Tamoxifen causes breast pain

hope2learn

Has anyone gotten breast pain from Tamoxifen? I googled this and I cannot find anything on this topic.

I had started Tamoxifen in February 2012. Two weeks later, I developed what looked like a mastitis in my left breast which had had the lumpectomy.

After one month of Tamoxifen, I also developed severe pelvic and abdominal pain.

I went on a "drug holiday "from Tamoxifen following, at the advice of the physician...

The breast pain and swelling as well as the pain in the nipple were diagnosed as mastitis. It was red and hot, severely painful. However, it did not go away from antibiotics. Apparently, it was not mastitis.

It is unclear what it was. The radiation oncologist said it was possibly an effect of Tamoxifen interacting with left effects of the radiation. ( all my swelling from radiation had gone down by then)

The oncologist however said that in heir experience the Tamoxifen could not cause these breast issues.

During the drug-holiday from Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 month, things got better.

I started up on Tamoxifen again 4 days ago. Immediately, I developed severe pain in the same breast and nipple where I have had the surgery, actually the worst of the pain is on the opposite side from the surgery in the same breast.

This frightens me. I assume the pain is inflammation, or some form of stimulation of breast tissue.

Why would I get inflammation and pain from the drug that is supposed to help me?

Apparently, there is no answer.

It really feels like suddenly I have tons of estrogen around (I am postmenopausal). I don't think Tamoxifen has estrogenic effects on the breast.  I am at a loss.  

Has anyone else experienced this and gotten any feedback from a physician?

Iniah

This is an old post but yes, I do!! My breasts feel full and sore, just like when I used to get my period. I am 52 years. old. Anyone else have this problem?

Loral

Yes mine feel full and sore at times and I'm 51. It's mostly in my left breast on the top not where my scar is. I have fibrocystic breasts and it's probably the pain from that along with the Tamoxifen. It is a burning pain on the breast.

maryvic614

i am 53 and I have been on Tamoxifen for 4 yrs. My breast have been tender since surgery/radiation. However past few months it has almost been unbearable. I have been wearing a cotton tank under my bra to decrease the pain it causes rubbing  I went to the surgeon this past week. The mammo and breast exam was excrutiating. My surgeon recommended stopping the tamoxifin for a week. Within 48 hrs the pain decreased. My range of motion has improved too. the only thing I worry is that I will have to start Femara(sp?) now. I tried it once before and had some depression and mood swings with.

Magdalenha

Hi there, I'm having the same issue!  I've been on Tamoxifen since February of last year.  I had a lumpectomy 1 1/2 years ago.  I'm turning for in a week and for the last 3 days I've been having severe stabbing pains in the area of my surgery and especially near my nipple.  I've also been having lower abdominal pains.  I take Tamoxifen every other day because I could not handle all the side effects from when I took it every day. (lower back and hip pain, irritated eyes, cramps, mood swings, etc).  When I took it every day I was in so much pain that I couldn't walk and my knees would just give out.  Now that I've been taking it every other day the symptoms are better but the lower back and hip pain is still there but not as bad.  I tell my Oncologist and she thinks its in my head!  This post has made me feel better that I know these things are real I just wish that they would tell you these things instead of making you feel like you are acting like a baby.  I'm going to see my surgeon next week.

Kellw3boys

Hi, I have been searching high and low for any information about breast pain with Tamoxifen.  I am happy to see that others also experience it but bummed that this is just another "joy" to having breast cancer.  I started Tamoxifen 6 weeks ago and my breast are very painful!  I'm going to talk to my doctor about it next week.

Thanks so much for this blog. It is so supportive.

KinderTeacher

I know this post is very old. But I’m having a throbbing pain in the “healthy” breast and I’m scared to death. I’ve been on Tamoxifen for a month now. I see my oncologist next month.

punkinD

I started Tamoxifen a few weeks ago and I am having throbbing pain in my good breast too. Especially around the nipple.

Julie0297

Hi,

I started Tamixifen 3 weeks ago and I am getting pain in my healthy breast like a full drawing feeling, maybe hormonal changes going on!! X

Moderators

Hi Julie! Welcome to BCO, and thanks for sharing your experiences! We hope your treatment continues to go well, we look forward to seeing you on the boards!

The Mods

Dani_fd

I don’t know if the writer of this post is still here but:

Started tamoxifen 14 days ago. My lymph in my armpit has been hurting like crazy before I started, it’s worse now, nipples are so tender I can’t wear a bra, my pelvis hurts, all of the above. My onc said “it will get better” he’s been saying this for 6 weeks. Guess it’s just fact of cancer life

Julie0297

Hi, I am suffering from pain in my good breast now I am on Tamoxifen, is yours still bad or has it settled. ThanksJulie x

Vintaquin

I am having pain and heaviness with heat in the breast that had surgery. Good to know that it might be the Tamoxifen. I have only been on it 60 days. I am going to sched an appointment with my oncologist to ease my mind but the answers in this give me hope that it might not be something bad.


If you ever check your post thank you documenting your experience.

Vintaquin

Yes, to breast pain while taking Tamoxifen. I took Tamoxifen for 2 months. For the first few weeks I noticed discomfort in the breast that had the lumpectomy. The discomfort level 0 to 10 was about a 4, with noticeable heat. On the 7th week of taking it the pain went to a 7, more swelling, more heat, 4 ridges, 2 inches long radiating outward from the areola between 4 and 7 o'clock position, pitted skin but no redness. The next day the pain was at an 8. Rolling over in bed was very painful, so was moving from laying down to standing. The pain radiated mid breast outward toward the nipple. It felt much like a smashed finger does when you have to nick the nail to release the pressure. It stayed that way for two days. On the third day I overtired myself in the yard and fell asleep without taking the Tamoxifen. I woke up at 2 am, the pain was cut in half. I didn't go back on the Tamoxifen and by the third day of not taking it all discomfort was gone. My thinking was much more clear. The apathy and anxiety that I had been suffering was gone.

I had a doc appointment a month later 05/13/19 Aprox 10 days after stopping the Tamoxifen I had slight bleeding. The NP doesn't think I was on the Tamoxifen long enough to cause endometrial cancer. She scheduled an ultrasound. It showed the endometrial lining was slightly thickened it was a 6 It should be a 5. She changed my prescription to generic Arimedex. Within 12 hours of taking it my breast felt cooler and swelling went down. She is going to wait 3 months and sched another ultrasound to see if the Arimedex decreases the endometrial thickness.