Side effects of Tamoxifen and how to cope

Afternoon ladies, I have been taking tamoxifen in November, unfortunately my hormone readings are still really high and I have been advised to investigate having my ovaries removed.  Which I will do next week with a gynaecologist.  Also in the past fortnight I have developed a ringing in my ears and stiffness in my neck that results in dissiness and foggy head.  Has anyone else noted these side effects while taking Tamoxifen? if yes, how did you over come? 
My gp prescribed an anti nausea drug at last appointment.  I take my antidepressant in the mornings and tamoxifen in the evenings, sleeping not too bad, and exercise is walking/swimming, no alcohol and no coffee or tea for the week so far.  My diet consists of meat, lots of vegetables and fruit.  My gp is sending me for tests for Miniers disease and suggested my diet was too high in salt. I had chemo and radiation, which I finished in September 2016 and started Tamoxifen in Nov 2016.  thanks

I too am on Tamoxifen and feel endlessly tired and need a lie down in the afternoon most days.  Walking seems to help a bit.  Doing things I like also.  When we went on our first car trip I found sitting in the car hard tiring work, this was five months after radiation finished.  Some women work through chemo, whilst I am still tired months after it was finished.  It is reassuring that some other women get very tired too.  No doubt we will improve in time.  Good luck Karen 

Hi @Liliana I took Tamoxifen for 4yrs and didnt notice any side effects at all and Im extremely drug sensitive and was 43 at the time and pre menopausal. What you describe sounds like the chronic fatigue that comes from Radiation treatment, as I remember that well and it lasted months. 

Once treatment was all finished including Chemo, I now take Magnesium, Vit D and Vit C. I suffer extreme fatigue but 1yr on from Chemo its still causing havoc, Im on Arimidex now as I had a recurrence on Tamoxifen at 47 in 2015 and it through me into menopause, which I feel I suffer more symptoms as a result of that than any medication really. Hope things settle for you, as it makes it tough going. Hugs Melinda xo

Hi @Lilania,
I have been on tamoxifen for 8 months and all I can say it has got better although I get joint pain. I am taking tumeric for it and it helps. I didn't get migraines either. The forgetfulness improves but it still happens. I am 42 and now write lists so I don't forget. I know it is frustrating and exhausting but you will get through it. Wishing you well Rita xo 

Hi Lilania, I too use the brain training app from Elevate and have been using it now for a number of months - have found it to be amazing and I am far less forgetful now. And I exercise to stop the joint pains. Xx 

I agree with what Deanne has said.  Tamoxifen starts after other treatments and by that stage I was fatigued.  I have side effects that I don't enjoy however it is part and parcel of medications I am on and is Tamoxifen the culprit? Not totally as my other medications have known side effects.  Be assured that it is normal to feel exhausted and as Deanne said it is about finding a happy medium in doing something for yourself and well being to enable the coping of where you are at!

Take care xx

Hi @Lilania,
I had 2 years on Tamoxifen before having my ovaries removed and switching to Femara. I was 47 when I started Tamoxifen straight after radiation finished.

I was exhausted for quite some time but I think this was an accumulation of fatigue from chemo and radio and also the result of chemo induced menopause. Just the catch up shock of being diagnosed with cancer too!

Things that helped me were to do a little gentle exercise every day (I swam and also walked). I think I also needed to acknowledge that I had been through a lot and needed time to recover. I tried to do more of the things I enjoyed and less of the things that drained me. For quite some time I would get to a point most days where I just needed a power nap! Letting myself be ok about this, being kind to myself and taking the pressure off myself to 'get back to normal' helped.

Treatment to kill off those stray cancer cells is pretty harsh on the rest of our bodies too. Give yourself time and you will recover more quickly than putting yourself under pressure. As for the brain cells, time helps here too. I also use an app called Elevate. It is for brain training and I think it helps, especially with your concentration and memory!

As for the side effects of Tamoxifen, I had a few hot flushes which faded away pretty quickly, and a few mood swings, but that was about it thank goodness. I honestly think the fatigue was associated more with what else I had been through. Take care. Deanne xxx

Hi @Lilania, I have found these three conversations that may help you out -
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen side effects
Tamoxifen questions

Welcome Lilania. I take vita C every day, 1000mg of D, 50mg of aspirin (for a vein blockage in the back of my eye), and pro-magnesium high dose. Sometimes the bone aches get the better of me and I take Panadol. For passing time I go on bnca forum, and face book and do jigsaw puzzles. I keep 16 tanks of aquarium fish which atm are in danger as I am behind in their water changes. I am pushing myself today to try and clean a few. I make myself walk my dogs late every afternoon. I think everything we've gone through ages us 20 years. I am 54, feels like 74. My 74 year old mother has more energy than me.