zoladex/tamoxifen and fitness

drkcurrie

Hello,  

I'm looking to hear from others who are on zoladex and tamoxifen and trying to maintain their fitness

I am 38 and underwent left breast conserving surgery in April 2009 for 25 mm grade 2 inv duct ca ER and PR strongly positive, HER2 CISH negative and started zoladex/tamoxifen in June  (no chemo). Had 6 weeks radiotherapy. I am also taking Venlafaxine for menopausal symptoms and menopausal induced depression. 

I was running and bike riding throughout.  I recently had a lapse in regular exercise while being busy moving countries, and have just started getting back into a fitness regime. 

I usually bounce right back into fitness and regular exercise as my base fitness level is usually quite high (run 5km in 27min).

However right now I am finding it very hard.  I am quite short of breath during my sessions and have incredible muscle ache for days afterward.  All my joint crackle and pop like mad.

Is this just the way it is now that I effectively am devoid of oestrogen?

Have others experienced similar, and did things improve?

Thanks

Kim

siona

Hi Kim

I was 40 when I had my mastectomy went straight onto Zoladez and tamox. I quit tamox after a year as I could not deal with the se's of joint pain and severe depression. (I was diagnosed 2 yrs ago)

Like you, I work hard at my exercise, and also, seem to be struggling to get anywhere near a great fitness and stamina level. Am religious with my iron and vitamin supplements but I swear that there are days when it looks like I have just started to exercise after being a couch potato. I find that hitting the pool is better, (I just looked awful trying to haul my body through just 5 km of running), Chatted to my doc, who said I had a hectic schedule and no wonder I was tired. But I think it is more than that, and the thought that the Zoladex but be a contributor to this fatigue has crossed my mind......

Love from Cape Town

Siona

lexislove

Ive been on Tamox and Lupron for 19 months now.

I use to be able to bounce into a fitness routine before BC. Now its hard. I was going everyday for 2 months before the new year. Then had my exchange surgery so I got lazy. Got an infection and a really bad cold....its been 7 weeks since Ive visited the gym again. I do walk though.

I ache....even when I was going to the gym everyday. It has to be the meds. I hope things do change. I think the Tamox has more of a negative effect on me. I do not sleep on Tamox..therefore...Im always tired. I have no desire and Im cranky. I know its the Tamox because I went off it for 4 weeks I was in such a better place. My moods were better, I was sleeping 7 -8 hours a night and no joint pains.....2 weeks after starting back on Tamox...it all came back.

Im doing an ooph in July and will be taking Femara, I hope Femara is nicer to me.