Tamoxifen, it's not all bad is it?

Tazzy, I didn't think I could cut out carbs either, I had just bought a $150 pasta maker, but I found it very easy to do once I did some research into what I could eat.  DH is down 2 pant sizes & I just had all my pants taken in 4"!    Anyway, hope the headaches ease... GG

I have been taking Tamoxifen for about 3 weeks, so I think probably long enough for unpleasant SEs to start showing up. But except for more intensity in hot flashes, I'm not noticing anything. As for the hot flashes, they aren't unbearable. Mostly I have them at night, and I take ambien, which helps me sleep through them. No horror stories from me! You can do it.

Here ya go Stormy.....

I have been on Tammi since Oct 20.

Here is the positive .....er ........lack of negative .......

I have no idea what a hot flash feels like.

I think I had a couple of warm feelings but I can also say they were times when I was at the beginning of my work shift.

I had my Mirena removed in May. My periods were lacking/or almost non-existent while I had it in. Once out, they were arriving about every 3 weeks (21-25 days which is unusual for me). Once I started the Tammi (right before my next period was due) my periods have arrived on day 28 without fail.

No heavy bleeding, extra vag drainage or dryness to speak of.

Maybe this has nothing to do with the price of rice..........

But I have had no breast pain with periods since starting Tammi.

When on Mirena that was how I could tell I was PMS-ing.

I am as cold as ever and had joked that Tammi could regulate my core temp. (had the thyroid checked-all normal)

Incidently I am on baby aspirin. Found that it was giving me severe reflux on occasion-mind you I have had reflux since surgery but it worsened. I am now taking a 2 week course of Prevacid and take the baby ASA mid day to avoid the reflux. I may reduce how often I take it as I have noticed a little more bruising lately. But I am a clumsy sort. Seems to be working.

My MO originally told me to try Tammi and I could go off T if the SEs could not be managed. Said she had every reason to believe I would do very well on Tammi considering I am Youngish (LOL) and in good health despite the BC Dx.

So last time I am there I tell her About the few SEs I had and she says give it time....I haven't been on it long enough for it to cause the hot flashes, irregular periods or some of the other common SEs.

What????? HUH???!!!!

Anywho...............

Kind of threw my confidence in her out the window. I was very sad and depressed about a few things that had occured during my appointment that day and find myself in the position of MO shopping.

Good thing I have some time before I need to see an MO again.

I have the heater on high in my bedroom. I am only up late because I went out to dinner with a friend and her daughter and we had coffee at 10pm. What was I thinking?????

Just wanted to make some positive points. I know I am still early on the Tammi train-My mother said she doesn't remember having any SEs besides hot flashes and she had already had them before BC...so not much of a bother to her.

Hoping everyone sleeps well and has a wonderful weekend

piper

I've been on Tamoxifen almost 2 months and am finding the se minimal also.  The hot flashes come on quickly, but then go away quickly.  Otherwise, nothing much.

I've been on Tamoxifen since May and I only have short hot flashes every once in a while.  And I get my periods every 6 weeks now - whoo hoo!!  I was having night sweats at first BUT I live in Texas and started taking the meds during summer.  That might have had something to do with it too! 

hipline:  great news on the clear MRI.   Hope you can get a good nights sleep.

So far so good for me on tmx.   Had some very slight headaches but they are at the beginning. hot flashes, really are just flashes.  They are over so quick - but dont wake me at night yet.  So far I have found it to be pretty kind to me.

Here's a thread on tamox.   I wanted to find something positive about it rather than negative... this is it.

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/785445?page=4#idx_102

Hi ladies, I am  new to this board, and I want to begin by thanking stormynyte for beginning this thread.

I have been taking Tamoxifen for almost two weeks now, not a long time, yet the three SEs, which are minimal and manageable, are as follows: slight headache after taking the pill (lasts 2-4 hours); stiffness/soreness of hip joints, esp., (3) warm flushes not hot flashes. I, too, was terrified to take this drug, given all the horror stories posted on some threads. It is very doable, and I am looking at it as being blessed to be able to take a drug that protects me from a recurrence or from metastases (I know, there are no 100% guarantees).  Given how terrified and freaked out I was, I hope this post makes other ladies feel much calmer/better. 

Iatigger,

Thanks so much for the info., re: different fillers used in Tamoxifen pills.

I should add, re: SEs, that I notice I am more emotionally sensitive.  Has anyone else noticed this SE? Other than the SEs I outlined above, life is returning to normal. Hallelujah!!!

Happy to hear life is moving forward... mine too - loving it !

My pharmacist at the Cancer Agency did tell me that Tamox can make you more emotional/moody.

smo23915:   I had headaches in the beginning.... started tamox in December.   Now and again I still get one.   Nothing debilitating but definitely a SE. 

smo, Sorry you're having headaches.  I take APO brand now, headaches weren't my issue but the SE's with some of the other brands were bad.  I've been taking APO for almost 2 years now with only slight hot flashes/chills.  Good luck, GG

Hello all,

Just wanted to add my experience - I've been on tamoxifen since Setember 1, so almost 9 months.  I have had very few to no side effects.  I had hot flashes for a couple of months but they were very manageable - more strange than anything else.  But those have stopped completely.  I actually got my period back after 4 months which completely freaked me out.  My doctor assured me that it was just a sign that I was young and my body was recovering from chemo, rads, etc.  I only got it twice and it seems to have stopped again.  I am 41.

I am trying to lose weight which is proving tough.  I don't know if that's due to the tamoxifen or my age or just all the food I seem to put in my mouth on weekends! But could imagine it is at least in part due to the tamoxifen.  I'm not gaining weight just not losing it fast enough.

But overall I would say I am 'fine' on tamoxifen and really hope it's helping keep the damm cancer away!

Good luck to you all,

Rose