Went for 2 month follow up with my Oncologist today and discussed the following Tamoxifen side effects.
- Hot flushes - handle-able at the moment and am taking everyone's advise re throwing the leg out of the bed, dressing in cotton, taking a spritzer with me to work :) - but I now also have my script for Effexor which I will not fill at this stage. Is supposed to reduce hot flushes and is taken at a reduced dosage instead of the dosage for being an anti-depressant. Thought if I need it come summer will have it to hand so all is good.
- Leg Cramps - I have had these throughout most of my life so there is nothing new there but was told that no problem going back to taking magnesium tablets and these can be a result of tamoxifen.
- Aching joints - in the last two weeks have been getting aching in my left shoulder and down my arm (not just the joint) and was putting it down to tablets - oncologist however is now sending me to a lymphedema clinic as lymphedema may be the culprit.
- Forgetfulness - OMG!!!!! Air brain - just add water!!! This was confirmed as being a definite side effect of tamoxifen. If I don't do things immediately I forget. If someone needs me to do something again I have to do it immediately or make a note of it because I will not remember. Aaaarrrrggggghhhh!!!!! Oncologist told me that downloading a brain training app for my phone will actually assist me - so am definitely going to do that!! (Already did it so I didn't forget - bwahahaha!!!)
- All in all no insurmountable problems and each has it's own little fix. All good :)