Took my 1st Tamoxifen tablet today, hoping that im one of the ones with minimal side effects, according to my oncologist that's 80% of his patients. Some questions 1. Do you take yours morning or night? 2. Do you take it with food? 3. If you experienced side effects when did they start happening, weeks later, months? 4. What side effects if any have you had? 5. Did you find some side effects settled over time? 6. Where you already menopausal or close to it? According to my oncologist the ones that do have the more severe side effects is the younger women who get "pushed" into menopause rather than it naturally happening. Thanks for any advice you have, typically I read only the horror stories of this tablet, but im sure there are good ones out here too. Angie

Hi yes we all react differently. I've found late afternoon is a routine I have settled into. I am premenopausal. Symptoms occasional hot flashes and aching bones and thickening of the endometrium which is being monitored regularly. Have been taking it for 12 months and it is what it is and all part of the grand plan to be cancer free. Take care and wishing you minimal side effects from Christine xx ??

Been taking it for 6 months now. I generally take it each morning directly after breakfast. Side effects are hot flushes and joint pain, but they are manageable . I was put immediately into menopause and I am 55! good luck with your treatment. ?? Linda xx

Hi Angie ?? I was terrified of taking it ?? The packet lay untouched, like it was radioactive by my bed for a good 10 days before I worked up the courage to take one ! When I did, surprisingly, the world didn't end ! Nothing happened & it still hasn't ?? As I was post menopausal ( I can't have letrozole because of my poor bone density ) I was having a few hot flashes anyhow but they haven't increased in either severity or frequency. No joint/bone pain. I take it at night before I go to sleep & have been on it for a few months. Good luck to you as well, wishing you all the best ??

Hi I was on tamoxifen for about 6-8 months. I had hot flushes and found I was very anxious. At the time wasn't sure if it was tamoxifen or getting over active treatment ( chemo, mastectomy and reconstruction) Last visit with oncologist we discussed Aeimidex, so I had blood test and I'm post menopausal so I started on Arimidex. I still have hot flushes and joint pain but in myself I feel better. Our bodies react so different what is right for one is not always right for others. When taking tamoxifen I was taking it at breakfast but then changed to taking at night. Good luck I hope this helps

Hi Angie, I was on Tamoxifen for 2 years. I took it at night straight after dinner. I had very few side effects. Only occasional hot flushes. When I first took it I was a bit light headed, but this lasted a few days. I am post menopausal. Ang

Tamoxifen questions | BCNA Online Network

22 Replies

melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Hi Angie,

I took it for 4yrs, and was pre menopausal and had ZERO side effects in that time. I think you are right, the closer you are to menopause the more side effects. I had a recurrence last year after 4yrs on it, so am now on Arimidex as Chemo through me into menopause. Melinda xo
ScorpionQueen
Member
9 years ago
I take my Tamoxifen with dinner...(only so i remember to take it!) .....my GP recommended to take it at night as it seems to eliviate side effects....I've probably only gained 2 kilos back of the 11 I lost while on chemo.......I can honestly say I only experience 3-4 hot flashes a day....but the approaching summer weather and my new head of hair growth may change that! I'm told it can cause muscle aches, which I have and i find my legs have lost strength...i.e climbing stairs is a real chore! I am seeking to tell my GP about htis on my next review.....I also have joint pain, but I have OsteoArthritis so I can;t really tell if it's the Tamoxifen.....it's been 4 months since i started hormone treatment and can say t's not as bad as i prepared myself for.....but everyone is different.....wishing you all the best!
tul
Member
9 years ago
Hi, I am also new to Themo, am 41yo. Started 2 months ago. For the first few weeks I took them just before sleeping time. Big Mistake. I was waking up at nights, couldn't get back to sleep.
Once I started to take them in the morning (first thing when I wake-up so I won;t forget, they wait for me next to my bed) - and problem solved. Everyone is diffrent but for me mornings are best.

Take care
Colette
Member
9 years ago
Hi
I am 4 years out of Chemo/Radiation treatment and Mastectomy and have been on Tamoxifen since 2012. I have been very lucky not to have too much in the way of hot flushes or pains the only issue is the weight gain no matter how much I try to exercise and eat well the weight just hangs in there. Have been told by my doctor that research is now saying to stay on the medicine for over 10 years. And i am fine as I am still here thank goodness.
Michelle_W
Member
9 years ago
Hiello Angie,
I started taking Tamoxifen almost 3.5 years ago. I take mine after dinner.Hard to know what symptoms I may have after all the treatment I have had,. Chemo sent me into menopause, this had started hot flushes. They were never really bad and I really don't register having them. I had put on some weight but I wouldn't blame Tamoxifen. My oncologist said this would be hard to lose, but I have lost 20.5 kg in 24 weeks.
All I can say is to be very aware of uterine hyperplasia and polyps due to Tamoxifen, if you ever have any concerns get it checked out. I am tokd I now have to take this for 10 years.
Redards
MichelleW
JanineG
Member
9 years ago
Hi Chanel. I'm wondering how long you have been on Tamoxifen? In my early weeks I felt much like you. I saw a great GP and started having cattapress for the hot flashes. It has helped. They are still there but not as bad. My headaches eventually went. I think they were worse with not sleeping. I use either Wagners Magnesium Sleep, which also has ziziphus in it (great for hot flushes), or ethical nutrients Triple Action Sleep Support, also great for hot flushes. Both I checked out with my GP as safe with Tamoxifen. I keep them next to my bed. Swallow one & read for about 20/30 mins then am fast asleep. You can redose during the night. I've only done that once. No tiredness or hangover feeling the next day.
If you are feeling depressed it's a good idea to speak with your GP or oncologist or maybe breast care nurse. Perhaps tamoxifen is not for you. I was able to change on to Arimidex after 8 months. I feel so much better.
It's hard and exhausting isn't it. I hope things improve quickly for you Chanel xo
janine
Chanel
Member
9 years ago
I'm having headaches nearly every day, and am also feeling slightly depressed . I have to make an effort to change my mood.
My enegy is low I feel tired , and can't remember what it feels like to have a great night sleep. Oh and yes hot flashes. All sounds a bit miserable but I'll keep taking it . I am hoping it will settle after a while and I can feel more like my old happy self.
Its a challenge but worth it if I am cancer free . Xxxx
Beppie
Member
10 years ago
Hi

I took it for 5 years at night before going to bed and it put me into menopause. I was 46 years old , the first time I had breast cancer. Only side effect was hot flushes . Currently ( breast cancer again ) I'm on Femara for 10 years, been 2 years so far and hot flushes again!
melclarity
Member
10 years ago
Hi Angie,

I started Tamoxifen in 2011 and was in my early 40's. I had no side effects that I could really say to be honest. I was on it 4yrs, took it at night. Doesnt matter when you take it, you should be absolutely fine. Im on Arimidex now as I had a recurrence at my 4yr mark last year. Hugs

Melinda
iserbrown
Member
10 years ago
Oh I used to take Evening primrose oil years ago as I had heavy periods and lots of tummy aches and it certainly helped. Now to know they can help with the hot flushes is of interest. Thanks for that.

Take care

Christine xx