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cassboyle's avatar
cassboyle
Member
14 years ago

Tamoxifen & Zoladex side effects?

Hi all,

Am wondering if anyone else has experienced similar side effects to Tamoxifen & Zoladex as I am.  I'm done with chemo & radiation and am now on a daily Tamoxifen tablet & a monthly Zoladex injection/implant.

When I initially finished radiation, I started feeling great.  Had lots of energy and my general zest for life was the best its been.  I think finishing all my treatment really gave me a whole new lease on life.  But I've now been on hormone therapy for 2 months and I feel like I'm going backwards.  I don't have much energy, I feel 'short and snappy' most of the time and I just don't feel myself.  Normally I'm super positive but at the moment I'm the opposite and the only thing I can put it down to is the hormone therapy.  Before I talk to my Oncologist about it I'm just wanting to get some first-hand experience feedback please.

Thanks,

Cass

4 Replies

  • jo1234's avatar
    jo1234
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Cass, It feels like it is never going to end hey! .  I have been on Tamoxifen and zoladex for about 5 weeks now and i don't know if it is one of those or both that is affecting me, or the over all BC experience.It feels like it is getting worse every day. I am so lethargic and depressed ,my knees ache , I sleep on and off nearly all day every day. I am on Anti depressants but need more i think.  Headaches are slowing going thank goodness but  the hot flushes are really messing me up. I cant even go to the local shop without coming home soaked and it's not even summer yet, i hate it. I am still waiting on my radiation to commence, so i know it is not that causing these symptoms. I would like to change or come off this medication as i don't think it is worth  the physiological drama it causes.

    Let us know how you get on but i do hope your side effects clear up quickly. Good luck with it all

    Cheers Jo

  • cassboyle's avatar
    cassboyle
    Member
    14 years ago

    Thanks so much for replying ladies, it makes the world of difference to know i'm not going mad!  I've made a commitment to get really fit to see if that helps with my moods ... I'm eating well, taking vitamins, etc.  I'll talk to my Onc next month also and if I'm not feeling any better I'm happy to look at options with meds. 

    Ugh, what a total rollercoaster this journey is.  I thought I was over the worst of it (which i guess I am) but the mental side of things is certainly very, very challenging.

    xx

     

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    When I first started Tamoxifen I thought I was going mad -poor husband had to keep me away from the knife drawer! I had hot flushes and sleep problems and some aches and pains.My mood went low as did my libido.Anyway,my onc.put me on a low dose antidepressant(10mg endep)and after a few weeks I felt much better.I still get the odd hot flush but am sleeping well and no apparent side effects.I was told that your body gets used to Tamoxifen as time goes on.I take "genox"brand as another brand didn't agree with me-got a rash and a bad headache.Good luck with your onc. visit.

                                  Tonya xx

  • susieFA's avatar
    susieFA
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Cass

    I have just been through an experience on Tamoxifen.  I was only on it for 3 weeks and began to feel weaker and weaker and not myself.  I had intense pain in my hip joints which began to spread down my thighs and my right knee began to ache.  I went for a massage and my myotherapist couldn't even move my lower back.  I felt like a block of concrete was forming around me.  I stopped taking the Tamoxifen last Thursday and by Saturday the pain had eased. Yesterday, Monday I was able to have a day without taking any pain relief and last night I was able to lie on the left side and roll over in bed without waking up.Today I'm a bit sensitive but almost pain free.  AND feeling positive and a bit stronger.  My oncologist said that it's not common, however, she had had other patients who had suffered joint pain.  I am lucky because I am able to try another medication because my tumour was hormone receptive but am a little tentative about starting again.  It was by talking with other women that I found out I was not going mad!!!  I hope you are able to sort this out to your satisfaction.

    susie