I started going through the menopause two years ago, I was just starting to feel like my old self again in the summer of this year when I was diagnosed with DCIS after my first routine mammogram. I had a mastectomy in October and thankfully I didn’t need any chemo or radiotherapy. The surgeon found a 10mm grade 2 tumour which was successfully removed and hadn’t spread to my lymph glands but my tumour was oestrogen receptive so I am taking 20mg Tamoxifen daily.
I started the Tamoxifen about six weeks ago and I feel like I have returned to the beginning of the menopause. I feel tired, sluggish, emotional and generally “spaced out”, I am having a few hot flushes but they are not too much of a problem. I know that Tamoxifen can give you menopausal symptoms but I was wondering if these symptoms will last for the whole five years I am taking it or will they just last until my body gets used to the drop in oestrogen and whatever else the Tamoxifen has to do to me!
Hi Maude,
so sorry to hear that you feel bad on Tamoxifen. Check out other threads on here it may be the brand of tamoxifen you have. I read theses ahead and have asked for nolvaldex-d which is an expenxive brand of tamoxifen with lesss side effects for many people. The difference is just in the coating of the tablet with those made by CP appearing to be the worst culprits for bad effects. It does vary for people though
Hoep the other thread helps
Lily x
I have been on Tamoxifen for 10 months and the menopausal symptoms especially hot flushes were quite bad to start with, after about 4 months they became less and then stopped for about 4 months. I had 3 normal periods and then on my next perscription I was given a different brand ( CP) and straight away loads of hot flushes again. My Pharmacist would not listen to me when I complained and said that it was total coincidence.
I am on my second box of CP brand and the hot flushes are now less frequent. Boots own make has been recommended on here.
Love Andrea xx
I have been on Tam for a year now …have had one period …wasnt menopausal b4 dx in Oct 07 …Have aching jointsand bad headaches but no menopausal symptoms at all apart from no periods …does this mean that it isnt working properly .???
Thnx M XX
I’ve posted this on another thread, but after a year on CP brand tamoxifen have just had 3 weeks on Nolvadex D and within the first day my joint pains had all but gone.
Hi Maude
i dont understand quite what tamoxifen does to my body as i have had the most awful flushes then about 3 months ago they just went a lot less and i felt human again. Then 2 weeks ago they came back with a vengeance.
I have not had a period for nearly 3 yrs they stopped after 2 chemos.
I have APS tabs and find them better than the CP brand.
I know i have asked and asked about a blood test to determine hormone levels but always refused as tamox can give false readings. then suddenly as i may change to arimidex March i am having a hormone test.
As for the oncologist not believing someone about brands of tablets, i dont think they are interested really.
My GP said he had never heard of nolvadex which i find hard to believe.
Liverbird, when I spoke to my GP - and it was over 2 years ago - he hadn’t heard of Nolvaex-D either! Luckily enough I’d got my BC nurse to email me confirming I could have it, and so he gave it to me.
He was trying to look it up in a book. I’m surprised that your GP hasn’t heard of it by now but I suspect cost is part of it. Generic Tamoxifen costs around £70, compared to £700 for the Nolvodex-D.
I’m now on Aromasin, as the Arimidex was murder with my joints!
Hi,
when I asked my Gp to repeat my prescription for nolvaldex (this month), £8.75 flashed up on the screen as the price. Not sure how many that was for but I think it is to tell them that there are cheaper alternatives - which i was not going to have and he did not try to make me.
Incidentally my new box had a different manufacturer’s name so i assume other people are making nolvadex-d now. Still no flushes and on my second month, so fingers crossed.
Lily x