Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

mvspaulding

Yeah, I haven't stopped it. I figure I will just work through the side effects. Even if I stop and start to feel better after two weeks, I am not going to stop taking it all together so what's the use?

bradie234

do you ever have have hot hands that causes bad pain ?

Mom2fourplusmore

my MO says I can't use any supplemental vitamins. I guess he's worried about it interfering with the tamoxifen. I haven't had the leg pains yet but he did tell me to take Schweep's seltzer water. I guess that's so common that he tells people ahead of time. He says the brand is important. And I can only hope this fatigue will improve. My blood pressure is normally low but this morning I was 92/53. I'm pretty sure I'm basically comatose on this medicine. Lo

Lvbugs

I was hoping to find out how those that have had an oopherectomy felt after surgery? I guess I'm hoping SE won't be to horrible since I don't have many with Tamoxifin. Had Hysterectomy in November, because of fibroids and now looks like I may have to take my only ovary because of cysts.

Musosgirl

lvbugs, I was doing great physically on Tamoxifen, then after my ooph the hot flashes and moodiness started. It's not horrendous or anything, but there was a definite change. Unfortunately I can't stay on Tamox and I am so nervous about what SE I'll have on an AI.

lala1

Lvbugs---I had an oopherectomy In Jan 2015. I did develop hot flashes about a month after which I'd not had before (I'm 53 now) but they are really more like warm flushes for me. I had them fairly frequently, mostly at night, till my MO put me on iCool (which some MOs don't like so check first) and now I have maybe 4 or 5 in a 24 hour period, again mostly at night and very mild. I think the hysterectomy/oopherectomy was one of my better decisions through all this! I feel great! I can get a little pissed off but I really think that is more because ever since BC I've learned to say no to people and take better care of myself. No more periods, bloating, and all that goes with it. It's taken awhile to find my balance but I'm think I'm finally there. I'm exercising and watching my diet and taking vacations and learning to really enjoy life. The surgery was surprisingly easy for me. I didn't have any gas issues, went home the next day, took only Tylenol the next 2 days and then nothing after that. I walked every day, was driving by day 5 and was back in the gym at 2 weeks (albeit taking it easy), I had a great ob/gyn who did everything he could to make it easy on me (especially since I was panicked about the idea of hot flashes!). And as a bonus, I don't have to worry about the Tamoxifen causing endometrial cancer!

Lvbugs

Thank you for your replies. I will keep hoping that hot flashes are not to bad.

Musosgirl, how come you can't stay on Tamoxifen?

Musosgirl

lvbugs, the anti-depressant I need for my PTSD interferes with Tamoxifen. I tried Effexor--the one recommended for Tamox, with not so good results. So I am going back to my old anti-depressant and that means switching to an AI.

Lvbugs

Hope you do well on the AL to

Jennie93

Musosgirl, I just want to say, I know everyone is different, but I am tolerating the AI better than tamoxifen. (Anastrazole in this case.)

Cjs47

Hi all,

I've been on tamoxifen for about one year now and gave gained 15 pounds, have some hot flashes that cause me to feel faint, night sweats, and joint pain. I have gone to eating less than 1200 calories a day plus upping my cardio and strength training, but the weight won't budge. I have tons of energy and am very active. I'm not sure if the tamoxifen is working due to the fact my mo hasn't done any blood work to check my estrogen levels. I'm hoping the effects lessen as time goes by. Is anyone else experiencing these problems or am I one of the lucky ones

Musosgirl

Thank you! Very positive story helps

Musosgirl

Jennie93, thank you. Every positive story helps

superius

So... I had Pap test last week. The Dr said even with Tamoxifen, my hormone just acted up enough to bring back my period, & also made the Hot Flashes gone away 2 weeks before that. MO next week to talk about possibility of Lupron? Oh yeah, will need to talk to MO if I need to take that ever again, cos my risk factor is pretty much at ZERO!

I THINK Hot Flashes came back after period - VERY mild, it's just a warm flush I think. BUT I have been waking up VERY stiff. Not sure if it's Tamoxifen or that I need a new bed...

Mom2fourplusmore

First day back to real work. My job is very physical and I didn't get any sleep last night. I think the tamoxifen is messing with my sleeping. I am beyond exhausted tonight. I've been going Mach speed all day and now I'm a blob of skin and the noises of the family are getting to me. I may need to live in a bubble soon. Lol

gardengypsy

After 9 months, I am going back. Starting a new thread "Going Back to Work." Come visit. Lol

farmerlucy

Anyone here have postmeno bleeding on tamoxifen? I guess I should have taken the uterus when I had the ooph. Here I am back onthe gyn roller coaster. I'm inclined to wait until my Dec appoint. Can anyone weigh in? Thanks so much!

molliefish

any unexpected bleeding post meno, on tam is a warning sign. Why wait?

notdoneliving

My first month on tamoxifen was great. I felt better than usual. Then I started having a bunch of symptoms (weight gain, constipation, fatigue...) that my RO insisted weren't from the meds. I eventually was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

If symptoms don't go away when you take a break from tamo, get your TSH tested, and maybe even T4 and thyroid antibodies. I'd never heard of Hashimoto's, but apparently it's not uncmmon!

Carlsoda

farmerlucy: I think you shouldn't wait until December; at least call in and ask their advice. Good luck

Mom2four: hugs!! Hope you can get some sleep tonight

KateB79

Hashimoto's is very common, and there's an anecdotal link between BC and thyroid stuff. So . . . yeah, especially for those of us who had rads: get your thyroid tested!

labelle

I think you should contact your gyno ASAP, farmerlucy, and let him/her know what is going on. He/she may want to see you before December. My gyno told me to report any unusual bleeding right away. It can be a sign of trouble when you are taking Tamoxifen. Bet it gets you an endometrial biopsy. Yuck, but better safe than sorry.

gardengypsy

Me too, mom. After 9 months out, I am going back in one week. Disability just approved me for 3-6 months out, but am too scared I will lose my job.

Chemo brain, neuropathy, joint pain, insomnia. Here we go..

Blownaway

I asked the rad tech to cover my throat with one of the led aprons that dentists use and they looked at me like I was nuts.

farmerlucy

labelle et al -I'll call next week. This will be the third or fourth biopsy in as many years. Still better than an AI for me. Just can't see doing ten years of HT with all the issues.

notdoneliving

That stinks Blownaway! Every medical worker should be trained never to look at a patient like that for ANY reason. I wish I'd asked for a thyroid shield. I don't know if it would've mattered, but I've been diagnosed with Hashimoto's since. Hindsight is 20/20.

PolkaDotPurse

Hi Ladies -

I'm curious what your experience has been regarding your menstrual cycles while taking Tamoxifen. I had no chemo and started Tamoxifen just over 4 weeks ago after radiation. My period is 11 days late with no indication it's going to be starting soon. My cycle hasn't been regular this past year and I've skipped one period back prior to Dx. SE on Tamoxifen are manageable so far - a couple hot flashes and I feel achey (like I have a low grade flu). I'd appreciate hearing some of your experiences.

Thank you!

RDA123

I did not have chemo or radiation. I had dcis. Started tamoxifen in April. Was getting regular periods until this month..no period!!

PolkaDotPurse

RDA123 - interesting. Thank you for your input. I should mention I'm 43 and last time I had my hormones checked, all was within normal limits. I'm not complaining about not getting it at all, but want to be sure this is typical. Thanks again, RDA123. :

tbalding

Started tamoxifen 8 weeks ago & so far cycle is regular.