Tamoxifen

I've been on tamoxifen just over 3 years now. I take mine in the morning. I set an alarm on my mobile phone to remind me. For me mornings work better as I am more in a routine in the mornings than evenings.

I tried a several brands before I found one that suited me. I have no side effects.

All the best.

H.

Hi Aqua Sunrise, I'm on letrozole, due to a history of clots meaning I couldn't have tamoxifen.  ,y reading would indeed that tamoxifen has a slight beneficial effect on bone density,  so that could be a bonus for you. 

I started on Vitamin D, calcium and magnesium supplements aT the same time as starting letrozole and have had minimal side effects.  Don't know if it's just luck, or the supplements but I won't complain either way. 

Take care, Lyn

Hi! it is nowhere near as scary as you may think!  When we read side effects listings with any medication we think "what the" are they trying to do to us!  We all react differently and for me it is hot flashes and aching bones.

When I had my first script filled the Chemist went into detail and warned me that I could feel slight nausea.  I have had that feeling but not with my first script, it was the third, how does that work? Having that in mind I opted for evenings however I didn't like the idea of trying to sleep feeling off so I have settled on late afternoon. 

Remember the positives outweigh the negatives.

Take care

Christine xx

Aqua Sunrise ( love the name ) keep up with the magnesium and buy yourself some Blackmores Hair and Nail recovery /repair tablets....... Good luck with your run... May the force be with you ??

I was weepy at times but it's one of those things where it's hard to know if that was the tamoxifen or just all the general stresses associated with cancer treatment. 

Glad you've managed a few runs. Good luck for your run tomorrow, hope it goes well.

Hi johnann

thanks so much for taking the time to reply,

It seems hot flushes are the definite side effect ??

Do you work ? How do you manage the fatigue ?

yes, I have support, thank you, my husband is great & supportive friends & children ( in their 30's , ) 

xoxoxoxo

Hi jandy23

thanks so much for that ??

I will try the magnesium,

oh, God, my hair is so fine anyhow ! Have had it cut short as I have heard it can cause hair thinning & decided I can ( hopefully ) just fluff it up & no one will ever know ! Maybe ! 

Good luck for your 10k ! Aren't they sooooo much fun ? 

Xoxoxo

Hi Allicat ??

Thanks so much for the feedback,

I ran 12 days or so after my lumpectomy, all went well. I didn't run at all during the radiation as I didn't want to compromise my skin integrity at all. Lol. Happened anyway. The worse case of burning anyone had seen forever ???? & I am very tanned, who would have picked that ? No one it seems ! 

Anyhow, tried a run 9 days or so ago, skin still abit fragile then & a new small welt appeared but ready to give it another whirl tomorrow. 

I walk a lot & am bikram yoga ing diy at home these days. Is still  surprisingly satisfying, even tho I am adapting some of the breast squashy poses to suit ! Nearly ready to give that another whirl as well ??

My physiology sounds a lot like yours. The tamoxifen has potentially only marginal benefit, but like you, feel I have to do everything possible to hopefully prevent a recurrence.

Your comments were very helpful, thank you, I will try it at night as well. Did you get weepy at all ? I hear some people do.

Xoxoxo

????????

Hi. I've been on tamoxifen for 8 months now. My biggest side effects were hot flushes, which have subsided now, fatigue is my biggest side effect. I have wonderful people around me and hope you do too. 

Hi, I have been taking tamoxifen for 3 and half years. I had mild hot flushes in the early days. Hardly ever now. One lady on here recommended taking magnesium to reduce hot flushes (and sleep better) and it seems to have helped me. Although I suppose the hot flushes might have faded away anyway. It could be co-incidence.

Only other side effect that I am pretty sure is due to tamixifen is that my hair is not as thick as it used to be before BC. Initially I thought it was due to the chemo but have read/heard some say that tamoxifen can have that effect. It's not a major problem. I still have plenty of hair thank goodness.

Otherwise I'm fine with it. No weight gain or anything. I do work quite hard to keep fit and healthy - I run a bit too and am training for a 10km fun run at them moment. And I try to eat a pretty healthy diet and keep alcohol to a minimum. I think these things help.

I take my pill first thing in the morning for what it's worth. I worried that it might effect my sleep but I don't think it does. That is just my routine now.

Everybody is different and some people do have unpleasant side effects. I would suggest you give it a try at least. You may find that it is fine. And it does offer us proven extra protection against recurrence. Good luck.