Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

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  • Sandeeonherown
    Sandeeonherown Member Posts: 1,946
    edited September 2012

    Hello ladies...I am back....boy, sorry for such a long break....finished a course, packed up, moved and am now sitting in my living room in Doha...There is a store down the road that sells organic produce and that makes me incredibly happy!...not sure what all the sand will do or what the stats are regarding breast cancer in this part of the world (I know diabetes is incredibly high) but I will check 'em out....all is well.

    GmAFoley- I went on tamoxifen after my radiation and it caused a heart attack. I stayed off all anti-estrogen until last fall...tries arimidex and went off it after 7 weeks because it was causing swelling and lots of arthritis-like symptoms where I had not had them before. I opted to go on nothing. The breast cancer seemed random to me and other worldly in many ways....the heart attack shook my world since my dad had a history of heart attacks (I had put it down to life style...very different from mine)...made me reevaluate a lot of things including my stress level and where I was putting my energies (ie. a workplace that was not in my best interests). 

    Tamoxifen bounced me into menopause full force so I have decided to simply continue to eat well, exercize, put oil in my hair so it is not so dry and take lots of vitamin D and go with that for now... I am 50 and I don't want to feel like I am 40 years beyond that even for 5 years....so I am hoping for the best and avoiding the unknowns I know about (soya and other foods...pollutants when possible...stressful situations, which certainly cannot help). Not sure if that makes sense or helps....we all have our decisions to make and all you can do is read read read and ask lot of questions to make sure you are comfortable with your own decision.

    Sherry, Jo, Tink, June, Paula, Granny, Linda, Chabba and all you other powerful ladies...big hugs!

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  • Linda-n3
    Linda-n3 Member Posts: 2,439
    edited September 2012

    Sandee, so glad you checked in!  Love to hear more about your new work soon, so keep in touch as often as you can!

    I am off to New Orleans with DH today, he has to teach in a weekend course, I get to play!!! Laughing We will have envenings for dinner together, and NO is in my top 4 favorite cities in the US!!! Catch up with you all later!  Hugs to those who need them (I'm guessing EVERYONE!).

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited September 2012

    Linda have fun

    Sandee glad everything is going well, we have missed you around here.

    Love here is another website that gives you a listing of all the drug interactions.  I use this as a guide of when to call my MO and get permission.  I have found if it is in the moderate to minor catagory he will be ok with me taking it.  If it is in the major I need to call him.  Celebrex is on the major list but he has given me permission to take it when I need it.    http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/tamoxifen.html

    Chase I have had severe hot fash issues and it was making my life miserable.  I could not sleep, etc, etc.  MO put me Effexor 37.5 and boy has it helped.  Stopped the hot-flashes and sleep is so much better. I hated the thought have having to take another Drug but finally got so miserable I caved in and now it is not so bad.  I think I was just being stubborn but I feel so much better.

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  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,882
    edited September 2012

    Hey ladies...  Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

    Have a Tamoxifen question which I hope is not too personal ....  Has anyone had any issue with yeast infections since starting Tamoxifen? Never had one prior to starting this med but have had two in the past year. Yell

    Wishing everyone a great week...Will see the BS & likely gyn dr tomorrow... So sick of dr appts...  ok, done whining!

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  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited September 2012

    Hi Odie!

    I havent had an issue with that but I do notice additional discharge at times. Good luck at your appts tomorrow!!!

    I have PT again tomorrow. I didnt go all last week as my daughter was sick with pneumonia... never dull is it ladies???

    she ordered me a new sleeve so I am hoping it is in tomorrow

    Sandee so glad you popped in and things are going well :)

    Linda hoping your having a great time!

    wishing everyone a calm and peaceful week!

    HUgs

    Maria

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited September 2012

    odie I did when I first got on Tamoxifen.  Had several yeast infection right in a row.  Gyn tried to use the creams because the pill Diflucan is hard on the liver as well as tammi can be.  but ended up having to use the diflucan to get it cleared up.  Have not had any other issues and that was late spring 2011.

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  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,882
    edited September 2012

    Thanks for the responses Tink & Sherry....

    Tink - hope your daughter is feeling better this week.

    Lynda - Hope you are enjoying some good times & good food in NO.....

    BS appt today was uneventful as expected and will see gyn in the morning... Happy Monday ladies.....

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited September 2012

    Hi Everyone!  I'm back and pretty tired.  I will try and go back later and catch up.  DH and I had a fantastic time.  The best port was Honduras - went snorkeling and it was truly amazing.  Did not do much shopping there - everything was too expensive.  Anyway, glad to be back home.  Haven't even started unpacking yet.  Had to go get groceries tomorrow.  Will write more later.  Hugs & Kisses.

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  • nrp
    nrp Member Posts: 34
    edited September 2012

    Just started my tamoxifen (Day 6).  The only two SE's I am dealing with right now is the night sweats.  I had them before radiation, and before tamoxifen, but they are definitly different.  Before it was just a warm feeling (waist up).  Now I wake up and I'm soaked and I can't sleep with blankets...I lay naked on top of the blankets and swear I'll probably never feel my husband again as I can't bear to crawl under the covers any more.  The second one has come on slow...I feel like a real b***h today and all week and I don't speak because I'm afraid anything I say is going to come out nasty.  I just nod and shake my head when people try to converse with me.  My poor husband.  I am taking 20 mg of tramadol for the pain, but mostly because a side effect is a sense of well-being and it helped throughout my radiation when depressed without me giving in to the Celexa they prescribed me (which gave me a migraine after two days).  Well since taking tamoxifen, the tramadol is doing nothing at all and I just feel like crap. I hope the SE's go away as some have stated. I will wait this out and see.

    Just thought I'd chip in here and add my two cents. Will keep ya'all posted, and I'll keep reading for tips. Thanks everyone.

    NRP

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited September 2012

    NRP - I am so sorry you have having to deal with the SEs.  I have been on Tamox since Jan 2011 and I really don't have any SEs to speak of.  I will have warm flushes every now and then.  I think the one thing that helps me with my mood is the fact I am taking Nortrrptyline which is an antidepressant and also used for pain management.  I have permanent nerve damage in my left breast and left foot.  The Nortriptyline has helpe tremendously with helping me to feel good but I also am sleeping the best I have in many years.  You may want to talk to your MO about giving this a try.  There are several ladies here who take Effexor - which is a common drug taken with Tamox -  for the hot flashes.  I know Sherry is one of them.  She said it took several months for her body to adjust to it but no problems now.  I'm sure she will come along soon and give you more details.  It kind of goes hand in hand, if you can sleep well you have improved mood.  Best of luck to you and I hope you can find a solution that works for you.

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  • bgirl
    bgirl Member Posts: 538
    edited September 2012

    Jo, glad you had a nice vacation.

    NRP - found the first couple of months to be the worst.  Some SEs are getting easier now that I am at the 9 month mark.  Hope you find the same.

    Hospital just called today to remind me of my first post-treatment mammo on Monday.  Back to cancerland, trying not to worry too much.

    Had memorial service for my dad last week.  It was nice, a fitting end to loving him into the next life.

    Hope everyone is having a good week.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited September 2012

    bgirl - Guess we will just have to do a pocket party on Monday so you won't have to go alone.  That first mammo after treatment was the worst mentally.  BC sure does have a way with screwing with the mind.  You are going to do great and I will keep my fingers crossed for B9 results.

    Sorry to hear about your dad.  May he rest in peace!   

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  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,882
    edited September 2012

    Welcome back Jo! Glad you had a good time....

    Bgirl - I will be in your pocket Monday as well and expect good results... You have been thru enough lately and deserve a break... Glad the service for your dad went as well as possible. Gentle hugs....

    Happy almost Friday to the rest of you ladies. Work has been crazy lately so I am really glad for the weekend. 

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  • heartnsoul76
    heartnsoul76 Member Posts: 1,648
    edited September 2012

    Hey ladies!

    Jane - Jo is right about that 1st mammo after treatment being the hardest. Hope time flies and it's over quickly and everything is fine!

    Jo - glad you had a good trip! I've never heard anything about Honduras, I'll have to look that up

    Has anyone had a problem getting their Tamoxfien filled? The usual kind I get is made by Mylan, and their distributor is having trouble getting it.  I got a different type the other day - don't really look forward to trying something different.

    Sandee - so good to hear from you! Please do post soon and tell us what it's like in Doha! Glad you have an organic market close by - priorities, you know! How do you like your new job?

    Linda - have a great time in Nawlins! My father was friends with the Brennans, but I didn't know them Frown 

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited September 2012

    heartnsoul - My Tamoxifen is made by Teva and so far I have not had any problems getting it filled.  Honduras was absolutely beautiful.  The water is so clear and blue - it is hard to explain.

    For some crazy reason, I figured out how long I have been on this stupid little while pill - 1 year, 8 months and 8 days.  Still a long way to go. 

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  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,882
    edited September 2012

    heartnsoul - I am on the Mylan brand and had trouble when I refilled my script last month. I ended up transferring my rx to another pharmacy which had the Mylan brand still and was able to get a 90 day supply. Worried about whether I will get so lucky next time I refill it and like you, didn't want to switch brands if at all possible since I know my current SE's with the brand I am on.... Hoping the brand switch is uneventful for you..... hugs

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  • heartnsoul76
    heartnsoul76 Member Posts: 1,648
    edited September 2012

    Jo and Odie - thanks for your answers about our little white pill! Odie, oh no, I like the Mylan! I hope we don't have to switch one day. She told me to call back Monday to see if the drug rep had any when he comes back - if he does I'm going to see if I can get 90 days worth, too.  I really don't want to try to get used to any new SE's, but I'll try to think on the bright side and imagine that it won't be any different anyway!

    Jo, that water sounds amazing. If it is hard for you to describe, I know it must have been awesome. I would love to take my son on a Caribbean cruise before he graduates and moves! haha, now you've got me wondering - I'll probably count how long I've been on the tammy... 

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  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited September 2012

    Heartnsoul...Every month it seems like my RX gets it from a different place. It goes back and forth. I dont notice much of a difference for myself. I feel crappy on them both

    bgirl.. sorry to hear about your dad! hugs of course we will be in your pocket Monday

    well ladies I thnk I am going to call the GI doc as all that I have read suggests tha BC and Colon ca are related and my dad had colon cancer. Better safe than sorry!!!

    Hugs to all my wonderful Tammy ladies!

    Maria

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  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited September 2012

    Odie... thank you! She is doing better and went back to school this week :)

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited September 2012

    heartnsoul - I hope to have my cruise photos posted to my facebook page by the end of the weekend.  Any one is welcome to go and take a look at those.

    Tink - Glad to hear your daughter is better and back in school.  I know she has had her share of illnesses and it is about time she got a much needed break. 

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  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited September 2012

    Welcome back Jo!  Can't wait for some cruise photos!

    I'm like Tink, I feel like crap no matter which company mine comes from.

    bgirl will be in the pockets for sure monday!!

    Take care my tammo sista's, love and light to you all!

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited September 2012

    Thanks everyone!  It is sooo good to be home.  I sure missed talking to everyone.

    I am going to try and do cruise photos tonight so stay tuned everyone. 

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  • bgirl
    bgirl Member Posts: 538
    edited September 2012

    Thanks for the offer to be in my pockets on Monday.  Can use the moral support.  May be a little early for more than lattes to drink. 8:50 am.  Worst will be wait for results. Go to my RO and I don't see her for a week.

    Still waiting for gyn refferal, apparently quite a backlog over summer to see mine and I don't really want to see someone else.  Not in any hurry for more tests anyway.

    On a happier note, our 25th wedding anniversary is on the 19th. Yesterday my husband came home with new rings for me.  He got down on one knee an said he wants at least another 25 years with me.  We were both near tears as everyone here on this site can appreciate.  More time with those we love is what we all want.  He had also repaired my old engagement ring that I had lost the diamond out of while caring for my dad this summer.  It is getting fragile as I wear my rings every day, but it is still sentimental and reminds me of where we started as a young couple.  Will have them to pass to my daughters some day.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited September 2012

    bgirl - How romantic.  I can just picture your DH down on one knee saying those wonderful words to you.  Brought happy tears to my eyes.  

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  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited September 2012

    bgirl... that is so wonderful sweet and romantic! he sounds like a great guy! happy for you :)

    Jooooo....loooved your pics... you cruise diva!!!! lol

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  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited September 2012

    oh bgirl thats so sweet!! 

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  • peg119
    peg119 Member Posts: 281
    edited September 2012

    bgirl - that is such a wonderful thing that your DH did.

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  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,882
    edited September 2012

    bgirl - How special.... Sounds like ya got a keeper there! Thanks for sharing.  

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  • bgirl
    bgirl Member Posts: 538
    edited September 2012

    Thanks for the good wishes.  Just a reminder that life is still full of many wonderful moments.

    Will let you know how mammo goes.

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited September 2012

    nrp I ended up having hot flashes so bad it was really effecting my quality of life.  As Jo said I did start the effexor.  It did take my body some time to adjust.  Mainly nausea and constipation.  My MO had me adjust how many days a week I take it and still get the full effect.  I now take it 5 days a week and that works best for me.  I also decided I needed to give in to my gastritis and take prilosec daily.  That has helped tremendously.  The effexor has gotten rid of the hot flashes.  Every now and then I get a warm flush but nothing major.

    bgirl I will be in your pocket on Monday

    I need a pocket party for Thursday.  I go see the PS for my one month follow up.  Things look good.

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