Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

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  • Barbie7
    Barbie7 Member Posts: 386
    edited November 2008

    Basha, I'm sorry I'm no help with advice, but I can throw some positive energy your way.  I thought Tamox was supposed to help with bone health.  Please let us know what your doc says when you can get him/her on the phone.  Arg.

    Harley - here's hopin' that December is uneventful for you!  Or at least uneventful on the health front.  I'm feeling a bit like you these days.  If it isn't one thing it is another.

    Ladies, have yourselves a great weekend.  I'm going home and I might even put on my jammies before 6:00pm. (it is much easier to do now that it is dark at 4:30).  If I had a fireplace like Virginia, I'd go home and flip the switch.  Instead maybe I'll light a candle and pretend.

     Barbie

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  • sue_blue
    sue_blue Member Posts: 416
    edited November 2008

    srissman - Sorry to hear that you have to deal with more complications from this disease. Hopefully, the treatment will take care of everything. The tamoxifen has not been too bad for me and maybe it won't be for you either. Let us know how it goes.

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  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 278
    edited November 2008

    Harley, Barbie, et al,

    My doc finally reached me in the afternoon and reassured me my numbers for osteopenia(possible precursor to osteoporosis) are low and may just remain the same til I'm 90. They are trying to catch weakened hips in women before they break. I only have it in the lumbar spine. So, not too worrisome. But Harley, it does seem there's always something, and that makes me feel old when I am not.

    Lynn, This cold lasts forever! 

    Love, Basha 

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  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 634
    edited November 2008

    Oh Barbie, I am so SORRY about your cousin...that is awful...24, just a baby...  When I read about stuff like that, it really puts things in perspective...  How devastating for your family. 

    I am glad that you spent some time pampering yourself...  I agree with you that Harley...you need to go get a massage.  Have you been riding roller coasters girl???  that's how my neck "went out."  LOL  After these months it's perfectly fine...just had to heal on its own.

    Not much news to report...it's super chilly here in NJ...good day for hybernating which I am liable to do.  My filthy house needs cleaning but the lure of the fireplace and Wii may be too much for me to handle...

    Hugs and love to all!!

    Virginia

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  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 278
    edited November 2008

    Barbie,

    Let me jump in after Virginia to offer condolences. I hope your family finds comfort in each other.

    Basha 

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited November 2008

    Barbie,

    I just want to add that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  I'm so sorry to read about your cousin's death.    Sending gentle HUGS your way!!!

    Harley

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  • Barbie7
    Barbie7 Member Posts: 386
    edited November 2008

    Harley, Basha, Virginia - thank you.  It was so nice to come back to kind and loving words.  I only wish I had Virginia's fireplace.

    Barbie

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  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 634
    edited November 2008

    Barbie, c'mon over!!!  Xmas in New York is truly Magical!!!  There's no other place like it in the world...

    Laughing 

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  • Barbie7
    Barbie7 Member Posts: 386
    edited November 2008

    Virginia - I'll be there!  I'll bring some hot chocolate (and a little brandy).  I like the new pic!

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  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 471
    edited November 2008

    Barbie, welcome back!  So sorry about the loss of your cousin...so young.  Hope your spa trip was relaxing for you.

    VA, I want to come to NY for Christmas, too!  Just without the expense and the horrible travel time, please.  Let me know when it's arranged. :-)

    No time this morning--I'm running really late--but just wanted to share that Monday I went to Nagasaki to attend a beatification ceremony for the 187 Nagasaki martyrs from the 17th century.  It was so beautiful--held in a baseball stadium w/ 30,000 people there.  There were 2 cardinals, 35 bishops, and 300 priests.  This was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, so I was glad I went despite the rain/wind.

    Gotta get to school...tomorrow the 4-day weekend starts.  Woohoo...Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!

    Love, Lynn

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited November 2008

    http://www.army/ of women.org   

          Dr. Susan Love is looking for volunteers as seen on  Good Morning America.  Check out the link and please sign up as a volunteer.  Tell your friends, everyone you know!  Together we can find a cure for breast cancer.  Check it out.  It only takes a couple minutes to sign up. 

    Spread the word!

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  • Barbie7
    Barbie7 Member Posts: 386
    edited November 2008

    Virginia, have you seen the new Guitar Hero commericals? Last night, I was watching TV when I saw a commercial, thought of you and busted out laughing.   They are a take-off of the underwear scene in Risky Business (Tom Cruise/Old Time Rock & Roll) and instead of Tom Cruise, they've got all different celebreties.  Last night I saw the Kobe Bryant/Michael Phelps version.  There were two other people but I couldn't tell who they were.  Once again Virginia, you bring a smile to my face!

    Lynn, the beautification ceremony sounds wonderful. 

    Happy Thanksgiving all!

     Barbie

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  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 634
    edited November 2008

    Barbie- LOL, yes I've seen the GH commercials.  I think the one I just saw had a female supermodel.  Can't place her name though...  :O

    Lynn- come for Christmas!  There's TONS of room at Casa de Virginia...well, we could be REALLY cozy if all of us are there...

    Our VP is "releasing" us at 3:00 today...  I am going to my sis' house, so I have to run home and make an Amaretto Cheesecake.  And, the old standby Knorr Spinach/Vegetable Dip.  Yummy.

    Makraz- I heard about that Army of Women program...I think you might have an extra / in your website...it's www.armyofwomen.org   The program is open to all...even if you have a previous diagnosis.  Sounds interesting.

    Hoping everyone has a great Turkey Day...

    Virginia 

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited November 2008

    Thanks for catching that Virginia!

     The correct URL is: http://www.armyofwomen.org/

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2008

    ashaby---I had my ovaries removed  (not by choice--ruptured) so I have to have a DEXA bone density scan every 2 years.  I was diagnosed with early osteopenia about a year ago, but doc said not enough to have to be medicated for it yet. Just recommended calcium with Vit D and weight bearing exercise (I  take 600 mg calcium with 400 mg Vit D in both the am and the pm and try to work out 3x a week).  I just finished my 5 years of tamoxifen 6 weeks ago--tamox does help the bones, I'm certain my osteopenia would be worse now if not for the tamoxifen.  I'l will be going on Evista soon for further prevention of invasive bc and I will have the added benefit of it helping to prevent osteoporosis too.

    Anne

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  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 278
    edited November 2008

    Dear Anne,,

    Thanks for the info on your osteopenia. My doc finally called me back and said mine was fairly mild, in my spine  and needs no meds.I will start the calcium and Vit D too. Congrats on the end of Tamox but keep riding the train.

    Basha 

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  • my3girls
    my3girls Member Posts: 3,766
    edited November 2008

    To my dear sisters here on the tamox train.

    I have been absent from this thread for quite awhile. I hope you are all doing well!!

    I have been changed from tamox to arimidex by my onc. I had to have a hysterectomy awhile back, so she changed my meds.  So far, so good.

    Wishing all of you a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

    xoxo

    Lisa

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  • Jisman
    Jisman Member Posts: 149
    edited November 2008

    Hello All -

    Just wanted to share that my Mom's pathology report came back clear -  clear margins, no lymph node involvement.  Major relief for all.  She will heal a bit and then go through radiation treatment.

    Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  Very thankful to have both Mom and my breast cancer caught early and behind us.

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  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 278
    edited November 2008

    Big  congrats Joan!

    I bet your Thanksgiving was a little brighter for that.

    Basha 

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  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 278
    edited December 2008

    Hey Tamoxisisters!

    Wake up! Where be you? The sun just came out after 4 freezing grey days in VT. I need you!!

    xxxooo Basha 

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  • sarmcl
    sarmcl Member Posts: 75
    edited December 2008

    HI all

    Well add me to the list of those taking Tamoxifen. I finished chemo November 5th and today was my follow up visit to go over after treatment

    I will be getting perscription filled on Friday. One question I forgot to ask, ok to drink on Tamoxifen? I am going to Vegas in March with friends. 

     Barra

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  • VirginiaNJ
    VirginiaNJ Member Posts: 634
    edited December 2008

    Hi Barra- welcome to the train!!!  :)  I hope you have a smooth ride!  I believe the only restriction with the Tamox is no grapefruit or grapefruit juice.  Alcohol is ok (THANK Gawd).

    Joan- way glad to hear that your mom's tests came out clear!  WHOOO HOOO!!! 

    Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving!  Guess everyone is in full holiday swing.  I was a little sad missing my dad, but had a very good and relaxing day...  My sister made an amazing meal...  I can't believe how fast the time flies...  I was Dx'd the day before T-giving 2 years ago...  Phew...

    Hugs girls!

    Virginia 

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  • Barbie7
    Barbie7 Member Posts: 386
    edited December 2008

    Hi Ladies, and welcome Barra. 

    I think grapefruits/juice is a restriction, but bad shoes are also frowned upon when on Tamoxifen.  Be careful Barra - one of my side effects has been uncontrollable shoe buying. 

    Virginia, I'm glad you were able to enjoy Thanksgiving, even though it also brought some sadness.  Our Thanksgiving was the same being just a week since my cousin's son was killed.  We definately felt Tony's "presence", but the day was not as joyful as years past.

    I've been in the dumps.  I'm trying to pull myself out.  I think I'm going to try something my former Cancer Therapist did for herself.  Every couple of hours, I'm going to look back and see if I did something for myself (even just getting out of my chair and walking around).  Hopefully, by the end of the day I'll look back and say that today wasn't all that bad.  Lots of things to be grateful about (which I am), just falling into the dreaded winter funk.

    This is the first thing I did for myself today.  Thanks for participating.

    Barbie

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  • murphmort
    murphmort Member Posts: 157
    edited December 2008

    Hi girls - I've had a crazy few weeks between work and home.  I've missed you all and hope your turkey day was relaxing and enjoyable.  I could not have been any happier or thankful this year. 

    I had my mammo this morning .... it was one year ago yesterday that it all started.  But this year is different, my mammo looks good!  I'm celebrating tonight (annual holiday gathering) with 25 moms from my town and will have a beverage for all of my tamox friends!!! 

    I've been having soooooo many hot flashes lately, and I'm almost 2 weeks late for my period (urgggh).  My husband and I watched Rudolph last night and I exclaimed how I could guide the sled this year with my hot flashes ... who needs the red nose!  LOL!!!!

    Barbie - try and focus on one positive thing everyday ... it's not easy to snap out of the "blues" and we've all had those days.  Go out for a walk, listen to some music, bake something that you enjoy eating, anything that can break that mood.  You are also allowed to feel grief over your cousin's son passing and that maybe why you aren't able to focus on the positives.  Hang in there.  Smile

    I've got to get back to work.  Have a great day, ladies. 

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  • ashaby
    ashaby Member Posts: 278
    edited December 2008

    Hi Everyone!

    Welcome, Barra. Ilove your name. Irish?

    Barbie, Sorry for your blues. I know them too well. Don't even try to be perky. Being sad, grouchy, unavailable sometimes is just life. Then the sweetness returns.

    Love, Basha

    xxxxxVirginia and Murph  

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  • bethu77
    bethu77 Member Posts: 320
    edited December 2008

    Hello everyone,

    I have two more radiation treatments and then I start Tamoxifen. I am so afraid of the side effects. The blood clots and risk of cancer is what concerns me the most. I was diagnosed in June, surgery in September and started radiation in October. I didn't have any chemo. I have DCIS in both breasts. I chose lumpectomies instead of mastectomies with reconstruction. I will be reading this topic and learning from all of you. I need to know how everyone is doing on this train!

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  • prayrv
    prayrv Member Posts: 941
    edited December 2008
    I found out that Tamoxifen may not work for those who are lacking a certain protien.  It's called E-cadherin.   It's bad enough that I hardly had any se's from the d@mn drug (and onc doesn't do the metabolism test to see if I'm even getting the benefit from it) and now I find out that the lack of this protein may cause my cancer to spread!!!  Here's a link to the article if anyone wants to read it:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28054161/

    This is my only current line of defense against this beast.  I go in for a diagnostic mammo for that pain that I mentioned a few pages back (of course it's gone now but at least I'm getting a 6 month mamo instead of waiting a year) and I'm just plain scared now.  I was trying to put this sh$t behind me a little at a time (ct was clear) and now I have this hanging over my head. Just crap, crap and more crap!

    Ok vent over - thanks for listening all.

    Gentle hugs,

    Trish

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  • elisabeth
    elisabeth Member Posts: 255
    edited December 2008

    Hi Tamoxifen folks.  I have what may seem like a naive question.  Bethu - why are they putting you on tamox if your cancer is estrogen/progest negative?  I know the obvious is so that it doesn't perhaps develop as er/pr +, but I just don't get all of this.

    thanks for help. e 

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  • bethu77
    bethu77 Member Posts: 320
    edited December 2008

    I was told it was the best way to treat the DCIS. I was just looking over my lab results to see if I wrote the correct thing. I can't find it right now. I'll have to double check the results again and see if I read them correctly. I'll try to find them and let everyone know what I find.

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  • elisabeth
    elisabeth Member Posts: 255
    edited December 2008

    Hi Beth.   Thanks so much.

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