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gleesond's avatar
gleesond
Member
15 years ago

Side effects from Zoladex and Tamoxifen

Hi fellow strong, beautiful cancer survivors...I'm creating a post to ask for help...I'm on Zoladex and Tamoxifen (have been for about 3 months) and feel absolutely exhausted. I'm not sure if it's from the drugs or perhaps the cold that I can't seem to get rid of.  And I can't help but wonder if the cancer's back because I'm so tired.  Did anyone else have this absolute exhausted feeling from the drugs and if so what did you do about it?

I can't imagine feeling this tired for the next 5 years so am hoping it goes away!

7 Replies

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    I think it's pot luck.My first breast cancer was in 2003-had a lumpectomy and radiation.Well I was feeling pretty confident after 7yrs but last year it came back in the same breast,same spot.Dr said I was in the unlucky 8%.I could hardly believe it grew from nothing to 3cms in 1 year.Which makes me wonder if radiation makes it grow quickly.Anyway that breast is gone now and I've had some chemo(not all of it cos it nearly killed me)and I'm on Tamoxifen.Last month I went for my 1yr mammo and was a nervous wreck.It's like I have to start all over again getting my confidence back.So sorry about your mum-that must make it even harder for you to face all the tests etc. I figure it's something we all have to live with now and just keep vigilent with checkups but enjoy life and family inbetween times.I hope your mammo will be ok - let me know how you get on.

                                Tonya xx

  • horsiegirl's avatar
    horsiegirl
    Member
    15 years ago

    Thanks Tonya,, I will have my mammo etc. earlier I think. fingers and toes crossed all will be OK. I find it hard to believe that I could be so lucky as to survive with only one round of cancer.. I hear of so many returns and my  beautiful mum didn't survive. :(.   I am a positive person, but as you know each time the checks comes around I am a bit of a mess for a while beforehand.Keep it from my family and just worry privately.  Anyway, today is a good day, a beautiful winters day and I am off to walk my lovely dogs in the bush. Cheers, Nerida

  • horsiegirl's avatar
    horsiegirl
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi. Does anyone ever have a burning feeling in their breast? Its my healthy breast and I am coming up to 6 years surviving now.. I am about to have my mammogram and ultrasound and its been bothering me for about 6 weeks now. I am worried that the cancer might have returned to the other breast. Any comments or thoughts? I know the only way to know for sure is get the tests done.... but its on my mind all the time and the odd feeling in my boob is there a LOT.    ????

  • horsiegirl's avatar
    horsiegirl
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi. Does anyone ever have a burning feeling in their breast? Its my healthy breast and I am coming up to 6 years surviving now.. I am about to have my mammogram and ultrasound and its been bothering me for about 6 weeks now. I am worried that the cancer might have returned to the other breast. Any comments or thoughts? I know the only way to know for sure is get the tests done.... but its on my mind all the time and the odd feeling in my boob is there a LOT.    ????

  • Debbie_J's avatar
    Debbie_J
    Member
    15 years ago

    I have been on tamoxifen and Zoladex for about a mth and feel tired all the time, I have asleep in the day, but I have been very depressed as well, this may have added to my tiredness.  I did not have radiation or chemo. The only side affect I had was for 3 days I was very light headed and when I got up was going to faint.   I take my tamoxifen at night which the ladies on this sight recommended. I have had no hot flushes yet. Good luck Debbie.

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    15 years ago

    Can't comment on zoladex but have been on tamoxifen since last August. It's cranked up the menopause symptoms and one of those is having trouble sleeping some nights.That sure makes me tired.I'm now on endep to help with that and the hot flushes.Low iron levels will make you tired ,so will depression.So it's probably a good idea to see your doc. and maybe have a blood test.Better than worrying if the big C is back which is what we all worry about when we get an ache or a pain.

                               Tonya xx

  • chemostyle's avatar
    chemostyle
    Member
    15 years ago

    Hi,

    To be honest, I can't remeber how I was 3 months after Tamoxifen.  I was tired but I think it was be due to couple of factors for me, a) tried fill in the LOST-TIME with my young children b) wow my life is back, let fit-in as much things I can  c) I think the "pacmen" and "R-pacmen" still working hard inside my body (chemo & radiation - my body is still healing).

    The good news is that I've been on Tamoxifen since Mar 2010 (so that is over 12 months now), and I am not feeling tired.   I do take supplement with vitamin B daily.  My side effect is dryness, and when I take a break from Tamoxifen (for reconstruction surgeries) and take it again, I get HOT flushes occassionally for the couple of month.  

    I guess everyone is different.  If you are like me before, perhaps you might consider reviewing your daily activities, and it is okay to rest and chill.  Also important to talk to your doctor regarding your concern.  

    Q: do you take Tamoxifen in the morning or before bed?  (I take mine before bed)

    check out:

    http://www.bcna.org.au/network/groups/10661/blog/13936

    Common Problem with Tamoxifen

    http://en.allexperts.com/q/Oncology-General-Cancer-978/2010/4/tamoxifen-issues.htm

    http://www.embarrassingproblems.com/problem/vaginal-vulva-problems/dry-vagina

    https://beyondbreastcancer.wordpress.com/2011/03/27/managing-menopausal-symptoms/