Hello,I have been taking Tamoxifen for about 2.5 months and feel like I am increasingly feeling the side effects. I am about to return to work and concerned how to manage the hot flushes and more sensitive emotions, and not quite feeling normal. I went to a shop the other day and as soon as I walked inside unpredictably my body went into this bizarre melt down and extreme hot flush. Also finding sleep an issue. I am taking fish oil, magnesium and spoken to someone but those physical effects I haven’t quite got control over yet. i have been reading everyone’s posts and continue to wonder do the side effects settle down or do you just get better at adjusting to them? And how do you manage those hot flushes?Thank you!

It’s the additives that are different - the medication must have the prescribed amount of the main active ingredient but binders are added to make/shape the tablet and those can vary a lot. Some people may be sensitive to what’s in the binders. It may of course be the active ingredient that’s the problem but as @kezmusc says, it can be worth trying alternative brands.

My precious husband found me a little hand held fan that runs on a rechargeable lithium battery and it has saved my sanity. I keep it close and it gets me through the hot flushes. I have been on tamoxifen only 3 months and I wake nearly hourly now at night, and am a lather of sweat for much of the night. I cope with it by the peace of mind it brings when I think that my body is suffering the effects of oestrogen and progesterone withdrawal, and that means that the cancer cells should also be suffering. The hot flashes are mostly in the evening. Emotion - wise: I have felt not normal long before the tamoxifen started. The chemo set that off, so I guess I am used to it and actually I am feeling a lot more settled now than I was. All these treatments come with side effects that aren’t fun but cancer is not a small thing and so I know I just have to expect and understand that the treatment has to be reasonably harsh. This isn’t a disease that can be treated with some Panadol after all 😫 I feel like it’s easier to cope with side effects and keep on with treatment when I assure myself that’s it for survival. Hang in there - menopause also brings these same effects and we all have to go through no matter what.

Also- try taking it earlier in the day , I have started taking it in the morning instead of evening and it seem to help with night time, too early to say though as its only second month.

Well it's tamoxifen for me. Saw oncologist yesterday and after weighing up all my situation this is what I am to take. Filled the script yesterday and start today. Will see how it goes.

Hey ladies,The pharmacies will tell you its all the same which is a load of BS actually. If you have bad side effects don't be afraid to change as it can make a monumental difference. For me the genox was the worst, for some people it's the best. I found Novladex the most tolerable, some people hate that one. For 18 months they told me they were all the same. Had I of switched earlier I would have felt less like jumping off a bridge some days. All the best loveliesxoxox

Does Tamoxifen get easier? | BCNA Online Network

iserbrown
Member
5 years ago
Agree if the brand you are using suits - stick to it! For me I prefer Sandoz and occasionally it is unavailable - being aware I put my new script in at least 10 days before I run out - that is experience talking!
Cath62
Member
5 years ago
Good tips @kezmusc and @Fraser.
Afraser
Member
5 years ago
It’s the additives that are different - the medication must have the prescribed amount of the main active ingredient but binders are added to make/shape the tablet and those can vary a lot. Some people may be sensitive to what’s in the binders. It may of course be the active ingredient that’s the problem but as @kezmusc says, it can be worth trying alternative brands.
kezmusc
Member
5 years ago
Hey ladies,

The pharmacies will tell you its all the same which is a load of BS actually. If you have bad side effects don't be afraid to change as it can make a monumental difference.
For me the genox was the worst, for some people it's the best. I found Novladex the most tolerable, some people hate that one. For 18 months they told me they were all the same. Had I of switched earlier I would have felt less like jumping off a bridge some days.
All the best lovelies
xoxox
ChezaH
Member
5 years ago

Cath62 said:

Well it's tamoxifen for me. Saw oncologist yesterday and after weighing up all my situation this is what I am to take. Filled the script yesterday and start today. Will see how it goes.

Yes me too. the chemist told me that there was a shortage, so he gave me the only one he had left Genox20 which he said was the same only different name. So starting taking it today.😛 Keep me posted how you are going on it, Hugs Cheryl x
Cath62
Member
5 years ago
Well it's tamoxifen for me. Saw oncologist yesterday and after weighing up all my situation this is what I am to take. Filled the script yesterday and start today. Will see how it goes.
ChezaH
Member
5 years ago

Cath62 said:

Interesting. I see my oncologist today to find out what hormone inhibitors i will be put on. Really hoping i don't suffer

Yes I am with you all the way !!
Cath62
Member
5 years ago
Interesting. I see my oncologist today to find out what hormone inhibitors i will be put on. Really hoping i don't suffer
ChezaH
Member
5 years ago
Some great advice here, thank you all. I am starting Tamoxifen as soon as I get the script made up, I was going to be put on Arimidex but my bone scan was not too good so I will start Tam this week.
msg132
Member
5 years ago
Also- try taking it earlier in the day , I have started taking it in the morning instead of evening and it seem to help with night time, too early to say though as its only second month.