Tamoxifen

Jandy...you start 1/2 tablet yourself, very good idea. I'll try now.  TKS

hi there-- yes i just started with the one tablet --having the break was good but i was quite commited to it as oncologist said it was --along with lumpedectomy--were key to treating my bc.  Other helpful things may include is ..i didnt read about the side effect possibilities in case that would encourage them...i  took it in the am as i find it easier to remember and didnt want any sleep influences...i did get some initial side effects especially after drinking coffee and having spicy foods but im not giving those up and this is no longer a problem.  I just accepted hot flushes and they seem to go.  i take it after breakfast....after  awhile of no hot flushes ..they returned ..and that was fine--then they went again--so for me, not making a fuss seems to be helpful..when stressed they seem to fleetingly come back

when i was first diagnosed with bc i was hit for a six and in a matter of fact way--thought 'im going to use medication to support myself' so i researched and went to my gp for effexor which helped with anxiety and also seems to be useful for menopausal symptoms so that was great; i no longer need this for anxiety and in the next few months will come off it and see how it affects any side effects of tamoxfin; but im not in any hurry and it is about supporting myself through this process.  best wishes

I finished my radiation in November 2012 and didn't start my tamoxifen until mid Jan. I wanted to get through Xmas and our family holiday before dealing with any side effects. I started on a half tablet for the first two weeks just to ease into it.  My oncologist was fine with me delaying a few weeks. 

As it turned out I haven't found that I've had any major side effects from tamoxifen. Sometimes I wake really early and I do have to work hard to avoid weight gain - lots of exercise and watching what I eat  - but it's hard to know whether these things are related to the drug or middle age or maybe it's just me. I do get mild hot flushes but that is about all.

I finished my radiation in November 2012 and didn't start my tamoxifen until mid Jan. I wanted to get through Xmas and our family holiday before dealing with any side effects. I started on a half tablet for the first two weeks just to ease into it.  My oncologist was fine with me delaying a few weeks. 

As it turned out I haven't found that I've had any major side effects from tamoxifen. Sometimes I wake really early and I do have to work hard to avoid weight gain - lots of exercise and watching what I eat  - but it's hard to know whether these things are related to the drug or middle age or maybe it's just me. I do get mild hot flushes but that is about all.

Hi Shell, I finished my 6 weeks 30 times Radio 3/Sep, and just got the prescription from my Onco last Thursday.  I am still holding it and not yet get the medication..

I would say you may leave it for 1 week or 2 and then to start.

(I am going to get this today...Mmmm maybe tomorrow)

Take care

Rosanna

Radiation can knock you around and that fatigue i still remember a bit like how you feel after skiing all day --it peaked for me too around the last week and then i was also advised that it would still be around for the next 2 weeks.  one thing that was helpful is the machine broke down half way through so i got a break and towards the end of that could feel my energy coming back so that was good to know.   my oncologist suggested i start tamoxafin a month after radiation (i didnt have chemo) as then i had the effects of radiation were out of my system and we could see what was what and also starting from a more recovered position.  this was good for me; as well as not getting too concerned about some initial side effects as they disapated.             best wishes