Bottle 'o Tamoxifen

I have been on tamoxifen for almost 3 years now. I am reading that others have brain fog and it is listed as a side effect. I am just wondering if anyone could explain what you would consider brain fog. I have felt like I have lost my critical thinking skills, can’t multitask at work as well as I used to, and simply forget things. This all started after rads and starting tamoxifen. I know I do not perform as well at work as I did before surgery and all that. I did not have chemo. I am so self conscious about this and also basically angry. I just had a particularly rough shift last night and just needed to vent about this and see if it is affecting anyone else

Hi there.

This is an enormous thread so pardon me if my inquiry has been asked previously.

I’ll begin Tamoxifen in a matter of days and I’ve noticed some of the side effects commenters have expressed are similar to what I’ve experienced since chemotherapy rendered me menopausal or at least I have some mild menopausal like side effects.

My side effects are warm flashes when I’m trying to sleep I treat with Vitamin D and Sage Tea, dry vagina I treat with coconut oil, hip/groin/sacrum/buttock discomfort, not unlike a mild case of Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome and foot/arch discomfort very much like Plantar fasciitis. These issues arise in the mornings upon waking up and the evenings after working out. Fortunately my brother is a physical therapist and I’ve been able to manage my discomfort very well with specific exercises.

My medical Oncologist believes my issues are very mild and I’ve faired well considering my treatments and that they’ll reduce even further as my body becomes accustomed to the hormonal changes I’ve endured. He was sketchy regarding Tamoxifen side effects as he believes everyone is different and couldn’t elaborate whether it would enhance my current issues or if I’d have any issues at all - not much help but I suspect he’s a little frightened of me because cold capping didn’t really work that well and I tore him a new arse hole, cold capping was brutal.

So I thought I’d ask here - will beginning Tamoxifen exacerbate my chemo induced issues further or have I reached the pinnacle of potential side effects and it’s smooth sailing from here on end with just the few issues I currently have. I would appreciate anyone’s personal experience, especially if they had chemotherapy prior to taking Tamoxifen.

I’m 49, 5 foot 2ish, 52kg’s, don’t drink, former social smoker, clean eater, decent and varied exercise regime.

Thanks in advance.

Hey valscac- i am 2 years on tamoxifin and no

side effects yet- us post menopausal

woman have fewer side effects according

to my Oncologist - while some have none at all.

You may or may not have any. On the flip side,

we are at higher risk for embolism and

uterine issues- however, the percentage is

still quite small and doesnt outweigh, in most

cases, the benefits of lowering risk of cancer

recurrence/mets. That being said, i find it interesting that you will seitch the AI after 2

years . i have osteopaenia and didnt want to

take AI - still dont….

(i still havent put my stats in at bottom

and plan on finally doung that soon

My BS and MO both recommended I stay on Tamoxifen for my full 5 years. They said since I was doing pretty well on it, why switch. They both also felt the increased SEs weren't worth the tiny improvement in recurrence risk. You don't HAVE to swap to an AI just because you're menopausal.

My MO said since I'm doing well on Tamoxifen then maybe I would just stay on it. Of course everytime I think maybe I'm going to get to menopause my cycle starts back up. My OB commented that I can't catch a break.

Hello,

I've been on Tamoxifen for a little over two months and I've faired relatively well, reason being, I believe chemotherapy rendered me menopausal therefore I attribute my hot flashes and sore feet to chemo induced menopause rather than Tamoxifen - but I'm not sure.

I've tried my best scouring this thread and I've come across discussions regarding a sluggish GI, constipation etc and I'm not sure what contributed to my sluggish GI, is it the Tamoxifen, menopause, chemo?

I eventually found relief in FODMAP dietary needs which is reserved for those who suffer from IBS - a disease I've not been diagnosed with. Nothing else would work for me, not Keto, not the anti inflammatory diet, nothing except FODMAP - my GI track was stubbornly sluggish.

My question is, what's the likelihood I have to eat like this for the duration of Tamoxifen, or do you suppose my gut has sustained some “issues" due to chemotherapy? I completed chemo in August and the oncology nurses didn't really see a problem since I'm doing fine now - but my food is very restrictive - in comparison to how I was before my breast cancer diagnosis.

I want to eat like I used to, but I can't without enduring woeful bloating, horrible gas - I'll spare you the details. Before you ask, yes I exercise, yes I drink 3 litres of water a day, yes I sleep in excess of 8 hours a night. Am I still adjusting to the Tamoxifen and will things get better? Has chemo upset my GI, is this just a symptom of menopause - I MISS BRUSSEL SPROUTS!

Thanks for listening…

Sampy, I felt like that at the beginning, too. The gas and bloating was pretty extreme. If I can stay “regular” I don’t notice it as much. The best way for me to do that is to throw a carrot and one or two stalks of celery into my mixer and pulverize it, then drink. Sometimes I add blueberries. I don’t even have to drink it every day, but at least four times a week. I get some afternoon gas from it, but it is way less than when I have constipation. I also take a high quality, as in found in the refrigerated section of the health store, probiotic a few times a week. Sugars and fructose seem to make it worse for me, thus the probiotics.

As for the cause, who can give you the definitive answer? My MO said to expect Tamoxifen side effects to be similar to taking the pill: water retention, reflux, weight gain, yeast infections, etc. I’m just glad I don’t have swollen breasts like I did on the pill. I would think chemo could cause inflammation in your GI tract, too, so maybe this will calm down once you have had a good chance to heal. Also, maybe think about having your gall bladder checked at some point.

I hope you feel some relief soon! Your poor body has been through a lot!