Hello everyone,
I’ve been taking Tamoxifen for almost a month and have noticed that I’m getting occasional sleep disturbance - about twice a week - but not from hot flushes … instead I wake up, agitated and confused. Unfortunately I can’t tell you if its something I’m dreaming as I don’t have dream recall (caused by deficiency in one of the B vitamins). I could take supplements in the missing B vitamin to try and remember my dreams to see if that throws any light (I can’t take B complex as it seems to send me loopy).
I take my tablets at night and its noticeable that the disturbances happen on those nights when I take them late.
Has anyone else had similar experience, or should I be asking questions of my BCN/Oncologist?
Debs x
sleep disturbances are common after diagnosis and treatment for cancer… after all we have a lot on our minds during this time.
there is no evidence that tamoxifen itself causes sleep disturbances but its probably worthwhile mentioning it to your GP or onc.
hope you get a better nights sleep
Lx
Hi,
Debs I wasn’t too bad on tamoxifen but femara is giving terrible insomnia and can sleep very little. Really annoying isn’t it?
Hope it wears off as I found most early side effects on tam got a bit better
Lily x
Lulu, I think you could be right and perhaps the timing is just a co-incidence. I wonder if its the result of an internal conflict due to my distaste over the drugs. I know that my body hasn’t coped well in the past with any hormonal intervention in tablet form and although I’ve accepted that I’m following the standard treatment programme, there is - almost certainly - a feeling of emotional discomfort. I probably need to sort out the dream recall as that could help to clarify what’s going on.
Lily, your insomnia sounds awful, poor you ((Lily)). Luckily, that’s not a problem I have (at least, not yet!) In fact, one of my closest friends is quite ratty that I’m STILL not calling him at 4am, as he suffers from insomnia and felt sure this would cause me to join him. I know how very fortunate I am that once I manage to shake off the confusion, I am able to fall asleep again pretty quickly.
Thank you both, your replies have helped me to clarify the next steps to take.
Debs x