tamoxifin and calf pain

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red5902
red5902 Member Posts: 72
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I can't seem to find any recent threads regarding Tamoxifin and calf pain.  I haven't been on this site for quite some time.  I have been on Tamoxifin for approx one year now and the joint pain seems to be getting worse.  It feels like the muscles in my legs are "too tight".  The pain is sometimes severe particularly in my left leg.  This pain sometimes wakes me from my sleep.   What are docs prescribing for this type of pain.

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  • HelenaJ
    HelenaJ Member Posts: 1,133
    edited September 2009

    Hi red5902 - I don't have the calf pain but am on tamoxifen and there is a whole stack of topics related to tamoxifen, joint pain, muscle pain etc. on the Hormone Therapy Forum.  There is a thread called Bottle o Tamoxifen and although we go off subject a lot of the time :D a lot of the ladies unfortunately have similar problems, perhaps you can post there.  Thats if you don't get any responses here.

    big hugs

    Helena

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  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited September 2009

    I was getting really bad cramps in my calves-- is that what you think it is? THey would wake me up at night to. I started taking calicium and magnesium and the cramps are gone--- I also take glucosamin and chondroiton for the joint pain-- helps so much!  Tami

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  • tkone
    tkone Member Posts: 511
    edited September 2009

    I have been on Tamox since December 08 and am having the same problem.  I take potassium supplements and extra magnesium and it seems to help quite a bit.

    Also quinine, I heard is helpful.

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  • Celtic_Spirit
    Celtic_Spirit Member Posts: 748
    edited September 2009

    I've been on tamoxifen just shy of a year now, and I have cramps in my calves, ankles, and thighs. The pain usually comes on during the night. Several times, I've had cramps so bad that I couldn't put my foot flat on the floor...I was stuck "on point," as they say in ballet. I haven't spoken to my onc about it. I'll bring it up when I see her next month.

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  • red5902
    red5902 Member Posts: 72
    edited September 2009

    Thanks for your responses.  Much appreciated.

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  • NKinPA
    NKinPA Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2009

    I've been on tamoxifen for 2 and 1/2 years and have the exact same problem.  My onc says it's not a side effect but I know after reading the comments here that it's not just a coincidence.  It's a minor problem in the scheme of things but sure annoying at 3:00 am or in the middle of yoga class.  What does it take to get them to list it as a side effect when so many have the same problem?  Nancy

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  • dash
    dash Member Posts: 766
    edited October 2009

    I have been on Tamoxifen since 9/07 and have nightly shin area pain. I feel it when I'm off my feet relaxing(or trying to!) I've brought it to my onc's attention a couple of times but he wasn't very concerned.

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  • bluedasher
    bluedasher Member Posts: 1,203
    edited October 2009

    Hormonal changes can cause cramps. I had them during pregnancy sometimes. Also shortage of various minerals including potassium, calcium and I think magnesium. I'm not on Tamoxifen, but I've been having muscle cramps since the end of chemo - mostly a muscle in the front of my shin. Cramps are more common at night. Sometimes when one wakes me up it's really painful and takes a lot of massage and gentle stretching to get it to ease. Mine might have been due to the Clodronate that I was taking on the bisphosphonate study.

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited October 2009

    Tonic water helps for this. I had nightly muscle cramps in my calves and feet when I was on Tamoxifen and read on these boards that a daily glass of tonic water would help. It did. When I next saw my onc and mentioned the cramps and the tonic water, she said that's what she would have suggested. If you decide to try this, give it a little time. It took a while to work.

    Sometimes, I mixed mine with a little vodka. Smile

    Barbara

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  • kol819
    kol819 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2009

    My calf pain has been getting more frequent as well.  I hadn't experienced this since my pregnancies.  Do you all think it is the tamoxifen?  I have been on it for 7 months but thought it might be a side effect also of menopause?  I really appreciate the original question being posted and all the helpful comments!

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  • Dolores81035
    Dolores81035 Member Posts: 82
    edited October 2009

    I have calf  muscle pain  with Herceptin I used Tiger Balm and my calf muscle pain is gone. 

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  • red5902
    red5902 Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2009

    I would mix mine with a little gin. lol

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  • red5902
    red5902 Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2009

    The tonic water that is.

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