Tamoxifen makes me feel drugged

jmfl

I just took my second dose of Tamoxifen and just like yesterday I feel drugged. I can't really explain exactly how it makes me feel, not stoned, but definitely like I am "on something". Just kind of out of it, hard to concentrate, head feels kind of heavy.

When I took Ativan for the first time I felt stoned for more than 8 hours after taking 1 mg and was told I am an undermetabolizer. I bought a pill splitter and used it to cut up Ativans and pain meds into 1/4 and even 1/8 of the regular dose because anything more was too strong for me. 

Has anybody else had this problem with Tamoxifen? Will I eventually get used to it? Should I try to get 10 or 5 mg pills and take them more frequently? I guess I should call my onc but I figure that she is just going to tell me to give it more time. 

 Julie

julieagw2

I take mine at night before going to bed.  It seems to help. 

roseg

It takes awhile to get adjusted to it. All I ever felt in the beginning was a little headache.

Give it 8 weeks to reach therapeutic levels. Six-eight months to have other SE's diminish. 

Wintermoon623

I've been taking Tamox for a couple of weeks now (after really debating long and hard about taking it).  I take it at night, right before bed...so maybe I sleep through the SE's?  So far, I don't notice any discernable SE's.

san4850

I would think it's ok, but ask your onc just to be sure.  I figure as long as you take your 20 mg every day, it wouldn't matter if you split it in half and take it twice a day.  I asked my onc if I could do that if I felt sick taking it, and he said that was fine.  Yes, you'll get used to it eventually.  I don't know how long, though.  I've been on Tamox for 1 1/2 years now and I never had that problem.  The only side effect I have is feeling flushed.  My workplace is air-conditioned and everyone else feels comfortable, but I'm the only one needing a fan to feel comfortable.

pabbie

I have 10mg tamoxifen pills. My onc said to take one in the morning and one at night. The morning dose didn't agree with me so now I take about 15mg at night and 5 mg or less in the morning. So far so good, but I am starting to feel more fatigued. But I did start with only 10 mg. and titrated up to 20 mg. I think it took me about a month. By nurse prac. told me to push through the s/e's and they will eventually subside. I'm handling it much better than Femara or Arimidex. Take care of yourself.

jmfl

Thanks for the feedback. I am going to try taking it at night today. I was worried about having trouble sleeping but so far it seems to be making be sleepier so it is worth a try.

 Julie

koshka1

Hello ladies...

I take mine in the morning...1x20mg pill...didn't want to take it at night,,cuz usually about 2 hours after i take the pill i get my hot flashes...The last thing i need is to not sleep.

Anyway,,,i dont get any tiredness from or any weird feelings from the pill at all.  But just like any other medication,,,it may take the body time to adjust to it....

Hugs...Kosh

oceangirl654

It's a good idea to try different brands of tamoxifen because they vary a lot. Different pharmacies stock different brands. Mylan has been the best one for me.