Tamoxifen & Muscles

I've been on tamoxifen for 10 days now and my legs/calves are killing me. I've been told it's a pretty common side effect. Unfortunately I can't tell you if it goes away or not because I only 10 days in, I really hope it does though. Good luck 

Hello Ladies and Gentleman!

I've been on Tamoxifen since Nov.2012 Unfortunately the muscle cramps and soreness are an occasional symptom. I think you will find quite a few symptoms will cycle through on a regular basis. I'm 43 and do think age can also make a difference. In the firs months mine were ,hot flashes, night sweats, muscle cramps, vaginal dryness, labial cracking, and mood swings.

I have since then sort of leveled out with it and most of the time the symptoms are bearable. I can also tell when the dryness and cracking are coming on, and can begin treating those symptoms with Replens which is OTC and can keep you from actually getting cracks and fissures in your labia. (even if you don't need it now I recommend having some on-hand)

One thing I can say never to do! Do not take a break or get off your routine. I went out of town over Labor day weekend and forgot to take it. I missed my dose for approximately 6 days. I rode an emotional roller coaster for about 2 weeks until the serum levels were right again! The main physical symptom was severe muscle cramps in my hands and feet. Luckily my Man works out of town so he didn't have to bear the brunt of the emotions until I leveled out. I was bouncing back and forth between depression, sadness, crying and seething anger. (I literally felt crazy!) OH! Also the hot flashes and night sweats are back with a vengeance!

Everyone's body is different, so you may not have the same experience's as mine.

I hope this has helped a few of you. Remember the important thing is to keep the cancer from coming back and taking our Hormone blockers is the one thing we can physically do to protect ourselves!

Good luck in your on-going journey's! 

Oh dear Marsha, maybe your vacation was in the remote wilderness with no drugstores within hundreds of miles. Otherwise, any pharmacist could have transferred/obtained your prescription info and provided you at least a few days supply (insurance coverage might have been a problem but hopefully the cash price would have been within reason). 

Good job on the exercise Lolis - that should help in many ways. 

I personally take coQ 10 or would not be able to tolerate the muscle aches from my statin medication. Was also on both while taking tamoxifen, now on letrozole.