Side effects of Tamoxifen and how to cope

I do have to admit, I became very bad tempered and Im so laid back, it definitely had nothing to do with Tamoxifen or Arimidex though, what was more apparent this time around was Chemo was the main instigator, and all the side effects and the whole journey. Im logging at the moment my time off Arimidex and theres not alot of difference 5 days off now. I really am starting to think all my side effects are purely from Chemo and Menopause...this exercise my Oncologist said to do for 6 weeks will certainly shed some light. My kids called me Chemoroo LOL as Id fly off at the drop of a hat...xo

When I started taking tamoxifen I too found myself short tempered and angry when before I was a very patient calm person.  I am a bit better now but am sometimes shocked at what I saw, it just comes out!  My oncologist says it's not a symptom of tamoxifen but many people have mentioned it here.  I am also very tired most of the time.  Hot flushes of course but they seem to be improving a bit and I can cope with them.  Good luck to everyone, let's hope it makes a big difference! Karen 

Yes tamoxifen has alot to answer for. I have been taking it for nearly 3yrs. The symptoms have gotten better or I have just adjusted to them. Resigned to the fact you have to take it. I have had no energy and i didnt have radiation or chemotherapy. I also slipped into depression and have not slept properly since diagnosis. I feel like a total moron sometimes and wondered if it was tamoxifen. My husband said it was just me lol.

Hi,  I am just heading into my sixth year of Tamoxifen...  will be taking it for the ten years...
I underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, 6 weeks radiation and now Tamoxifen). I think it took me about 18 months before I started to feel that I was feeling better.  However I still feel slow and lethargic a lot of the time and everything feels like a huge effort.
I can't remember exactly when the pain disappeared... but it did hang around several years.
While I have many reasons to be grateful and happy that I have made it this far, The whole time I struggle with the extreme impatience, sometimes feelings of anger and tension, at other times apathy and deep melancholy and depression. similar to InkPetal said.  and prior to this medication I can honestly say I have always been a calm, patient and never ever angry or impatient person !  
 
Pot of Gold  - I was told that I couldn't take antidepressants with the Tamoxifen as it would stop the Tamoxifen working (Please look into this  !... it is possible that I was given wrong information, but please ask your oncologist).

I wish all of you well... and hey... I am alive and grateful to Tamoxifen.

@InkPetal I'm not on tamoxifen but letrozole. I was having issues before started it though.

Hey,

Please go to your oncologist and ask them for the phone number of someone you can call for an accelerated referral to a mental health professional? This sounds a lot like my experience so far.

It started as extreme impatience, then I became angry, then apathetic. I cared about nothing and eventually my mood slipped so far I'd become suicidal - which I then hated myself for because I'd fought this hard for this long to stay alive.

It's hard to talk about but this is something I don't want anyone else to get caught out by. I was told that the apathy is a warning sign, to watch out for it and make a call for a consult as soon as it hits because you don't know how far or how fast the mood swing is going to go.

I just wanted to add this note. Please take care, please reach out. x

(@primek Oh that's definitely Tamoxifen. Every time I go to bed now it's like somebody turned gravity off!)

It's on prescription 

Stemetil is my saviour 

Ok thanks, Primek is that over the counter or prescription?

I get vertigo now ...which I truly believe is a gift from having taxol. Particularly bad if I have had my head down doing things. Sometimes for no reason. Stemitil seemed to settle mine when it kept going all day.