Nervous about starting Tamoxifen

Hi Charles Angel,

Thanks for your message :-)

Good luck today with your first Chemo treatment, I hope it goes well.

xx

Hi Sandra,

I felt exactly the same way before starting tamoxifen. I was terrified of gaining weight and all the other possible side effects. However, I am happy to say that I have been on it nearly three and half years and suffered little if at all from side effects. I did get mild hot flushes early on but that could have been due to chemo induced early menopause.

I do work quite hard at maintaining my weight - exercising regularly, watching what I eat - but not much more so than before my diagnosis. Sometimes I wonder whether the weight gain idea becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. We expect to gain weight, so we think what's the point of trying and then of course we do.

But as others have said everybody is different. All you can do is try it and see how you go. It probably won't be as bad as you fear. Good luck. 

I've been on Tamoxifen for almost a month and don't have any major problems. Yes I get hot flushes, yes my brain has trouble sometimes remembering certain words and yes I can be up one day and flat the next and sometimes just confused but since I am in the middle of menopause I figure I was going to get some of those symptoms any way with or without Tamoxifen.

I try not to focus on the long term side effects as I haven't been on it that long yet. Let me worry about that further down the treatment. My oncologist has me seeing him in a couple more weeks and a blood test to see if my ratios are all doing ok during Tamoxifen so I figure if its going to be monitored like that then we'll worry about how my body is reacting if anything happens then.

Hi Sandra and other friends

My story is somewhat similar to yours in that I was diagnosed in Feb, had left WLE plus lymph nodes removed in Mar (1 node +ve).  I'm actually staring 3 months of chemo tomorrow morning (well THIS morning YIKES!).  Only 4 cycles 21 days apart (should be like riding a bike hey... which Im no good at incidentally  (my brand new vintage style pale green number complete with cute basket bought last year... still unused!).  I'm digressing ??.  After the chemo radiotherapy is on the cards too.  Plus the medication which I assume will be Tamoxifen.  Not happy to hear about the side effects.  But we just need to think of the bigger picture.  Wishing you lots of luck and hugs to cope on it well.  Im not looking forward to being a bald oompa loompa so I better get practising on that bike lol ?? xx ?? 

Thank you Kiama12,

We are in a similar situation!

I had been feeling very fortunate about my prognosis and have kept quiet positive until today that is when I started researching the drug Tamoxifen. I really like your attitude and know that I need to achieve the same headspace before I start the next phase of my journey. That is why I have delayed my treatment for another week and I am reaching out to others for encouragement and information. 

I really appreciate your message

Kind Regards

Sandra

Thanks Rowdy,

It is a confronting journey and the unknown is scary. It is good to hear from others that have been through a similar journey. I will start Tamoxifen next week, I just feel like I needed more time to get my head around it.

Not sure why I am on Tamoxifen for 5 years and not 10, but I will ask my oncologist next visit.

Kind Regards 

Sandra

Hi Ann-Marie,

Thank you for your message :-)

I will check out your resource !

Kind Regards

Sandra

Hi Mikayla,

Thank you so much for your reply.

I am glad your experience wasn't too bad on Tamoxifen.

I was estrogen and progesterone positive. My oncologist suggested 5 years and didn't discuss 10 years to me. I might ask him about it next visit.

I know that once I get my head around it I will be fine. 

Kind Regards

Sandra xx

HI Sandra, I'm in a similar situation to you. I was diagnosed early also in mid March, within 2 weeks of diagnosis I was in hospital having a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. Might be considered drastic given the early stage and size of my BC, however, I have a very strong family history and didn't want this hanging over my head anymore. Due to my clear nodes, no indication of BC in left breast (only the right), and pathology results I too was told no chemo or radiation, but go on Tamoxifen for at least 5, maybe 10 years. I did the same... went online and read all about it, forums, fact sheets etc. When I took my first tablet which was only last week, I literally stood and I think I was waiting for my body to explode or something!! Hilarious. In the end I figured what will be will be. I have battled anxiety and depression in the past but have learnt to manage it with exercise, yoga and relaxation techniques. I may get side effects, and I may not. It's no point worrying about it. I have 2 young children and what's most important to me is knowing that I am doing what I need to do to be around for them for as long as possible. I stay healthy, I eat well, I've cut down on alcohol to just one or two glasses a week. If I get mild side effects I will talk to my naturopath and acupuncturist about what we can do to help those side effects (always being aware of course not to take or do anything that might impact the Tamoxifen in any negative way). If the side effects are more severe then I'll talk to my surgeon. If I get mood swings I'll just listen to my relaxation more, go for a walk, maybe have one extra glass of wine from time to time! It's your decision, but personally I've come to the conclusion that I have to at least give it a go, and see what happens. Best of luck and courage to you.... we are very fortunate to have found our BC early. Focus on those positives. x

Hi Sandra there is nothing about this trip that dosen't make you worry about side effects. I was on Tamoxifen for about 12 months, I did suffer from mood changes very emotional about everything. I did put on weight during treatment (about 10 kilos) and am struggling to get it off. Last November my oncologist suggested I try Arimidex. I had a blood test to make sure I was post menopausal. I started on the Arimidex in November last year, I feel better in myself but suffer from joint pain. I have known others that have taken Tamoxifen and have very little side effects.. Our bodies all react diffrentely, ask lots of questions. Also I was told I had to be on Tamoxifen for 10 years