Hives/itching on Tamoxifen?

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Ckat
Ckat Member Posts: 19
edited September 2018 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Does anyone have itchy skin and hives on Tamoxifen? I started taking it in April and have noticed that I have problems with more sensitive skin that's easily triggered and seem to have episodes of hives every day. They fade after a few minutes but then another area in my body will be affected a few hours or so later. I also get an itching on my hands and palms sometimes, too. My onc told me to take a break for three weeks to see if it goes away. I just hope it's the Tamoxifen or chemopause and nothing worrisome.

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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited September 2018

    I get the same thing, but usually on my elbows and in the corner of one eye! Seems to come and go. Sometimes I get it on my neck and hands and it feels like it’s inside my skin. I’ve been on Tamoxifen since March. Searching up symptoms of menopause brings up this SE.

    Please keep me updated if your break resolves the issue!

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  • wallan
    wallan Member Posts: 1,275
    edited September 2018

    HI:

    I am not on tamoxifen, but I am on arimidex for about 1 year 6 months. I too have hives and itchy skin. I take antihistamines to control the itch.

    MO and GP and pharmacist all say that the hives are not caused my arimidex. I think the lowered estrogen has changed my body chemistry and now my skin is much more sensitive and I easily get triggered. So no, I am not "allergic" to arimidex, but I believe it is indirectly involved in my hives break outs.

    I didn't know hives was a symptom of menopause.

    wallan

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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited September 2018

    It annoys me to no end when these doctors say these SEs are not “caused” by these medications- if a medication changes my body chemistry and as a result of that change I have side effects it is caused by the medication!

    When I first started Tamoxifen I was having a horrible tingling and numbing sensation on my face. It was frightening and uncomfortable and yes, my MO said had nothing to do with the tamoxifen I just started taking. I stopped taking the tamoxifen for a month and it disappeared. Starting taking it again and it came back, but slowly went away.

    Sorry to vent but their lack of acknowledgement really makes me angry!

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