Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

Thanks DodgersGirl, let me know it works for you.

Carrie,  When I took  my first pill, I took in the morning also and made me feel sick.  I now take after lunch with no issues.  Try taking it at a different time of day with possibly more food in your belly.  

My MO is a research oncologist and at my request extensively reviewed the literature on turmeric and concluded it was ok for me to take. He said even the supplement amounts aren't enough to "push" BC but they are enough to help with the joint pain. He ended up researching many other things I've found to work and one of the things he asked me to cut back on was flaxseed, specifically no flaxseed oil but ground flaxseed ok in small amounts. He also told me 5 years ago NO soy but now says he's ok with natural soy like milk, edamame, tofu, etc just not large amounts. He specifically wants me to stay away from soy as additives. He spent many weeks researching this for me (he's pretty awesome!) and says he's very confident with these suggestions.

Hi all - I recently started experiencing double vision. It came on quite suddenly. I went to ER (as my oncologist recommended) and had a battery of tests. Right now they are pointing the finger at tamoxifen. I stopped taking it and am hoping to see improvement. It's been two days and so far, my eyesight is the same.

Does anyone have any experience with this happening to them? And how long it takes for vision to return to normal?

No more tamoxifen for me. I am done.

Layla1- thank you!

Yikes! Just got my bottle of Tamoxifen in the mail today and supposed to start. Have been taking Turmeric and my Onco said it was ok to continue to take. Guess I will call the Nurse Navigator on Monday and throw that question out there about it stimulating Er.

gardengypsy---Do they say why they specifically mention Gaia turmeric extra strength?

This info about tumeric and er+ stinks! I have been getting a lot of help with joint pain with tumeric. I have been using just the tumeric spice with black pepper and cinnamon in a cup of warm milk,. I think some call it golden milk tea. I only use a 1/4 teaspoon tumeric. I wonder if that's ok to have with the tamox?

Been on Tamoxifen since June 1. So far side effects have been mild. The worst of it vaginal, some yeast infections and discharge. The last week or so I have noticed the bottom of my feet feel bruised, mostly in the morning. Also, I missed my period for the first time in August.

Anyone else experiencing these particular side effects?

WillowReed, I also use the spice in my coffee & milk - I made a batch of the paste (turmeric, black pepper with coconut oil), Keep a small jar in the fridge, but most in freezer. I think people are talking about this particular brand, Gaia EXTRA STRENGTH. So I hope the spice is ok...

Dodgers~ I believe Turmeric interferes with Tamoxifen. Not sure it acts like estrogen.

gardengypsy- my MO said Turmeric acts like estrogen feeding the ER+ BC so was told to stop taking it as a supplement. I fought that "call" as the Relief Factor supplement I was taking was helping tremendously with my arthritis inflammation.

MO's office checked their sources again but came back with no Turmeric. Sigh.

Seen similar stories from other cancer hospital web sites. So, personally, I have stopped Turmeric but sure wish I could return to Relief Factor.

We all have to make these kinds of decisions about a lot of foods and supplements for ourselves as little about BC is settled science.

Sigh. I feel like I am back here almost every week asking about side effects.

Lightheadedness?

It is only near the end of the day, and comes and goes, so it could be related to my awful tight shoulder muscles, or maybe just being over tired. I have always had problems with low blood pressure, so maybe its related.

My head is not itchy, but my hair is falling out. The bathroom floor looks like a murder scene, someone killed my hair. It's all over the place!

I have been on Tamox only 2 months, self prescribing 10mg a day, not 20. I have had : leg cramps at night, night sweats that are pretty fierce, some warm flushes in the day, nothing I'd call a full-on inferno hot flash. Had whacked out dreams for a few weeks, that seems to have settled down. Constipation! And no period since starting the Tamox. All this on HALF the suggested dose.

I do not feel overly tired though, or too moody (mind you, that's my own opinion, the people who live with me might say otherwise). I do not have an upset stomach. I do find myself out of energy but not sure if that is from a nuked heart and lung, thanks to radiation, the fact that I'm out of shape or plain old aging? Not sure where to place the blame.

Lisey, Did you happen to get a different manufacturer of the Tamoxifen you take? Each manufacturer has their own fillers and maybe you could be allergic to the new one? It is just a thought. I do better on Teva manufacturer of Tamoxifen. I am loosing some hair to breakage and my anxiety and BP have risen that past two months on it. I was previously on it a few years back before I became Post Menaupasal so these side effects are new to me this time. I hope I adjust. Started on Effexor 2 weeks ago and hope that helps.

Good luck