Starting 2015 with Tamoxifien

Psalm - I wonder why your dosage is so much more than the rest of us?

IsabelArche - Your complaint about weight gain is pretty common with women taking tamoxifen or the aromatase inhibitors. I think part of it may be tied into going through menopause whether you had cancer and hormone drugs or not. I'm in my 60s, but I remember most of my women friends and me feeling bad about the extra 7 - 10 lbs we all seem to put on in our 50s while going through menopause. Your body just does not metabolize food the same and it takes some adjustment on how much and what kinds of food you eat to not gain weight during that time. I hope the tamoxifen goes well for you. I found exercising more to be a real help.

Robinblessed54-

We just wanted to welcome you to our community here at BCO! We're glad you've found us, and we hope you find this place to be one of support and encouragement.

Keep us posted on your new regimen, we wish you luck and will keep you in our thoughts!

The Mods

thank you LiLi-Ri!

I too hope Tamox will be my last and best drug. I will keep you all posted on the outcome.

Hi All -

This was day 2 on Tamoxifen 20. For now I am trying to take it in the morning, with my other medications. I tend to have less problems remembering to take my morning medications. I thought that by taking it in the morning, it might lessen the chance of having the hot flashes or night sweats.Then the pharmacist told me that this medication doesn't have a "peak" as the level remains fairly consistent. Is it true that it could take up to 3 weeks for side effects to happen? Luckily I am currently on Effexor 150 mg, split into two doses - morning and evening. I hope that I don't have any side effects. I had a hormonal level blood test done in Oct and the estrogen (estradiol) level was over 400. In preparation for the appointment on Thursday, a repeat one was done and the level was down to 16. Could radiation treatment play a part of this? My FSH level, increased, but this is okay for perimenopausal women. Do I have my terms correct or is it the other way around? My other two follow-ups went well

MarieBernice6234

Stacie13 - Oddly enough, when I picked up my Tamoxifen for the first time (recently) I was told "No charge per your insurance company" I have Blue Cross....what's up with that? I just figured I'd get billed later somehow.

I have been reading for a couple weeks. I picked up my script last week and have one more week of radiation then I am supposed to start. My dr also said for probably 10 years but I am hoping I am able to take it at all! I'm extremely nervous about it. I have suffered from horrible PMS for several years and am afraid this will make me feel that way all the time instead of just a few days a month. I am 43 and still having a cycle. I am also post ablation and have suffered from ovarian cysts all my life and had my right ovary removed about 10 years ago due to that. I am supposed to take 10 mg in the morning and evening. She even said i could start with I just 10a day for two weeks if I want to

Hello ladies,

I am 40, was diagnosed with ADH on Jan, 20 th. I dont have family history still, my oncologist advised me to be on tamoxifen. I am dredful about side effect. I have been looking at the med now for a day but scare to take the first pill.

Took my first Tamo last night - I was kind of warm and then cold and then warm last night, but that's not out of the question for me anyway, so I'm not ready to blame the tamo yet. My onco said he was putting me on for 5 years because my lymph nodes were clear. If there had been any positive nodes, I would be put on for 10. I had not heard that before either, so maybe that is the new thought on the meds. Good luck to everyone starting - here's to minimal side effects

Hi, ladies I am a little farther out from starting Tamoxifen, started in June but I was interested to see if anyone had been prescribed topical form. It has been studied a bit with DCIS and has been around a while. Wondering if it is in use so if anyone knows anyone using this I'd be curious to hear about it. 

I was very hesitant to use Tamoxifen but I will say I really have had very few obvious side effects. I told my MO I would try it on month to month basis and just see. I have been pleasantly surprised how easy it has been and I hope some of you will be, too. The only issues I have are changes in uterine lining noted by ultrasounds and have had a biopsy but I am not having any symptoms from this. This is what interests me about topical forms-reduces or eliminates effects on uterus and blood clot risks. I am 44 so hoping body adjusts and with DCIS only five years so will see. I am higher risk due to family history (two sisters with IDC at 44 &45, I was diagnosed at 43 w/DCIS) and pathology/surgical final results so trying whatever I can to lower risk of future issues.

Blownaway-just wanted to encourage you that there are great medications and time can make the difference with heart so hang in there! I had severe cardiomyopathy related to pregnancy at 40 and had very low heart function for six months. It took a year on meds to get back to low but acceptable range and my first normal echo was preop for breast surgery-so three years from diagnosis. I was able to have radiation to left breast and hope to avoid ever needing Herceptin. Timing of those medications and staying hydrated can may a big difference in your stamina if you find they lower your blood pressure or energy level. Small changes made big difference for me so make sure you are open with cardiologist-they can help you manage side effects. Wishing you continued healing!

Hi Robinblessed54 -

It looks like you and I started Tamoxifen on the same day. This is the first and hopefully, the only form of medication that I will have to take. At least until I am truly postmenopausal and can them switch to one of the others. So far Day 3 into it and no side effects yet. Sometimes it can take a bit longer for the side effects to appear though. How is it going for you?

MarieBernice6234

Hi IsabelArcher -

I am another woman, who like you is 52 years old and just started Tamoxifen three days ago. As it has only been a short time for me, side effects, if any, have not appeared yet. I am hoping that there aren't any, and not that they haven't appeared yet. When did you actually start the Tamoxifen?

MarieBernice6234

too late for Google!! Good luck to both if us!!

MarieBernice, I started Tamox in April 2014.

Nancy2581, it is so good to hear that this thread makes you feel better

Hi all,

Just thought I would share that I started on T in October and did not stop taking it during rads which I have since heard is a bit unusual. Anyway, i do have hot flashes, many at night. They started during chemo, along with the joint and muscle aches in the hips and lower back. Exercise helps a lot for the joint and muscle aches. The hot flashes continue but are not as intense as when I first started in October.

Earlier this month when I had my MO appointment and mentioned the aches he recommended that I start taking vitamin D. WOW, what a difference. The aches have essentially disappeared in my legs and back. He also suggested taking one regular aspirin per day since studies were showing that aspirin can help prevent cancer. He and his wife (a BC survivor) both take it.

Yes, I have gained a few pounds since starting T. Can't really blame it on the meds. I didn't exercise as much in Nov/dec with rads and I really enjoyed my holidays! I have to blame the extra weight on my own lifestyle choices.

I will say that since chemo and starting T I do feel much softer and rounder in the abdomen area. I am 52 and was still pre-menopausal. Chemo slammed me right into menopause which may be the culprit.

Hope I helped someone.....