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Pamos's avatar
Pamos
Member
5 years ago

Tamoxifen and headaches

Hi there.  Im new here, so sorry of this has been covdred many times before....  I had a lumpectomy of a stage 2 Lobula tumor back on February 2I020.  All went well.  I the n had 19 radiation treatments.  Tiring but OK.  I started tamoxifen late April.  The first month was a breeze.  I was tarting to recover from the other treatments but feeling very positive.  The second month has been one long headache.  Some neck pain, but also pain behind my eyes and photo phobia.  According to all practitioners photo phobia is not a recognized side effect of tamoxifen.  I have been visiting a phyisio who has really helped with the headaches associated with neck pain. but the pain behind my eyes is pretty much constant, and the photo phobia is meaning I cant work....  I have had an MRI and ocular exam that have not identified any reason for headaches.  A friend just suggested that my symptoms could be from migraine.  Has any else been through this and had headaches/migraines from tamoxifen?  I have finally manage to talk to my oncologist again today who suggested stopping taking tamoxifen for two weeks to see if my symptoms improve.  Sorry for the long rant.  Feeling very overwhelmed and lost...
coping
lobular-carcinoma
tamoxifen
  • ddon's avatar
    ddon
    Member
    5 years ago
    I was just researching headaches and tamoxifen right before I came on here and read this! Weird! Mighty star, I am only 10 weeks into tamoxifen and I have the headaches and hungover feeling in the afternoons/evenings. Lots of hot flashes and sweats but they started with the chemo. I don’t find the drug too bad but the headaches are annoying 
  • Mightystar's avatar
    Mightystar
    Member
    5 years ago
    Coming up to my 1 year anniversary with Tamoxifen, I think I’ve been doing pretty well, unsure if some things are side effects or general stress. Constant headaches, feeling a bit hung over, reflux, insomnia,  generally hot all the time, the hot flashes, weight gain around my middle (that could be wine!), period all over the place. I have just put up with it, I’ve shared most with my surgeon except the headaches and reflux, just noticed those recently. 
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    5 years ago
    worth trialling a break to see. I would have thought if tamoxifen it would have been at the start.
    Pain behind the eyes can be related to hydration and neck issues. So massage and drinking a lot if extra fluid might assist. But don't make the changes at same time as then you will never know what made the difference...meds or other.
  • Pamos's avatar
    Pamos
    Member
    5 years ago
    @ddon thanks for your response. It is great to hear that your headaches have settled now.  I've been off Tamoxifen for a couple of days and my headache is clearing.  I think I need to try to find a GP that is up to speed on the interactions/side effects of hormone therapies.  

  • ddon's avatar
    ddon
    Member
    5 years ago
    I have only been on tamoxifen a few weeks but I was having headaches every day initially and my oncologist told me it’s a known side effect. They have settled now but my head feels yuk every afternoon and I am so easily irritated and can’t concentrate. I don’t know if the tamoxifen is to blame because I am 20 treatments into radiation and finished chemo 2.5 months ago. I feel for you because it’s difficult to enjoy life when your head feels awful.