Tamoxifen

Thanks ladies hope I'm one with few side affects I think once I have my ovaries out I have to change tablets as I will be post menopausal ? This is the only tablet I take before BC I didn't get a cold now every other day it's a dr appointment!! But everyday I find positives in the negatives and I won't leave a stone unturned if I need to take it I will xx

Hi Pammy, I'm on tamoxifen and have very few side effects.  I have found the tablets from one chemist give me bad side effects, and other chemists don't so maybe its one brand that has worse side effects. (I don't have the box of bad pills anymore so cant say which brand).

Hi ladies, I had my 5 years of Tamoxifen and whilst I had a few dramas initially, I sailed through. Yes,I put on weight and was tired but I saw it as part of my treatment and as with all my experiences with cancer, I got up drew on my eyebrows and lipstick and set forth. I  couldn't dwell on what might happen but focused on the future.  The years have flown and I hope your experience can also be relatively positive.Many blessings to you all.

There are people who get none at all; sit tight and see how it goes.

I've heard from people who were made into a mess, had their medication switched, and don't experience any side-effects now, so on the 18th I'll definitely be having a bit of a negotiation because I fall into the category of really unlucky.

Hi Pammy, we all react differently: I was lucky with Tamoxifen....only got a bit tired and the hot flushes - both which I could manage. Every now and then I have a fuzzy head.....but again, that's not too bad either. X

Hey Pammy, its something that keeps coming up alot. Just remember you are YOU and there is no way to say how you will be. I was on Tamoxifen for 4yrs 2011-2015, I had ZERO side effects but I was pre menopausal too so maybe that had something to do with it. Unfortunately I had a recurrence 2015, which my Oncologist recently confirmed the latest data that I was unlucky as it doesnt work in 1/3 of cases. I am now on Arimidex as Chemo threw me into menopause, hmmm now that has side effects that I never had on Tamoxifen. I stopped it for 6 weeks for the Oncologist to see if I improved. Ummm well Im literally at the end of 6 weeks and YES I improved out of sight, I do not walk like an old lady and not in nearly as much pain!!! BUT I have to go back on until May til I see him and then he wants to change...but Im like...change??? to what??? something else with side effects or even worse ones?? uuugh Oh well!!! just have to do the best we can!! But really, I wouldnt worry! Hugs Melinda xo 

Hi Pammy  - one thing to remember when you are reading about all those nasty side effects is that YOU won't necessarily get any or all of them. I was on Tamoxifen for 18 months and experienced hot flushes but many of my non BC girlfriends who were going through menopause were having even worse than me. There is a wealth of information available to help you deal with any side effects you do experience but please don't worry about what may not even happen. 
There is a study somewhere that showed that women who did experience side effects (mainly hot flushes from Tamoxifen) had slightly better outcomes ie reduced recurrence rates. I clung onto that though every single hot flush!!
If I didn't have chemobrain I could probably find the study ...

Hi Pammy - there is years of experience behind Tamoxifen as the preferred medication for us in this predicament.  Yes I had a few side effects however I can't categorically say it is Tamoxifen as it could be the other medications contributing.  You will be fine!  It is more about finding the right time of day that it suits to take it.  For me I eventually settled with mid afternoon.  It is about ridding anything that is lurking.
Take care

Hi Pammy, I was also very frightened about taking Tamoxifen but have found it's ok.  I get hot flushes but they are manageable.  I got some headaches but they passed and my oncologist said they weren't related to the tamoxifen.  I found myself quicker to anger but this has largely passed. You may be pleasantly surprised how easy it is to take.  You have been through so much.  This probably won't be anyway so bad.  Good luck.  Karen