Tamoxifen and breathing trouble...

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Lynette
Lynette Member Posts: 167
edited April 2018 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I don't know if anyone else has experienced a kind of feeling as though I have pressure on my chest which is causing me to be very conscious of my breathing. It isn't painful as such just an odd sensation which is worrying. I have indigestion as well and was wondering whether it's linked. I would be glad of any input. 

Regards,

Lynnette 

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  • Deb_62
    Deb_62 Member Posts: 69
    edited March 2009

    I had the same symptoms but it had nothing to do with taking Tamoxifen.  I have a slow emptying stomach, so when I eat a normal size meal it takes 4-5 hours to be digested.  The chest pressure is part of it.  So, you may want to try reducing the amount you eat & eat 6 times a day instead of 3.  Also, don't eat within 2 hours of going to bed as laying down may intensify the discomfort.  Raw vegetables, meat & high fiber foods take longer to digest so you may want to try skipping/reducting the amount to see if it helps your symptoms.  FYI-mine got so bad last year they thought it was my gall bladder & took it out.

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  • Skye64
    Skye64 Member Posts: 109
    edited March 2009

    I had a lot of trouble with breathing when I took Tamoxifen, like Asthma...

    After I stopped Tamox, everything went away....

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  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 139
    edited March 2009

    I definitely had breathing problems on Tamoxifen.  Didn't happen right away though.  I also had heartburn all the time.  Went away when I went off it.  I also had water retention and I wonder if the breathing problems had something to do with that.

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  • SingaporeChris
    SingaporeChris Member Posts: 612
    edited March 2009

    Hi lynettee,

    I have been taking tamoxafen for 2 months and did have some slight breathing problems during the first month or so.  It wasn't serious, but I was more aware of my breathing and couldn't seem to get a deep enough breath.  It went away after a week or two, so I didn't report it.  I suggest you monitor it, but if you are worried, which you obviously are, then please go to your oncologist and get him/her to check you out. Good luck.

    Singapore Chris

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited March 2009

    I had this and it was anxiety.  Anxiety causes shallow breathing and you can get very conscious of it, which makes it worse.  For me it was like breathing through a straw and a feeling of tightness.  See if taking an ativan relieves the discomfort -- then you'll know.

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  • bluegems
    bluegems Member Posts: 733
    edited March 2009

    Lynette,

    See your doctor as soon as possible. One of the nasty SE's of tamoxifen is blood clots.

    Best of luck,

    blue

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  • LeggyJ
    LeggyJ Member Posts: 726
    edited March 2009

    A really bad, stabbing pain, in the chest, would be a sign of blood clots, according to my oncologist.  During radiation, I had this pain in my chest, but didn't tell my oncologist, until my appointment, with him a few weeks after, the day and half, I suffered the pain.  I was in a wheelchair, within miniutes, and into a CT scan.  They found nothing, by then, but I was warned to let the onc. know immediately, if it happened again.

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  • 1210donna
    1210donna Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2012

    I developed central apnea during chemo but following Tomoxifen I feel there are episodes of bradypnea (slowed, intermittent breathing), breathing dysregulation and the daytime apneas have definitely been a challenge.  Not sure if it was Tomoxifen or simply blocking Estrogen.  It gets very distracting, unnerving, alarming.  I'm now on CPAP for moderate-severe sleep apnea, largely central apneas.

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  • 1210donna
    1210donna Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2012

    I was also diagnosed with dysautonomia during chemo and apnea related breathing disorders can be part of dysautonomia.  The dysautonomia continued with Tomoxifen but I can't attribute it to the Tomoxifen as it was already haywire with chemo alone. 

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  • Elamicwil
    Elamicwil Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2018

    not sure how to start a thread on here but I started having shortness of breath about 6 weeks after starting tamoxifen . I also have a dry mouth and dry skin . I’m also lightheaded sometimes . I’ve had a chest x Ray and ct scan but nothing showed up . Anyone else have problems with shortness of breath

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited April 2018

    Since Tamoxifen can contribute to blood clots, your MO should continue to look for causes. For me, Tamoxifen caused GERD, which can cause some breathing issues. If your MO does not address it, see if your PCP will look more into it.

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