Tamoxifen & Zolidex

yes thats a great idea. about trying one thing at a time. 

yes thats a great idea. about trying one thing at a time. 

Hi Ladies - thanks for taking the time to write - I really appreciate it. Today is day one of Tamoxifen so I will just have to wait and see how it all goes.

I intend on keeping up with the exercise and eating well, which will hopefully combat a lot of the side effects. The hand fan is a great idea so will get me one of those. I am also still wearing a wig, so thinking I might take the plunge and get rid of it soon so my head is less hot (only problem being my hair is growing back super curly - a bit like an afro - he he!).

My onc has decided I will start Tamoxifen and see how I am handling that for 2 months, then go back and see him re starting Zolidex. Said he didn't want to give it to me all at once so he could see how the side effects were on each one. Is this normal??

If your not already part of our online community. Highly recommend getting in contact with us. We are called Young Pink Sisters. We are on the BCNA network and also on facebook and also meet face to face. 

I take evening primrose oil tablets and also sleep with a fan by my bed. cold facewashers are also good to have. i know someone who keeps a damp one in a freezer bag in her handbag... i also carry around a chinese fan. 

im 30 yrs old and have been on Zoladex since May 2012. not many side effects except aching bones and muscles. feel like im 80 not 30 LOL,... and some hot flushes (but not as bad as chemo) 

I started tamoxifen in DEc 2012 - got really extreme side effects for the first 6 weeks then it eased. side effects were - neusea and migraines mainly. but now i only get a few hot flushes. 

I dont get mood swings. the side effects suck - but they are worth it.!!! 

Always here to chat 

here's the FB link https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngpinksisters/

Hi Annie,

I started taking tamoxifen 10 weeks ago (after radiation and chemo) and so far I am relieved to report that the only side effects I've experienced are mild hot flushes, mainly at night. I was extremely nervous about taking it as I've read so much about the weight gain, depression, insomnia etc. Even my oncologist said that most women gain about 5kg on it. I was and still am determined not to let that happen to me. So far, so good. I haven't gained any weight.

I am being pretty careful about my eating and trying to exercise 4-5 times a week but I don't think I am finding it any harder to maintain my weight than I did before tamoxifen. It is early days I suppose, but I am hoping that healthy diet and exercise will continue to pay off. (I would want to be doing that to minimise my BC recurrance risk anyway.)

I guess that's not really the advice you are looking for but there is so much bad press out there about tamoxifen, I just thought I would let you know that it isn't always as bad as we might fear. Good luck Annie and I'm sorry that you have to go through all this at such a young age. Janet.

Hi Annie, My regime was a little different to what you are having. I am 42 and took Zoladex during my 4 rounds of chemo (last session yesterday!), and will commence taking Tamoxifen in about 3 weeks at the same time as I start radiotherapy.

I was more anxious about the menopause symptoms from the zoladex then about the chemo symptoms to tell you the truth, but in the end it wasnt that bad. I was particuarly expecting to get very cranky! But that didnt eventuate.

My hot flushes started about three weeks after the first implant. I had a couple of terrible ones at the start that came up from the feet to the head and wouldnt go away, but since then its been a hot and sweaty head/face every now and then and particualrly after alcohol. I havent been drinking alot of alchol anyway, but the experience has encouraged me to say no more often.

I have ceiling fans in my house which are fantastic when I have a flush, and I also have a hand held old fashioned fan from an asian market that I take out with me. Its been great from the cinema/theatre where you cant move, but just need some relief.

My sleep has been a bit disturbed - blankets on, blankets off! But not too much of a hassle. My oncologist tells me the tamoxifen symptoms should be less than those from the Zoladex which will be good if I am to last the 5 years!

I too am anxious about weight gain. Was hoping to lose soem throguh chemo, but no such luck! The last thng I need is more kilos due to tamoxifen so will need to get back to an exercise program soon.

All the best for your journey

Fiona