Starting 2015 with Tamoxifien

Anyone else take Zoloft with Tamo?  Drug interaction suggests that Tamo is not as effective with Zoloft.  I have been on Zoloft for years, but am wondering if I will need to transition to something else?

Hi IsabelArcher -

Sounds like you are way past the possibility of side effects. I am hoping that I am one of the lucky ones, experiencing no side effects. I am due to have a streak of good luck sometimes. The last past year has been horrible for me. Last March, I fell and broke both ankles at the same time. In August, while I was completing physical therapy after 2 months in a cast/boot, I had the mammogram which led to the diagnosis of breast cancer. Beyond that, I finished the PT and then one week later, I have my lumpectomy.

MarieBernice6234

I'm unable to take Tamoxifen or even a half dose. My MO said 20% of women give up on Tamoxifen (based on studies) because of SE's. Your oncotype score is based on being on Tamoxifen for 5 years.

Without taking it my chance of having bc come back increases to 18%...Not a good number for me.

Am unable to take an aromatase inhibitor because I have osteoporosis due to a very early hysterectomy.

Hoping others can take Tamoxifen without side effects!

staci13,

I am taking Tamoxifen for ILC, after having so many SE on Arimidex and Aromasin. I am 60 and post menopausal. Just started it this week. Can't tell if any SE yet, but hoping none! I have to ask you: why did you not do a BMX? With ILC there is a greater chance of recurrance or going to the other side. I see so many lumpectomies and UMX on the boards. Blessings Robin

Hi Nancy,

Today is my 3 rd day and i feel fine! I was a little nausea yesterday and i get really tired and sleepy by 9 pm. Which is not me. I dont have any other SE, yet. I hope it will stay that way

Nancy2581, I have only taken 3 as well. A tad bit nauseous before bed, but nothing horrible. I am still feeling the SE from Arimidex and Aromesin. Hope that goes away! We are 3 going down the road together!

Blownaway- When I was diagnosed, there was some debate with the cardiology group regarding my actual EF, ranging from 20% to 50%. I was in CHF and admitted for five days on telemetry unit. My EF flip flopped from 30-35% for about 5 months and finally hit 45 at 6 months. Stayed 45% for 6 months and hit 50 at one year so I was able to come off meds. I went back to work at 30% but only part time which was two twelve hour night shifts. That's when I needed to go from meds twice a day to three times to offset low blood pressure and fatigue. I was released by cardiologist at year and half out but now am back for yearly follow ups. Preop echo was 65% and I thought I'd never get that high. When I was below 45% I definitely felt winded and had a newborn to care for so I probably didn't get as much rest as needed but cardio encouraged exercise at 45%. Prior to that, I was advised not to exercise. I was nervous and didn't have the same stamina even for brisk walking. I was in great shape prior to this pregnancy and have never gotten back there but I will! Just need to put the time into and even more important now. It will get easier so hang in there! 

Ive been on tamoxifen a few months now..And ( touch wood) no.major SE.. I am waking of a night feeling warm, but it is summer here, and may well just be part and parcel for my age

 IsabelArcher, interesting article, thank you.

Reading through posts it seems that a lot of women have a recurrence with 5 years or sooner. My drs have given me all the numbers and % of recurrences. Its just hard to wrap my brain around numbers and % when my % of getting cancer in the first place was low.  Brca-, no family history, breast feed all of my babies, didn't have earlier menstruation as a teen, I eat well, exercise, never smoked, don't drink, yet here I am. It will always be in my mind if I made the right decisions, always. For now I hope this little white pill Tamoxifien does its job, not just for me but all of us BC worriers...I mean warriors LOL 

Nancy, yes i felt a little nausea , heavy head but not to the level that bothering me too much. I took mine every morning with no other SE

Someone asked about taking Tamoxifen with ILC.  I had ILC and am taking Tamoxifen.  My understanding is that no matter what kind of tumor it is, if it is ER/PR positive, its on Tamoxifen we go.  I was told during my appointment with the oncologist that the protocol was changing to 10 years.  My oncotype score was 11, so with 5 years of Tamoxifen, I have an 8% chance of it coming back.  I did have a BMX as I had 2 other spots of DCIS.

So far so good with the Side Effects, but its only been 3 weeks.  Hopefully this will continue.  Touch wood!

Let me tell you about my experience with Aromatase Inhibitors: HORRIBLE!!! Some people are fine on them, but for Me, I had almost immediate arthritis pain in my hands and wrists as well as having trouble walking when getting up after sitting a while. I tried two and both did the same SE. I am now on Tamoxifin, the last one I will try. I still have horrendous pain in both thumbs and wrists. I can hardly hold a pen to write. I can't open ziplock bags or jars, even if they have already been opened. My MO said he didn't think it was neccesarly caused by it!!! Are you flipping kidding me?! I have put in for a transfer to new MO. I hope this works, Robi

I take my pill in the morning. My onc said either night or morning is fine--makes no difference--as long as you take it the same time every day.

I m almost three weeks in on Tamoxifen and I take 20mg at 8pm. Side effects have been leg cramping at night, hot flashes and insomnia. I had all of this going thru chemo though. I still get joint aches at night but overall I really don't have a huge complaint against Tamox and am grateful to have it. Also I've notice this week my skin is getting dryer and I've got a bizarre rash on my chin I'm sure my oncol will know nothin about as she never does. Insane constipation continues and when I finally do go I wish I had married a plumber. Last night I took Natural Vitality's Natural Calm which was reccd by hoardes of BC Warriors and it worked!! I had ZERO leg cramping and despite interrupted sleep when I did sleep it was deep and I felt rested when I finally got up. I ordered it on Amazon- also helps with constipation- it's a magnesium supplement. I drank last night and within 20 min was out- which is unheard of for me.

Now to deal with this unsightly facial rash on my chin and jawline.

I rake mine with breakfast in the morning..