Do you have to take Tamoxifen at same time?

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1

Hi,

Just a thought. I usually take my Tamoxifen mid morning, sometimes this ends up being mid afternoon or on the odd occasion evening. Does this matter to its effectiveness? I wouldn’t have thought so, but wondered if anyone was given strict instructions to take at same time each day.

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My understanding is, that as it is a hormone treatment, it should be taken at more or less the same time each day. I take mine after breakfast as I’m less likely to forget at that time, however, once I took a double dose by mistake & boy, did I know about it later! Since then, I write the day of the week on the blister pack so I know where I am.

ann x

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I think they advise you take it same time each day so you get into a routine and are less like to miss a dose.Dont think it is crucial for any other reason .

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Luckily I am not experiencing any side effects, perhaps the odd flush, so that doesn’t matter with timing for me, but was worried re it doing its job properly if I don’t stick to a regular pattern. I can’t see why it would cause a real problem but wondered. If, like yesterday I forget to take it before I go out and don’t take till night, I will tend to delay the next one a bit and haul it back. So I didn’t take yesterday’s till after 8 as we were out all day, so I’ll take today’s about 5, then tomorrow mid afternoon.

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Thanks Butterfly, I had lobular and it is usually grade 2, however the pathology report after my mastectomy had it as grade 1. I don’t know what stage, but it was in 2 of my lymph nodes. I wasn’t given any instructions on taking the tamoxifen. I guess I will try my hardest to stick to a set time. Thanks

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And good luck to you too Butterfly, you sound as if the side effects are a bit of a struggle sometimes. It’s tough when you know you need to stick with it and manage the effects, because you want to do everything you can. So I’m sending you a hug…

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Hi  Butterfly

 

hope you had a good xmas and new year. Can I ask how long you’ve been taking Tamoxifen? Starting it tomorrow so any insight and hints and tips will be gratefully received! Not had any real menopausal symptoms yet so feel I’m going to be launched into it! Start Rads on Monday too!

 

Thanks! 

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Just joined the forum. I started taking Tamoxifen at end of November 2016 for secondary bc. I have been on various other treatments over the past 3 years when I had terrible aches and pains and felt much older than my 68 years. I am glad to say that since starting the Tamoxifen, my aches and pains have subsided tremendously and I feel like a new woman except for fatigue but that is a result of radiotherapy last year. I was dreading going on Tamoxifen after hearing reports from different people about their side effects especially hot flushes. I take mine just before going to bed as suggested by many other people but, again it depends on the individual.So far, my experience is good so it just goes to show how different we all are. I just hope it lasts and that it has the desired effect. Best wishes to you all with your treatment

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hi Chrissie,
Its good to see positive experiences reported as, understandably, the problems are reported which can can be anxiety provoking.
Like you, I’ve been on it since May with no problems to speak of. Most women are fine on it or at least find any side effects manageable.
ann x