Tamoxifen

hay 

ive been on tamoxifen since the beg of Feb this yr. Ive been having headaches,feelings of nausea and very tired . I have a very active job working alongside special needs children - any tips on how to manage these symptoms anyone ???? xx

Hello, I am 8 weeks in on tamoxifen. I had some initial side effects, but most have settled now. Have you thought about trying a different brand? 

Hey

Ive had all those side effects with Tamoxifen - so really feel it for you. Know you posted 3 months ago - hope your side effects are less or stopped x

I take my Tamoxifen at night and do wake up feeling nauseous. But I have joined a 24 hour gym and because I dont sleep well .... I go to the gym at 6am - 5 x a week. I do 30 mins on the exercise bike and I walk for 30mins (or treadmill for 30mins). Exercise does really help 

I take mine in morning. Its only been 3 weeks. I'm on Wolkhardt brand. I've had the odd days where I feel very nauseous and off food. I think combined with the bad sleep its not helping. Suffer with swollen ankles so try to make sure that I put them up on sofa in an evening. Not suffering hot flushes but have woken up in the night overheating! Hope these symptoms settle down. Only 4 yrs 11 months to go!

Hope your symptoms do settle. Its such a dauting prospect, of having to live with these side effects long term! These are just some of the things they really dont warn you about re Cancer treatment

I am glad I've stumbled on this thread. I started taking Tamoxifen on 24th July 2021 and I have been thinking I'm overreacting! The side effects are not mild as they made me believe at the clinic appointments.  I wish they had adequately prepared me. I'm finding things as I go along.

My lower back has been hurting lately. I took paracetamol and that seems to take care of that. My emotions however are all over the place. I could be alright one minute and then boom! Mood swing

The other issue is fatigue. My goodness! They need to highlight that one for newbies like meself . My manager at work has been a lovely fellow though. She adjusted my shifts such that I work from midday as opposed to starting out in the morning. I am grateful. 

Macmillan nurses helpline has been awesome. It feels good to pour my fears out on a stranger at the other end of the phone. Totally supportive people. That is taking care of my mental wellbeing. 

I'm hoping to gather the strength and courage to tell my family back home (not in United Kingdom) about what I am dealing with. Perhaps that will help unload this burden on my shoulders.

It feels like at only 30, I have been put on temporary menopause by Tamoxifen.  Not funny but guess what, I will be fine. No idea when but I will be. 

We will be fine.

Hi Solace

I was like you at first re thinking I was overreacting re side effects. But as time has gone on - ive realised Tamoxifen and the menopausal side effects etc are very real. Feel it for you as you are only 30 but with me at 50 - Im approaching the menopause years anyway!

Im also not sure how they dont pre warn you - as I dont think ive come across anyone to date - who hasnt experienced similar side effects!

Im trying to tackle each side effect as I go along. Doing exercise helps me with the nausea and hot flushes....it doesnt get rid of it but it is less frequent. I wear compression bandages on both knees while exercising because of my Arthritis. Catch 22 when you have joint pain/not feeling great but when I push myself to exercise - I do actually feel better.

I often find the side effects relentless and it does really get me down at times. But we are strong women who are having to go through so much - but its so nice that we are able to support each other on here - sometimes that additional encouragement can make such a difference - especially on the bad days. DIfficult to explain it to people who havent experienced a Cancer diagnosis.

Hope the Tamoxifen side effects lessen x

Hi Daisal123,

Oh you totally get it. It has been a while since I posted this. The side effects are getting tolerable so far. I thank God for that. I am grateful too that you empathise with my situation. 

My breast cancer nurse is not very helpful which makes me sad. Whenever I asked about Tamoxifen she always referred me to the oncologist which made me wonder why I have her in the first place.

I would love to have a child someday so you can imagine how tormenting all this is for me. And to have no information apart from what I get on this site and on my own research.

Thank you once again

Hi Solace

I do totally get it and glad that the side effects are getting more torerable. But I know its still not great..especially if it continues over the 5 or 10 years....mine is over 10! 

Its a relief for me too and I so appreciate people like yourself taking the time, to respond on here. Everyone is going through so much as it is.

I so hope that you are able to have a child someday and you can put this all behind you. The torment and thoughts must be awful. There must be so many women in your position - just hoping that you have come across some positive information re having a baby and others have been able to advise.

Thank you and if I come across any miracle cure re Tamoxifen side effects...I will definately let you know. My next step is seeing if Holland Barratt has anything that helps...as not really getting anywhere with my GP tbh

Hi I take tamoxifen I must be one of the lucky ones as I have only experienced pains in my knees and not flushes no sickness or flu like symptoms my sleep pattern is rubbish as one minute I'm not then cold then not so I'm hoping that will subsides .