I am currently taking tamoxifen as a chemo prevention and wonder how anyone else has coped with taking it. Any suggestions about managing the side effects.
Hi Ricki I’ve been on it just over a year. My SE’s are night sweats which wake me up, I’ve taken to wearing a longish nightshirt to absorb it. Not pleasant! Also muscle cramps, again only at night also wake me up I’ve had to get out of bed and walk round to ease it. This has been remedied by Magnesium supplement and putting salt on my food.
All in all I don’t think it’s too bad, certainly tolerable. Though we are all different! Have you experienced any SE’s yet?
My SE's are muscle cramps for which I have been doing exercises recommended by my GP. I think my hair is thinning and I feel constantly tired. Is the latter normal or just doing too much.
its hard to know what’s what the SE’s are different from person to person. Some people don’t get any at all.
What is your story so far? I felt very fatigued for months last year, weary all the time. I had my surgery last March and presumed I would be weary forever. But I have noticed my energy level improving the last few months so now I’m putting the fatigue down to the physical and emotional experiences of 2018 and not Tamoxifen.
I increased the amount of water I drink and don't drink alcohol anymore. Stopped drinking coffee but still drink tea just not so much of it. I take a glass of water to bed, uncover my feet in bed if I am getting too hot. Use Lady Balance ( some ladies use Yes) . Carry a bottle of water in the car. I don't eat spicy food anymore. Try to remember to take same time of day and I also changed from taking in am to taking 6pm. Apparently its worth trying a different time of day. I believe exercise would be very good but unfortunately at the mo due to post rad probs and pain plus infections I am not getting enough exercise so looking forward to getting that sorted so I can get the exercise back on track.
I think everyone reacts differently. Maybe phone your breast nurse for some extra advise and take your temperature just to make sure all OK I saw ad on tv this week for cool gel mat you put under pillow case. Also good fan on sale Argos tower fan £29 with timer might help you a bit.
Never even thought of temperature! I'll get thermometer today. Only started tamoxifen for 2 weeks ago. I gather the fact than I constantly ravenously hungry is also part of it?
I took tamoxifen years ago. Took it for 5 years. At the end of five years I had a meltdown. That was due to a combination of things but had a return to work medical.
Then I discovered tamoxifen was responsible for
1.memory loss, it wasn't early dementia
2. Joint pain in feet and hands, it wasn't arthritis..
3. Hot flushes, it wasn't the menopause.
4.tiredness, not me getting too old for my job.
Once I stopped taking them, then I got menopause,arthritis, too old for my job. As for dementia the jury is still out.
The Haven in Leeds were amazing during the melt down with vast amounts of support,treatments etc.
Just starting on the letrozole journey, I can't wait.
