Interested in how tamoxifen & AIs affect runners

healthystrong
healthystrong Member Posts: 14
edited March 2019 in Working on Your Fitness

I think both of these medicines have affected my speed, stamina and attitude.  And not for the better!  Anyone have any thoughts/experiences they would like to share?  

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  • Paco
    Paco Member Posts: 208
    edited October 2018

    Yes to all three. I've been on Tamoxifen for 6 months now and my endurance is in the toilet and my feet hurt like they never did before. Plantar fasciitis and tendinitis.

    Trying to stay positive and load up on cross-training but I do wonder how I'll ever get my running mojo back. Boooooo

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  • healthystrong
    healthystrong Member Posts: 14
    edited October 2018

    No one ever believes me when I say that I think the drugs have affected my performance--really ticks me off.  Keep up with the cross training. Don't give up.  I am not sure about the feet.  Maybe see a doc, get some therapy and some new shoes. Not sure if tamoxifen would cause/exacerbate this.   I was on tamoxifen from Jan 2013 to Nov 2015 when I went on to an aromatase inhibitor.   Your body should adjust to the tamoxifen somewhat so please keep up with the cross training.  In a way it is almost like you are starting the exercise program from the ground up, but keep up with it.  So many benefits from mood improvement to overall health.  Keep me posted!

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited January 2019

    I can actually graft a decline in my 5 km times before, during and after tamoxifen. It’s not good. I was improving, getting stronger, then was put on tamoxifen. I went backwards. I told my oncologist and he took me off. My strength, pace and distance abilities came back and I ran my PR half marathon time this year. I told a breast cancer researcher colleague this and he is interested in studying it. He’s done work with exercise and diabetes before...his focus switched to breast cancer. Hope he follows through...I want to know why.

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  • healthystrong
    healthystrong Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2019

    I would love to find out why as well.  Please keep me posted.  My weight has not fluctuated substantially but  I  feel like my legs are heavier and larger. I am on AIs now and did a half marathon in March and one in June. Just not as fast and I know part of it is aging but a lot of it is the drugs. Running used to give me great joy and now I dread it --I feel like it is an obligation.  But I refuse to give up!

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited January 2019

    Never give up! Running may be harder on tamoxifen, but you are getting many good things from doing it. Perhaps try not to be so hard on yourself? Recognize that tamoxifen won’t allow you to run the same pace. So focus on just enjoying your runs in another way. Maybe scenery, people you run with or just a slow medatative run? I understand your frustration. I was there. But you will find it again. As my mother in law always says, “this too shall pass”. Everything is temporary. ❤️

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  • healthystrong
    healthystrong Member Posts: 14
    edited February 2019

    Thank you so much Lorreymom!!!   I am going  to run today!

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  • lorreymom
    lorreymom Member Posts: 149
    edited March 2019

    I wrote an article about tamoxifen and running on my blog. Hope you find it helpful.

    https://pinkribbonrunner.com/tamoxifen-and-running...


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  • AMLMom
    AMLMom Member Posts: 102
    edited March 2019

    Thank you for this thread and this post, and the article on your blog. This is one issue that I hadn’t thought about. I haven’t started tamoxifen yet, but I’m registered to run the NY marathon in November. Just2days ago I had my first post-diagnosis/post-surgery workout (mostly walking with a few one minute jogs). I guess I’m in denial. Sometimes I still don’t believe that I have breast cancer. 😞

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  • healthystrong
    healthystrong Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2019

    Lorrey mom---Thank you so much for sharing your pink ribbon runner blog.  I was feeling a large amount of frustration not only at myself for my inability to perform, but also at others who were so dismissive of me and told me it was not the drugs it was just me.  (lots of them women). I am still running and am happy to be out there.  AML mom---everyone reacts differently to the drugs so please do not let this discourage you!! Keep up with your running and keep us posted!  Good thoughts to all! 

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  • accentmj
    accentmj Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2019

    lorreymom,

    Thanks for sharing your experience. I am 50 and peri menopausal. I am also a very slow runner who has a second half marathon scheduled for Sept. Hormone therapy didn’t faze me until I started hearing about these potential side effect. My MO is planning to use ovary suppression and AI as he feels the risksare lower and it is less toxic. But now I am worried. Of course I will do it and cross my fingers I am not effected but I would love to hear from women who have not suffered fro SEs.

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  • Falconer
    Falconer Member Posts: 1,192
    edited March 2019

    lorreymom, thanks for the article. It’s good to know we are not alone.

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