Start Tamoxifen-April/May 2011

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  • christine47
    christine47 Member Posts: 1,454
    edited May 2011

    Hey Tamox girls,

    I am still waiting form my rx of tamoxifen, go back to onc in 1 1/2 weeks and am sure he will have it readly.  Is the goal to remain in chemopause/menopause while you are on tamoxifen??  I am 47 and very regular periods prior to chemo, what have your oncs told you??

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  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 215
    edited May 2011

    Christine~ That's what my onc's were hoping with me (and that's what has happened so far), otherwise one of them has recommended Lupron shots every month for 2 years to shut down my ovaries and put me into chemical menopause.  

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  • christine47
    christine47 Member Posts: 1,454
    edited May 2011

    Sherbear, may I ask how old you are?  My hot flashes are slowing down since I finshed chemo 2weeks ago (good, but hope this is not a sign that chemopause is not going to last).  I hear Lupron is brutal?

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  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 215
    edited May 2011

    I'm 37, been done chemo since mid november.  Warm flashes started around the holidays and are still with me, a few more since starting Tamox, but nothing serious.  Didn't have any hot flashes during chemo.  According to my fertility doc, I am in menopause, but my period could possibly come back, nobody knows for sure. Already being on the Tamox, I am by no means interested in Lupron and shutting down my ovaries.

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  • christine47
    christine47 Member Posts: 1,454
    edited May 2011

    Sherbear, thanks for info, I guess time will tell, in the mean time I will just go with it.  I see you mentioned fertility doc, are you considering a family post BC?  A sweet girl I met in cancer group was pregnant (35 weeks)  post chemo and rads, and doing great! 

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    Christine,

    I'm 42 and in chemopause.  I started Tamox and my OB Onc said I should NOT have another period.  (Though there are women who do according to another thread on this site.)

    I was told Tamox stops periods in most women, and I should report any bleeding or spotting immediately.

    I feel PMSy and am hoping it's not my period coming back.  I just don't want to deal with it.

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  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 215
    edited May 2011

    Christine, yup, we are.  The plan is to do 2 or 3 years of Tam and then deal with our little embryo's :)

    That's great about your friend!  :D 

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  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 215
    edited May 2011

    Ton Lee, I hear you, but I feel like it's a bit of a double edged sword as I'd like to NOT be in menopause since it's not natural for someone my age and I worry about the health effects from that, but then I worry about the whole estrogen thing.  Whatever, I'm doing what I can and will just let whatever happens with my cycle, happen.  I'm definitely not into adding another drug to my repertoire, so I'm pretty sure Lupron is out if it comes back, lol.  My fert doc told me that she does see women get their period back on Tam though. 

    Just goes to show you, they are not really sure of ANYTHING with regards to this disease. 

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  • christine47
    christine47 Member Posts: 1,454
    edited May 2011

    Sherbear,

    Thats exciting!  I had fertility issues and did fertility drugs to get my boys (12 and 14).  Ironically when I had a PET scan before treatment, I had a ovary that lit up/ ovulating!  You are young, lots of time for a family.  My brothers wife just had her 1st baby at 47!! 

    Anything goes with this disease and in life.

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  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 215
    edited May 2011

    Thanks Christine!  We are excited!  Have 11 embryos waiting for us after my Tam.  Will be on it for 2-3 years, depending on how things go with it. So far it's been alright, but it has only been a little over 2 weeks, lol.  

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  • okeefe7544
    okeefe7544 Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2011

    Okay, been on tamox for just over a week and nothing more than a little dry skin.  Please let this be the only symptom.  I don't want to gain weight, I heard you could loose weight?? 

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  • Rennasus
    Rennasus Member Posts: 1,267
    edited May 2011

    Some people gain weight, others lose. I had very bad dry skin a few weeks into tamox but it has since resolved itself. Yeah! I found a moisturizer for my face that doesn't have a lot of perfume or junk in it, and it is doing the trick. And Aveeno on my body. Have moved the coconut oil to the pantry shelf!

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  • okeefe7544
    okeefe7544 Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2011

    Iks!!  New symptom that I did not relate to the Tamox, URI!!  Really!  Has anyone had this problem.  I am taking AZO not sure if I should take an antibiotic?  Hope this goes away!!  Had some pain during intercourse but just thought it was because it had been so long, but read that this could be the tamox too?? 

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    Okeefe,

    I haven't had a UTI with Tamox, but I've read a lot of women get yeast infections....so if you can get a yeast infection from it...a UTI is certainly plausible.

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  • MizChiz
    MizChiz Member Posts: 36
    edited May 2011

    okeefe... New to this board but I can certainly sympathize w/ the pain during intercourse! I am Sahara Desert dry! Of course we used lube but there was still some pain... Going to my GYN on Monday and will ask him about it. I've been on Tamoxifen since April 1st and my hot flashes have subsided quite a bit.

    Sherbear... Exciting to hear you have 11 embryos waiting for you! I had my one and only son at 37 after having to use fertility meds and it's worth anything you have to endure. He's the love of my life!

    Menopause... I'm hoping mine stays! I was still having periods up until chemo and I'm 50. A very YOUNG 50, however! :o) With any luck everything will have synchronized and my hot flashes will be over and done with, although I am on Tamoxifen for 5 years. I would be the weirdo who ends up finishing the Tamoxifen, have my periods begin AND get pregnant... My boyfriend would die!

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  • okeefe7544
    okeefe7544 Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2011

    MizChiz,  let me know how your appointment goes.  Feeling better with UTI. 

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    I'm on the 4th day of glucosamine..tablets not liquid, and it my knee still hurts, but it hasn't gotten worse...I will update if it goes away!

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  • Rennasus
    Rennasus Member Posts: 1,267
    edited May 2011

    TonLee: My knee pain went away on its own, but yesterday my elbow hurt, and today my wrist. Who knows what tomorrow may bring!

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    Renn,

    Lol.  I'd be afraid to wake up tomorrow if I were you!!  :)

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  • wenweb
    wenweb Member Posts: 1,107
    edited May 2011
    TonLee Glucosamine takes about 6 weeks to show it's effect...hang in there!
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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    Thanks Wen!  I will.  Have to get these joints soothed or things are going to get ugly up in here!  lol

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  • comingtoterms
    comingtoterms Member Posts: 421
    edited May 2011
    Sherbear, I am 50, diagnosed at 48, still getting regular periods and am continuing to have them despite AC/T chemo and Tamoxifen - so there is hope!!!! Tammy
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  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 215
    edited May 2011

    Thanks Tammy!  Good to know.  I'm just going to see what happens and go from there, just hate not knowing and carrying around tampons with me everywhere I go haha!  

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  • ShannonR
    ShannonR Member Posts: 307
    edited May 2011

    Wow, I am hypothyroid too and I see what yall mean about the symptoms being similar.  I will have to get my onco to add that to my blood work.  I switched to taking tamox at night and that really helped with fatigue.  I am only have warm waves and I hope it stays that way !

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    My sex drive is starting to putter awake. :)

    It's amazing how chemo took even the psychological craving away. 

    Hope it wakes up with a shout...buwhahahaha

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  • Randi64
    Randi64 Member Posts: 177
    edited May 2011

    Hi Everyone! I started Tamoxifen 13 days ago and was terrified! I had 20 weeks of chemo followed by BMX with expanders,yet this little pill had me shaking! I am so far happy to report the side effects thus far have been bearable, I have noticed increased fatigue,constipation and some hot flashes. I really hope this is as bad as it gets! I am eating extremely well and have started to exercise a bit as I am about 5 Weeks out of my mastectomy. I was actually more afraid to look at these discussions as I did not want to know too many of the side effects as I would have gotten them! The mind is a funny thing....

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    Hi Randi,

    Glad your SE are mild so far...WOO HOO!

    The glucosamine seems to be helping with my knee...however two days ago I bent over in the driveway and the worst pain I have EVER felt in my life (bar none) occured in my lower back.  It dropped me to my knees and I actually screamed...I couldn't get up for 10 minutes, and couldn't put any weight on my heels for about 30 minutes....I had to walk on my toes...bent over and moaning, but moving..

    Never had anything happen like that before in my life.....I did have some lower back muscle spasms during chemo...but damn this episode really hurt....and two days later I am still sore from it.....

    I wonder if that is Tamoxifen?  A few more episodes of that and I'll lose my mind....

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited May 2011

    Hey ladies...can I crash your little tamoxifen party?  I just got my Rx today so here I go!  My doc said to take it in the evening and sleep it off.  Hey I hope it does make me tired...perhaps I can stop taking the xanax I take at night since getting diagnosed!  I just finished chemo 3 weeks ago and have not had a period since my first chemo the first week of March.  I am 45 and was no where near menopause before this.  I have been dealing with hot flashes from chemo and am hoping it does not get even worse from the tamoxifen.  I will have to check in and let you know if I notice anything odd with side effects.........

    Oh and to Sherbear:  About kids....I had my son right before I turned 41.  You have time and it's so exciting you have little embryo's waiting for you!  That should be your motivation to push through this every day!  I know for me, my 4 year old son is my motivation for everything. 

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  • Randi64
    Randi64 Member Posts: 177
    edited May 2011

    Tonlee, Im not sure that the Tamoxifen can cause that kind of back pain, it sounds like a muscle spasm or maybe your sciatic nerve. I have had back soreness and pain in my knees. Thank goodness not like what you are describing, but enough to have to take Advil. I am also more tired during the day, so I may switch to nightime as well.

    I stopped taking the Ativan I need for sleep, but have been having insomnia. I normally take Benadryl, but heard this interacts with Tamoxifen. I am ok with not sleeping while out of work, hopefully this will improve when I return..

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  • Sherbear
    Sherbear Member Posts: 215
    edited May 2011

    Thanks MDG!  It IS motivating :)

    Welcome to 'the party', hope all goes well for you, I take mine before bed and so far, so good.  A few more hot flashes, but mainly warm and no big deal.  We'll see how I do during summer hahaha!   

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