Forum Discussion

Chevvy's avatar
Chevvy
Member
5 years ago

Tamoxifen side effects

Hi, I'm new at all this so I hope I get it right,  new to the group discussion process, 5 months since diagnosis,  surgery treatment etc and now  I have started on Tamoxifen. Can anyone give me hope the side effects will settle. Chronic nausea, insomnia, burning skin, dizziness, I can manage all that but it is the pain in my joints and bones that I'm really struggling with. I'm not usually an overly teary person but the pain has caused me floods of tears. I'm trying to find remedies to help manage the pain, and wonder if anyone else doing this journey has come across anything that works... I have spoken with my oncologist who tells me many women can't complete the treatment for this reason and I can stop whenever I want too... but then he tells me that if the cancer comes back a 2nd time it could affect brain, lungs or liver and would be stage 4 terminal... which kinda terrifies me that I don't want to stop taking the tamoxifen, regardless of pain factor. I've done heat packs, cold packs,  magnesium, over the counter painkillers... unfortunately I can't do prescription painkillers due to allergies. Would absolutely welcome any advice. šŸ˜Š
  • I take fish oil tablets to help reduce joint pain, my oncologist suggested it to me.  Check with your oncologist if this may be suitable for you, as it can be like a blood thinner and is not suitable for everyone, despite being able to buy this over the counter, caution is advisable.  It also helps with inflammation.  
  • Hi Dory65, 
    Thanks for the suggestion, ready to try anything,   will grab some next time at chemist and give it a go. 
  • Hi @Chevvy,
    I'm on Zoladex and Letrozole. I also hate the joint and tendon issues. Insomnia seems to have abated a little. I started taking Panadol Osteo. Not ideal to take yet another tablet, but there it is. It does help a bit.