Hi all
I started tamoxifen just under 4 weeks ago. In the last 5 days I’ve become really sleepy not just tired. I have great trouble waking up and could literally drop off to sleep any time.
I know I’m recovering from chemo and I was feeling very tired but this sleepiness is different.
Has anyone had this with tamoxifen?
Elinda x
hi elinda
i’ve been on Tam just over a year now and when I first started I felt so tired I was really worried. At first I was sleeping 10 plus hours a night - waking up feeling fine, but gradually getting more tired as the day went on. It was a slow process but now I can get by on 8- 81/2 hours a night. Still tired but nowhere near as bad. I think it is a combination of chemo, rads (if you’ve had it) and the sheer tension of all the worry involved with being diagnosed and then treated for this disease. My BCN told me to listen to my body and do as much as it lets me - it’s proved very true.
good luck and take care x
Hi Elinda & scooterbabe,
I’ve been on tamoxifen for 10 months now and I’m sleeping a lot more than I used to. Before all this I didn’t need much sleep but now I sleep much more and like you, Elinda, I have trouble waking up. I think it might be getting a bit better and I find what you’ve said reassuring, scooterbabe.
Eliza xx
Hi there and thanks for postings
I think the difficulty is not knowing how much is the tamoxifen, how much is the treatment, and how much is the worry - you’ve hit the nail on the head Scooterbabe.
I rang the helpline and they suggested that I continue on for 2 to 3 months as it can take that long for side effects to settle. Although obviously if it gets much worse I’ll be contacting the Onc. I am also getting frequent and intense hot flushes now - I had a few on chemo but this is much worse. This is I suppose is what is making me think it’s the tamoxifen.
take care
Elinda x
Elinda
Have you tried Evening Primrose Oil?
Ann x