Tamoxifen, is there anyone out there who HAS NOT been suffering awful side-effects?

Try not to overthink it, to much, @BewilderedButHopeful - of all the hormone tablets, my understanding is that Tamoxifen usually has the least side effects - and hopefully that will be true for you too. 

Keeping physically active as well, it keeps the joints mobile ...  My surgeon indicated that I would be on Tamoxifen, but as I was 10 years plus post menopausal, I actually started on Letrozole, then swapped to Exemestane and am currently on Arimidex!  SO - if for any reason I go off Arimidex, I only have Tamoxifen left!  LOL.  (I am tolerating the Arimidex much better than the others!)

As has been mentioned, sometimes the coating on the generic tablets can cause discomfort apparently .... but just give it a go with the 'original' brand (before receiving your first batch - ask the dispensing chemist which one is the most 'popular' with their clients - and go with that one to start off with.)

All the best to you, for when you start . xx

Thanks guys. You are so encouraging and inspiring. :smiley
In answer to your questions:
Stork, I have not started Tamoxifen yet, so no info re brand. Do the brands/generic make a difference?
Kmakm, I will have to ask for the percentage benefit. I think it's significant. The Oncotype said chemo less than 1% benefit IF I am on Tamoxifen. I skipped chemo. Don't think I can risk skipping this, unfortunately.
Arpie, I still have regular periods and no menopausal symptoms. That's going to change fast. Gulp.
Thanks Mira, I will try taking it at night to start. I also read somewhere that you can take half a.m. then half p.m.
Deanne - the 'awesome" was for your first two lines. Good luck with the exercise physiologist and I hope your Femara symptoms ease soon.
Afraser, thanks for you positive outlook, as always.

I was 47 at diagnosis. After active treatment I went onto Tamoxifen and had no significant side effects. I actually became much more active than before bc, lost 9 kg and was feeling great in every way.

 At 49 I had my ovaries removed and started Femara to further reduce my chance of recurrence. Many more issues including rapid vaginal atrophy on Femara. Still coped reasonably well until getting many tendon issues starting after 3 years on Femara. So my oncologist switched me back to Tamoxifen almost 12 months ago.

Unfortunately the issues that developed on Femara have not gone away. I do have less joint pain, particularly in hands. But the tendon issues have continued and are greatly effecting my ability to exercise. Consequently I have put on weight and feel less happy with quality of life. 

I was the same.  Fit, healthy and got breast cancer at 50.  I was told in the beginning to take Tamoxifen at night to help with the side effects and it seems to have worked for me.   I did find that one brand affected me badly, but so long as I avoided that brand of tamoxifen I was fine.  Unfortunately I cant remember which brand it was, but if its affecting you try a different brand and you might find that helps :smile:

Oh, and aside from modifying for a bit around surgery, I haven't stopped exercising :smile:

It is a real shit fight, isn’t it.  I was mid 60s when diagnosed and like you, pretty fit and enjoying life.  What I am now was NOT in my game plan!  Grrrr 

How long have you been on it so far?  Are you post menopausal?

What brand of tamoxifen are you on?

There are lots of people who take Tamoxifen and AIs who have little to no trouble on them so take heart!

Interestingly, I was the same as you, at 51 and now have a raft of health problems. I struggle enormously with the 'new normal' and 'new me' and find it horrifying and surreal like you. I am on Letrozole and my oncologist says when I'm ready to give up on this she reckons Tamoxifen will be easier. Others have a better time on the AI. We're all different.

Have you been given a percentage for the benefit of taking hormone suppressing medication? For some it's 1% and they're prepared to take the chance and not take it.

Really there's only one way to find out and that's to try. Let us know how you get on. K xox

I’m not on Tamoxifen, I’m on Femara. Advice was that arthritis type symptoms, bone thinning and vaginal dryness may occur. Both the latter have, but not the first. Both the latter are possibly compounded by age (I am 20 years older than you), which is academically irritating only because it makes it harder to point the finger! Oestrogen cream (minute dose and lengthy discussion with breast surgeon) helps the vaginal dryness. Luckily my bone density was terrific before I started, so still OK. Do I feel ‘age-accelerated’? No. The last seven years post diagnosis have been significantly happy, fulfilling, active (I have only just stopped paid employment) and broadened my knowledge and learning. The side effects are a bit of a nuisance but not worth dwelling on too much. I think
more on the fact that, so far, I am NED. So why not try Tamoxifen? If you hate the outcomes, stop. At least you have given it a go, know it’s not for you and why. Best wishes.