Tamoxifen after effects

kmrslp · May 2010

I had been taking Tamoxifen for almost 3 and a half years as a breast cancer preventative. I had a full hysterectomy after one year on the medication. Last Spring I started having some weird symptoms (racing heart, shakiness). I was told to keep taking the meds. I decided to stop the meds this December 2009 after too many days of feeling out of it. I initially felt much better, but still have some days that feel like I did when I was on the meds. How long does it take for the Tamoxifen to leave your system? Has anyone had the same side effects that I have had? I take no other medications, except a multi-vitamin and calcium+D supplement. I know Tamoxifen is a chemotherapy type drug, but I have no idea the length of time it remains in your system. Any thoughts would be most appreciated. I have discussed this with my breast surgeon and oncologist and have not really received any substantial information from them. I am scheduled to see a cardiologist for the racing heartbeat, but my gut is telling me that the Tamoxifen still might be the cause.

idaho · May 2010

According to oncologists tamoxifen doesn't cause any of those things...and to that I say BS! I have the exact same symptoms on Tamoxifen. I found that taking 10 mil. in the morning and 10 at night seemed to help, instead of the whole 20 all at once. The reason this happens is because of the loss of estrogen. Many women going through natural menopause have this happen also. Wishing you peace and health. Tami

Abbey11 · May 2010

When I have missed a tamoxifen dose and asked my oncologist about it, he said not to worry because tamoxifen stays in your system for about 6 weeks if you've been taking it for a while. Based on that, you shouldn't be having tamoxifen related symptoms now.

Tamoxifen isn't really a chemo drug. Chemo drugs attack and destroy rapidly dividing cells like cancer cells and hair. Tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker. It prevents estrogen from binding to the estrogen receptors on BC cells. If the cells don't get the estrogen, they don't continue to grow. I don't think tamoxifen can cause heart damage like Adriamycin or Herceptin can.

I would see what the cardiologist says. Sometimes we're so worried about breast cancer, that we neglect to think about other causes for our symptoms. This winter I was convinced that I had bone mets because I had so much hip pain. It was finally diagnosed as bursitis. I probably should have gone to an orthopedist first before I drove my onc crazy!

Good luck. I hope you find out what's going on.

pinklink · September 2010

I stopped taking tamoxifen 2 weeks ago. I couldn't find any answers so I started my own blog site. If you have questions or just feel free to comment at:

http://2010whathappensifistoptamixfen.wordpress.com/2010/09/14hello-world/

Tamoxifen after effects

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