Bringing in 2014 with Tamoxifen!

hi all definitely joining this club. I started my tamixofen in mid February. So far it's been okay. At first I had a bit of nausea but that has gone. I do have joint pains though especially when I wake up. Other than that it's the usual hot flushes and moodiness!!!!!

I had a clear mammogram last week. YAY! Then this morning, sharp pains in the affected breast.  Not at the cancer site.  Uncomfortable and a little scarey.  I'm assuming it's from radiation ... and will continue to believe that.

OK, can someone please stop the night sweats and hot flashes? Please? Other than that and being unable to change position with my usual mobility (sitting to standing is the worst) I'm ok. 2 months in.

KatiAK - yeah clear mammo

Hi Ladies , I'm on week 5 on tamoxinfin. I was taking that and just vitamin D, I added B12 and Boitin which I got clearance for it, but after the second day  which was Saturday, im starting to feel more tired, and light headed at times, im not sure if it's cause the other vitamins got to get into my body or what.

KatiAK, bless you for being a beacon to that woman in the waiting room. Whenever I have opportunity to give advice/comfort to someone in the early stages of diagnosis, I feel so ... useful. And that's a good feeling. Especially when l tell Stage 3 ladies I'm Stage IV and not at death's door. 

RebelGrl87, the brain fog is very real. Some ladies have luck with ADD medicine (speed, basically) and some ladies decide to stop taking Tamox. I didn't take it after my Stage I lumpectomy and even though I had a recurrence I don't regret not taking it. I'm taking it now, as treatment, and it's working great. Still have the brain fog but it's OK if the Tamox keeps my cancer from progressing. 

Annika- My Obgyn said he'd do it every year especially with tamox, maybe see another doc.

Hi all, well the bladder infection was just a one off, and only lasted 1 day, just drank a lot of extra water to flush out and that was the end of that! dor the rest things are fine..interested to hear what other vitamins/minerals you are taking in combination with tamoxifen. 

I am having exchange surgery next month and my PS told me to stop tamoxifen now because of possible clotting issues.  I stopped yesterday but now I am panicking without tamoxifen!  Can a few weeks off matter?  Was anyone else told to stop before surgery?

Hello,

I started tam in February. I spent a few days on the beach in Florida last week and had a bad reaction to the sun. Has anyone had problems with tamoxifen and sun exposure. I am a sunblock lunatic and even with SPF 30 being applied constantly I had patches on my legs of what looked and felt like a sunburn. Needless to say I spent the rest of my beach time covered-up.

Arya- I started my tamoxifen Jan 1, and had my exchange on Jan 30.  My surgeon said it was not a problem, and I have not missed a single day.  

Annika, that's exactly how I feel physically too. All stiff and achy and the transitions are the worst. Sitting to standing. Bed to up. Floor to anything. I have a loss of focus too. Brain fog.

KatiAK, a lot of the great things being said about flax and Soy come from the China Study. But the huge addendum to that study is that it works for them because they eat it basically since birth. It's in everything they eat. North Americans don't do this and it harms us more than helps. Mostly because of its high estrogen content. My MO said, if you've been eating it forever go ahead. But, if not, no more than 2 teaspoons of flax products per day. That's why I asked. I did some research because I like to know what is going on and it's up there with primrose and Soy. Soooo..... maybe more research. ((hugs)) hope your not insulted because that's not at all how this was meant.

As far as food goes, I've heard great things about asparagus and lemon juice. Not together. But I don't want to take them on a regular basis until I read some articles etc that says they're terrible. I want both sides of the story before I decide to go mucking with my body. The only supplement I am taking is Caltrate. It's calcium with vitamin D, for my old bones. Lol

My MOs rule of thumb seems to be as long as there are no studies saying something "causes" BC or is contraindicated, its probably relatively safe in moderation. The research on soy/flax seems to be 50/50. But the studies have not gone on long enough to really say either way. I like the advice that is its something you've always eaten, it might be worth cutting back but no need to stop. And if its something you haven't been eating, there's no need to add to the diet unless youre deficient. I'm a dietitian and regarding vitamin D we test for blood level then usually recommend a therapeutic dose at first to get a person to normal limits - then take them down to a maintenance dose. Living in a place with little sunlight and skin tone may also influence the dose. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin so excess is not easily excreted. So it's a good idea to get your level tested before taking a supplement.