Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

Molliefish - I haven't been having muscle spasms but my left Achilles is bothering me. I cant tell if its from running or tamox. It's crazy that we cant tell if we have a real injury or not.

Starling - Good luck with your choice. It's a difficult decision.

I've been on Mylan since the start and my SE aren't off the charts. Hope you can level out.

I had Mylan the first month. No issue. But got Teva the next month, and I spoke to the pharmacist and asked that they please not switch it up every month. Normally they get Teva. Talk to your pharmacist. Teva and Mylan have different fillers -- that's likely the issue.

Unrelated note but -- I've been reading about this and know it's been discussed previously on BC.org -- but is it safe to take turmeric with Tamox? My alternative MO -- who is also a two-time survivor -- recommended + my naturopath. I'm kinda getting sick of researching BC. Ha ha. (not)

My friend had terrible withdrawals from Paxil--took her a year to wean off of it, and she went through some really strange mood changes and brain zaps. Effexor sounds like another "strong" SSRI like Paxil. I am not sure how the SSRIs differ from each other. They all sound pretty similar but Lexapro and Celexa seem easier to tolerate from the reviews I've read.

Interesting how some SSRIs are okay with Tamoxifen and some are not, but they are in the same overall family. I think the Lexapro is making me nauseated. I may cut the pill in half to 5mg.

I am also having pain on Tamoxifen this 2nd go round on it.(had ovaries removed and went from Tamoxifen to Armidex to Femara now back on Tamoxifen) I am wondering if the Mylan brand is the culprit where before I was on Teva and Watson brands.

Anyone try Clariton to help with the pains?

EastcoastTS---I'm taking Tamoxifen and turmeric. My MO researched it thoroughly and decided he was fine with it. I think I may be his first patient to have ever asked! And he's been practicing for decades! Turmeric was a lifesaver for me. Without it, I don't think I could have stayed on Tamoxifen due to the muscle/joint pain. I'd say once I started it, I went from a pain of about 6-7/10 to about a 1-2/10. I also checked with my holistic doc, gyn and BS and everyone was ok with me taking it.

Singin-me:

Same here, I have been taking Tamoxifen for almost 2 years and just lately feel so exhausted. I could go to sleep any time of he day, but the afternoon is the worst. Concentrating at work has also become a problem. I try to eat healthy, avoiding sugar and eating my veggies. I take Biotin and maybe need to add some Vitamin B12.

Oh, and I'm also turning 48 soon

Steffi

Wow. After reading all of this, perhaps its not the Tamoxifen, but the effexor causing all the side effects. My MO recently lowered the dosage because I asked to be weaned off. I just couldn't do it. I am sticking to my "lower" dose but will check with him at my Aug appt. I will also ask about Tamoxifen metabolization! Since diagnosis, he has not even drawn a vial of blood from me. I ask EVERY time. I am also going to add Tumeric and B12. Maybe that will help.

Well, I'm on my third month of Tamox (I know that's very early) and I have experienced no SEs yet really. Of course, then I worry about whether it's working! LOL I did take a test for metabolization that someone here gave me the info for (Kaikos??) -- it was $99 and an oral swab. You do have to list a doctor but they send results to both you and Dr. I'm sure my MO was like: what the heck? But it's better she get the idea of how I manage things! Ha ha. However, I asked the Johns Hopkins "Ask An Expert" nurse (she's great) and she said to ask them about the blood test at next appt if I have no SEs. I know some don't but it must be so many that DO if she suggests to check that I'm metabolizing it. My oral swab said yes.

I exercise (in moderation, I'm not a junkie) and also take Magnesium aside from the normal stuff supplements. All of that may help with SEs. I've heard that iCool is good for hot flashes. I have yet to have one.

However, I will say that I think I've already entered menopause -- I was peri for a few years and hormone levels seem to say "almost there". So maybe I had SEs before (sleep issues, etc.) and it's just rolling along now. That could be it. Idk.

I take Gaia turmeric with black pepper from vitamin shoppe. It's much cheaper through amazon online though. Has really helped my severe hip pain from taking the tamoxife

I get my daily tumeric via a couple cups of organic Tumeric Ginger Tea after dinner. Special brew by the amazing online tea company The Art of Tea, they name the variety Bright Eyed! http://www.artoftea.com/tea/collections/wellness-c...

Not only is it delicious but also very good for you! Ginger and Tumeric (with little black pepper to activate) and cinnamon are the ingredients.

Since giving up wine and alcohol since my BC diagnosis, I've taken up hot tea drinking and have to say this tea is so delicious that I find myself enjoying it like I used to a nice glass of wine! Never thought I'd say that!

Cheers.

jp

ndgrrl--I also take the Gaia turmeric ( I think it says extra strength on the box). I buy it from Amazon since it's cheaper than Vitamin Shoppe. My holistic doc gave me these instructions: Take 1 capsule (500mg) a day for a month. If you get relief, continue with that dosage. If you don't get relief, go to 2 capsules a day. If you get relief, continue with that dosage. If you don't, then it's probably not going to work for you.

As to aspirin, my MO told me from day one to take a daily baby aspirin with Tamoxifen since it has a known SLIGHT risk of blood clots. On a daily aspirin, I bruised so easily! I could rest my chin in my hand and get a bruise! So he said go to twice a week....that all docs feel twice a week works just as well as daily without the severe bruising. He also makes me take a good quality fish oil to help prevent blood clots. So far, so good!

I've been on Tamoxifen since February. I know it hasn't been that long, but I'm still having major menopause symptoms from this medication. I get hot flashes and night sweats. I don't sleep very well. That may be why I'm fatigued all the time. I'm also taking Herceptin every 3 weeks until the end of the year. Does anyone have swollen ankles? I've been getting that too. Maybe it's the combination of the Herceptin and Tamoxifen.

Oh, and let's not forget weight gain. I swear that I gain about 2 lbs. every 3 weeks (when they weigh me in at the infusion center). I want to exercise more, but can't after my recent surgery. I had an L5-L1 discectomy because it was pinching my sciatic nerve. The sciatica pain is gone, but my leg is still numb. The nerve is still healing. I'm also going through lymphedema therapy for my breast, and I'm getting fitted for one of those flexitouch pumps next week. There are just too many appointments (before work or after work). I'm all pooped out by the end of the day.

Hi kirsar!

I'm not sure I can blame the hair loss completely on tamoxifen, but it really seemed to accelerate after about six months on the medication. I spoke with my oncologist and he supported trying Rogaine. It's a commitment. My issues were mainly in the front and temples. I will know if it's working by the end of summer. I also use a hair loss prevention shampoo. That seems to have reduced the diffuse loss substantially.