User Reviews for tamoxifen oral

I was diagnosed at age 44 with early stage breast cancer..had lumpectomy and radiation..I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years 2003-2008 and went through hot flashes and some vagingal discharge, but the worst side effect for me was joint pain...mostly in my hands, but sometimes wrists, elbows and shoulders...since my last pill, I have had no significant joint pain. I am pre-menupausal (sp?) whether that is significant or not..what bothered most was that no doctors admit that joint pain is a side effect of the drug...I suppose if the cancer does not come back, it was worth the agony for the five years. Thank the Lord, I am cancer free at this time!Read More Read Less

I have been using 20mg of Tamoxifen 1x per day for the past 9 months for stage 1 IDC. I haven't noticed any side-effects at all. I might as well be taking a sugar pill. I started on Tamoxifen after lumpectomy, abdominal exploratory surgery and 34 rounds of radiation and feel fine. I'm 42 yrs. old

Tamoxifen side effects were worse than the chemotherapy and radiation treatments. I was not able to sleep. I was extremely depressed. The hot flashes were uncontrollable.

I had been taking estrogen injections for 24 years until my breast cancer diagnosis. Off the HRT, I began having severe, frequent hot flashes. After mastectomy and 2 doses of chemo(I felt like more would kill me it was so horrible), I've been on Tam for a month. The hot flashes are even worse despite using Vit E, Black Cohash, & now trying Clonidine and Gabapentin: mood swings and depression plus worsened (long term) insomnia. I must decide if living this way is worthwhile. I may opt to go off Tam and back on estrogen.Read More Read Less

I have been on this drug for approximately 6 weeks after initially trying Arimidex and not being able to tolerate it. I am post-menopausal so am not experiencing many of the harsher side effects as many of you, though that's not to say they won't pop up in the future. After my negative experience with Arimidex, this drug has been been relatively easy for me to tolerate. Main "symptoms" have been: sluggish, little energy and mentally fuzzy at times, difficulty sleeping some nights, mini hot flashes that come on about an hour after taking the drug then subside after a short time, and occasional charley horse cramps in my feet. If this is the extent of the side effects, I'll be delighted. After my Arimidex experience, I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to tolerate any of the follow-up hormone treatments, but so far so good. Read More Read Less

When I get hot I feel like a hundred bees are sting me. Had hot flashes and up the effexor xr to 75mg and much better. I have stop taking it for the last three weeks and I feel alot better, mind has cleared up but i still have the stinging. Doctor doesn't know what is causing this think maybe reaction to one of the drugs that I take (herceptin, tamoxifen and effexor xr75mg. Any suggestions?

Diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in November 2007, my doctors are amazed at the miraculous recovery they have seen and the way my body has responded to tamoxifen. Tamoxifen not only treats the cancer of the breasts and the metastasis to my liver as well but in three months od taking the drug it has continued to control the cancer in my bone and since sarting the treatment in Feb 07, my liver enzymes have gone down from over 800 to 267 and the high normal is 111. The doctors no longer consider my condition terminal and the best part of the whole thing is that I have the confidence o knowing I get to be a mother to my five month old daughter. I was diagnosed in my seventh month of pregnancy and I was 32 years old at the time of my diagnosis.Read More Read Less

Most of the complaints that are listed here I already have as a part of perimenopause - hot flashes, brian fog, leg crampss, irregular or heavy bleeding. So I guess I won't be able to tell the difference when I go on Tam. My Doc recommended Remefemin, Black Cohosh, Soy, Vitamin E, Multi + B Complex vitamins and if needed my Effexor increased, since I am already on it.

sWITCHEWD BACK TO TAMOXIFEN after gtrying Arimidex, to counter the aching muscles. Now concerned about constant thirst. Anyone esle have that side effect?

i have two more years to take tomoxifin.so far so good.i hope afterwards it continues to work.i have not had any complications with it so far.

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Grade 3 Ductal Carcinoma at age 39. Had chemotherapy first, then lumpectomy, then radiation, then tamoxifen. Been on and off Tamoxifen since July 2007. Finally reached the point where I can't take it anymore. I have foot cramps and sometimes leg cramps. My menstrual flows are inconsistent with heavy bleeding. I have experienced terrible hot flashes and nausea. I was given effexor which adds to my fatigue and too much increases nausea. The worse symptom is the extreme fatigue. It makes me feel like I am becoming ill, and it happens at various times of the day, sometimes only one time per week, sometimes multiple times. The doctor has tested my thyroid and blood sugar, but can't help me. I want to give up even though the doctor tells me it is dangerous for me not to take the pill.Read More Read Less

Almost 3 years after treating stage 2 cx with chemo and radiation and then Tam. I have been told of yet another side effect. I now have a heart condition called cardiomyopathy. I am only 41 and too young to feel this old! I am grateful that I will soon be off Tam (by the way also probably was a major contributor to extreme heavy bleeding which lead to a partial hyst.) and on to an AI. All you who are younger watch your heart! Get a baseline EKG ASAP.

I had stage 2 breast cancer, had bi-lateral mastectomy, chemo. Started taking Tamoxifen 3 months ago. Hot flashes for first month then no side effects at all. My periods stopped during my chemo and came back this past week. I'm am concerned why they have come back and now considering hystorectomy. Going to the doctor soon to have questions answered.

I am taking this drug after 5 of my doctors said I should take this drug for prevention of Breast Cancer. I am a 14 yr survior of Hodgkins. I am taking this drug because of all the radiation I received in my treatment. I have pretty much taken all the radiation I can receive to my upper chest area. At the time I also took 4 chemo drugs for 6 months. I am now 41 yrs old. I am having tons of side effects. Hot Flashes ( worst then the ones from chemo) and many sleepless nights. I have also had some emotional days( which are not pleasant because I work with young children). Leg cramps and severe foot craps. I am trying to combat sleepless nights by exercising. Have not had any weight gain. But I have added miles to my runs and even added an extra "run" day. On days when I run I can get several hours of sleep. Wish I didn't have to take the tamoxifen. But when 5 out of 5 doctors encourage you to take something then you take it. Got to go having a flash now! Stay well everyone!Read More Read Less

I've been on Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years for Stage 3 Breast Cancer following bi-lateral mastectomy, chemo and radiation. The hot flashes are tough and I've gained about 10 pounds but that is probably due to lack of exercise and poor eating habits. I have terrible back pain and nerve pain (not sure if it is attributable to Tamoxifen). Some vaginal discharge but most of my symptoms of leg cramps and muscle pain have subsided with time. I have had emotional issues but those too seem to have gotten better with time. My Dr. told me hot flashes are a good thing because they mean the Tamoxifen is working - that makes them bearable. I'll take the side effects if it means I get to see my kids grow up!Read More Read Less

Dxd with IDCIS Stage I RT. Treated with lumpectomy. Lymph nodes negative. Margins not clear. Needed mastectomy. Four weeks later did bilateral mastectomy with TRAM reconstruction. When I started Tamoxifen I had terrible headaches which went away after 1 month then the bone/joint pain started. It was terribly severe. Because of postoperative anemia I could not take NSAIDs. My period stopped after 2 months on tamoxifen. On month 3 I began heavy menstrual bleeding which lasted 4 months and was stopped after a hysterectomy. The pathology report from the hysterectomy was negative and it is likely that Tamoxifen caused the adenomyosis symptoms and the bleeding. I am happy to get "anything that could get cancerous" out of my body and do not regret the total hysterectomy. Upon resuming Tamoxifen again the headaches are not as bad but the joint pain makes it impossible for me to do my job (clerical) I'm going to try physical therapy and possibly a TENS unit but if it does not work I am not sure I will continue the Tamoxifen. I cannot afford to be unemployed. I am doing healthy dieting-limiting sugars (cancer's favorite food) and will start exercise program after physical therapy to educate me on new movements because of my abdominal (TRAM flap) reconstruction.Read More Read Less

I've been on the tamoxifen for almost 2yrs. The hot flashes/night sweats are unbearable. I can't sleep sweating all night. I actually sleep with Ice packs, fans, etc. I have put on so much weight and I don't eat more than I used too. I am so miserable. I don't have the major mood swings of menopause because I take effexor, which helps. I can't believe they can't find a "cure" for the hot flashes/night sweats. The doctors just shrug, "Oh, well"... This is no life, I spend the summer inside and very rarely leave the house and I'm only 43... It's so embarrassing having a hot flash at the grocery store, they look at me like I'm nuts... I'd rather go through Chemo again than live like this...Read More Read Less

Three years since my lumpectomy and radiation. Was supposed to take Tamox. I am not trusting of pharm. companies and feel I am not going to harm my body with more chemicals. I am still having clear mammograms and feel great. Eating whole foods and exercise are a much better alternative than a pill.

My biggest side effect is vaginal discharge/yeast type issues. Has anyone else had this problem?

my life has been miserable since I started taking this drug in august. I am trying to get through this but I am at my wits end. Started walking and dieting and still weight gain. I can live with that but the hot flashes are unbearable. I can put up with most side effects from my medications, this is the first to throw me a loop. Havent had a good sleep since starting tamoxifen{two fans in bedroom, window open in winter zero temperatures] wearing shorts and halters in daytime. I just want to cry.I was always an easy going,happy person, now I am tired ,hot and cranky. seeing doctor next week to see if some medication help or change will work. considering going off the drug as I cant live like this.Read More Read Less