Hi there, I have been taking Tamoxifen for 3 years and have experienced joint pain, nausea and fatigue since I began. I was hoping this would subside with time, however if anything recently I have felt more tired and sore. I work full time and since my diagnosis I have worked from home (we started this during the pandemic) and only travelled to my office when required (say once a quarter or slightly more). I am now being asked to travel weekly to the office. My journey is 1 hour and 20 each way on a good day. The other day it took me 2 hours to get home. I am really going to struggle with that. Being at home allows me to pace myself, lie down for 20 minutes if I am particularly tired. I do walk my dog and am mindful of my diet (I cook from scratch most days). I do feel my recovery is slow and I m putting it down to Tamoxifen - has anyone had the same experience? I worked all through my treatment (op, chemo, radio and bone infusions) and wondering if this delayed me a bit?
Thank you Loraine xx
Hi HLolly , I am on Anastrozole so am probably older than you (59 at diagnosis). I don’t get nausea but definitely the joint pain and fatigue, mixed in with brain fog and other stuff that I can’t remember atm! I think that’s another side effect!
Anyway I’m wondering if you’ve had an occupational health referral? Having had cancer, we are covered by the Equality Act and employers must make reasonable adjustments. I wonder if an OH adviser could argue your case for continuing to work from home especially as you clearly did your job fine from home in the past few years. The helpline here on the MacMillan line can give advice re employment matters - I phoned them during my post cancer attempt at getting back to full time teaching.
Sadly I think that many employers and indeed people generally think that once ‘active’ treatment is finished, the cancer experience is over and done with. They have no idea how debilitating ongoing adjuvant treatment such as hormone therapies can be. Love and hugs, HFxx
Hi HappyFeet1 thank you so much for your reply and taking the time to support me. This is really useful information and advice, I will follow this through and see if I can get a better deal work wise.
Lolly xx
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