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NeG
5 years agoMember
Tamoxifen few side effects
I think it's worth noting here for women who are worried about taking tamoxifen that I'm coping ok with it for the past 3 months. The first month was zero side effects and then at about 4 weeks I had a major melt down. I put it down to a combination all coming together at once - the enormity of it all, the loss of a breast (single MSX), the tamoxifen, the time and space to take it all in. Lost the plot for about 2 weeks. I dropped my Tamoxifen to 10mg every other day (not prescribed) for about 10 days - I just needed to get over the hump - but have been back up to the 20 mg dose for the past 6 weeks and the side effects are absolutely manageable. some hot flushes, which cause early waking. but mentally ok. Genuinely for the past 6 - 8 weeks it has been easily manageable. I'm writing this because I know that we tend to highlight the bad stuff - and I want women to know that Tamoxifen is not so awful - it has been genuinely ok for me. Mine was 100% er +
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4 Replies
- NeGMemberGreat to hear. Yes I played around with taking it before bed (which I have read some women prefer) but have found it is better if I take it in the morning. I know what you mean about feeling "edgy" I find I'm a bit inexplicably anxious at times, which I minimise by doing exercise (a long walk usually) this just evens things out. I'm not putting on any weight, thankfully - maybe because I'm trying to stay active, which is more for my mental health but I guess additional physical health benefits. I'm 48 - no idea how close I was to menopause before all of this but for the past 3-4 months I've been on Tamoxifen I've still been getting my regular period.Sign in to react to this post
- StrongCoffeeMemberI've been on it for 2 months and have few side effects too. I was getting hot flushes before I started it (I'm 45, regular periods, but menopause mustn't be that far off) and they have actually GONE!
I notice I'm slightly more edgy on it. I started taking it before bed, but was having trouble falling asleep so changed to morning and sleeping perfectly again. I do feel more edgy in the mornings now though.
Hoping it doesn't build up and get worse, but so far it's so much better than all the horror stories!Sign in to react to this post - StorkMemberHello I have been on Tamoxifen since June 2017 had no side effects
I saw my oncologist who is pleased with my progressSign in to react to this post - Cath62MemberHi @NeG, I am with you. I am about 9 months on tamoxifen and so far I am ok. Occasionally I wake up at night or have a hot flush but mostly I am great. I get tired but I think that's part of my recovery generally. I do have to watch my weight but so far I have done that by exercising and watching what I eat.Sign in to react to this post