Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

1…366367369371372…1024

Comments

  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    June - When I went into menopause, I had a period one month and the next month it was light spotting and then nothing.  I kept watch for several months and when the nothing continued, I thought this is great.  All I had to deal with was the hot flashes - but ugh - they were bad at that time.  My gyn put me on Prempro which helped but in the end was a big mistake. Had I had known at that time that HRT would give me BC, I would have tried to find something else for the hot flashes or just put up with them.  Shoulda, woulda, coulda.  Hindsight is a real bitch.

    The lbs will come off.  Maybe I need to cut back on the sweets and rich foods for awhile. LOL! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NJvictoria
    NJvictoria Member Posts: 119
    edited March 2011

    June,

    I bought a Bob Mackie silk blouse, absolutely gorgeous for $2.10!! Whenever I pay for anything, and it gets into the "double digits", my husband gets nervous LOL! Pilots are CHEAP!!  :)

    Vikki

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JanetinVirginia
    JanetinVirginia Member Posts: 1,516
    edited March 2011

    Yes well menopause.  I had really heavy periods about year before they stopped so don't know if that's usual or not.  I read someplace there is a surge of estrogen just before menopause because body's natural reaction to end of fertility.  I thought that was strange - but an arborist once told me just before a tree dies it puts out many times the number of usual pinecones or seeds to keep the species going!  Who knew pine trees go through menopause!! :):)

    ps - Don't everyone rush at once or we'll block the train aisle - but I hear there are home made sticky buns in the dining car this morning!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited March 2011

    Swanseagirl so glad your back

    June would't it be fun if you all came to my house next Friday. Don't know if DH could handle all us tami ladies.

    DS has been up all night sick and he has a long drive home today. Hope the rest of use don't catch it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rachel5738
    rachel5738 Member Posts: 920
    edited March 2011

    Hi everyone---Have followed this thread since I started Tamox back in Dec. I started Tam on Dec 24th (what a nice Xmas present!) and did pretty good on it---however, my insomnia is driving me gradually crazy. Through chemo, my Doc did prescribe me a sleeping pill (Generic: Zopiclone) and I took to help me sleep (always been a bad sleeper)--but I stopped taking regularly as Doc said that it can become very addictive. Now--of course--have harder time sleeping--I have tried relaxation/meditation/melatonin....Any ideas? Also--anybody experience constipation while on Tamoxifen? It seems to come and go for me. This really is the gift that keeps on giving!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Sherry - Of course DH would not be able to handle all of us crazy tami girls.  Guess he would have to find something to do outside the house. LOL

    Janet - Sticky buns sound so good - Yum! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • June2268
    June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
    edited March 2011

    Rachel5738 I too started out with insomnia and  constipation.  I went on Colace for the constipation and I stopped around month 5/6 not really sure when, I just was so tired of taking pills all the time.  I just upped my fruits and vegetable and did a high fiber diet (Fiber one cereal and cereal bars ) and it has seemed to work as I am pretty regular again.  Once in a great while I will skip a day but  that's all.  As far as the insomnia I switched my pill from evening to morning....Good luck and Welcome!!!!

    Jothanks for the insight.  That was this month, very light spotting (quarter sized ) for 3 days and that was it......I wonder hmm....I just hope I don't get the hot flashes as I wear too much hair spray and that would cause for a bad hair day.....as for the sweets my friend, I think I have to stop them completely and on to the daily salad and fruit only....BUT I will not stop our Friday and Saturday nights on the train with cocktails in hand.....you ladies are much too fun to have water only!

    Vikki sounds like you did wonderful and all husbands tend to be the same when the women spend $$$$.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited March 2011

    VIKKI..What a great deal...love to find deals like that.!!!

    JUNE..Yes we will get through this together... one day at a time my friend.. I agree I dont know what I would do without you wonderful ladies... wow... I am so grateful for you all!!!!!!!!

    SHERRY that would be fun. hubby would never be the same though ... lol!...

    RACHEL..Welcome to the train... I had insomnia in the beginning now I seem tired all the time... once I started to pick up my exercise routine that actually seemed to help me a bit... hope you get some relief soon!!!

    JO.. HELLO!!! What are you cooking up today? :) I am making a pork roast, green beens and potatoes and made a lemon cake earlier....

    Off to run errands...

    Maria

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Rachel - Welcome to the train.  Get ready for a fun filled but informative, supportive ride.  I have not had the sleep problems with the Tamox - always been a bad sleeper but sleep has improved since I had to start Lyrica for toe pains.  As far as the constipation, I started taking acidophilus about two years ago,  It is good for the immune system and helps in that area.  I actually started it because of repeated yeast infections and I stay on it to help prevent them if I have to take antibiotics.

     June - You have to have the cocktails on the train - water is not served.  So sit back relax and enjoy.

    Tink - What time is dinner?  I'm coming to your house - that sounds yummy!

    I thank my lucky stars everyday I found this website and all you wonderful ladies.  This has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. I also want to say many thanks to everyone for letting me throw in the humor on a regular basis.  It is what keeps me going.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • swanseagirl
    swanseagirl Member Posts: 393
    edited March 2011

    Thanks Ladies!!!!!!!!!!

    Wow this train does move fast. However, with Jo's cooking it will be a pleasurable journey.

    I have my follow up with my surgeon this week.  My breast isn't feeling right after two months out of rads. Extremely painful and hard in areas. My onc said it was from rads and offered no adivce. So I'll see what my bc surgeon says and go from there.

    I haven't had a period since August. One month into chemo.  My hot flashes are beyond hot flashes they are like tidal wavessssssssssssssss.  Onc offered meds to help, however, I am weighing up the choice of taking more meds or live with the sweats.  After a sleepless and wet night leaning towards the meds.

    Grrr cancer, it just keeps on giving.

    Happy Sunday xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Jules

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dawney
    dawney Member Posts: 211
    edited March 2011

    June - I think my situation was a little different concerning Menopause.  I was on Seasonique and only had a period every 3 months - which probably didn't help with getting cancer.  Anyway, I had a period in June, then when I had my mastectomy in August I was told to stop taking the pill.  I had a very light 2 day period then and then had a little spotting in Sept on the weekend I started chemo but nothing since.  I am 46 and think I was already going in to menopause before chemo and chemo just jump started it. I don't miss the periods but hate having to worry about birth control at 46!  Surprised

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • worldwatcher
    worldwatcher Member Posts: 205
    edited March 2011

    Hi Ladies

    I'm marking the day and time of my first dose of Tamoxifen....today, March 6 at 1:30 p.m. AZ time, 5 mgs.  I'm a little late in beginning but here I go!

     I am hypersensitive to drugs, so am starting very slowly.  Happy I didn't have an immediate allergic reaction. .

    I'm post-menopausal so I think I can deal with hot flashes...not a good sleeper, so hoping it doesn't get worse.

    First train ride I have ever taken, BTW Smile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DiDel
    DiDel Member Posts: 1,329
    edited March 2011

    Welcome aboard Worldwatcher!! Nothing wrong with starting slow. Hope its a smooth ride for ya!

    I can't believe tomorrow is MOnday...blaaahhhh...I am ready for summer

    Have a good night!

    Diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • worldwatcher
    worldwatcher Member Posts: 205
    edited March 2011

    Diane

    Thanks for the support!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited March 2011

    WORLDWATCHER.Welcome aboard you will find great support here and alot of laughs!!! When I went back on Tamoxifen after surgery in Nov I went on it slowly that that as well and I spilt the dose 10mg in am 10mg in om.. it has helped quite a bit!! good luck and welcome Smile

    JO..Dinner will be served whenever you get here! :)... open invitation! I agree with you Jo this is one of the hardest things to go through, somedays it is still kinda sureal... but hope and faith are always there!!..

    DIANE..I am with you, I want summer and fast... flip flops, capris aaahh thinking about it makes me smile.... poured all day today oh waits its STILL raining lol!

    DAWNEY..I understand what your saying about worry about birth contol.. was on the pill for years and now its like uummmm now what? lol...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 5,065
    edited March 2011

    Tink - Do you live anywhere near Williamsburg?  About the time you made your post mentioning rain my brother, who lives there, was telling me how it was pouring.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited March 2011

    CHABBA.. I am in Northern VA about 2 hours from Williamsburg... its is whipping like crazy here...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011

    Worldwatcher - Welcome Aboard the Tammy Train.  Nothing wrong with starting slow.  I had to take 10 mg the first week and the a split dose for a couple of weeks to let my body get used to it.  Now I take mine with breakfast and the rest of my pills.

    Tink - Thanks for the dinner invite - bet it was really good. 

     Diane - I do have the capris and flops out already.  That is the nice part about living in deep South Texas - gonna be in the 80s the next couple of days.

    Been sewing all day and did not get around to fixing you ladies something to eat.  How about dessert?  Let's see, what can I come up with?

                                  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited March 2011

    JO... I will take dessert any day.. yummy!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • chabba
    chabba Member Posts: 5,065
    edited March 2011

    Ooooooohhhhhhhhhhh so good!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodstock
    woodstock Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2011

    Hi All. Been a silent passenger on the train since Dec when I started tami.  Took a short hiatis from it last month because of bad SE.  Back on again thanks to you all suggesting to start slow and work up to the full dose.  Three days in and hope its better than the first ride!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited March 2011

    woodstock...welcome aboard.... hoping the ride is sommther for you this time around... we are all here with you! :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011
    Welcome aboard Woodstock - Hope the train ride this time is much smoother for you.  We are all here to support you.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited March 2011

    Woodstock welcome. I also had to take a break because of SE's but the 2nd time aboard has been much better. Good luck

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited March 2011
    Sherry - Glad to hear you are doing better this time on Tammy.  You have had such a hard time with this journey - I know your pain and it is always good when things are going well.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • echosalvaje
    echosalvaje Member Posts: 191
    edited March 2011

    Constipation woes.........I found a solution quite by accident. Magnesium. I could have had relief a year ago had I listened to my cardiologist. He recommended magnesium to support my heart that had been weakened by chemo. At that time I was so tired of taking a handful of meds that I just didn't bother trying it and besides, is some mineral really going to make my heart beat better?

    About 3 months ago after a night of tossing and turning with insomnia (I've never been a good sleeper, but this was getting out of hand), I went on-line to look up something about nutrition stuff and just happened to see an article about magnesium helping people sleep, hhhmmmmmm....maybe I should try it. I did a little research on the types of magnesium (there are several) and looked at the limitations, dosages etc. and side effects. One of the first things listed was that it could cause loose stools. Really??? I've been constipated most of my life and Tamoxefin has only made it worse. I think I could get my head around a loose stool, right? WOW, three things I suffer with that could be helped with magnesium!!! Now it's got my attention!!!!  So, I bought a bottle of the Nature Maid 400mg. magnesium from Costco.

    As much as I hate the way this sounds, you know, the "if it sounds too good to be true, blah blah blah...." I had results the very first day or rather night. I took the magnesium one hour before bedtime with a glass of milk. I just happen to really like milk and have a glass every night before bed. Once in bed, I could only keep my eyes open for about 3 pages of my book. I still woke up to pee, but only one time and then fell right back to sleep. The next  morning I did indeed have a soft stool (I know....only other people with constipation can appreciate that remark). The best part is that it has made me as regular as clockwork, WHO KNEW!!!!

    I went to on a vacation with a couple of girlfriends last month and stayed in a house that was in a pretty noisy neighborhood. My friends were complaining about having trouble sleeping.  I offered each of them a magnesium at bedtime to see if it helped, DANG, they both slept better. I didn't want to discuss their toilet habits so I let that one go........

    Anyway, if you want to try something simple to help you sleep and unplug you all in one fell swoop, magnesium is the way to go! Oh, and I don't know if my heart is happier but I figure it can't hurt.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DiDel
    DiDel Member Posts: 1,329
    edited March 2011

    Im so jealous of anyone in warm sunny weather these days...Last summer I just finished chemo and it was so hot here I didn't go out much due to the wig factor. So I am really looking forward to relaxing and enjoying this summer...commmmeee oooooon SUMMER!

    I have to remind myself how much I want summer once it gets here and is 100 degrees 99% humidity. LOL

    Good night everyone!!!

    Diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited March 2011

    wow we are moving fast on this train...  :)

    June ~ you are beautiful the pounds will come off !  I am hitting the gym again this starting this week hard, I am up a few lbs myself.  UGH.

    Worldwatcher and Woodstock WELCOME !  Hoping your SE's stay away.

    Menopause talk ~ I had 16 weeks of chemo.  I have been in menopause since the first one almost a year and a half.  I did get my period for 3 brief months.  Last one was November.  I was so happy and felt so much better.  But then it left again.  Blood work shows I'm in menopause.  So I guess I am ~ thank you chemo and tamoxifen. 

    DiDel. I am with you jealous of anyone's warm weather.  A rainy windy morning here and chilly too.  YUCK !

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • woodstock
    woodstock Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2011

    Thank you all for the warm welcomes! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 4,562
    edited March 2011

    Welcome newcomers I have been on this train for over two years and apart from new joint issues am more or less doing okay.My biggest complaint are my hips.But that seems to come and go and when I get a flair up I simply take an Alleve with my meals.Seems to help.As for my hair it came in fine after chemo but now it is extremely dry so I use Argane Oil and it really helps.

    I find I have to take my pill in the morning not at night otherwise I get too many hotflashes while I sleep. Good luck ladies.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories