Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

AnnoyedWoman—you echo my sentiments exactly. I hate taking this pill not knowing if it’s helping me or not

mom2bunky I'm right there with you. I will try the tamoxifen in September after my upcoming 10k race. I may do just fine on it. If so, great. If not, I'm going to stop. I haven't tolerated hormone-related drugs in the past, and I've had bad side effects from drugs that are supposed to have little effect on people. But the number of affected people is still above zero and sometimes I'm that one.

When I read about joint pain and fatigue, when I read about debilitating hot flashes, well all of that would most definitely interfere with my quality of life and with me doing the things that bring me joy and are part of me being me.

So I hope for no side effects but won't hesitate to stop taking tamoxifen if it does interfere with what I love to do.

I am giggling, because I have had all of these thoughts over the past 8 months on Tamoxifen and the 4 months reading about it before that. Unfortunately, I have had a slew of side effects, but, at this point, I have them mostly managed. I have resigned myself to the fact that the oncologist's role is to keep me on the pills because the studies show it lowers recurrence risk. Mine will help me deal with the side effects (gabapentin is my best friend) if I complain routinely, but mostly she just wants to hear that I am still popping that pill. I imagine that if the side effects were so unbearable that I said I was quitting she might choose to switch my treatment, but I am not sure. On the optimistic side of my analysis, I am actually a "fairly boring" patient given my low risk and I am happy to maintain that status.

Same edj. I'm not a freaking pharmacy. I already have to take thyroid hormone, and more recently something for high blood pressure. Now this crap. Enough already. But, those may be famous last words.

FindingOptimism, I'm so glad you've found relief. My husband is on gabapentin for chronic back pain due to a bulged disc or something from years of running. Can i ask how it helps your side effects please?

I completely understand FindingOptimism and can see myself doing the exact same thing. Hoping I won't have to

That is so good to know about the gabapentin. I had no idea! Thanks for sharing.

FindingOptimism thank you for sharing about the gabapentin. Like mom2bunky I didn't really know how it's used, so I appreciate that a lot.

I'm already going to be going on Prolia next month, assuming my insurance company doesn't deny that. Ugh. Did I mention I also hate needles?

I'm with those of you who don't want to take pills to get rid of side effects from other pills.

In addition to the joint pain / fatigue type side effects, I'm also scared of the ones that just appear without creeping up - blood clots, uterine cancer, vision issues, etc.

I'm still doing 10 mg / day. I did take an extra 10 mg twice to get up to the full dose in my system faster. With a 7 day (or 7 to 10 day) half life, it takes a while to build up in the system.

I might take an extra tomorrow or the next day to work towards getting 15 mg average in my system.

hi everyone,

Have been on tamoxifen for almost 2.5 months. Muscle/bone/joint pain doesn’t seem to be getting better. Appt in 2 weeks to ask MO for different brand. In the meantime, anything I can take or do for joint/ bone pain? It’s increasingly difficult to walk and has only been just over 2 months.

Angel, with me the joint pain eventually eased off, but it took a long time. Many months. I was worst in bed and when I first got up in the morning but it quickly improved as I moved around. I found that my ankles and lower shins were weirdly stiff and felt like the muscles were locked up. Again, I just worked through it and after many months it got better. I know it's not very helpful or supportive to say hang in there when you're feeling so miserable. Magnesium, calcium, epsom salt baths, plenty of liquids... the basic things to try. Sorry to not be more helpful. Fingers crossed that things get better sooner rather than later.

Hi Goldfish4884, Did your ortho doctor think the aspirin was enough? Ask the doctor if you will have to have Lovenox injections after your surgery to prevent blood clots. I had a meniscus tear and waited a month before starting Tamoxifen. There was definitely more discomfort once I started the Tamoxifen. Rehab is so important. Good luck with your surgery.

Angie, I'm having a tough time adjusting also. I'm glad we have this place to vent.

goldfish- I’ve posted this before, hope it helps!

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S174391911200091X

Umakemehappy ... how you are feeling, like every little thing might be cancer, is very typical of the 'process' that many of us seem to go through. Someone much wiser than me posted on BCORG about The Two Week Rule. A cough, a hip pain, an eyeball twitch, a weird blotch or lump, two weeks. Watch it for two weeks. If it hasn't improved or gone away in two weeks then it's time for a trip to the doctor. That has been a very sensible and do-able piece of advice. It gave me parameters to rein in the panic and the sudden hypochondria, which I hated and resented but seemed to be as much a side effect of cancer as my joints aching and an armpit that doesn't grow hair anymore. I hate what a spastic idiot I've become. It feels like I'm running to the doctor flapping my arms and yelling The sky is falling, The sky is falling! I think he must roll his eyes and sigh at the sight of me. But then I think, hey, no one held a gun to his head and made him be a doctor, if he didn't want to deal with spastic people he should have become a garbage man or ditch mower. It's not my fault that he's a doctor and not my fault that I got cancer so it's just a dog's breakfast all around. What are you going to do?

DorothyB, epsom salts are loaded with magnesium. Your skin, being your biggest organ and being pourous, is an efficient absorber of magnesium presented in this way. Magnesium is a known helper for muscle cramps and aches. HOWEVER... I should make a few things clear. In order for the epsom salt bath to have any effect at all it must be done according to a specific method. 1) Light scented candles and place around the room. 2)pour a tall glass of wine and place safely on the fattest edge of the tub. 3) a really good book 4) a big smile as you settle into the hot water to soak, sip and read.

To spice it up a little I buy essential oils or body safe fragrance oils and add a few drops to a bowl of epsom salts. I smush this around with a fork until the scented oil is good and mixed into the salt. If I'm feeling fancy I add a few drops of neon food colouring and smush that with a fork. Dump this all into a pretty container and keep near the tub. I find the scent of lavender or citrus and pine or cloves (pick your fave) really makes it fun and the burst of colour (which immediately fades) as I sprinkle the salt under the running water makes me smile. When the kid was small and hated baths I'd let her pick what colour bath she wanted and dump in a few drops of food colour. Made bath time more fun and less fight. Like, what can't be solved with hot water, salt and food colouring?

Angie, I've had the muscle/joint aches and pains and cramps and twitches and general mild flu-like feeling since shortly after starting the prescription. A magnesium supplement seems to help; at least, I have fewer symptoms when I remember to take it, and they come back when I forget about it for a few days. I take it in the form of magnesium glycinate, which some sources say is better absorbed than other forms.

purplecat, thank you.

Took some magnesium today and it seems to help a little. If taking daily magnesium supplement, what is the recommended mg? And for how long should I keep taking it?