Bringing in 2014 with Tamoxifen!

I took this pill too.  I am expecting great things from this med--less SEs than Aromasin and better for the bones.  So at least I have a positive attitude.  The pill is huge compared to Aromasin.  Funny how that works.  Good luck to us one and all!

Congrats annika12, you will be fine.  My friend has been taking it for years and that has helped me with my mindset with it.  I feel it is saving my life and each time I take it I just picture it fighting and doing its job.  It was scary though my first time too. 

Hi Dawn,

I noticed you posted that you are taking something for neuropathy? My MO did not prescribe me anything but told me to try taking b12 or B multi. I am 7 weeks post chemo and still have numbness/tingling in fingers/toes.

Hair is slowly starting to come in but am being told the Tamox does not help...

Fur

annika12, I didn't notice any difference, and i'm almost 2 months on Tamoxifen.  I am eating alot healthier, and lost about 5 lbs, because I heard one of the side effects was weight gain.  

Hello ladies.  I have my bottle of Tamoxifen waiting on my nightstand.  I finished rads on Jan. 24 and asked my MO for a couple of weeks reprieve before starting Tamox as I started a new job a week after finishing rads.   It was a lot to go through - and thought if I had to add Tamox to the stress of the new job and the recovery from rads, I would be a basket case.  He agreed.

I did, however, start taking Vitamin D, Calcium, Omegas 3 6 9 and Biotin about 2 weeks ago as a "pre" Tamox cocktail .. just to get things rolling properly in my system.  I also make a smoothie in the morning with kale or spinach and different fruits and berries.   

I am going to take my first pill this Friday - and I am keeping fingers and toes crossed that all goes well.

i think this is my third week. i had my alt doctor prescribed me herbs so i don't have obvious SE. but this week i started to feel ware/hot at night during my sleep. my back was quite moist from sweat...that's the only thing i've noticed.

did anyone notice that you lose your appetite a little?

Kristinaj - I know how you feel.  I started taking tamoxifin in December - I have noticed within the last 3 weeks or so that all I do is cry.... silly things make me cry like commercials on tv! I was on Prozac before all of this - but I am now working with my doctor to adjust the levels.  She told me it was probably a combination of the early menopause; the effects of the bc; and the tami.   Speak to your doctor - they are there to help.  It may take a little bit of time but if you work together you will find a solution that works for you.  Good luck to you!

Its interesting how everyone has such different responses.

I have been on tamoxifen since January 2, and have had minimal SEs.  Warm flashes only, and they are only 1-2/day.  I take 75 mg Effexor which I think helps with that.

I'm about two months on tamoxifen and the SEs, so far, seem to have decreased. First couple of weeks, back pain was bugging me but starting yoga has greatly helped all my aches and pains. I also have taken Pilates specifically for bc survivors. Both of these things have helped significantly.

I also take the antidepressant Pristiq, which I believe has greatly reduced hot flashes to mere occasional warm flashes. When I was on a recent vacation, temps in the 80s seemed fine too.

But I have gained 10 lbs. since the diagnosis probably due to decreased exercise and increased appetite. Got to watch that tamoxifen doesn't accelerate weight gain!

I'm into my 3rd month of T with minimal side effects other than hot flashes.  I've gained a few lbs recently but I think I got lazy and "treated" myself too many times.  Spring is coming so I'm really hoping to get more exercise!  Does anyone else still feel exhausted?  My MO said to give myself as much time to recover as it took for treatment but I sometimes wonder if I need an antidepressant.  I struggle sometimes to feel joy.  I'm not unhappy and I'm certainly grateful but ... Will this get better?   Some things are better.  I'm not as anxious and scared.  Cancer isn't my first thought in the morning. I don't obsess as much so I know time heals but I still feel like I suffer from PTSD.  Is it only me?

I'm glad that I am not the only one that has noticed the changes in appearance. It is just odd. 

Here is my record of tam so far: I have now been on Tam for 2 months, and started taking low-dose effexor to help with the depression and hot flashes. It hasn't really helped so far. I have noticed the joint and bone pain has lessened a little bit, but I am still exhausted. I am getting more and more tiny red dots all over, my muscles are stiff, and I have noticed that my feet and urine are very vinegary. I am thirsty all the time, and drink a ton of water. I have always been an active dreamer, once I actually get to sleep (chronic insomnia) and have noticed that I have more nightmares, and more vivid dreams than ever now (when i actually get to sleep.)  I haven't gained or lost any weight, but I am hoping to lose some once I get into PT and am able to get some guidance on what I can and can't do (possible LE happening.)  I have noticed that some of my body hair has lessened, and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the hair on my head continues to grow instead of falling out. I have also noticed that I feel short of breath at times.  

It is hard to tell if these are direct side effects of tam, or all the meds I take together, or continuing SE's from chemo, or what combo of those are causing each SE, so I am just gonna keep on truckin' with the tam in the hopes that it will keep cancer at bay. 

Well, I hope you are all feeling better! Take care of yourselves ladies!

I am doing great but I told my husband and friends a long time ago to keep an eye on my after treatment.....I'm just one to hit things head on and when its "over" fall apart !!! Hang in there ladies feelings are normal no matter what they are.......we are fighters/ warriors but we also need rest and re charge  

Hello Tamox posters,

I have been on Tamoxifen for 3 weeks.(generic tablets by Watson Labs).

  Hot flashes, warm flashes, bone/joint/back pain and waking up EVERY night have been my se's. My MO just took me off of it for now.  I have apt. with my MO in 5 weeks when I finish radiation & then will revisit where we are at & how to proceed. 

All the best Furfriend

VW, I'm with you on the mood support. I went on low dose lexapro 9 mos ago and it has helped a lot.

I'm in this group because of having had to switch to tamoxifen after trying all the AIs over 13 mos. Now I have been on T for almost 6 mos. Not great. Hips and back and shoulder...much like the AIs but my hands are OK. I think that realizing that treatment and monitoring of SEs and possible recurrence means that it's not over, it's still on my mind a lot. My MO ordered a bone scan to make sure that my ongoing aches and pains are not... you know. I am considering whether i want to deal with that. I have 2 wks till appt so can mull it over. Any of you had one?

Ladies,

We can do this...I think, right? We have to hang tough