Tamoxifen side effects?

I've been on Tamoxifen for 3 months and can't say I'm having a very nice time. Hot flushes, night sweats, foggy brain, moodiness, fatigue, the list goes on. I have never felt to shit in all my life. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 months ago, had a lumpectomy and 4 weeks of radiation then started on Tamoxifen. I had been on the pill for many years, so stopped taking that immediately. My GP told me that I can't have the pill, the mirena, the implanon, etc and may consider a copper plated IUD, but last week I saw my oncologist and he said the Mirena is fine. But reading previous comments, other people have said they had to have theirs removed? Can anyone provide some further input for me please.

Hi, I've been reading this whole forum on Tamoxifen and yours stuck out to me the most. I feel like I am reading about myself. All your symptoms are what I'm getting/how I'm feeling. I've been on it for 3 months and have never felt like this before. The tiredness, the moodiness, and the fuzzy head. It drives me insane. I have two beautiful children aged 11 and 8 and I feel they are indeed on the receiving end of my moods. I know it every night when I go to bed and in turn feel guilty, and tell myself that in the morning I will try super hard to be happy and positive, and think positively about things, but it doesn't take long and I've hit the ground again.

I've also returned to work after a few months and I feel absolutely exhausted but feel I don't have much option financially. 

I was diagnosed back in June 2014 at the age of 31. I had a lumpectomy and my lymph node out but the cancer hadn't spread. I had 4 weeks of radiation and then started the Tamoxifen. 

Did you perservere with the Tamoxifen? I'm feeling exactly like you. I feel like if I stop then run the risk of cancer again so guilt gets me, but I feel so shit.

Looking forward to hearding from you.

Bec

HI Jules

Thank you for your comments.  It is good to know that what I am going through is not unusual - I had a different picture by the surgeon and radiation oncologist who told me that I should breeze through it with little side effects.   after all, I had it detected early so treatment straightforward....   :)    Thanks for recommendations - the next program of YWCA Encore started the next day so I jumped onto it!   now just have to sort out these Tamoxifen issues....wow - congrats on the new baby!....Helen

Hi Helen, so sorry you have to be here in the first place.  Congratulations on completing treatment. You and your body have been on a major roller coaster and it will take time for you to get back to a new normal. It is quite common for treatment to mess up with your hormones.  It is especially noticeable after radiation, hot sweats and flushes etc. Some women swear by acupuncture/acupressure and others take vitamin E or primrose.  It took me almost 12 months to be able to reach into the top cupboards without it hurting my shoulder blade/scapula area. I did some light weights to begin with and worked my way up.  I found the sentinel node biopsy just as painful (if not more) than the 2xlumpectomies.  Just really take care of yourself - a day at a time with mini goals such as walking or pilates etc, and you will find with each 3 to 6 month - some of the side effects will stabilise.  Keep a note (such as when and how often) and mention it to your oncologist on your next visits.  We are all different, but I have heard it is quite common to have sore shoulders, niggling throat cough, and sore ribs the first year after radiation.  Fyi, Cancer Council run workshops called Living WEll after Cancer and the YWCA Encore have an 8 week swim program for survivors.  I haven't yet done the Encore as I couldn't get to the class due to work and now a new baby.   Hugs jules 

Hi

This is my first time to post.  I had a very early diagnosis last June, so lumpectomy plus sentinel lymph node removal last July, and on Tamoxifen since Nov.  Surgery went well and great prognosis.  However my side effects from the Tamoxifen is like an all over "buzzing" (not sure how else to describe it) - plus the tingling in hands, night sweats, hot flushes.  I cant see anyone else commenting on this, so interested to hear.  Almost like my nervous system is revving up - it is not getting any better and keeps me awake at night.   Poss i will try some meditation?

Also I had ongoing swelling in the breast after surgery and during radiation.  While the swelling has disappeared, it is still very painful (and numb) and I  cant even imagine playing volleyball or running now (almost 10 months post surgery) :)   Again - interested to hear if anyone else has gone through.  My physio tells me that I just need to wait and it will settle down, but the whole recovery period seems to be taking so long to get any sense of normality!   unfortunately that thensometimes impacts on me on thinking positively.....

I havent really known anyone else who has gone through it, so havent spoken with others yet...

Thank you - all you wonderful women!

Hi Debbiana,

I've now been on Tamoxifen for just over 3 yrs.  The only side effects that I get are wicked hot flushes.  Most people seem to tolerate taking Tamoxifen very well so I wouldn't be overly concerned until your body has had time to work out how it is going to deal with it!  I've never had anxiety so can't help you there.

Good luck!

Louise :)