Comments on: Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer & Side Effects http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/tamoxifen-for-breast-cancer-side-effects/ We explain complex medical stuff Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:20:36 +0000 hourly 1 By: Gill http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/tamoxifen-for-breast-cancer-side-effects/comment-page-2/#comment-132937 Gill Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:38:50 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1273#comment-132937 Trust me, you're not alone! I've been on T for 2 years now and was running half marathons, cycling for hours and generally very active prior to my diagnosis. I was made aware of the more obvious side effects and was prepared for them but nobody told me that I'd feel like I'd aged 15 years in 12 months! I am constantly tired, sleep badly, have gained weight and am trying to exercise to keep it down but ache like crazy when I do. You are right though - we just have to get on with it, there are many people who are worse off and putting up with much more. My hope is that when I finish in 3 years I will be like Tigger the tiger and fell fabulous! Good luck. Trust me, you’re not alone! I’ve been on T for 2 years now and was running half marathons, cycling for hours and generally very active prior to my diagnosis. I was made aware of the more obvious side effects and was prepared for them but nobody told me that I’d feel like I’d aged 15 years in 12 months! I am constantly tired, sleep badly, have gained weight and am trying to exercise to keep it down but ache like crazy when I do. You are right though – we just have to get on with it, there are many people who are worse off and putting up with much more. My hope is that when I finish in 3 years I will be like Tigger the tiger and fell fabulous! Good luck.

]]> By: Tammy http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/tamoxifen-for-breast-cancer-side-effects/comment-page-2/#comment-130682 Tammy Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:23:02 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1273#comment-130682 I am nearing the one year mark of being on Tamoxifen. I see I am not alone with the many side effects I am experiencing. I ache from the hips down daily, suffer with the nightime muscle cramps, hot flashes, foggy brain and am so tired all the time. Even though I am so tired at night, I can't sleep unless I take the mild sleeping pill prescribed by my doctor. I am very lucky to have a very helpfull and understanding husband and 11 year old son. I feel like I am letting them down and cutting into family time with my early bedtime. It was so bad on Christmas Eve that I went to bed at the same time as my son and left my husband to take care of the Santa stuff. It is so out of character for me to miss any type of Christmas activity, especially that Santa things. I feel that coming off the tamoxifen is not an option for me as my cancer grade was high, even though it was caught early. So, I will keep on battling and remind myself that I have many others battling along with me. I am nearing the one year mark of being on Tamoxifen. I see I am not alone with the many side effects I am experiencing. I ache from the hips down daily, suffer with the nightime muscle cramps, hot flashes, foggy brain and am so tired all the time. Even though I am so tired at night, I can’t sleep unless I take the mild sleeping pill prescribed by my doctor. I am very lucky to have a very helpfull and understanding husband and 11 year old son. I feel like I am letting them down and cutting into family time with my early bedtime. It was so bad on Christmas Eve that I went to bed at the same time as my son and left my husband to take care of the Santa stuff. It is so out of character for me to miss any type of Christmas activity, especially that Santa things. I feel that coming off the tamoxifen is not an option for me as my cancer grade was high, even though it was caught early. So, I will keep on battling and remind myself that I have many others battling along with me.

]]> By: Cheryl http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/tamoxifen-for-breast-cancer-side-effects/comment-page-2/#comment-107226 Cheryl Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:05:24 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1273#comment-107226 I am closing in on 4 years of Tamoxifin. I have what I believe is bone pain in my thigh bones just about every night before I go to bed. My biggest complaint right now is these flu like body aches that I get once a day, usually towards the evening. Ibuprofen and tylenol really don't touch the aches. I have Vicoden for hip pain that does help, but really don't want to keep needind it. Anyone else have these body aches? Any advice?? I am closing in on 4 years of Tamoxifin. I have what I believe is bone pain in my thigh bones just about every night before I go to bed. My biggest complaint right now is these flu like body aches that I get once a day, usually towards the evening. Ibuprofen and tylenol really don’t touch the aches. I have Vicoden for hip pain that does help, but really don’t want to keep needind it. Anyone else have these body aches? Any advice??

]]> By: jill http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/tamoxifen-for-breast-cancer-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-82606 jill Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:16:37 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1273#comment-82606 the studies show that there was no increased benefit if taken longer than 5 years , look up some reputable sites and read the studies , it's not recommended to take longer than 5 years . Talk to your Oncologist about the studies      the studies show that there was no increased benefit if taken longer than 5 years , look up some reputable sites and read the studies , it’s not recommended to take longer than 5 years . Talk to your Oncologist about the studies     

]]> By: Ruth Lewis http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/tamoxifen-for-breast-cancer-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-82487 Ruth Lewis Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:50:26 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1273#comment-82487 I have been taking Tamoxifen for almost 5 years with side effects similar to those mentioned above. The most annoying are the hot flashes every 30 minutes and leg cramps every night. I have learned to flex my foot at the beginning of a leg cramp and keep it flexed until the cramp goes away. Six months ago I experienced a kidney stone that I believe was caused by an over-abundance of calcium in my blood (hypercalcemia) that was caused by the Tamoxifen. I don't want to take any of the aromatase inhibitors. I don't believe I should stop production of what remaining estrogen I do have (I had a complete hysterectomy 3 yeas ago). Has anyone been on Tamoxifen longer than 5 years? My oncologist has offered to let me stay on it instead of switching to an AI. I can also decide to go off all medication. I can handle the side effects so far, does anything change if you stay on the Tamoxifen for longer than 5 years? I have been taking Tamoxifen for almost 5 years with side effects similar to those mentioned above. The most annoying are the hot flashes every 30 minutes and leg cramps every night. I have learned to flex my foot at the beginning of a leg cramp and keep it flexed until the cramp goes away. Six months ago I experienced a kidney stone that I believe was caused by an over-abundance of calcium in my blood (hypercalcemia) that was caused by the Tamoxifen. I don’t want to take any of the aromatase inhibitors. I don’t believe I should stop production of what remaining estrogen I do have (I had a complete hysterectomy 3 yeas ago). Has anyone been on Tamoxifen longer than 5 years? My oncologist has offered to let me stay on it instead of switching to an AI. I can also decide to go off all medication. I can handle the side effects so far, does anything change if you stay on the Tamoxifen for longer than 5 years?

]]> By: Trena Garrison http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/tamoxifen-for-breast-cancer-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-41170 Trena Garrison Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:10:53 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1273#comment-41170 Sandy, get your dr. to send you to a physical therapist. Be sure the therapist knows exactly what you're talking about. I went from 4-5 horrible cramps per night (and no sleep) to maybe once or twice a week--same exact description as yours--just minor now. At first I believed my dr's office that they "had no knowledge" that there was a connection between Tamoxifen and cramps--like they have had no knowledge of other things. I hear ya about the weight gain and the fuzzy brain and fatigue. Try going to a fitness place, preferably where you can have the services of a trainer for at least a while. I've only gone twice now in less than a week, and already I feel SO much better. I sweat like crazy while I'm there, the trainer pushes me just a bit until I say I've had enough, but I have become so much more energized. I'm even now hopeful about weight loss. Another thing for fuzzy brain--do you like crossword puzzles or Sudoko puzzles? That really helps. I began Sudoko on the easiest level, and now I can do the hardest ones. So sorry about your hubby. I understand "blindsided" too. But look at it this way.....the view at the fitness center can be quite nice at times, if you get my drift. Ya never know! You'll be on my prayer list so you can make whatever decisions are necessary. Sandy, get your dr. to send you to a physical therapist. Be sure the therapist knows exactly what you’re talking about. I went from 4-5 horrible cramps per night (and no sleep) to maybe once or twice a week–same exact description as yours–just minor now. At first I believed my dr’s office that they “had no knowledge” that there was a connection between Tamoxifen and cramps–like they have had no knowledge of other things. I hear ya about the weight gain and the fuzzy brain and fatigue. Try going to a fitness place, preferably where you can have the services of a trainer for at least a while. I’ve only gone twice now in less than a week, and already I feel SO much better. I sweat like crazy while I’m there, the trainer pushes me just a bit until I say I’ve had enough, but I have become so much more energized. I’m even now hopeful about weight loss.
Another thing for fuzzy brain–do you like crossword puzzles or Sudoko puzzles? That really helps. I began Sudoko on the easiest level, and now I can do the hardest ones. So sorry about your hubby. I understand “blindsided” too. But look at it this way…..the view at the fitness center can be quite nice at times, if you get my drift. Ya never know! You’ll be on my prayer list so you can make whatever decisions are necessary.

]]> By: Sandy http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/tamoxifen-for-breast-cancer-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-41095 Sandy Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:57:41 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1273#comment-41095 Thank you everyone for your courage and comments. I too needed to know I wasn't alone. This is very hard and I'm not sure I want to continue taking this drug. I have been on Tamoxifen for 15 months. First I experienced the leg cramps which were extreme and in odd places like the top of my foot, ankle, calf or in the side of my knee. Most times I just had to endure them until they stopped with no way of getting relief. Very painful! Other things I am living with are the terrible hot flashes to the point I just can't think straight, fatigue, weight gain without being able to lose and forgetfulness that's really interfering with my life. I'm scared to go off Tamoxifen but I think it's becoming a quality of life issue. My risk is very low and my dr is on board if my life is too much of a struggle. I'm just not sure what to do. I have had a lot of things happen in the last 18 months. My husband very cruelly blindsided and left me, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a double mastectomy with very painful reconstruction, I lost my job of 20 years and my dear precious grandmother passed away. Sometimes it's hard to just keep going. I just need to be myself again so I can begin to get my life back together. Thank you everyone for your courage and comments. I too needed to know I wasn’t alone. This is very hard and I’m not sure I want to continue taking this drug. I have been on Tamoxifen for 15 months. First I experienced the leg cramps which were extreme and in odd places like the top of my foot, ankle, calf or in the side of my knee. Most times I just had to endure them until they stopped with no way of getting relief. Very painful! Other things I am living with are the terrible hot flashes to the point I just can’t think straight, fatigue, weight gain without being able to lose and forgetfulness that’s really interfering with my life. I’m scared to go off Tamoxifen but I think it’s becoming a quality of life issue. My risk is very low and my dr is on board if my life is too much of a struggle. I’m just not sure what to do. I have had a lot of things happen in the last 18 months. My husband very cruelly blindsided and left me, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a double mastectomy with very painful reconstruction, I lost my job of 20 years and my dear precious grandmother passed away. Sometimes it’s hard to just keep going. I just need to be myself again so I can begin to get my life back together.

]]> By: sally http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/tamoxifen-for-breast-cancer-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-40963 sally Sun, 03 Apr 2011 21:39:19 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1273#comment-40963 thank You everyone, I feel so much better knowing that others feel like me. I have been on and off tamoxifen for 2 and a half years. I had mastectomy, chemotherapy and herceptin and now tamoxifen. The chemo damaged the nerves in my wrists but when i have the tamoxifen it makes my whole body ache and i feel like i have the flu. I am so glad others feel the same thank You everyone, I feel so much better knowing that others feel like me. I have been on and off tamoxifen for 2 and a half years. I had mastectomy, chemotherapy and herceptin and now tamoxifen. The chemo damaged the nerves in my wrists but when i have the tamoxifen it makes my whole body ache and i feel like i have the flu. I am so glad others feel the same

]]> By: Trena Garrison http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/tamoxifen-for-breast-cancer-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-39366 Trena Garrison Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:42:04 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1273#comment-39366 Thank you, Chris, we all need it!! Thank you, Chris, we all need it!!

]]> By: Chris http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/12/tamoxifen-for-breast-cancer-side-effects/comment-page-1/#comment-39365 Chris Tue, 22 Mar 2011 16:35:50 +0000 http://healthlifeandstuff.com/?p=1273#comment-39365 Hi guys! I'm pretty sure my standing with the Almighty is pretty shaky, but I'll pray for all of us too! Hi guys!

I’m pretty sure my standing with the Almighty is pretty shaky, but I’ll pray for all of us too!

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