Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

Thanks Sandee.  I'll mention that to my Oncologist on Monday.  Yep it seems Tamox does have a mind of its own.   I hate the fuzzy/lightheaded feeling.  Sometimes it feels like there is a band around my head.  It doesn't exactly hurt, but is distracting at time.  It's not all the time either.

Caroline - I was 46 when I was diagosed and pre menopausal.  I haven't had a period since July of last year which was right before my first Chemo.  My Oncologist thinks the chemo plus the tamoxifen has put me into menopause.  I'll know for sure when I go to my Oncologist on Monday.

Thx for the menses perspectives. Did some research and it sounds like it's different for everyone, especially pre-menopausals.

Melatonin suggestions: Take it only before midnight, about 30 - 60 min before you want to sleep. Not only does it help get to sleep, when used around the normal time it's naturally produced anyway in the body, it also apparently has an anti-cancer effect (& anti-oxidant effects, which also helps after radiation). My natropath had actually initially recommended 10 mg, but it made me too groggy the next day and 5 mg works fine for me. Less might also work for you (1 or 3 mg doses available). Do not take Melatonin in the wee hours of the night or morning. Apparently at those times it has pro-cancer effects! Instead, if you need to go pee etc, try to do it in the dark, otherwise your melatonin levels get messed up. Also, try sleeping in as dark an environment as possible; you could use a little mask when travelling. Check out the web for more info. Interesting to read that "It has been suspected that women with the brightest bedrooms have an increased risk for breast cancer. Reduced melatonin production has been proposed as a likely factor in the significantly higher cancer rates in night workers".

Sleep-inducing foods to try before bedtimes: bananas, oatmeal, warm milk, herbal tea (eg camomile, catnip, anise, fennel), proteins (keeps blood sugars from dropping in the night)

Good luck you night owls!

EastCoastGirl:  I'm having all kinds of uterine issues, and it may influence my ability to take Tammi...have you considred endometrial ablation?  I'm currently looking into this.  It wouldn't stop your hormone cycle, but it does stop bleeding.  And it's not so "invasive"  There are SE to oopherectomy like bone issues later in life.  I'm still researching everything so I thought I'd throw it out to you.

I know some of you are discussing traveling to the Northeast...I'm in Maine, so if you were traveling through, you could always PM me.  I don't have the biggest house, but I have plenty of air mattresses, and running water! Ha!

ECG- gotcha....and you are right...heart is the more immediate danger and if the tammi caused this (I do NOt believe in coincidences) then I want NoTHiNG to do with it, now that I have had a day to think about and process it. I was just so scared on Tuesday..but in some ways I now feel relieved to know that it was not me that caused the heart attack, you know? I didn't feel that with BC...but it is sooooo impossible to prove anything. Anyhow, we will see if the weight comes off now that I am off tammi....(then agai, I am also walking up a storm so it too may prove nothing!)

Good info re. melatonin, Caroline...now that spring is here, I need to add a second layer to my curtains as the light is pretty but not effective in getting or keeping me asleep...used to have three-layer curtains when my ex was doing shift work....loved the  pitch black room. Good idea re. no turning the light on if you get up to use the bathroom. it is all about seratonin levels ...might try melatonin again but in a higher does.

Maine....Nova Scotia....Newfoundland..all in the same vicinity! WHACK!! getting a head start on THAT pillow fight

Excellent!!! not to worry - we will leave your hairdo alone:) Enjoy your dinner!

Sandy you little devil, you must be feeling good as you have a strong WHACK!!!!

Okay don't you think I have gone through enough....woke up at 4:30 trying to pass a  kidney stone....I have a huge history of them and I have passed well over 40-50 maybe even more, lost track.....but really do you think this could have sprung up on me some other day....ARGH!!!!  Thank gosh I am so darn used to walking around with them.....

Loving today's weather, in the 60's and I did some yard work and have a ton more to do, but just to know that I started is a plus.......hope you ladies have a wonderful evening.....HUGS TO ALL!

June- I have only had one in my life and it literally brought me to my knees...my ex just passed a 5mm stone that was rattling around giving him problems for 5 week.....you are one strong woman!!! I promise not to hit You with a pillow tonight because you have been through enough!

Jo- good shot!  I figured I would get a head start as I am so tired I will likely not make it to the sleep over (or if I do, I will be sound asleep)...only hit my right side though ladies, the left side of my neck is stiff/sore (and, like breast cancer...how NOT to get paranoid about every little ache and pain)?...

June -  So sorry about the kidney stones.  What else can go wrong?  Nothing I hope.  You need a distraction about now - WHACK!  WHACK!  hehehe  ps  They were gentle whacks.

Sandee - I only aimed for the right side and it was a light shot.  Don't want to hurt you anymore than you are already hurting.   

June ~ ugh ~ enough is enough already !!!  Hope you pass it soon....... 

Jo, are you whacking us already.  Sneaky sneaky.

June...hope you have a HUGE water bottle beside you..we promise not to hit it!

Tink must be hiding.  Just remember, I learned everything from her.  She is the expert at sneak attacks.  

Hey June!  WHACK - Did I really do that?  hehehe

Sandeeee -  Where are you?  You could be next. 

Sandee - Be careful there could be a sneak attack from behind - WHACK- gotcha back.

WHERE THE HECK IS TINK?  I COULD USE SOME HELP HERE!!!HEHEHE