So if I manage to tolerate Tamoxifen for five years, what then?
Will my stiff joints be unstiffened? Will I be able to sleep with a cover on again? Will I stop putting on weight at the rate of a pig about to go to market? Will my skin stop being so dry? Will other “bits” of me start working again?
Good question - exactly the one I was asking (except that I am taking Letrozole). I suppose it partly depends on how old you are and whether some of the symptoms are normal post-menopausal ones.
It would be interesting to hear from anyone who is post-hormonal therapy, or if anyone knows of someone they could ask.
Ann x
HI
I started tamoxyfen at 49, and took it for 5 years. I have no idea when I did the real menopause. My periods stopped 2 weeks after my chemo that I had before starting it. I found that the SE eased after a few years, or maybe I got used to living in a 70 year old body !! When I stopped, I had a few more periods, my gynecologist checked in case it was something else (shouldn’t be having them now, he said) but all seemed to be normal. Then all stopped including the hot flushes. Aches and pains were still there a bit, still seemed to have my 70 year old body. Next time he saw me, I was put on arimidex (better safe than sorry he said) Hot flushes came back and stiff finger joints (before it was my ankles) Weight has always been a problem with me ( I am over weight but not obese, if I am to look at my bmi) I would have liked to think it was the tamoxifen, but I don’t think so, I like chocolate too much.
I hope this is useful, but I am not sure it makes a lot of sense
Love anyway
Maria
My mum was on Tamoxifen for 5 years and as far as I know, everything went back to ‘normal’ afterwards. She was 52 when she started, and was on HRT at the time of diagnosis, so post-menopause, I guess.
I’ve just started (1 month down; 59 to go!) and just have the dryness and the hot flushes (and a rash on my neck, which I think it is causing). A few people have said things do settle down after the first few months, so I hope so as I am soaking the bedsheets every night!
It’s all so interesting, and I posted this because I couldn’t find anything about what happens afterwards.
Flora, a few people have said to me that the SEs ease, but I wonder if it is just that we get used to them. GP can help if the flushes are too horrendous, I think.
It’s all this business about a 70 year old body that I hate!
I’ve been on it for 15 months now and some of the SEs have settled a bit. I had headaches which have now gone. I’ve also found ways to minimise others but some I seem to be stuck with.
Eliza xx
does anybody have painfull feat while in tom,i walk like a 90 year old in a mornin
Yes, one foot hurts but not the other. I hobble all the time.
If I only I knew it would stop after the Tamoxifen, I think could be more tolerant.
Drabble, I dread every morning getting out my bed and my feet hitting the floor, I hobble about in the morning for ages, I struggle to wear heals now as well, Breast cancer has a lot to answer for
Used to have the body of a 43 year old, but now feel double my age, 86!!!
Carol xx
HiLadies.
I too use to hobble in the morning but i was on arimadex now changed to aromasin and no pains in my feet now. Maybe worth asking if you could change, i did because i was in so much pain. Hot flushes are still with me but not as bad…hope this helps.
thanks thats made me feel alot better,
I’m really hobbling too - but haven’t started Tam yet! Does Tax do this to you as well, does anyone know? Have just finished chemo 3 weeks ago, and was hoping it would go away, but seems to be getting worse.
I thought sore feet was a symptom of taxotere chemo rather than of Tamoxifen?
I had numb toes and slightly achy joints before I started on the Tamoxifen, so I put it down to the chemo rather than the Tam. My toes haven’t quite come back yet, and I’m a little stiff when I move after having been sat still for a while, but otherwise OK in the joint region.
Carol - can relate to the heels - very painful now. I’m also on Herceptin and Oncky says that coupled with tamox, bone/muscle/joint ache is worse. I have to say that first thing in the morning my feet/legs aren’t good but when I get going I’m ok. I get very painful legs when I’m in bed, again probably just more aware, cos I’m still!
x
Hi Ladies,
3 months into tamox and yes, awful stiff joints & feet/hands especially in the mornings. In fact today I was rushing to let the dog out and lost my footing on the stairs, great! Now I’ve jarred my back and neck as well. Oh the joys.
I have started taking a combined MSM and Glucosamine supplement and until todays mishap did think it was helping a bit. Will post again with an update.
Have also got the ladycare magnet and the awful night sweats are def better and the chillow does cool you down quickly, i keep it under the bed!
I’m now up to 9 assorted suplements a day just to try and deal with the tamox se… 4 years, 9 months to go.
I do find that taking rose hip has heloed the stiffness significantly. What I was really asking is if it goes away after the five years is up?