Tamoxifen side effects?

As my very supportive GP says: our bodies do not produce oestrogen to give us breast cancer! We need oestrogen to function fully at many levels, including cardiovascular health, brain function, etc  

After surgery for breast cancer 19 months ago, I have (with guidance of my GP) the following regime: I do a hormone saliva test every 6 months, which provides us with an exact "picture" of my oestrogen levels and whether my liver is in fact metabolising the oestrogen to be effectively utilised in my body. The day an oncologist offers to actually monitor my oestrogen levels and recognises the role of the liver in oestrogen metabolism, is when I will give any attention to aromatase inhibitors. I ensure that my liver is functioning well and to that effect do a regular liver detox.

Further I take I-3-C, Resveratol, Coenzyme Q 10, Quercetin, Vit C, Vit D, Vit B and some mineral supplements (monitored by hair mineral analysis). I also take calcium as I have eliminated cow's dairy from my diet (due to hormones in it) except for some occasional organic dairy treats. Also only meat which is organic and free range and which I know where it comes from. I have also greatly reduced my sugar and alcohol intake, with only occasional treats and try to generally follow an alkaline diet. Nothing extreme, just a healthy balanced approach.

Furthermore, I have completely eliminated any cosmetic and other products containing parabens and a number of other petrochemicals (e.g. in sorbalene) and harmful ingredients. I also do not drink water from clear commercial plastic bottles (only BPA free plastic) even the pink Mnt Franklin ones "supporting" breast cancer. I am taking the precautionary principle on this and accept the growing evidence that many plastic materials contain xenoestrogens which introduces foreign mimicking oestrogens into our bodies. Why take an aromatase inhibitor, when you are not eliminating other bad oestrogens from your environment and body?

I am feeling better than ever before and although nothing can remove the fear of metastasis from my life, I at least feel I am giving it my best shot with my own efforts.

Hi All

I have found more information about I-3-C (Indole-3-Carbinol) on GoogleScholar but it is technical / medical research so pretty hard to understand for the lay person. It is supposed to assist the body to process & eliminate oestrogen more effectively.

Its hard work isn't it? Trying to eat well, exercise well, recover well & to keep trying to understand how you want to deal with treatment and all the options.

Regards to all

Jan

Hi Diane,

It's not an easy task to stop a med that is supposed to save my life but I can't go on with the med. I'm oestrogen receptive but progesteron negative. I've bought a book by Doctor John R Lee: "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Breast Cancer" , I've not received the book yet but I can't wait to read it. I have not started on my progesteron cream yet, then again can't wait to start. Talking about weight gain on tamoxifen, I've put on more than 10kg over 2 years on it.

I'll keep you all posted about my condition after tamoxifen

PS: 2 weeks without tamoxifen and I feel much better, no more swollen ankles, less wood swings. I still suffer from night sweats and hot flushes.

As females, oestrogen are the essence of who we are and trying to remove it competely from our bobies is creating other problems. We need these hormones in our bodies in order to live quality of life. Our doctors only see the disease, they don't have a holistic approach to the disease, they often compromise our quality of life and create a fear approach, what if the cancer comes back....

As cancer patients, we have to keep ourselves informed ot what else there is out there so we can make informed decisions when it comes to our health and wellbeing.

Kind regards.  

Hi Diane,

It's not an easy task to stop a med that is supposed to save my life but I can't go on with the med. I'm oestrogen receptive but progesteron negative. I've bought a book by Doctor John R Lee: "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Breast Cancer" , I've not received the book yet but I can't wait to read it. I have not started on my progesteron cream yet, then again can't wait to start. Talking about weight gain on tamoxifen, I've put on more than 10kg over 2 years on it.

I'll keep you all posted about my condition after tamoxifen

PS: 2 weeks without tamoxifen and I feel much better, no more swollen ankles, less wood swings. I still suffer from night sweats and hot flushes.

As females, oestrogen are the essence of who we are and trying to remove it competely from our bobies is creating other problems. We need these hormones in our bodies in order to live quality of life. Our doctors only see the disease, they don't have a holistic approach to the disease, they often compromise our quality of life and create a fear approach, what if the cancer comes back....

As cancer patients, we have to keep ourselves informed ot what else there is out there so we can make informed decisions when it comes to our health and wellbeing.

Kind regards.  

yes i think we  can blame the tamoxifen i neverhad weight probos before takeing it.  i walk heaps and eat realy welland would love to stop but my cancers are hormone based so not a good idea 4 years to go unless the change i.t im going to try so mag powded nexted weeks see if that helps with the pains bone heels and so tried some days im thats is it im off this crap them i look at my son and husband and i just keep on keepen on love angexxx

Hi Ladies,

I've made the decision of stopping taking tamoxifen. The side effects are really killing my life. I've stopped on Christmas day and I feel so much better now. My ankles were very swollen and I felt like I was loosing my mind. I've been reading hips of books and heard that natural progesterone cream can help with the side effects of menopause. I've ordered the cream through this webside www.wellsprings-health.com 

I can't wait to try it on. I'll keep you posted. I will see my oncologist on 19/1 and I'm not looking forward to our discusion knowing how some doctors feel about natural alternatives to tamoxifen.

 Good luck to all of you.

Kind regards 

hi deeay ive been on tamoxifen 12mtns now and it only just getting used to it im 40 in march and ive just got 1 period last mtn dr going to see if i get 2 more will have to change pill as i should not be haveing them i still get stiff achy legs and feet are also sore on the heals get realy tried ALL THE TIME ive been keeping the weight off thats hard . hot flushes are still yucking 10 a day but thats better than 30 i was haveing but all in all im heaps better day by day love angex