Tamoxifen side effects feedback?
Newly diagnosed on 14/7/18. I am one of nine siblings and the first to get cancer. Not a label that I want... am keen to learn more about women's experiences takin Tamoxifen? I have my treatment plan ...
Forum Discussion
Hi Drover. I've been taking tamoxifen for nearly five years and honestly, I've barely noticed any side effects. I had hot flushes initially but I think that was due to chemo putting me into menopause a bit early (46) rather than tamoxifen. I had a pelvic ultrasound at about 2.5 years and there was endometrial thickening so I was sent off for a D&C. It's probably thickened up again by now but not going back for that a second time!
I was initially worried that I would gain weight or have sleeping problems. However my weight and sleep issues issues are no better or worse than they were before I started taking tamoxifen. I probably do exercise a bit more than I used to and I try to eat a reasonably healthy diet. So that helps.
My oncologist suggested that I switch to an aromatase inhibitor once it became clear I was menopausal but I've opted to stay with tamoxifen (with oncologist's approval) as from all I've read the side effects are worse on the AIs. There seem to be a lot more complaints from women on AIs about stiff joints and sexual problems. Still I haven't tried them so I can't be sure how it would effect me. All you can do is give them a try. As others have said, everyone is different. Having said all that, I am really looking forward to finishing with the tamoxifen in January.
I was initially worried that I would gain weight or have sleeping problems. However my weight and sleep issues issues are no better or worse than they were before I started taking tamoxifen. I probably do exercise a bit more than I used to and I try to eat a reasonably healthy diet. So that helps.
My oncologist suggested that I switch to an aromatase inhibitor once it became clear I was menopausal but I've opted to stay with tamoxifen (with oncologist's approval) as from all I've read the side effects are worse on the AIs. There seem to be a lot more complaints from women on AIs about stiff joints and sexual problems. Still I haven't tried them so I can't be sure how it would effect me. All you can do is give them a try. As others have said, everyone is different. Having said all that, I am really looking forward to finishing with the tamoxifen in January.