I have just completed Chemo and Radio and I met with my Onco last Thursday. He gave me a prescription for Tamoxifen. I've learnt my 'treatment package' which include Tamoxifen. I didn't stress for the diagonised, I didn't stress on surgery, I didn't stress on chemo and neither radio. However, I felt myself stuck keep going when receiving the prescription of Tamoxifen. A 5 years ongoing tablets which cause all relevant side effect into my body. Like chemo, radio, I've prepared, well prepared. But a 5 years contingency tablets........... I am still holding the prescription on hand and really hassle to go next door to buy a pack to start with it. Truely most annoying me was thin hair and pelvis issue, am I being stupid and silly ..............seeking advice. Rosanna

You have done so well to not stress through chemo and radio. You are not alone in worrying about the possible side effects of Tamoxifen. But remember that most people tolerate it quite well. I have been on it for 10 months now and really don't have any effects that bother me in my day to day life. My hair maybe a little thinner than before but it is not noticeable. I have asked my GP if I can have regular pelvic ultrasounds and she is happy to give me a referral but reassured me that this is just a precaution and I should be fine. I recently had a bit of a problem with my legs getting very achy at night and some muscle cramps. Thanks to the other ladies on here I knew that magnesium supplements can help with this. If you have any issues with tamoxifen there is probably someone on here who has found a way to help. I think sticking to a healthy diet and getting regular exercise helps minimize most of the common effects and I feel better for it too! I take my tamoxifen at night just before dinner with a large glass of water. I have heard that this sometimes means you sleep through any minor effects. It seems to work for me and I know that it makes a big difference to my chance of recurrence, so fingers crossed. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you too. Let us know how you go. Deanne xxx

You are not being silly! I didn't fill my script straight away,as I felt very anxious about it.But like everything else on this journey,once you do it,it's not as bad as you think!!!!My hair is thicker than it has ever been,at the moment,and apart from hot flushes,I feel really great.Regular exercise definitely helps,and healthy eating also.Like Deanne said,there will always be someone on here to help if you experience side effects.YOU CAN DO IT ROSANNA!!!!!!!!! Cheers xoxRobyn

I"m not on Tamoxifen, I'm on Arimidex, but I was upset when I read the possible side effects. It reminded me of when I read the possible side effects of chemo, scary stuff! With the hormone treatment the hair thinning was what I found distressing and the possible deterioration of my bones. I didn't think it was fair, that we'd been through so much with the chemo and radiation, now these little pills could cause more problems. I weighed it all up and decided to take them as it lowers the chance of reoccurance. The oncologist said I could get all the side effects or none of them, just to wait and see. I have been on them for 3 months now and I have noticed my hot flushes are more intense and my bones ache a bit more than usual. Both of these things are manageable, so far so good. You're not being silly at all, we all worry about what could happen to our bodies. You have a lot of support on here and we are all wishing the best for you, Hazel xx

Mmmmm Robyn, the last chemo on 20/6 and till now, my hair is growing a bit...seems stop growing, (In fact I like without hair, it so good after shower and easy) Thankssssssss Rosanna

Deanne, thanks for your message. 1 question, you took in dinner time, .... won't that be a bit hyper and make you awake in the night?

Tamoxifen.....frustrated | BCNA Online Network

15 Replies

Rosanna
Member
11 years ago
This is a good thought to keep me going, many of the people have high blood pressure tablet, diabetic.. I might going to have Thyroid tablet soon for the rest of my life..Yes that make sense.

Thanks Rowdy
Rosanna
Member
11 years ago
Thanks dear
Rosanna
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Michelle.
Rosanna
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Hazel...keep up and take care

Rosanna
Michelle_G
Member
11 years ago
Hi Rosanna,

I saw your post and thought I'd write a quick note.

I finished 5 years of Zoladex and Arimidex 12 months ago which meant I had virtually no oestrogen and that that I did have was blocked.

Five years is a very long time. Somehow I never thought of getting to the end and I think this helped....I just plodded along. It was only at around year 4 that I got restless and wanted it to be over. I had 66 monthly zoladex injections.

I had moderate lethargy and mild muscle and join aches throughout the 5 years. I often spent a day sleeping in between work shifts. My mind was/is a little fuzzy and I sometimes couldnt find a word and I culd no longer do mental arithmetic. My hot flashes stopped after 6 months and my mood was stable. I am having more problems now that my estrogen is kicking in again with reverse menopause. My mood was more stable when I had no oestrogen on zoladex/arimidex.

If I do get a recurrence I feel as if I did everything to prevent it.

I hope you find it OK. Just remember that you are allowed to go to bed for a day or more when your energy is sapped. Take it slowly. Be gentle on your self. If you ache there are lots of things you can try. Expect to need more time to rest. I worked fulltime as a vet throughout it. I spent my days off work "slothing about"!! I really just worked and recovered in between. If you dont have to work fulltime I would advise it.

Take care,

Michelle
Michelle_G
Member
11 years ago
Hi Rosanna,

I saw your post and thought I'd write a quick note.

I finished 5 years of Zoladex and Arimidex 12 months ago which meant I had virtually no oestrogen and that that I did have was blocked.

Five years is a very long time. Somehow I never thought of getting to the end and I think this helped....I just plodded along. It was only at around year 4 that I got restless and wanted it to be over. I had 66 monthly zoladex injections.

I had moderate lethargy and mild muscle and join aches throughout the 5 years. I often spent a day sleeping in between work shifts. My mind was/is a little fuzzy and I sometimes couldnt find a word and I culd no longer do mental arithmetic. My hot flashes stopped after 6 months and my mood was stable. I am having more problems now that my estrogen is kicking in again with reverse menopause. My mood was more stable when I had no oestrogen on zoladex/arimidex.

If I do get a recurrence I feel as if I did everything to prevent it.

I hope you find it OK. Just remember that you are allowed to go to bed for a day or more when your energy is sapped. Take it slowly. Be gentle on your self. If you ache there are lots of things you can try. Expect to need more time to rest. I worked fulltime as a vet throughout it. I spent my days off work "slothing about"!! I really just worked and recovered in between. If you dont have to work fulltime I would advise it.

Take care,

Michelle
Deanne
Member
11 years ago
It does not effect me that way. Other people take it in the morning and have no ill effects either so you could try that and see how you go. If you do have any problems you can always change when you take it or make other adjustments if necessary. Good luck, I hope it goes well for you. :) xx
Rosanna
Member
11 years ago
Thanks Hazel, BTW, how u manage bones ache?
Rosanna
Member
11 years ago
Too sweet Viv Thanks
Rosanna
Member
11 years ago
Too sweet Viv Thanks