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BeckW's avatar
BeckW
Member
14 years ago

Starting Tamoxifin

I was diagnosed with a Grade 1 Interductal Carcinoma in March this year. I had the cancer and two lymph nodes removed and have just finished my 30 doses of radiation. I now have two things I thought I would never get tatoo's and a tanned breast. :) I also never thought this would never happen to me as I have 5 children ( had my first at 23) and breast feed them all for a year each (I felt like a diary cow!) What a surprise to find cancer in my milk duct after all that. I thought those babies were well and truely flushed through.

Anyway today I start on Tamoxifin with a bit of anxiety over the side effects. I am 42 and not ready for menopausal symptoms. :(

I was wondering if any of you ladies have any advice or tips about taking this drug and its effects?

Beck

radiotherapy
side-effects

4 Replies

  • Sarah_51's avatar
    Sarah_51
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Beck

    I am 52 and was pre-menopausal when I got my BC last year. Have been on Tamoxifen for 4 months now and have found it ok except for the hot flashes and sweating. I take my tablet at night to avoid the headaches have only had a couple . I took Tonya's advice and took half a pill for about 2 weeks before I took a whole one and I also have the Genox brand.

    So far I have put up with the new hot me will see how I go am seeing the Onco in Aug and will be 6 months so my body should have settled down (if it's going to) to see if I can have anything to help. It's worst at work mainly due to the temp they keep the hospital at and as i am doing active work (nursing).

    Good luck don't look for the side effects you'll know if you get them!

    Sarah

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Beck,

    I first tried Tamoxifen in 2003 but I was 47yrs and it sooo didn't agree with me so I stopped it after 10wks of misery.This time around,however,it seems to be ok.That's probably because I'm 55 and over menopause. I stick with the Genox brand cos when I tried another brand I got a rash and a bad headache.Even my surgeon seemed to think genox was more agreeable.When I first started back in August last year,I took  half  a tab for a few days just to ease into it. It gives me hot flushes but that has improved abit.It also made me feel irritable and down.So to counteract  all that I take Endep 10mg which is a very low dose antidepressant. and it helps.I take that at night and it helps me sleep which I couldn't do before.Everyone is different-a friend of mine took it for 5yrs and had no problems.I was told it takes a few months to get used to it.

                                     Tonya

  • BeckW's avatar
    BeckW
    Member
    14 years ago

    Thanks Debbie, I saw a few posts that recomended taking the tablets at night. I wondered why this was. I will take my first one tonight.

  • Debbie_J's avatar
    Debbie_J
    Member
    14 years ago

     I have been on Tamoxifen for about 2 and a half mths. I take it at night as sometimes get headaches and Sleep. I have just started to get hot flushes. when I first started on it did get depressed for about 6 weeks but I am ok now. I have had no other problems,I am 53 and had not started to go through menopause. Debbie