion. I have no idea what those numbers mean so can't comment but understand you being nervous. I think if your MO was concerned he wouldn't be canceling scans.

    I would not have been comfortable on 40 mg of tamoxifen with the rest of the world (that's how I would have felt!) was on 20 mg. Why the switch to the new drug? My MO said 2 years on tamoxifen and then I will switch. Once I am officially through menopause I guess.

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  • Jabe
    Jabe Member Posts: 185
    edited March 2016

    ABreastO: I did have to change from Prozac to Effexor. Luckily, it was very smooth (I was terrified) and the Effexor has really been fantastic at handling hot flashes!!!

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  • jojo9999
    jojo9999 Member Posts: 202
    edited March 2016

    Lovingisliving,

    I too had my pharmacy switch my tamox. Even though both bottles said TEVA, the pill size and number printed on the pill were different. I called a different pharmacy, gave them the number printed on the pill that I wanted, and they got it for me. At drugs.com you can enter the printed pill number and it will give you the manufactureer *and* the list of inactive ingredients. I was surprised that the two TEVA pills with different nubers had very different filler ingredients.

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  • Occovegirl
    Occovegirl Member Posts: 27
    edited March 2016

    Good Luck New girl so glad you decided to take it!

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  • TinyDancer5
    TinyDancer5 Member Posts: 232
    edited March 2016

    Has anyone had a bloody nose while on Tam? I don't see it listed as an SE. It's probably the dry winter air that caused it.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2016

    I had a couple of crusty noses about a month ago and realized my furnace humidifier was turned off. Turned it back on and no problems since.

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  • Scottiemom11
    Scottiemom11 Member Posts: 1,298
    edited March 2016

    Rough couple of days. Yesterday I forgot my midday dose of gabapentin so had a rough night and today I forgot all my morning meds (have gabapentin with me) so no morning Tamoxifen et al. Arghhh had to set another phone reminder.

    Scottie

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  • live_deliciously
    live_deliciously Member Posts: 346
    edited March 2016

    i just refilled my third prescription of tomoxifen. I get a 90 day supply each time so I've been on tomoxifen since Sept 2015. This time I got 3 blue bottles and the mfg was mylan. I gave it right back to them and asked why it changed from teva and they said that's what they were supplied with. They took back the mylan and special ordered teva which is what I was on. I would have been fine with mylan likely but why risk changing brands. Going forward I'll call in the renewal and request the brand too .

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited March 2016

    Lala1- Thanks for the thoughts on Deep Blue. The grape seed (not grapefruit seed) is a small amount, and my onco said to go ahead and take it. He doesn't think the pain is from Tamoxifen, but said to go ahead and stop taking it for 2 weeks to see if pain subsides. Two days without Tamoxifen and no change so far. He said if there was no change after 2 weeks I should see my primary care Dr. and get a workup done for arthritis. The side of my calf muscle seems like a strange place for arthritis, but I will follow directions and see what happens

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