Tamoxifen? How do you know.......

Mom2Sarah

So I literally JUST started taking Tamoxifen on Friday. On Saturday I was so sad, in the morning all I wanted to do was cry. I thought, it can't be the medicine already? So now here I am at work again, and I just don't like the way I feel. I know it sounds stupid and crazy? But again, I just want to seriously cry for no reason. Am I losing my mind? Did anyone else feel anything like this? I mean, I know it's one thing to feel crappy and be feeling blah..... But I seriously don't like myself right now. And I'm not depressed to the point I would do anything. Something just feels off, if that makes sense? Not sure if I should call the doctor just yet, or keep taking? Stupid cancer!

CAlK

I am feeling the exact same way and I am too on tamoxifen.

The other thing I am experiencing with it is anger...at the drop of a hat I can just rip somebody a new one.

I also feel like there are moments that I am losing my mind. Radiation oncologist told me that this is normal, now it seems that I keep counting down the days until the 5 years is done. It will be 1 year in 2 weeks...4 more to go!

Mom2Sarah

I just started taking it! I can't do this for five years, my husband will divorce me. Lol! I wasn’t sure if what I was feeling is from the medicine or what? Or if any of thiswas normal?

CAlK

Depending on your age you may get menopausal symptoms, tamoxifen will do that to you. I already had symptoms so am experiencing a doubly whammy...lol! My husband is stubborn and knows that this is not me talking, it's the medication. Just tell hubby it will turn around. If it doesn't seem to and you don't like yourself (same here) next time going to the oncologist perhaps ask for an alternative. I have a visit with my medical oncologist in 2 weeks and am strongly debating this as when I sit here and look at 4 years..not sure any of us can handle this crap for that long...lol!

Moderators

Dear

CAIK,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry for your diagnosis and the side effects of your treatment and we are glad that you reached out here to our members for support and information. We hope that you will find our community to be a valuable resource to you. Let us know how your appointment goes and stay connected here.

The Mods

gb2115

One thing I can tell you about tamoxifen, from my experience so far (2 years) is that the side effects will come and go. What that means is what you are feeling now isn't necessarily what you will feel 6 months from now.

Veeder14

Hi gb2115,

I'm curious about which side effects you had appear and then go away. Do you think it was due to using a different manufacturer or not?

farmerlucy

My onc prescribed celexa and tamoxifen at the same time. I had a crazy reaction similar to you. I think it was in part due to the celexa because I stopped both but started Tamoxifen ten months later and I just had the garden variety symptoms like hot flashes. Also know that many of us experience PTSD, which often presents after active treatment is over and hormonal therapy begins.

farmerlucy

mom2sarah - Could also be depression coming on. I totally and absolutely had a breakdown about the time I started Tamoxifen. It took me months to pull out. Counseling and meds and timebrought me back.

I took Effexor with Tamoxifen. I really liked it. It takes about three weeks to kick in.