Tamoxifen side effects

I saw Mum as young.  She was 19 when she had me and 40 when I got married. 
She passed 12 days before she turned 70.  Fortunately us 5 kids and Dad we  spent the last 5 days with her and we were all there when she passed.  Hard yards but we all felt privileged to be with her!  Too sad now!

@iserbrown my mum was 71 when she passed away from heart attack. She was also on a concoction of meds for her   she got smaller versions of them. I believe its called purpura or something like that. Age and some  medications can cause it. I’ve just presumed its a combination of the 2 but I never thought being 66/67 was old. 

Oh yes, I get cranky when these plum colour bruises appear - mainly on the hands and arms.  No recollection of knocking into something to cause same!
My Mum was the same at this age so I assumed it was in my make-up.  She didn't have Breast Cancer but was on lots of meds for other ailments. 
So maybe it's the meds......

@RedRose77 I would send you a picture of mine but might not look too pretty theres one on my wrist thats about 2 inches by 2inches the one on my face atm is like the grandkids got to me with a texta. 

Thank @cranky_granny. I did try covering with makeup but it’s too big and just makes it worse. I’m seeing the oncologist in a couple of weeks so I’ll mention it to him. 

Hi @RedRose77. Im not on tamoxifen got switched to anastrozole. I have those lovely bruises on my face. I have discovered that I scratch my face during my sleep or if i wear my rings to bed the bruises are bigger and worse.  i sleep on my side with my hands under my face.  I have to keep my nail very short or the scratch marks are like I’ve been attacked. 

Hi @RedRose77
I've been on Tamoxifen since August. 20mg daily.  Sorry,  I don't have bruising as a side effect.  

Hi all,

I have a question about tamoxifen. I have started on it about 2 weeks ago and wanted to know if anyone who takes it has noticed they are bruising easily? 

Hi @Viv_1979, I trust that you have managed to get some advice from your oncologist.   I had a mastectomy end of October including lymph node removal and commenced 5mg tamoxifen about 10 days ago.  I have been monitoring the symptoms pre-tamox and now post-tamox to see if it is "me" and menopause (which I struggled with anyway) and what are the effects of tamoxifen - basically to separate them.  Over the next couple of weeks I need to increase the dose to 10mg per day and have been warned it could be a difficult 3 - 6months as it all settles.   I get the menopause symptoms and headaches in the morning and focus on hydration to try and relieve that which I have some success with. I was told to "play around" with the timing of the dose and to take it after breakfast to reduce nausea, and I  find I also need to take metamucil daily.  Bloating and swollen ankles are becoming a daily occurrence :-(. I have really low days and some days quite good and am seeing a counsellor to help with that however that occurred pre-tamox.   So I am back in 6 weeks (now 4 and a half) to speak with the oncologist and will be able to provide an update to her then on the side effects caused by the tamoxifen and ask what I can do to relieve them, particularly if the strategies I am putting into place are not working.  For me, quality of life is very important. Good luck in these early days of treatment and trying to establish a new norm for yourself.  <3

Hi @Viv_1979,  talk to your oncologist. I took tamoxifen for 18 months but fatigue and breathlessness were hard for me so I switched meds to AI. I did not have the side effects you are experiencing. If you have a breast care nurse have a chat to them but definitely give your oncologist a call. Best wishes to you.