Tamoxifen

Hi dmcook,  starting tamoxifen is pretty daunting when you hear about all the potential side effects, so here's to 6 weeks on it, well done you.  I've been on it about 5 months now. I'm 47 and not  menopausal yet. The first couple of months I sweated lots at night and didn't sleep well, but it just hit me the other day that all  completely stopped somewhere along the way.
 I've  noticed  I'm generally more achy, especially my feet first thing, I hobble for the first minute or so I when I get up, but it settles pretty quickly and until I thought about your post I hadn't really registered it.  
Getting back into exercise (I do group personal training which has been great, the social aspect and the support as much as the exercise) has made a huge difference, I'm much less achy and sore, and it helps me like my body again, instead of seeing it as something to let me down, if that makes sense!
I thought it might help knowing the side effects often do get less or even go with a bit more time.  All the best xo 

Hi all,

It's Lisa from the Policy Team. I am very sorry to hear about the side effects you've been experiencing, like the joint pain and trouble sleeping.

Some medications, supplements and other complementary medicines can impact how effective hormone therapies are so it's important to talk to your doctor before taking anything.

Page 17 of our Hormone Therapy booklet gives some information about using medications and supplements with hormone therapies like tamoxifen. You can download a copy here, or call us on 1800 500 258 or email beacon@bcna.org.au to order a hard copy.

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre also has a tool which you can use to look up supplements, herbs, botanicals, and vitamins. It gives evidence-based information about these products, including information about effects, side effects, drug interactions and other details. You can access it here. Though, it's still important to talk with your doctor about anything new you are thinking about taking.

yes good question Sonni im interested in that answer too??

Hi Cosette, is there a fact sheet on do's and don't' in terms of supplements for certain symptoms whilst on Tamoxifen? 

Hi @dmcook, we have a fact sheet called Sleepless Nights that you might find helpful. You can download it here or order a hard copy here.

There was a session on ABC Nightlife last night on Menopause.  It is worth listening to. Symptoms being experienced can be peri menopause and or menopause.

dmcook I was on Tamoxifen for 4yrs, I know there are side effects, maybe I suffered them and was just used to it, I really don't know. I always had slight pain through my body anyway due to Fibromyalgia but the Tamoxifen didnt add to it. The other thing was too I was 43 when I went on it and was pre menopausal, I dont know if that had something to do with it as in I didnt notice alot. Though at recurrence at 47 Chemo threw me into menopause which brought on enormous pain due to both of those things and Arimidex well, is renowned for joint pain, so all those things together. But I honestly believe if I wasnt thrown into menopause my symptoms may not have been as harsh. Magnesium in powder form, I take once a day, with Vit D and C. I suffer severe cramping in my back upper and lower everywhere and in my chest, the chest is due to radiotherapy 2011 and only thing finally helping with back cramping is my exercise physiologist we do a mountain of stretch type exercises, as chemo shrinks the sheath over the muscles. So everything really is manageable, just have to find the ways to manage it. Hugs Melinda xo

Thank you both for your replys it makes it easier knowing its not just me. :)

Hi dmcook, I've been on tamoxifen for 6 months now and find that if I don't exercise I get joint pain, I also get horrific muscle cramps (have always had them to some extent but they have now reached a wonderful new level). I take daily magnesium for the muscle cramps. Sleepwise I used to toss and turn a lot of the night and I've found that my core body temperature seems to have increased (along with the hot flushes) so I don't bother with blankets and just use a sheet to drape over my knees when the temperature drops towards sunrise. My sleep has improved and  I don't spend the whole night pulling a cotton blanket on and then throwing it off for 3/4 of the night.  I was also getting incredibly forgetful and my oncologist told me about an app for my mobile for brain training. I ended up using the Elevate phone app and that has worked wonders. All in all have found ways around most of the side effects. Hoping for you that you can reduce your joint pain and sleep issues. Xx Cath

Hi dmcook,
I have been on Tamoxifen for 10 months now. The pain in my leg and ankle joints are constant. 8 weeks ago I tried tumeric tabs which I take 3 times a day. It has improved quite a bit. The lady at the health food shop said it takes 3 months to really see results but good so far.
Sleeping well it's 3:30am and I am up again third time tonight lol. I do unfortunately get the menopause symptoms.  We do what we have to do but we don't have to like it..... I wish you well.
Rita xo