Hello there, has anyone else felt flat, down in the dumps after starting tamoxifen? I have been on the little white pill 20mg for 2 months now, and my anxiety levels are also quite high, but I do have upcoming scans and alot of worries still.Any pearls of wisdom for helping to overcome my flatness? I exercise daily, trying to eat as healthy as I can. In all honesty I do miss a little bit of alcohol to help me relax!!Thanks ladies

Hi @laurie123, I agree with comments above. I was in tamoxifen for 18 months post chemo and radium. I did get counselling during treatment. Tamoxifen surprised me with the side effects of fatigue, breathless and feeling flat. I would talk to your oncologist about it. However for me the fatigue and breathlessness got out of control and also impacted my mood. My oncologist gave me a 6 wk break and started me on Letrozole. Omg what a difference. It isn't perfect as I have some bone issues but switching for me has been a winner. I think the key here is talking to your gp and or oncologist and perhaps talking to a counsellor too. Keep advocating for yourself to get well. Best wishes

@Christabel03 that is interesting regarding Tamoxifen. I never tried Tamoxifen, but had a lot of issues on both Arimidex and Letrozole. It is just a matter of finding the right one for you. Tamoxifen is not an Aromatase Inhibitor, and works a bit differently on the body. Not being a medical person I won't even try to explain how it works. @laurie123 I hope you also get to a solution that works well for you.

@laurie123 Just a thought but anxiety can have similar effects and it may be worth discussing this too. I am still on Letrozole (10 years done in May!) and it hasn’t caused any depression or anxiety but reaction to having cancer (diagnosis, surgery, chemo or other treatment) can take a while to kick in. The prospect of medication for years may be a trigger. It may well be a reaction to Tamoxifen, but possibly a delayed reaction tothe whole damn thing. Take care.

Hi @laurie123 & @Christabel03 .... Tamoxifen is the only AI that I HAVEN'T tried!!! I started on Letrozole nearly 5 years ago & only lasted 6 weeks (extreme aches & pains) ..... then Exemestane for 6 months & been on Anastrozole for 4 years now .... and going much better. I am even considering continuing for another 5 years (after discussing it with my onc at my next appt.)Have a chat with your Onc & see if you might be able to try one of the others ... there is no harm in 'trying'. Good luck xx

Hi @laurie123, I have been on tamoxifen for about 3 months and experiencing the same. I've had anxiety for years but on tamoxifen, I find my daily anxiety baseline is higher. I definitely have days of feeling flat and down which is quite unlike me. I had a lot of side effects from the meds.. a constant ringing in my ears is another one! A hearing test is next on my list to book in. I'm exercising every day too, I'm not sure if that helps with my mood as much but if definitely helps keep the fatigue at bay.

Feeling "blue" on tamoxifen | BCNA Online Network

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Christabel03
Member
3 years ago
@laurie123 yesssss meeeee! I find it is so hard to tell whether it is Tamoxifen, or normal stress etc but I know that since I started Tamoxifen in October last year my anxiety has gone through the roof and I do feel quite depressed I guess at times. You have described it perfectly feeling flat, I find some days I am just so flat and others I can be quite ok and then some others just no good at all.
I am actually just about to start some counselling as I think dealing with the "cut free" feeling after finishing treatment has not been easy for me and then factoring in how Tamoxifen is making me feel I just felt like it was time to offload.
There was a suggestion in a previous post of taking half a tablet morning and half at night which I haven't tried but I take mine at night regardless. It could be worth talking to your Onc about as they can change brands etc if it all gets too much.
Sounds like you are doing everything you can, exercising is great I find that helps too. I will be mentioning how I am feeling to my Onc next week when I see her to see what her suggestions are. It is miserable to think that something we have to take for so long makes us feel so lousy.
I wish I had pearls of wisdom for you, but maybe it will help just to know you are not alone :)

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Feeling "blue" on tamoxifen

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