Is there any one who felt good on Tamoxifen

AliceBastable

Hmm, my Tamoxifen pills aren't very large. Maybe different manufacturers make different sizes? I'd ask the pharmacist. I think I've heard there's a liquid version, too.

Tamoxifen Takers, I am being my own guinea pig this week. I had a spring craving for lavender cologne Tuesday, and used a roll-on oil on my wrists and tiny spot on my throat. When it came time for the nightly first flush flash, I realized I barely felt it. Same thing yesterday. I've got it on again today, so I'll see what happens. I'll finish out the week with it, then switch to a different scent. But I'm really wondering if inhaling lavender all day made a difference. I'm not into alternative stuff AT ALL, but I've heard lavender has a calming affect, and I wonder if there are nerves involved with the hot flashes? Granted, my flashes haven't been fierce, but it was still a noticable difference. I'll let you know if there's a difference next week when I switch scents.

Saunachicken

Thank you for starting this thread! I just spoke with my new oncologist today about starting a low dose (5mg) of tamoxifen as a preventative because of my higher risk (mom died of BC, and her sister now also has it too) and I had a benign LCIS also. I didn't want to because of the SE but if I can try a low dose first, that makes me more comfortable. I'll fill the Rx tomorrow and update later. It has been helpful seeing everyone's responses!

Salamandra

Hi LilyCh,

You should be able to change brands of tamoxifen without involving the doctor at all, if your pharmacy can figure out what brand might have a smaller pill.

I break my tamoxifen pills sometimes - like one day I forgot to take it in the morning and I didn't want to take two full doses so close together, so I broke it and just took half at night and went back to my regular dose in the morning. Now I'm switching to taking them in the evening, so I also did a morning at half dose in the transition. I never even thought to ask my doctor about it! They break so easily and mine are actually scored like they are meant for breaking. I wonder if it has to do with your specific brand, or maybe the NP doesn't really know and it's easier for her to say no. It's really a question for a good pharmacist, or maybe the doctor.

To get the 10mg dose as its own pill would require an updated prescription from your doctor.

I think you or your wife should speak to her pharmacist. Ask them what they know about breaking these pills, what they know about the sizes of different generics, and what they know about the sizes of the 10mg pills. Depending what they say, they can call your wife's doctor to ask for an updated prescription for you for the 10mg, or just change the 20mg to a different brand that might be smaller.

Beaverntx

I second to ask the pharmacist --such issues are part of their education! Sometimes I need to be reminded that they are there for more than dispensing meds.

LilyCh

AliceBastable, Salamandra and Beaverntx, thanks so much for all your replies, I really appreciate that.

Well, the pill does not look too big to me at all but it is not easy for my wife to swallow any kind of pills. I read the instructions again for 20 mg and it does say "Take 1 tablet by mouth everyday. Take whole with water". Sounds like the NP did have a point.

The good thing is we asked the NP to change the prescription and I just came back from the pharmacy with 10 mg tamoxifen and the pills do look significantly smaller. Maybe it is from a different manufacture but I am very happy the problem is being solved.

Thanks very much again.

PurpleCat

For what it's worth, I'm a little past two months in and so far my migraines have not gotten worse. I'm even cautiously optimistic that there's been some improvement, although I won't know for certain until all the weather changes of the next couple of months have passed.

PebblesV

I’m still on the 10 mg dose and still doing fine on it. Here’s a picture of the tablet. It’s small, easy to swallow. Even if and when I go to 20 mg I will still get this dosage as it would give me flexibility to take it at different times which some people who have less severe SEs have done.

mrsEO

Hi everyone! I started on tamoxifen (20 mg per day) about 8 days ago...so far side effects seem pretty minimal: "warm" flashes - not the full on hot ones yet, a little headache here and there and maybe a little more short-tempered than I've been. I'm also taking magnesium citrate and a low dose aspirin each day to help minimize the joint pain and muscle cramps. If things don't get worse I will be very happy. I'm taking my meds each evening.

My question to the group is how long did it take for you to start seeing SEs from the tamox? I'm a little nervous that the SEs will get worse as I continue taking the pills. Thanks!

Palesa2018

My SEs have remained minimal. Hot flashes at night, nothing else. So this might be it for you. All the best!

gb2115

My side effects have gotten worse over time, have been on tamoxifen 2 years. Considering asking to try a different drug.

PebblesV

So I'm 3-1/2 months into the 10mg dose and very little side effects if any SEsstill. “Warm" not hot flashes and not constant, only in the couple hours after I take the pill. Nothing else to report actually! Maybe it's the dosage? I have NOT gone up to the 20mg dose yet.

NM71

I've been on Tamoxifen for 3 1/2 years. Some warm flashes at first but they faded away in the first few months. It may be easier us for older people. My first oncologist wanted me to take an AI and injectables for osteoporosis, I changed doctors, in the same organization. This one said Tamoxifen is a good choice for me as I was 100% ER+. And it has also helped my bones, according to last dexascan. However, I read it is not good for bones for pre-menopausal people.

PebblesV

I’m 43 and premenopausal and one of the ones doing fine on tamoxifen, so I don’t think it has to do with age. Good to know NM71 you’ve been on it for 3.5 years and fibe

Anx789

Hello there!

I am 48 yeas old and supposed to be post menopausal based on lab test. I have no physical signs of menopause so my MO I started me with Tamoxifen 3 months ago then will transition to AI. I have no hot flashes but this med seems to gives me anxiety and paranoia.

I always have a hard time loosing weight before dx. I lost 18 pounds during diagnostis(before chemo,) and I gained 6 pounds after chemo. After treatment I am watching what I eat but not really on a diet. I am losing weight, anybody here lost weight while on Tamoxifen?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Pebbles, I'm sorry about the comment out of topic, but there was a robbery in a factory of stuffed animals and I think you are guilty! LOL

Spoonie77

LOl Yndorian that's hilarious! Thanks for the laugh. We can always use more of that good stuff, can't we???

Scrafgal

doing well for 2 years....took about 3 months for my side effects to go away...I guess I was getting used to it...

Michelle_in_cornland

yndorian, Pebbles is my home girl...consider this a warning.... or we are going to put all those stuffed animals in your car......(this is a joke of course). Luv u Pebbles...can I have a few stuffed animals for my puppies?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Michelle: so apparently Pebbles has an accompliced, but you stole the big one!! 😜😜😜

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

These are my stuffed animals. I bought them with VISA! LOL

I don't know what the hell are they doing in this thread. They don't even take tamoxifen!! LOL

Michelle_in_cornland

Ydiorian, this is Theodore Blasius McMillan and the white one is Thaddeus Aristotelis McCloud. Part family name,part mystery movies from the 70’s. They are so fun!!

Michelle_in_cornland

Ydiorian, this is Theodore Blasius McMillan and the white one is Thaddeus Aristotelis McCloud. Part family name, part mystery movies from the 70’s. They are so fun!!

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Very handsome boys! But Theodore has a suspicius look... I'm affraid he is plotting something... LOL

Michelle_in_cornland

Yndorian1, he has some really amusing faces!!! Did you have oncotype in your country? Wondering why the chemo? How are you doing now after surgery?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Michelle: I didn't even know that Oncotype test existed. They didn't offer it to me, because of the size of the tumor and the positive node in my armpit I guess. The initial plan was lumpectomy with axillary node removal, then chemo and rads but the chemo went ahead because a suspicius supraclav node appeared. Now I'm recovering from the surgery (it was more painful that I expected) and I'm waiting for the final pathology but definitely the rads are on the horizon. A whole marathon!

I'm snooping in this thread trying to know if I will continue to suffer from tamoxifen or I will finally have a break!😫

Michelle_in_cornland

How did they find the clav node? There are women that do absolutely fine on Tamoxifen. My journey is documented on Uplifting and Lively Messages for the first several years of my journey. If you need anything, Pm me

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Michelle, I found the node. My MO said that "we will watching out it" I hope it is just a swollen node after biopsy. Anyway they will rad it. Thank you. 😘

PebblesV

Yndorian1, Michelle in Cornland, Spoonie - OMG I just saw these awesome posts!! I was away from the boards for a bit because after taking all the stuffed animals I needed to hide out... LOL. Actually life got busy and I was helping care for my mom who was in the hospital, she's better now so all good there.

I am around 7 months into 10mg of tamoxifen and doing totally fine on it. The only thing I really feel is that at night (I take tamoxifen at 8pm) after I take it I get warmer, but it's an open the balcony door and let in fresh air kind of thing and not a sweaty hot flash kind of thing. My MO has a theory that part of why I'm faring so well is actually because I'm way, way pre-menopausal (I'm 43, my Mom did not hit menopause until her mid-50's). Anyways just his theory. Or maybe it's the fact that I'm on half dose (MO is still OK with that). Either way, it's been fine for me so far!

Well, I have returned all the stuffed animals but kept these two, looking particularly cute with their summer cuts:

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PebblesV: They are so cute! I loved them since you published their picture in a chemo or rads thread (I think). Who is the little black who also appears in your avatar?

I'm glad that your mother is fine, and that you are doing well with tamoxifeno.

We have had some fun in your absence! LOL

PebblesV

Yndorian1 - that is our most precious Kit Kat who “crossed the rainbow bridge” about a month before the bc diagnosis for me, so it was quite the year last year. Still miss her everyday. Here is that little bear cub!

If you ever want your cute puppy fix, the pups DO have a public Instagram account where all I do is post cute dog photos. Find us at @pebblespawfamily on Instagram