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mdand3

• I recently was diagnosed in December 2013.  I had an MRI and they saw something on my left breast and wanted me to come in for a biopsy.  I told them NO remove it so on Dec 23 I had a bilateral mastectomy stage 2 right breast found out left breast stage 1.  I will finish chemo on May 23.  I will begin tamoxifen after that.  Can anyone tell me if the side effects to this drug are bad?

SallyS70

Mdand3,  welcome to this group, but I am sorry you have bc.  I cannot answer your tamox question, but I am sure someone will be along soon to help you.  Take good care of yourself and know that we all care aboutnyou.

farmerlucy

Mdand3 - Welcome. There is much discussion about Tamoxifen in the Hormonal Therapy forum. Also there is information on the main pages of BCO. I have been taking Tamoxifen for just over a year and my main SE is hot flashes that come and go. I take Effexor to help with the HF. Please join us on the Tamoxifen threads. 

Txgal748

Mdand3,

I have been on Tamoxifen for 1 year 8 months.  My side effects are irregular periods ( I did not have chemo), foot/leg cramps(sometimes excruciating), some joint pain, and higher blood sugars.  Overall it has not been too bad. The higher A1C numbers are frustrating because I eat a very low carb diet and my PCP can't explain this.

Twinmar

I was on Tamoxifen for 6 months before I had any side effects.   I did lose 5 pounds immediately (I know most women say they gain weight) and I had hot flashes; however, I was post menopausal and was used to the flashes so wasn't bothered by them.   Then after 6 months I started having twitching in my leg muscles, my back and ankles became very stiff especially in the morning.  My gums started to bleed, my hair was thinning and I had cold flushes (along with the hot flashes).  I also had debilitating cramps especially in my feet which made my toes curl!  I was most bothered by the change in mood.  I felt very very sad all the time.   I asked my oncologist if I could go off the drug and with her blessing did exactly a year to the day I started.  I know some people have no side effects from the drug but for some reason I wasn't one of those people.   My tumor was small although highly hormone positive-both er and pr.  I have been off the drug for about 7 months.  My gums are good again, back and ankles no longer stiff, chills have also stopped.  I still have some twitching and a few hot flashes.  I'm not sure how long it takes for the drug to leave your system.   My mood has improved tremendously.    The only time I really feel anxious is every 6 months when I need my mammogram on the left side.  You might be one of those people who have no problems taking this medication.