Tamoxifen

Thankyou for your reply . I’m pleased your symptoms have eased . It’s good to hear some positive stories it’s gives me encouragement.

I thought I was getting horrible side effects to Tamoxifen but they’re saying it’s probably menopause! I saw that Davina McCall documentary on the menopause on Channel 4 and it was really eye opening just how bad a normal menopause can be for some women. It made me feel better that I wasn’t alone. I’m told tamoxifen reduces my risks of recurrence by 50% so I feel it’s definitely worth it. My main actual side effect that is not menopause related is acid reflux and feeling nauseous a lot. I had that sickness disease in pregnancy so I think my stomach is sensitive to hormone changes. I’m going to talk to my doctor about omeprizole - he offered it to me before but I was all ‘I can beat this with kind over matter’. Now I think that was a bit silly so I’m going to ask him again.

Still, even menopause symptoms and reflux is still better than cancer

Can I ask when you take tablet as this can have a bearing on ickiness as I suffered with this. Also perhaps speak to pharmacist about brand change as the fillers can also cause havoc. Worth having a change to see if this helps x

I take the pill with my dinner at 7pm, so I don’t feel so bad, but it’s 24/7 nausea - mild but annoying. My main problem is that eating relieves it, which makes it hard to lose weight. I will ask about the brand, although I’m on the branded tablets which are supposed to be the best for this sort of thing. I do have a sensitive stomach anyway, so if anything causes tummy problems 1 in a million times, you can guarantee I’ll be that one in a million!

The acid reflux side effect is a concern for me as I’m already suffering with this . For me the omoperazole relieve the acid but don’t help the central chest/stomach pain . Speaking to my Oncologist in 23rd . She said it’s ok for me to delay Tamoxifen  till then . I agree 50% reduction in recurrence is worth taking them . I just want to discuss with her if there is an alternative, I’m also suffering the hot flushes as I think Chemo has put me into menopause so like you say it will be hard to know what is menopause related or Tamoxifen related. Hope the acid reflux settles down for you .

It's so hard to know what symptom is from what. Menopause or drugs making it worse. Although Breast Cancer Now do some lovely literature which you can access on their website, I've also found the menopause doctor good here 

www.newsonhealth.co.uk/.../

Hi sul , I know it’s early days but just wondering how you are getting on with the tamoxifen . I’ve taken the plunge today and taken half a tablet .. trying to break myself in gently !  Think I’ll take half for the first few days so it’s not such a shock to my system. My body hasn’t even got over my last chemo infusion yet . Hope you are doing well.

I've just taken my first tamoxifen tablet, I'm preparing myself for the side effects!

Hi Lindsgab,

I am on my 8th day but must admit I have only been taking half a tablet each day so it’s not such a shock to my system, I’m still recovering from chemo side effects and starting radiotherapy tomorrow so it’s an awful lot to cope with. I will give it another week or so then will start taking a full tablet. I hope you get on ok with them .

Good luck with radiotherapy. Ihavethat to come when chemo done…not look forward to more invasive treatments but it’s a means to a good end..x