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NeG's avatar
NeG
Member
4 years ago

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 +

4 Replies

  • NeG's avatar
    NeG
    Member
    4 years ago
    Great 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.  
  • StrongCoffee's avatar
    StrongCoffee
    Member
    4 years ago
    I'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!
  • Stork's avatar
    Stork
    Member
    4 years ago
    Hello I have been on Tamoxifen since June 2017 had no side effects
    I saw my oncologist who is pleased with my progress 
  • Cath62's avatar
    Cath62
    Member
    4 years ago
    Hi @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.