Anti-werewolf pep talk?

Hello @CellyK, I hear you!  Before breast cancer I would take panadol maybe once or twice a year so I was really anxious about taking Arimidex.  I had the tablets sitting on my kitchen bench for a fortnight before finally visiting my GP and sharing all my fears.  He put things into perspective for me and gave me a few tips for reducing some of the side effects.  I take a 25000iu vitamin D capsule once a week, get a vitamin B12 injection every 2 months, try to exercise daily and keep up a healthy diet with lots of greens and fruit.  I can't say if any of these things made a difference but 12 months on I only have a few side effect which I can live with!  
Taking that first pill was a big deal.  Switching off our hormones is a big deal! I can still remember how I felt when I swallowed that first pill.  It was like turning a corner on a dark night and not knowing what was waiting for me.
But my cancer was 100% ER/PR positive so I have no choice if I want to give myself the best change of a cancer free life.
I don't have the werewolf thing happening yet, but a few hairs and dry skin versus another bout of cancer - no contest! Wishing you all the best and hopefully any side effects will be manageable.  Jane xx
 

@HarleyB - yeah, may be switched to the others later - but what I mean is 'hormone therapy' per se for long term. I definitely wouldn't stop, since the research is showing less recurrence for those who take hormone therapy for longer. I feel it a privilege in a way to actually have 'long term' as a likelihood.  But for someone who's even been uncomfortable taking panadol, it feels big.  

CellyK said:

Aside from the 'no going back' aspect,  

I'm not sure what you mean by this? 
The recommendation is to take Tamoxifen for 10 years but nobody forces it down your throat. You can choose to stop taking it at any time. 
Sorry to say that if you are already perimenopausal you may not get to 10 years because usually when it is confirmed that you are post menopausal you will be switched to an aromatase inhibitor - probably Arimidex or Aromasin. 
Don't worry about side effects before they happen - who knows you could be one of the lucky ones who barely notices it. 
Good luck.

@cellyk here's the funny thing, Tamoxifen actually blocks the Oestrogen, so it doesn't actually cause a drop in Oestrogen at all. Thats why some ladies freak when their levels are high?? it actually indicates that its working strangely, because its blocking it. :) and no more of a commitment to take any other pill honestly, not a huge deal. I did Tamoxifen for 4yrs and now been on Arimidex and Aromasin finally. xx Melinda

I have been on Femara for over four years - started when post menopausal. No migraines, no unwanted hair! I do suffer from vaginal dryness and Femara is not great for bone density - mine was really good to start with so I should get through 5 years OK. But I think these side effects are more pronounced with Fenara than Tamoxifen. Good luck! 

@Romla I hear you re. the weather!  I'm downing black tea and coffee much more than I like to admit - just to keep going through these cold, damp, icky mornings.  
It's so helpful to know about people's routines re. the pills, and generic issues.  It's great to be armed with a bit of knowledge going into it!  Thanks all of you so much! 

Hi @CellyK understand your trepidation re tamoxifen- whilst am on different hormone therapy as am post menopausal felt exactly the same. Am going into week 3 and thus far have not grown another head or as yet not turned into a werewolf - least I don't think so. Am armoured with every pill or potion the ladies on here have suggested ready for problems and taken up twice weekly exercise class to keep the joints moving but so far so good.Tbh am still a bit anxious and and relying a bit too heavily on chocolate but part of the latter is this rotten winter weather.My message is life is still good and going along pretty much as normal just wishing for warmer drier weather. XO 

@Cellyk  what a cracker, your description of how you perceive you will be on Tamoxifen, goodness I hope you are wrong!  Yes I am one of the lucky ones taking Tamoxifen, only got 7 years 10 months to go but hey who's counting!  I settled into a routine of taking it early afternoon.  Tried morning and evening but I had little niggles, perceived or otherwise, I am not sure, but now happy with my routine. Yes I have a couple of side effects that I can and have to live with but that is to be expected.  Try and stay with the same brand, as @Mira had said she found a particular generic brand that didn't suit and I was the same, drove me nutty!  I have been using and will stay with the brand Sandoz unless of course the Onc takes me off Tamoxifen and onto something else.

So deep breath and away you go; hopefully your side effects are minimal.  Take care xx

Hi Celly, I've been on tamoxifen for about 2 years now and have hardly had any side effects at all!!  Turning into a werewolf would be pretty cool though :) 

I take mine at night before I go to bed, lately I've been getting one hot flash soon after but it soon passes.  I've found one brand of generic tamoxifen causes me worse side effects, but I can never remember which one it is :)