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Dlhcba6's avatar
Dlhcba6
Member
12 years ago

Cut, infused and roasted...NEXT!

So in the past 7 months I've had my breast cut off and a fake one put in it's place, been filled up with toxic chemicals that have reached every part of my body and had my aforementioned fake boob, my chest wall and my skin roasted to within an inch of its life...and probably mine. While I am still recovering from the roasting of radiation, it is taking a lot longer than I had anticipated, I am now faced with having to take Tamoxifen for a long time. The dr advised that I may find it horrendous as everyone gets the same dose, even those twice as heavy as my 55kgs. She then advised that if the side effects are really bad, I can take another tablet as well which should reduce hot flushes (though is actually an anti depressant)! What's with that? One could argue that hot flushes are enough to send someone into depression so it would make sense to take the second tablet, but, honestly, surely there is a better way? My body had a history or reacting badly to any changes in hormones so am thinking the tamoxifen will most likely be highly unpleasant, and in turn I will be highly unpleasant to be around. Can anyone tell me something positive about tamoxifen? Or how to deal with the lack of sleep due to hot flushes that I am already experiencing? The whole thought of it is messing with my head, which is pathetic considering I have managed to wend my way through everything else they have thrown at me. :) Lisa
  • Enaj's avatar
    Enaj
    Member
    12 years ago
    Hi Lisa I've been on Tamoxifen since May last year. I have noticed stiff joints first up in the morning and mild hot flushes but nothing I can't deal with. I eat a plant based diet, not vegetarian but minimal meat, and I buy the organic option whenever available. I make myself a green smoothie every morning, investing in a high powered blender was really worth it to make things like raw broccoli and cabbage palatable!! I walk every day very briskly for at least 40 minutes. I enjoy a glass of red each night with dinner, measuring it out at 100mls because I know if I didn't the glasses would get larger over time. Dark chocolate is also a daily indulgence. I can justify the wine & chocolate because they're full of antioxidants :-) I'm about 56kg so fortunately I don't think being on the smaller is is going to lead to increased side effects. I hope everything goes smoothly for you!! All the very best, Jane
  • Janet_Plummer's avatar
    Janet_Plummer
    Member
    12 years ago

    I have been on tamoxifen for about 14 months without any noticable side effects. I stick with the same brand, GenRx, and I take mine first thing in the morning. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle - eating healthily, exercising regularly and drinking alcohol only vary sparingly. I think that all helps. Good luck. Janet.

  • Janet_Plummer's avatar
    Janet_Plummer
    Member
    12 years ago

    I have been on tamoxifen for about 14 months without any noticable side effects. I stick with the same brand, GenRx, and I take mine first thing in the morning. I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle - eating healthily, exercising regularly and drinking alcohol only vary sparingly. I think that all helps. Good luck. Janet.

  • HelenJill's avatar
    HelenJill
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Lisa,

    I have been on Tamoxifen for just over a year now. Apart from stiff joints when first getting up (once I am moving they are fine) and mild hot flushes Tamoxifen has been kind to me.

    I exercise every day. Try to do an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. I think this helps.

    Helen,

  • HelenJill's avatar
    HelenJill
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Lisa,

    I have been on Tamoxifen for just over a year now. Apart from stiff joints when first getting up (once I am moving they are fine) and mild hot flushes Tamoxifen has been kind to me.

    I exercise every day. Try to do an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. I think this helps.

    Helen,

  • Deanne's avatar
    Deanne
    Member
    12 years ago
    I have been on Tamoxifen for 4 months now and am finding it surprisingly lacking in any side effects. Like you I have had some hot flushes since chemo slammed me into early menopause. They have actually lessened since I've been on the tamoxifen and somedays I don't have any. They are definitely worse when I get stressed and the best way I have found of reducing this is to exercise a lot. I had aching joints when I finished chemo but between the fish oil that I take for this and the regular exercise that is heaps better too. The exercise helps to reduce the chance of depression and I have actually lost weight and feel heaps better about myself. I started walking and gradually built up to walking 3 km every morning and 3 again most evenings. I swim for 30 minutes 3 times a week ( this is very gentle on the joints) and now do Pilates everyday too. The Pilates is very good for strengthening and reducing any pain from the surgery and radiation damage. Tamoxifen's main effect for me is to make me more determined to do everything I can to prevent it from stopping me from enjoying my life post cancer! I'm winning that battle so far! Hope you can too. :) Deanne xxx
  • Dlhcba6's avatar
    Dlhcba6
    Member
    12 years ago
    Thanks Robyn. I appreciate your insight. I hate taking pills so will be very bad at this. My hot flushes at the moment are only really at night and keep me awake or wake me up. I don't drink tea or coffee so that is apparently a bonus. I have been trying to exercise since I have got back home from 5 weeks of radiation but the joint pain I had been having for a couple of months now gets in the way some days. They are no longer linking this to the chemo or neulasta, but rather to the whole menopause thing I have been tossed into, and I have been told it probably won't go away. Thanks again. I really need a talk up to swallow the first pill and then one very day after! :)
  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    12 years ago
    Lisa,I have been on Tamoxifen for 3 months,and I weigh a tiny bit more than you.i take my Tamoxifen with a LARGE glass of water,every day immediately before I have my dinner.I was having hot flushes before I started Tamoxifen,and they haven't got any worse.I have more during the day than at night.In fact,they really don't wake me.I have been really surprised by Tamoxifen,and I know a couple of others on here that feel pretty much the same.I hope they post something later for you.At my 3 month checkup yesterday,my onc mentioned the medication that is a mild anti depressant,but I would rather try and deal with stuff like this through daily good exercise,cold water instead of tea and coffee,and staying calm and relaxed.All the best Lisa,and I hope it is not too bad for you.Cheers xoxRobyn