Tamoxifen

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Tamoxifen Drug Index

Tamoxifen, sold under the brand name Nolvadex among others, is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used to prevent breast cancer in women and treat breast cancer in women and men.[13] It is also being studied for other types of cancer.[13] It has been used for Albright syndrome.[14] Tamoxifen is typically taken daily by mouth for five years for breast cancer.[14] Serious side effects include a small increased risk of uterine ...

I did five years of this as I was advised that this would help. I think I had more things wrong with me in that five years than I'd had in the previous 60! I did ask, 'Why five years?' and was told that that was considered the right amount of time. ??? I'm not sure whether it was doing me good, or the drug companies, but when you are first diagnosed you are frightened and believe whatever they tell you. The surgeon told me they don't use the word 'cure' - that was encouraging - but the radiologist told me I could possibly never have anymore problems now that it had been dealt with. I chose to believe the radiologist. I did ask about the alternative drug Arimadex, but was told it causes bone thinning. I did get hot flushes again when I was on Tamoxifen, which ...

2 REPLIES Filed under Tamoxifen

I can not refill for two days. Will I be ok ## Hello, Amanda! How are you? I'd suggest checking with your doctor. While I doubt missing a few doses will cause a significant problem, it's best to check with them to be certain. Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer, early breast cancer and as a prevention. The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, blurred vision, headache, hot flushes and rash. Is this the only one you're on?

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Has anyone experienced severe muscle spasms especially around the body beneath the breast. I have been on tamoxifen for 1 1/2 years and have experienced these spasms since I started. They are so bad they sometime take my breath away. My dr says it is not the tamoxifen. I have experienced ALL the listed side effects. ## Hello, Linda! How are you doing? I'm sorry about the problem that you're having. No, that's not a known side effect of Tamoxifen. Have you had this checked out via x-rays or an MRI? You may want to consult a different doctor to get help discovering what's causing it. ## Thanks for the reply. I figured out the cause. I stopped the tamoxifen several weeks ago and the pain is almost gone. I think when the drug is completely out of my body, it will be complete...

9 REPLIES Filed under Tamoxifen

I started my Tamoxifen today. 1st pill of five years. So far today, so good. Y biggest concern (after the obvious) is weight gain. I have been in Weight Watchers for a year and have worked so hard in my weight loss journey. I am so afraid it will come back. Are there many cases out there of people maintaining their weight or is it that big of a side effect that it's pretty much guaranteed? Any and all comments would be appreciated!! Best of luck to the other ladies out there too. ## It's actually hard to say, because some people have been known to lose weight while taking it. Have you discussed the issue with your doctor? They may be able to help you find ways to mitigate such an effect. Are there any woman who can post that have already taken this and have experience with it? #...

9 REPLIES Filed under Tamoxifen

I am 51 and it is now a year since I had a lumpectomy. Prior to starting taking Tamoxifen I was having regular periods but since taking the tablets they have stopped which is great, however, the hot flushes are unbearable especially in this hot weather, they are embarrassing as I literally break out in a sweat. I have also put on a considerable amount of weight which I am finding hard to lose. Please could anyone advise how long the hot flushes are likely to go on for, is it 5 years? I hope not as I don't think I can cope with them. I have tried accupuncture which seemed to help with the flushes but it is relatively expensive as I think it is an ongoing problem. Also worried as a friend who finished taking Tamoxifen a year ago has had to have a hysterectomy due to thickening of the ...

2 REPLIES Filed under Tamoxifen

Experienced weight gain while taking tamoxifen and effexor will I lose when I get off these medicinesB ## Yes, there is a good chance that it will taper off, after you are off the medications, if it was solely caused by them. Though it may take awhile, depending on how long you have been on them. Have you talked to your doctor about it? They may be able to give you to tips to start losing some, while you are still taking them. Are you making sure to eat healthy and get proper exercise?

1 REPLY Filed under Tamoxifen

I had stage 3 her2 positive breast cancer and had 2 ops, chemo, radio, herceptin and am on tamoxifen for 5 years with about 14 months to go. Apart from the weight gain, blurred vision, aches&pains, hot flushes etc I suffer from awful bloating. This seems to have become worse the longer I am on this drug. Has anyone been prescribed anything to counteract this? If so what? I have tried over the counter remedies, probiotics etc but not much help really.

Filed under Tamoxifen

Have been taking tamoxifen 20 mgs for 5 months and my life is unbearable. The fatigue is so bad that walking for 5 mins makes me want to sit down. Have no concentration am light headed and depressed. The other side effect is the Panic attacks which are soul destroying. I am actually thinking of coming off them as I have no quality of life and cant go on. I can live with the hot flushes and nausea but the weight gain is really getting me down, considering I dont have an appetite. ## Hello, Theresa! How are you? This is a very important medication in the treatment of breast cancer, so I'd suggest not stopping it, without consulting your doctor. Those types of side effects are normal. Are you on any other medications?

1 REPLY Filed under Tamoxifen

Fellow breast cancer survivors beware of Tamoxifen! I have just found out that Tamoxifen Increases your chances of getting a stronger and more deadly form of endometerial cancer by 50%! I'm so angry at my Doctors for telling me that because I had breast cancer I had an increased (30 to 50%) higher chance of getting uterine cancer. They didn't bother to tell me the percentage increased due to the Tamoxifen. All they told me about this drug is that it would decrease my chances of the breast cancer returning by 35 to 40%. Thank God I had so many issues with the Tamoxifen that after one year I made them switch me to Arimadex over all their objections that it would screw up their statistics. I'm not making this up. Please research this drug beyond the standard B,S. we have been b...

14 REPLIES Filed under Tamoxifen

I have been on tamoxifen for over 5 years. I was excited to go off of it from all the side effects. She now told me the new protocol is 10 years. Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone know WHY? I'd really like to go off it and am not sure what to do. I am perimenopausal, 49 years old and was diagnosed when I was 43 with stage 1 HER 2 positive. ## Hello, Marian! How are you? I'm sorry that you're disappointed. But yes, the new treatment regimen is 10 years, as they have discovered that there is a better response when taken longer, plus it helps prevent recurrence. The FDA lists the typical side effects of this medication as possibly including nausea, dizziness and hair loss. Has anyone else had their protocol changed recently?

1 REPLY Filed under Tamoxifen

Wife is taking Tamoxifen 20MG for breast cancer. Her refill is different than the previous filled perscription. It is a white pill and has a M on one side and the number 274 on the other side. Is that correect for Tamoxifen 20 MG? ## Yes, that is the correct tablet, it contains 20mgs of Tamoxifen. It is normal for the pharmacy to sometimes switch which manufacturer they purchase generic medications from, depending on whichever company was offering the cheapest supply at the time they needed to restock their shelves. This helps them keep the prices as low as possible for their customers that don't have insurance. Is there anything else I can help with?

1 REPLY Filed under Tamoxifen

I just started Tamoxifen 10 days ago after lumpectomy and radiation for ER+. Breast cancer. Clear margins, sentinel node negative. My oncologist recommended radiation and IV chemo for one year. I agreed to radiation, refused chemo. Arimidex recommended, I agreed and started taking as soon as I finished 6 weeks of radiation. I was unable to tolerate the joint pain and bone aches, and the very frequent and severe hot flashes so I stopped Arimidex after 3 months. That was 3 years ago. At my last oncology visit, my doctor recommended I start Tamoxifen just to be safe, as I have no signs or symptoms of recurrence. I reluctantly agreed to give it a try and started it 10 days ago. The amazing thing about starting tamoxifen is that my almost daily migraines have suddenly stopped. I have had sev...

3 REPLIES Filed under Tamoxifen

I am diagnosed with breast cancer stage 2 six months ago and had bilateral mastectomy and after that prescribed with Taomxifen-Nolvadex. I am taking two tablets per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, meaning 20mg per day. My CA is positive in progesteron and estrogen. My brother bought me Graviola as he was told that is a good one for cancer, but I am afraid to have it with tamoxifen, If someone knows anything please tell me. And my periods did not stop yet I have them on monthly basis and my gynecologist now insists to remove both ovaries and uterus. ## Hello I'm looking for that information too. Maybe we can talk about your experience. My wife is the patient and I have been researching for a lot. ## Unfortunately, over the counter herbs, and supplements have not bee...

2 REPLIES Filed under Tamoxifen

I've been taking tamoxifen for almost one year and I should take it for 5 yrs,but I feel I can't take any longer the side effect of taking it..every morning I have a mascular pain,my two arms are aching, I tried to lessen my work because my doctor said that maybe I work too much, but still the pain continue and aside from that I feel the hot flushes in my body that I always felt I had a fever. I cant take the pains anymore,i dont know what will happen if I stop taking it. ## Hello, Celeste! How are you? Tamoxifen is a very important medication and you really shouldn't stop taking it, unless your doctor approves. I understand that it can cause some problematic side effects, but if it's saving your life, then it's worth it. Learn more Tamoxifen details here. What else ...

3 REPLIES Filed under Tamoxifen

I have been on Tamoxifen for almost five years and have had many of the side effects - horrendous hot flashes, joint pain, leg cramps. About 6 weeks ago I started noticing my hands and feet were going numb and tingling and they are sore and hurt. I have had blood tests for Lymes, B12 deficiency, A1C and CBC, etc. - all negative. I had an MRI on my shoulder blade as I. Had such a pain/knot, thinking pinched nerve ~ negative, MRI on my neck, awaiting results. Went to chiropractor and confirmed not pinched nerve. I am wondering if anyone on Tamoxifen has had this side effect? Luckily, I have 25 more days on this med and I am finished my treatment. Waiting to feel better and certainly will not miss the hot flashes. hope to hear from someone. Thanks! ## Hello, Mallory! How are you? Those sym...

5 REPLIES Filed under Tamoxifen

Hi, I have just finished treatment for breast cancer. I had a mastectomy, chemo and radiotherapy. The lump they found was 5.5 cm but only 2.5 was cancerous. It spread to 3 lymph nodes in spite of it being grade 1. I'm now on Tamoxifen and have been since February. Shortly after starting them, I developed a rash around the vagina. My symptoms sound nothing like any I've read and I'm frightened it might be a secondary cancer. My rash hasn't really spread since February but is a little sore with no itching at all. It also feels a bit swollen. I've been to the doctors but she didn't seem to know what it was and said it was probably a side effect of tamoxifen. Has anyone else heard of my symptoms being related to tamoxifen? ## Hello, Lemony! How are you? Yes, such an ...

1 REPLY Filed under Tamoxifen

I had a breast reduction in 2014, the biopsies they did on both breasts showed that I have pre cancer cells. It took me a year to make the decision to go on tamoxifen and started in Jan 2016. Since then, all my peri systems have increased but tollerable...hot flashes, night sweats, hair loss. The one thing that isn't tolerable are the constant yeast infections I have gotten since (5 documented w/obgyn and 2 self diagnosed and using otc meds). Is anyone else on tamoxifen having these SE's and what is being done? Knowing this isn't one of the higher side effects, I feel like my docs aren't taking me serious. I also have Mirena (IUD) in and thought that the two together may be the issue, but again the docs say no. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated...please and t...

1 REPLY Filed under Tamoxifen

I had lost my Uterus at 42 and kept my Ovaries with the idea that I would ease into Menopause. This was not a good plan. My Ovaries figured out that they were the only players on the board and within 12 months, I went into Menopause. After a year of horrible hot flashes and feeling terrible, an OB-GYN doc that I met at a conference told me told about Estradiol cream. He suggested that I go on it but would be able to adjust for the severity of symptoms. Mostly it was true. I did not use a full dose on most days and it did stop the symptoms. But what it also did or may have done was cause two pre-cancerous diseases in my Breasts: LCIS and Atypical Ductal Hyperplaisia. Suddenly I was on Tamoxifen and off the Estradiol literally on the same day. I cannot say for sure that the Estradiol was ...

4 REPLIES Filed under Divigel

I have been taking Tamoxifen for 2 months for breast cancer prevention due to atypical cells in a biopsy. I'm 49 and have not gone through menopause. I'm not able to find much information on Tamoxifen for pre menopausal women. For example, will the Tamoxifen stop my periods? I have also been experiencing bloating, gas and a "sour" stomach since starting the medicine but can't find any info as to if this is normal and what may help. I also have experienced weight gain and wondered if there were any suggestions for this. I eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. ## Hi LL, According to the Tamoxifen Drug Details page, this medication is considered to be a common therapy for breast cancer in both "pre and post" menopausal women. I don't know what it's...

1 REPLY Filed under Tamoxifen

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