Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

Tink - You whine all you want and as much as you want.  You are having to deal with quite a bit on top of your our diagnosis.  Remember, we all understand and are here for you.  Hope Ali gets better real soon and sending best wishes for your brother.

peg - That is my understanding as well about the decrease in bone loss and prevention of osteporosis.  I also read that it can help lower cholestoral levels too.  So confusing sometimes.

I went for a second opinion on my MRI (first hospital was trying to tell me I didn't need it).  That oncologist told me two very interesting things:  1. as a 40 yr old, premenopausal survivor, I needed to take 1200 mg of calcium/day to combat the Tamoxifen-induced bone loss.  She said clearly that in the pre-meno set, Tamox is a bone loss drug.  In the post-meno set, it is a bone-builder.

She also told me not to take more than 100% RDA of anything, as Tamox wasn't tested against many of the supplements,and probably never would be. That gave me serious pause.  I cut way back on my naturopathic supplements.

I think the moral of this story for tonight:  you can't win!

I am 56 and post menopausal.  Since I started taking Tamoxifen on Jan 5th this year, my feet have hurt constantly.  Some days it is hard to walk.  My MO started me on Lyrica - took that for a little over a month and did not get relief.  Stopped that on my own and have been taking glucoasmine/chondroitin and it seems to be getting better.  

Bottom lline - I don't think it matters much if you are pre or post meno, the Tamox is going to mess with the bones in some cases. 

Tinkertude - I'm so sorry you have so much going on. I wish the best for your brother and daughter.

Jo - I've been on tamox since start of Jan this year. I have this pain in my side that seems to be okay when I'm sleeping, then thru the course of the day it gets worse, especially if I'm doing any activities. The fun just never ends! I will see my MO next week to discuss and part of me doesn't want to bring it up cuz I really don't want any new tests or meds. I just want to be back to normal - ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Happy Monday all!

Beans - I know the feeling.  Some days I feel like I am 90 years old the body aches so bad.  Don't want to add any more meds to the already growing pile so am also hesitant to bring it up with the MO when I see him next month.

Jo - Yes, so many aches and pains and each one makes me fearful...thanks for saying you are hesitant to bring stuff up with your MO...I am realizing I will have to bring up this side ache - I have probably given myself an ulcer from worry! At least the rash went away, so I can mention that, but it is gone, whew!

Alicia - My 3 mo follow up is next week which has me nervous. I sure understand what you're going through. I've had so much anxiety, PTSD, whatever. I'm so glad to hear you had no clots and your check up sounds like you are doing well, NED! Hurray! I don't know anything about Effexor. I still have some Ativan left over from chemo and sometimes will take a pill at bedtime as it's the only way to get a really good night's sleep anymore. Anxiety is no fun so I'm glad you have some options for dealing with it.

Hope everyone has a great day! ~Beans

Alicia glad you had a good visit with the MO and everything looks good

On the subject of bone loss.  I am prementapausal and my MO is ording a bone density test for me for a base line and then he is putting me on Fosomax.  He went over all the hoopla that is going on about it but still felt it was the best prevention for bone loss.

HI, Everyone. I seem to catch up about every 10 posts. When I read what you all write I feel so much better. I am not happy that you're all going through this, really I am sorry we're all going through it, but I'm glad I'm not crazy and the only one. (We're not crazy. This is hard stuff!

 Beanius, I have a ridiculous rash on the top of my feet (is that weird enough?) since I started tami. Mentioned it to the gyn last week and he said that I should try another brand of tami. Interesting idea. He said the additives (?) vary from brand to brand. I may be allergic. It's really not such a bad rash. Moisturizer helps it. 

Jo, I know how you feel about all of these aches and pains. Hard to relax about them. I had a neckache the other night which I decided could be metasteses, of course. (What else?) But then I remember that I had been swimming in the rough ocean and was thrown by a few waves. The pain was really muscular when I thought about it, but I see where my head immediately goes. And this high estrodial level that I have suddenly made me beyond nervous when I first got the test result.  I was hysterical that it meant something terrible until I reached the doctor and he told me that it isn't something serious and this can sometimes happen with tami, which is protective. Do need to treat it, though, as you don't want to be running around with high E2 levels, and I'm now in the midst of trying to figure out if I remove my ovaries or get those nasty shots each month. Trying to do more research. Would love the input from you ladies, if you have any experience with this...

I remember when my Dad was a few years past leukemia and he had a cold. My mom was nervous that the leukemia had come back as it had begun with a compromised immune system. I reminded her that as a human, he is entitled to get colds. And he got over that cold and each one after that. This year was his 20 year mark (and he had had a terrible prognosis.) When I ask my Dad about how he got through that hard time he acknowleged that it was hard, that for quite a every little symptom made him nervous, that medical tests don't ever get that much easier, but that he decided at one point to try to get as positive as possible and fight as best he could even though he was quite debilitated. He told me that he stayed calm by telling himself that he was unique and that each leukemia case wasn't the same as his. And he prayed a lot. He is an inspiration to me when I'm feeling very scared.

 Speaking of scared, and speaking of atavan, I'm a big fan of taking a half a xanax now and then if I'm feeling particularly panicky. Ladies, this year has been hell at times. My GP agrees that this is OK. I like knowing that they're there if I need them. If that makes me a druggie, so be it!

 Love to all of you, Shari

JustmeAlicia, try not to freak out. I had a lung nodule in 2006 and then it went away and then another in 2007, I went through CAT scan, PET scan, bronchoscopy, eventually they decided it was either inflammation or scarring but not cancer. From what I've heard lung nodules are actually pretty common especially with the highly sensitive equipment they are now using, they pick up EVERYTHING.

sgreen.....dont feel bad about the xanax at all!!!. that has been my life saver right now. My prim dov today wanted to start on lexapro so she said we could get my anxiety attatcks under control... i dont know yet if i am going to do it i hate the idea of another med I have not taken before going into my body!!!

Alicia... i dont know what to say except im wrapping my arms arounf you with a great big hug!!!!!!1 you said it sister it sucks!!!!!

been better Jo... to tell you the truth....

My brother is sched for  triple bypass surgery tomorrow..... just asking for prayers...

not sure about Ali leg yet maybe going back to doc tomorrow and hospital for possible ivs... will keep you posted...

Alicia... I am going to take your advice and Im taking the kids to red robin for dinner and getting a freakin monster shake... ... my hubby has class tonight! so i dont have to share....

GROUP HUG IS A WONDERFUL IDEA!

Tink you deserve that monster of a shake and I think if your husband was there he would leave you alone and not hover......Praying for your brother and please keep us posted!

Alica- what the heck!  I would be freakin out as well.  You have had so much on your plate lately.  I miss you and I am thinking and praying everything is A-OK with you!

Jo Jo what's for dinner?  How are things at your workplace?  Any better?  Miss you!

Sherry How are you and your family doing?

Okay, I know I already talked to Tink about this, but I have this small vein under my armpit (no lymph nodes removed) and it is stringy and 4-5 inches long.   It is almost like right after I got radiated that tightness and almost bruised like feeling.  Not painful, but very noticeable anytime I move my arm.  I called my MO and obviously it must not be urgent as I have not heard back from anyone.  I hate the freakin out about any little thing.  WHEN DOES THIS END?

My daughter is doing the Relay for life this weekend and she raised over $600 00 dollars, I am so proud of her.....

All you lovely ladies out there, I miss each and every one of you and would not be the person I am today if it weren't for all of you ......

Jo, Beanius et al - I know...I don't want to pbring anything up either but I have 6 things to ask my dr tomorrow and one of them is WHEN is my #$^%$ mammogram...let's get this cdone already!!!

Alicia- More meds and a good night's sleep and no anxiety and step it up at the gym to combat the potential (operative word here) weight gain...might help for a month or two while your anxiety lessens...as least as an option or something to have on hand . Glad she did those tests on you . My ex has had nodules on his liver , gall bladder and kidneys for years...they are benign but something to keep an eye on and scary to think about....so your doc is right..do busy things to keep you mind occupied unless you eventually have to be concerned...worrying about next week is not going to help you now....24 hour rule my friend...24 hour rule

Tink- glad you are taking care of yourself and going for food distractions! Ali needs more iv's? what is going on there?How is your daughter doing?

My 18.5 year old cat has taken a turn for the worse....was peckish and growling on the weekend and ended up with a bmajor bladder infection. Vet wanted to take blood yesterday and I said ' I brought in a urine sample..can't we start there rather than distressing her further?" sure enough....bladder infection...meds, ani nausea meds, appetite stimulant meds...and i have spent the last two days forcefeeding her with a syringe...cat soup (cat food and water blended!) and water to hkeep her hydrated....not the same a a child or sibling....I know...but I feel helpless and incredibly sad nonetheless. it all spins out of control sooooo quickly with animals...one poyund can mean life or being ont he brink of death. But in themeantime, she is purring again and sleeping on a heating pad....hoping this too will pass....

sgreen- my pharmacist told me there are quite a number of companies that put out tamoxifen and they all use different binders so if you are having a skin reaction to one, take them back to the pharmacist and ask for a different brand. I used to have eczema and have had hives before..horrible!!! hard to concentrate on anything when you are itchy...aveeno....comfrey cream...calendula....and, of course, cortisone, all help