Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

My doctor advised me to take 'AM/PM for menopause' it really does seem to be helping.

has anyone been prescribed ADHD meds to combat the exhaustion from tamoxifen. I’m exhausted and i cant take it anymore. Looking for some recomendations

Hi Andraxo, yes I would like to stop this, I will be talking to my Oncologist about this, or maybe reducing it. I didn't know there were lower dosages of Tamoxifen, I am on the 20mg. Maybe, but doubt it, there would be less side effects.

SM267 here is an interesting thing. In this forum I have read taking Magnesium helps with the leg cramps, which it does, kinda. So just last week I tried Orthotics, the ones called Walk Fit and used the lower one (they have medium and high inserts into the Orthotics itself). And the leg cramps have gone away. So stretching out the arches helped with the leg cramps. Yay!!! https://www.walkfit.com/

DeeBB yes I am taking Xanax as needed for it, helps a lot. I also have a friend that believes in CBD Oil.

Jen2Mom bone scans are necessary. Typically you can't see a difference in the tests if you go more often than needed, so go every 3 years. Tamoxifen helps with bone loss, ONLY if you are post menopausal. https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/se... - As a benefit, SERMs also can improve bone density, which reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

rljes yes I was hesitant in taking Tamoxifen but I finally did. I really hope this works and just for 5 years and not need to go on for another 5 years. I haven't taken it for a year yet. But I take 20mg. I take mine in the morning with food.

WC3 oh yeah I have chills in 72 degrees too. So silly and then like you say in going to bed with a window open have a hot flash. But rarely, I am 64 years old so I am post menopausal, so I do get the occasional hot flash, they don't really bother me.

Cpeachymom tried the count down clock, doesn't go past 3 years.

So now I decided to take extra strength Bayer aspirin without the caffeine and see how that goes for my arthritic hip pain. I have taken Naproxen (Aleve) didn't work and lots of Ibuprofen, maybe kinda sorta worked. We will see about the Bayer.

Anyway hope you all have a nice weekend, still waiting for spring here in Illinois.

xoxo

Hi Everyone -

 Florida1234 - Before starting Tamoxifen (its now day 3) I was prescribed Ritalin to help with my extreme fatigue. Its helped a little bit - my eyes don't feel so heavy.  But I don't take much. 

 The SE's with Tamoxifen are headaches, nausea and more tired then my normal chronic tiredness.  I plan to stay at 5mg of Tamoxifen for a month then move up to 10mg. Probably up my Ritalin dose too.  I also take Magnesium, so far no leg cramps.  Sleeping has always been an issue, I have to get up and go to the bathroom at least 4 times a night. Hot Flashes are horrible. 

Dovehome, that's actually illegal to sell prescription drugs to those not on the prescription.

right. If best to just give them to someone who has a prescription I don't know where or how to do that. I will have to do more research. I would imagine thatsomeone out there has a financial burden and I could help.

Talked to the pharmacist when I sent in a refill request and she assured me that they had the Teva brand. Picked up the prescription today and it's Mylan. No experience with it. The Avantis I think has caused the hip, thigh and knee pain I've been having.

Anyone have any insight into SEs of the various manufacturers?

Nancy618, reading through the various threads related to Tamoxifen it has become apparent to me that SE s varying by manufacturer vary by individual. Some folks report doing much better with one manufacturer than with any others, others folks indicate their SEs don't seem to change. I've been taking Tamoxifen for 10 months now, have had pills from three different manufacturers and have been one of the lucky ones for whom the manufacturer doesn't seen to make a difference. Hoping the same for you!

Nancy, I'm on 10mg after having to stop entirely due to migraines. For me, the SE's are much less noticeable on 10mg, especially the joint pain that had me hobbling around like I'm 80 after only a month on the full dose. I have my MO's blessing on the 10mg for now...

Edited to add - and of course the migraines are much better, too!

Nancy, Fingers crossed that the Mylan works for you. My hip pain has been diagnosed as bursitis and arthritis, currently physical therapy is helping. My gi track doesn't deal well with very many consecutive days of NSAIDs or Tylenol. What works for me is Celebrex which is now a no no since it blocks the action of Tamoxifin. I haven't tried an AI because I've had osteoporosis for more than ten years and don't want to risk the bone weakening. It is always something, isn't it?

Rljes: There are two different pills and you take one in the morning and then the other about 30-45 minutes before going to bed. The actual name is AM/PM for menopause.

Rljes, I wonder if you could try a different manufacturer. I had terrible pain, and also noticed headaches, which I normally don't get. I've been on Actavis for a month. Previously on Teva with no issues except intense hot flashes and constipation. Now on Mylan for 2 days and already noticing a decrease in pain.

LomLin, I' m having PT for trochanteric bursitis and arthritis in my hip so I'm not certain which aspects of therapy are for which problem, or if they all are for both! I am going to PT three times a week so far where they do deep massage on the hip, have me do a series of exercises, some with and some without special equipment, and finish with electrical stimulation and a cold pack. At home I am doing four of the exercises and using an ice pack three times a day. The PT thinks the problem is bilateral so some of the exercises involve both sides. It has only been a week but I can tell some difference already so I am very hopeful! My PT company does not require a doctor's referral, although I had one.

Nancy when I started the biggest thing I noticed is I was very thirsty. When I moved to the morning and evening dose I have had a few warm moments but no real hot flashes, except for right before my cycle but that has been the normal for the last year anyhow.

Nancy618--I saw a segment this morning on the Today Show where Dr Oz talked about ways to treat chronic pain and yoga was one of them. I had severe muscle spasms after my mastectomy in my pec muscle from the surgery and the tissue expander. Then I had pretty bad muscle and joint pain from Tamoxifen. All my pain was helped dramatically with turmeric and yoga. Not sure I could have made it my 5 years on Tamoxifen without it. And still, one year after finishing Tamoxifen, if I go more than a week without yoga my muscle pain comes roaring back. I go 3 days a week to stretch yoga and it's been a lifesaver. Dr Oz strongly recommended even just doing certain yoga moves at home every morning when you get up. He said as little as 7 minutes a day can make a huge difference. Maybe you could google the story.