rib and elbow pain on Tamoxifen

kika2013

Hi, all--

I have managed to work myself into a frenzy about mets, in spite of the fact that the odds are hugely in my favor. I could use a talk down if anyone has one!

I had a 6mm ER/PR+ HER- tumor with an oncotype of 5, diagnosed almost 3 years ago, did lumpectomy and radiation and have been on Tamoxifen for 2+ years. All was fine for about the first year, then I had a huge number of gynecological issues, which seem to have dissipated (thank god!). But in the last few months I've had rib pain and this weird elbow pain, and it doesn't seem to be getting better, so now I'm really worried. I know I have mild degenerative issues related to scoliosis, so keep telling myself that that's probably what's going on. Sometimes I can't even tell if it's actual rib pain or muscle pain--and I know zero about the construction of rib cage/ligaments/muscles. But really for the first time since the early days, I'm in sort of abject terror that I have mets. My husband and other supportive people keep telling me to just go get a scan, and that's the advice I'd give anyone else, but I'm literally too scared to do it (which is really very unlike me). I keep flashing back to when I was diagnosed out of the blue at my first mammogram ever, no family history, no reason to even think I might have cancer.

Can this type of pain be caused by tamoxifen (which I feel is killing me slowly, year by year!)? Or something else? I know it causes joint pain but rib pain?

Thank you all so much. I have benefitted more than I can say from this board.

LesliePalella

I have been on all of the hormone therapy and am currently taking Tamoxifen. Within 8 months of taking it I have horrible elbow pain. I had started doing allergy shots and kind of thought that was the problem because it is in both of my elbows, equally as painful. I quit doing the shots and the elbow pain is still there, very painful and can barely lift my cell phone without grunting in pain.

I had to quit taking anastrazole and letrozole because of joint pain, but it was never in my elbows.

The last 2 times my Oncologist had me stop taking the blocker for 4 weeks and started me on a different one. Then again. Now, I have stopped taking tamoxifen on my on now for 14 days waiting for my next follow up appointment.

At this point, it is quality of life, I am beginning to think I will take my chances.

These drugs make me feel like I am 90 years old. I am only 48...

Moderators

Dear LesliePalella,

Welcome to the community. We are sorry that your cancer and subsequent treatment have brought you here but glad that you reached out to our members. We notice that this topic while pertinent for your situation is rather old and has not had recent activity. You might consider posting your situation in a different thread such as the Bottle of Tamoxifen thread that is very active. Let us know if you need any help figuring out how to best navigate around. The Mods