Hi ladies,
I’ve been taking Tamoxifen for 16 months and thought I’d got off quite lightly regarding side effects, apart from the dreaded night sweats! But about 3 weeks ago I started itching, initially across my stomach and top of legs. Went to the doctor’s after reading the leaflet (I panicked a bit), but she was happy it was nothing to worry about. I did change my washing power/liquid but quickly changed back when I though this might be the cause.
The itching has got worse despite using the aqueous cream I was prescribed, for moisturizing and showering, and the anti-histamine doesn’t seem to have any effect. I’ve a few random red itchy spots in various places, but feel like I’m covered in them!
Thank you for listening.
Donna x
Hi RunningMum13
I totally sympathise with your itching problem! I’ve been taking Tamixifen for 3 months now but after about a month I started to itch and get the red blotches you describe. I spoke to the Breast Care Nurse who was adamant it was not caused by Tamoxifen and recommended taking Piriton and stopping the use of Diprobase on my left breast, which I was using after my radiotherapy treatment. Neither of these made any difference. What I have found helps the localised itch is applying cider vinegar to the itchy spots. You’ll smell a bit like a fish supper but it’s great to use at night to get a night’s sleep! It seems odd but give it a try, it really takes the itch right out. Aveeno moisturiser is great for keeping your skin moisturised and comfortable too.
I’ve got my follow up appointment with the oncologist later this month so we’ll see what he has to say about it.
I hope this helps anyone with similar problems.
I’m 67, been on Tamoxifen since October 2016 since having breast cancer surgery and radiology. I noticed that my skin felt dry almost as soon as I started taking Tamoxifen. Then, last summer, I started breaking out in huge, angry bumps all along my jawline, hairline, and forehead, and red splotches popped up on my cheeks. I also got hive-like breaking out along my torso, on my thigh, on one leg, and on my left shoulder. The itching was horrific. My G,P, gave me a prescription Hydrocortisone Cream, and it helped a bit, but, the hives took 3 mos to actually clear up. They would disappear, only to return a couple weeks later. This went on throughout the summer and early fall. When the weather started getting cooler, my symptoms decreased. I live in a semi-tropical state, so as soon as we starting warming up this spring, my break outs came back. I have huge, sore, cyst-like bumps on my face and neck, and there is now a small patch of hives on my torso. I was miserable last summer, and got very depressed, too. I talked with my oncology nurse when it started this spring, and she was sympathetic, but, basically, said there’s not much that can be done. I guess that’s what’s so stressful about this. I would be so grateful if someone could come up with something to help us. Just wanted to let all of you know that you aren’t alone and finally, does anyone know if it’s okay to stop taking it for awhile, just to get a bit of relief? I am not sure how long it stays in the system, so, if I knew that, perhaps I could make a decision?? Thanks, and please know I’m praying for us all.
Hi ladies,
Just thought I’d update you regarding Tamoxifen and itching, I’ve been back to my GP today as the itching is still a problem despite E45/Aveeno, sea salt baths and the occasional application of vinegar! She was very sympathetic and has advised me to have a blood test to check my liver function. As the liver metabolises the drug we’re taking she wants to check that all is well as she says that in conditions such as jaundice itching can be a symptom.
I’m hoping we can rule this out obviously, but in the meantime she has prescribed a different anti-histamine.
I’ll keep you posted. How’s everyone else getting on?
Donna x
Hi all,
Just a quick update, blood tests for both liver function and full blood count are normal. GP sympathetic but baffled as to my itching but it seems tamoxifen can be ruled out. Hope it goes as quickly as it appeared! How is everyone else getting along?
Donna x
I have been tamoxifen since sep 2015 . Since the last few months I have been suffering from itchy scalp and skin ( mainly on my bac - spine area) . Have been to a dermatologist who has prescribed elocom lotion - gave me relief for a short while but itching returned when I stopped the lotion. Today I applied it about 3 times - hope it’s ok