Global Patient Feedback for Tamoxifen ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
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Question/Comment:

I have taken Tamoxifen for over 2 years and found no side affects.

68 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I have been on Tamoxifen for 4 years. They tried the arimidex but I experienced extremely bad joint pain. T o help with the hot flashes my doctor put me on efexorxr and it seems to help.

47 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I've started on Tamoxifen after having really bad joint and bone pain from both Arimidex and Femara. Those problems have lessened a lot but I have had minor vaginal discharge since starting it. I think I read somewhere that this is not unusual when you first start taking it. Wondering if anyone else has had this reaction.

73 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

I too had terrible joint and bone pain with Arimidex. I also had vaginal discharge at first. keep up on your pap/exams--more frequent than annually. My doctor prefers every 4-6 months. Diana

49 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

I have been on Tamoxifen since July 07 and I had lots of fever chills and bone pain for a long time.It has gotten better I also have sores in my mouth that will not go away, I also had some vaginal discharge which is better. I am 61 and female.

63 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I;ve been on Tamoxifen for 2 years now and I still have hot flashes and nigt sweats badly.I also get chill and my bones hurt alot.I'm only 54 years old.

55 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

I have been taking Tamoxifen for three years. I have horrible hot flashes. I used to have night sweats but I purchased a "cool max" pillow case which seems to help. I have to say the other most noticiable side effect is a substantial weight gain so much so, that I joined a gym. Other than that I am fine. I only have two more years and then I am done.

Age 55
Female

Question/Comment:

I have been taking tamoxifen for a year now and the hot flashes are some better but I still have chills and bone pain sometimes.Has anyone else had any problems with chills or bone pain?

63 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I started experiencing hot flashes as soon as I began taking the medication. They have began to decrease but I still get them from time to time. I also wake up in night sweats.

27 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

i<m experenceing hot flashes and night sweats too! iv,e notice if you watch your sugar intake especialy after 5;00 at night it reduces the night sweats by 80% nancy_schrenker@yahoo.com

Question/Comment:

I've been on tamoxifen for 5 months now, I've experienced many of the things you describe in this forum, however, I'm surprised no one has mention what I suffer from, insomnia. The tamoxifen makes me hyper and doesn't allow me to sleep.

53 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

Have you tried Tylenol PM or Advil PM? I know it's not good to be dependent on a sleep aid but I do have to take them from time to time.

27 year old Female

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

Yes, I take tylonol PM along with the vitamin supliment to promote sleep. It's not because of the Tamoxifen, it's because my husband snores!

Age 55
Female

Question/Comment:

Tamoxifen affects everyone different.The hot flashes have been the worst for me but I also have pretty bad joint pain.However,at the end of the day,I know I have done all I can to keep the cancer away.

37 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

I can empathize with you about the joint pain. I've underwent two 'science fiction' feet surgery a few years ago. Two screws inside my right foot. One screw inside my left foot. Sometimes the joint pain is tolerable. But like you, at the end of the day, I realize that I have faithfully taken my Tamoxifen to hopefully, keep the breast cancer away.

48 year old Female

Question/Comment:

If it's going to prevent any cancer it's worth it.

56 year old Female

Question/Comment:

the hot flashes are bad and very annoying.

33 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

Totally agree. Especially during a heatwave. You try to cool down under an air conditioner. I love going to the seashore every summer. However, since I began treatment 7 months ago, I have to layer up and go outdoors after the 'hottest part of the day.' I go to the beach but it isn't the same anymore. Adjustments are needed.

48 year old Female

Question/Comment:

From talking now with other women, expect weight gain

42 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

It depends on the individual, I actually lost 15 pounds.

53 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

How about the loss of appeitte symptom? Weight gain is something to be expected, true. Personally, I am an avid walker...10,000 steps plus daily...try to stay on the move. Even so, watch what you put inside your mouth. Try small meals throughout the day.

48 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Cancer is a difficult disease and should be treated individually as opposed to what data is available based on studies of the population who have taken it. No one knows what the longterm effects of Tamoxifen are because there are no longterm studies, but it is not recommended past 5 years of use. Tamoxifen is the most cost effective treatment I've encountered to help reduce cancer recurrence for 5 years. I've been told the benefits outweigh the risks, but everyone is different and I don't know what my outcome will be because I've only been on it a few months.

52 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

I have only been on the drug for 7 months. I, too, don't know what my outcome will be either. Yet, I faithfully take it twice daily. Sometimes, the memory loss can be embarrassing. I have to perform daily duties carefully. I mean, sometimes, I feel like I'm in kingergarten. Step 1, 2, 3. I take my time. Go at my own pace, and have a wonderful sense of humor. Even before the early cancer surgery, I could always laugh at myself.

48 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Ask questions and do your own research!

42 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Don't be afraid of the drug and you get thru the hot flashes.

64 year old Female

Question/Comment:

read all you can and get a second opinion

57 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Safe, minimal side effects, proven efficacy

68 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Just to make sure they are prepared for the hot flashes

44 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Take it because it could be the difference between having breast cancer and not having it

79 year old Female

Answer/Reply:

Well said. I've been taking it for 7 months. Taking the pill 2x daily has given peace of mind. I liken it to my 'life insurance policy' for 5 years. Hope I succeed to completing it. I'm in this for the long haul.

48 year old Female

Question/Comment:

The first month or two I felt tired and nauseated but after that those side effects went away.

55 year old Female

Question/Comment:

snap to take, possible spotting may occur

70 year old Female

Question/Comment:

While there are alternative medications available for post treatment of breast cancer, Tamoxifen has a long standing track record with adequate data.

50 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I had adverse effects from taking Arimidex so tamoxifen is best for me.

69 year old Female

Question/Comment:

Question 5 is irrelevant in regards to tamoxifen. It causes more symptoms than the user can be aware of it relieving. It is not possible to know if it was worth taking it because it is impossible to know what would have happened if you had not take it.

50 year old Female

Question/Comment:

I was worried about the whole cancer thing, but taking this pill once a day is pretty simple, I have no side effects. It has helped me.

42 year old Female

Question/Comment:

It is wise to be able to compare your experience to prior to taking Tamoxifen AND then weigh the cost of the alternatives.

48 year old Female

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