Wooziness on Tamoxifen—how long might it last?

renbird

I started Tamoxifen a month ago today.

I seem to be experiencing a bit of daily dizziness, especially while waking. I’ve been taking it at 11am every day.

Questions:

1. Anyone get a bit woozy on Tamoxifen?

2. Did your body get used to the Tamoxifen? How long did it take?

3. Is it better to take Tamoxifen before bed to try and avoid experiencing Tamoxifen effects at their peak?

Thanks, all!

xo -Renbird

Salamandra

Tamoxifen can be dehydrating, so maybe take some extra electrolytes/fluids? Maybe keep a glass of salt water next to your bed and drink before you get up in the morning.

I had a bunch of early side effects on tamoxifen. Some lasted a few days (hot and cold flashes), some lasted a few months and needed drugs to help go away (acid reflux), and some never did (which is why ended up changing to a different drug).

This whole thing is super individual. People have to experiment to find the time of day or night that works for them. Some women do better with splitting the dose and doing half morning and half evening. Some stay on a 10mg dose. You can definitely try out different times and see if it helps.

Good luck!

flashlight

Hi, I am one of those who take 10mg in the AM and 10mg at 8pm every evening. Especially when it gets hot outside I have to remember to drink that water to stay hydrated. I just finished year 2 and I'm doing well. The hot flashes come and go so does the heart burn. Insomnia continues. Magnesium is helping with the leg cramps. I take fish oil for the side effect of dry eyes and B-complex for energy. Check out the supplement posts. Good luck to you!

pinger2474

I experienced dizziness 2-3 weeks after starting tamoxifen. I tried splitting the dosage, 10 in the morning, 10 at night. That helped the dizziness but then I had severe insomnia. I ended up reducing dosage but of course talk to your doctor first. It's been 9 months now and my body has adjusted. The sleeping is much better but I also used breathing and meditation techniques to fall back asleep if I wake up in the middle of the night and I now get roughly 7 hours even though it's a bit broken. Who knows whether it's the tamoxifen or general anxiety over this entire experience that caused the insomnia. The other side effects that I have now and didn't have prior to the medication are extreme vaginal dryness and occasional muscle/joint pains. My doctor said this can be due to general aging and/or body going into menopause and may not actually be due to the tamoxifen.

Hang in there. There are alot of threads about tamoxifen effects and it seems there's a huge variety and it seems to change over time as your body adjusts.

flashlight

Hi pinger2474, My MO said before I started tamoxifen that most women have the side effect of vaginal dryness. If I had that side effect he would give me a script for a low dose estrogen vaginal cream. I was lucky I didn't have that side effect and still don't after my hysterectomy. I did go and get a baseline transvaginal ultrasound and Gyn exam just after I started taking it. My dermatologist had put me on vit E for dry skin about 5-years ago and now I take fish oil as well. Maybe that has helped. I think it is unbelievable the doctors are not on the same page when it comes to these medications and their side effects! I changed MO's and their opinions were different. It is a lot to take in.

bcincolorado

I took mine in the morning and at night (split dose). Did have hot flashes but found a little folding hand fan works wonders to cool me down when it was "just me" and everyone else was comfortable.

buttonsmachine

Hey renbird, if I remember correctly the wooziness resolved after 6-8 weeks for me. I also started taking my 20mg pill at night just to sleep through the side effects a bit more, and I found that helped. Best wishes to you!

renbird

Thank you for sharing your experience and advice, Salamandra! : )

-Renbird

renbird

Thank you for this tip! XO -Renbird

renbird

Yes and Yes!

My hubby is a physician and even he agrees.

Thanks for you message and advice/experience.

Hope you are feeling good today! : ) -Renbird

I think it is unbelievable the doctors are not on the same page when it comes to these medications and their side effects! I changed MO's and their opinions were different.

renbird

Pinger2474-

You and I are having similar experiences. Thank you for sharing yours. It makes me feel less alone!
XO -Renbird

renbird

Thanks, Flashlight... I started Mag last night! Be well and hope you feel great today.

-Renbird