Tamoxifen - need to understand tiredness

Hello. I found I was quite tired after rads. its been 5 weeks since I finished. not sure if its my tamoxifen making me tired but its the lack of proper sleep for me. Yes I have woken up with the odd hot sweat. When do you take the drug? I started off in morning and got a lot of hot flushes, sickness, nausea etc but then after 5 weeks switched it to after dinner on full tum. been on it 3 months now. still get swollen ankles but have learnt to put my feet up in an evening. I work from home but do get a slump about 3 or 4pm, however, I struggle to afternoon nap so keep going and try to stick to routine and same time at bed. x

Thanks a lot & Hello.  I was told by the Oncologist to take in the evening, so have always done so, with food.

My radiot finished middle of August and I'm still fatigued, it's not nice.

Some days it feels never ending. I'm tired but my sleep is poor and I wake at 3 or 4 in the morning and struggle to drop off again. I'm struggling with cording and swelling in my armpit and shoulder so this is also making me tired. I agree its not nice but wish they'd told me more about the side effects instead of glossing over it x

Definitely.  I sleep on my front or side and have always moved a lot in my sleep.  I have to now sleep with a soft pillow under me as my breast is still very uncomfortable.  I agree, they don't like to tell you how long term all these side effects are.  Disturbed sleep + drugs + treatment - it's not easy.

I’ve had the same side effects after just two months of Letrozole. At my recent appointment the consultant approved a six week break with a suggestion that I could then change to Tamoxifen, however these drugs all have side effects and I’m reluctant to swop.

Oh gosh Eline and it's the Tamoxifen that makes me feel this way.  My consultant said no break, put up with it for 6 months and then see if we should switch.

It's good to know that it isn't just me as I was made to feel as if I was unique !

Hi, I finished my treatment in April, this is also when I started tamoxifen, I have struggled with fatigue and brain fog since I started them, I have been back to the doctors who has gave me 2 rounds of bloods tests (nothing came back).

I now have anxiety with seems to be related to the fatigue also? BC nurse tells me its not the tamoxifen (sigh) starting to get really fed up.  6 months..hoping for a miracle in the next few days lol

Hi Bonnie, I feel your pain as I too have the brain fog you talk about, it's horrible and it affects your daily life.

I too had a blood test = nothing wrong.  I guess we are the unlucky ones to get this side affect.  Consultant said it should go but could take 6 months.  Let me know if you find anything out.  The ringing in my ears is not nice and feeling very tired sucks.  Thanks a lot and good luck

Hi Kate, yeah I can deal with most things but the brain fog and fatigue is harder to deal with mentally because you can't just take a painkiller or go for a nap and its away. 

My doctor is going to write to my Oncologist, I will let you know what (if anything) they suggest.  Take care B