About-to-Start-Hormones Group

Marybe,

Thank you so much for posting. I am on my second day of Tamoxifen. I have been so worried about the weight gain though. I have been thin my whole life until recently when chemo added quite a few extra pounds.

I told my onc I was not taking the Tamox if I was going to gain even more weight. He kept stressing the importance of that tiny little pill. I finally agreed to try it but loudly proclaimed to everyone that the first pound I gain, that tiny little pill goes right in the trash.

Your post put it all in perspective for me. I think I needed that.

Thanks again.

In trying to find out whether certain meds (Ativan, Benadryl) would interact in a negative way with my Tamoxifen, I found a site that mentions that Arsenic conflicts with Tamoxifen. Is there any reason someone would be ingesting Arsenic?! I thought it was a poison with a day job as a pesticide?!

I've now been on Tamoxifen for almost 5 1/2 months. In the last week or so, my warm moments (my body stops just short of being sweaty) are increasing in number daily and intensifying. They used to happen only at night. I am trying to see this as a positive sign of Tamoxifen at work, but when you don't sleep well, it's hard to see a lot of "positives."

My weight hasn't changed, but I look "blobbier." It's like Tamoxifen is taking the perk out of my boobs and the tone out of my skin. I'm still a size 6, but my bra is saying bad things about me behind my back as it creates new ridges. It's such a sad thing that this breast cancer hits at a time of life that's already full of unsavory body changes. I wonder how much of what I perceive as "change" was already in progress, and I'm just noticing it now...

It's nice to have somewhere to whine together...

Coleen

Marybe- such an excellent helpful post, and your bio too.  

Traveler and NancyD- we have a lot of company on the sick parents.  My Mom had MS, and my Dad is 84 and climbing mountains.  He walks miles every day, as many hills as he can find.  The best gift you can give your kids is to take good care of yourself, I thank my Dad all the time, and I am trying to do the same for my son. 

Nancy, they even have a new word for this -- POCD (Post operative cognitive decline) - also happens with elderly that get infections.  My mother was so agitated last night that i hated to leave her.   She is having trouble remembering where "home" actually is as she was in assisted living before the fall.    Then she makes jokes with the staff and seems very clear!   You constantly have to adjust to try to not upset her -- I feel so bad for her.   She probably won't leave there.  She was so independent, and that is the hardest thing.  She is still doing PT though and hope that she will be able to use a walker - now it is wheelchair unless she is assisted.  It has made my BC almost leave my mind now and then, but when I am up all night on the internet ordering shoes (tamoxifen induced shopping) I remember.    I just try to enjoy the time I have with her, remember old times, which she does very well, and make her as comfortable as I can.  

Sleep the night through is also a thing of the past for me, and I too sometimes get feelings of dread, not sure why.     On Wednesday I left for work at 7, went to kickboxing at 6 pm, dog walking at 7, made dinner at 7:45.   (I work in Albany - hour from home)  you would think that would tire me out enough to sleep all nite, but no, I was up and on this board! 

Yes, I too understand sick parents. My mom was 29 when she died form ovarian cancer and my dad died Aug 08 of a pulmonary embolism, he was only 62. I myself have always been healthy until now w/ bc. I have a strong family history on both sides with bc and ovarian cancer. Hopefully my insurance company will pay for the genetic test. I would like to get a good family history for my children. After my mom died we have had little to no contact with her side of the family.

Happy Mother's Day. Enjoy your day and relax. 

traveler- my mom too, she was an activist.  I brought articles about her and pictures of her and her degrees and her needlepoint pillows to her room at the nursing home- to give the staff an idea of who this person was because she could not speak for herself.  My siblings (oy) at first objected but then when I brought the pillows, my mom participated in physical therapy- gross needlepoint- for the first time.  And helllllloooooo Zappos!   I'll be on Tamox in September, so I will see you here in the middle of the night.  

mfgibby- additionally- little to no contact with her side of the family?  Wow.  I had that with my mom but it started while she was alive.  In fact, I had no contact with them really until I got BC and had the BRAC test.  First they ask you for all the family genetics.  So I used every email address and connection I had to write to these strangers and say, OK, you don't have to talk to me or socialize or anything but let's share genetic information to save our own and our kids lives.  For the most part, it worked.  I also found some family members who want to be in touch, and I am so happy about that.  There was a price to pay, some of them are best left unknown.  Speaking of prices to pay, the way it worked with my Blue Cross was something about not submitting the bill when I went for the initial consult, but submitting the second bill with the results.  I know NOTHING about health insurance, and my whole health insurance is a mess.  I guess that's what I will be doing this week, seeing if they are going to pay for this.

Makraz- I just had "the talk" with my onc about the weight gain, and also my GP.  My GP said to watch out for water retention, and salt.  I know you tried everything, can't remember if you tried drinking a LOT of water and reducing salt.  

Welcome Lydia  I hope you do fine.  I'm on my 7th month and I have not popped yet!

If I remember correctly, my onc did not want me taking certain herbs with Tamoxifen.  I don;t remember which since I don't take them.  Perhaps someone else knows.  If yu are unsure you should talk to your onc.

Best if luck on this journey!

P.S. what are you all talking about "popping"? what se is that?

Thanks Guys for your support. Spring did start that popping thing. Trying to lighten the situation. You are exactly right, this is my life now. Not what I wanted or chose.I will try to make the best of it as well and try to follow your example. You guys are great!

Rachel - I had a Zometa infusion on Friday (Bone density scan showed areas of osteopenia) and I didn't have any SE's so far.

Spring...

yeah- you gals rock.  Thank you marle and spring for confirming.  Unique, yes I agree, this is my life now.

Not so bad actually.  Last month my period was TEN days.  I have it again now, 3 days early and gang busters.  I am kinda looking forward to Tamoxifen.  And the Zometa.  Someone on either this thread or March RADS just visited a parent with some sort of bone degeneration, she was saying whatever you do, don't get bone loss... I saw a woman while I was waiting at the pharmacy so stooped over I wanted to help her, then I realized this is her whole day her whole life now.   My PET/CT scan showed some possible inflammatory joint disease in my clavicle, and I am going to check with a specialist but I think the Zometa is going to be good at fighting that, if it's there.

Look, I am never ever going to say cancer was any kind of gift.  Period.

My life is a gift, and I just want to make it better, and my self healthier and live longer.  So I will take the benefits I can.  Lemonade from lemons kind of thingie.

Reading your thread - and the Buckholtz posting of Susan Love's study on Tamoxifen SEs - really calmed me down.  I can't thank you enough.

So I called my best pal from high school the other day, her back is out from gardening, and she was "hot flashing" like crazy she said when I called.  She doesn't have cancer (thank G-d).  When she hot flashes, she just hot flashes, when I will hot flash, I will know that I am that much closer to kicking cancer's ass.

All in all, I am in good company  

I am with ya Spring!  That's a good image.  The more hot flashes ya get the better statistics for no recurrence, so yeah, burn baby burn!!

There's a lot of burning going on, with radiation and everything.  

Oh my March RADS gals thread Martha quoted Eleanor Roosevelt: Women are like teabags, they don't know how strong they are until they are in hot water.

 Off topic a bit...

I am really excited there's a video of our mommy group's recent bake sale against kid's cancer on wcbs, I hope it's OK if I post it here.  

 http://wcbstv.com/video/?id=127587@wcbs.dayport.com

I have not had any hot flashes as of yet, just a few night sweats. Their are times I feel like I am going to "POP", but then I remember I was that way b/c(before cancer). I am Irish with the temper to prove it. My Onc also told me not to take soy, I think because it mimics estrogen or something to that effect, I do not quite remember since I do not take herbals.

I just had my third period since tamoxifen. The first was extremely heavy, the second was late and very heavy, this one came at exactly 28 days and was on moderately heavy on day 2 and 3. I am hoping for it to disappear.

Hi! i am thinking about trying tamoxofin , but I am anxious about it and would like to take a lower dose could you post the study about the 10mg dose being just as effective. Thanks, Brendy

Guys, I am not doing so well with this whole Tamoxifen thing! I woke up this morning with a cramp in my leg and freaked out!! I was sooo afraid it was a blood clot and it was like the final straw for me. I am so sick of going to doctors that I just started bawling and have not stopped for hours.I don't think I will be able to function this way. I have to go back to work in a week. How will I go from crying basket case to work person in one week? I don't want to have a stroke at 45 years old!! At least with cancer you have some warning. I am starting to think the emotional distress is going to cause the cancer to come back anyway. I am finding it hard to be positive when I am so scared.