Tamoxofen
Would love to hear from anyone who is on tamoxifen. I am due to commence taking this and am concerned about any potential side effects xx
Forum Discussion
14 Replies
I'm 18mths into Tamoxifen.
It's been brutal but I get depression, so how much of it is that, how much is early menopause and how much is the Tamoxifen, I can't say.
I'm very tired (struggling to hold down a job) and very angry. I feel it does make my bouts of depression worse. But, as I said above, that could be menopause.
Tamoxifen does keep your bone density up, which is an advantage over other meds. With so many aspects of cancer treatment creating other health problems, it's nice to have a win.
I keep on it due to that and sheer stubbornness.
My cousin in the uk, who is undiagnosed bipolar, ended up stopping Tamoxifen because she said it made her crazy. She went to an aspirin trial.
If it's recommended for you, give it a good try and see how you go.- Ok thankyou
- Hi. @pinklady71.
I gained 10 kg during chemo. I just craved ice cream and takeaway, so it was completely self inflicted.
The Tamoxifen hasn't caused any weight gain but that, or menopause, is making it harder to lose weight gained.
I did flag with the oncology team that I'm out of BC and heading towards diabetes. But from their perspective, they are just so grateful that you are eating. You can hear them begging others in treatment, to try to eat... - I was on Arimidex for 5 years then Tamoxifen for another 5. I had minimal side effects from both. I hope you have a similar experience Heton.
- https://www.bcna.org.au/resource-hub/articles/healthy-eating/
Weight gain can happen at any stage of everyday living.
The link above from the BCNA website encourages healthy eating throughout treatment
Take care - Hi Iam starting radiation soon and then tamoxifen, did anyone put on weight with the drug and if so how much.?
- Hi ladies. I've been on tamoxifen for about a week and have noticed more fine hair growing on my face! I'm talking around my cheekbones..places I've never had hair. Is this normal? I'm thinking I now have another spot to laser!
- I’m in my second year of tamoxifen.
struggling with fatigue and the hot flushes are increasing as the drug has triggered menopause.I have tried taking it at night but the hot flushes were worse. Tried half a tablet in the morning and in the evening and this didn’t help.
I now take it in the morning and try to get the hot flushes out of the way during the day.
I’ve put on weight but that is due to the fatigue preventing me from running - walking just isn’t the same!
It affects women differently but give it a good five months before you judge if it is right for you - your body needs to adapt.
All the best and try not to be anxious - you learn to live with it and it is better than the alternative! - Hi, I was terrified of taking tamoxifen I frightened myself so much it took 3 trips to the chemist before I could even fill the script, I've been on it a few months now and besides the hot flashes, and my vision playing up a little it has been ok, nothing like the nightmare I thought it would be..it is only early days for me but I've heard most women sail through with minimum side effects so fingers crossed this is you too:)
- Hi @Heton, I took Tamoxifen for 4 yrs. It’s been around the longest and is reasonably safe.A friend of mine who took it had no problems at all.Me, however, had terrible hot flushes,low mood and problems sleeping.I took another drug called Endep(10mg) to counteract those effects and it helped.I found the brand Genox was best for me as the other ones caused a rash.I would say get liver function blood test before you start as Tamoxifen began to affect my liver enzymes after 4yrs and I got a fatty liver.Otherwise I tolerated this drug but couldn’t have taken it for 10yrs as suggested.You can only try it and see how you go.
