Hi. I have been taking Tamoxifen for over 4 years, following DCIS and a masdtectomy. I didn’t need Radiotherapy or Chemo.In the past few months, my arthritis in my right knee has become worse and now I have pain in my left knee, hip and several other joints. Takiong max strenght Ibuprofen is helping a little ,as is my usual regime of regular swimming but in addition to hot flushes, which have never abated yet, I now feel as though I ache all over myn body in jopints and muscles. Is there a link do you think?
My Gp says he thinks I am a candidate for 10 year therapy with Tamoxifen so I want to know whether this could contin ue to get worse, if it is even related!
Just picked up your unanswered thread from the new site!
I’m secondary diagnosed in 2008 and after chemo in 2008 and 2013 have just been put back on Tamoxifen, I was involved for 5 years in trials starting 1993. To be honest I didn’t tolerate it well then, nausea and hot flushes being the problem, I was on 20mg daily which was then split 2x10mgs twice a day, which is what I am on now, but yes joints have started to play up again after 2 months, and possible gout!!! I see my GP and Oncologist in the next 2 weeks, but am not on any painkillers, just try to keep moving in short bursts, and resting in between. I’m 62 so expect some joint deterioration I suppose. It is a good drug for oestrogen positive disease, I’ve tried arimidex and exemestane in the last 5 years, both, particularly arimidex, affected my joints, and other side effects.
To be honest I just try to think on the one hand joint pain/ versus cancer starting up big time again, it is hard. And painful. Gentler Ibuprofen is better on the stomach, I take meloxicam when necessary.
Hope this helps, good luck Oh and “Cool max” sheets help with the hot sweats at night.
Hi, I also have been on tamoxifen for 5 years and have been told that I will carry on for a further 5 years. , also had full mast, chemo, rad, herceptin/lapatinib trial, zoladex. Both my hips get very painful especially to touch don’t take any pain meds some days it does hinder me as I feel so tired and sore. People expect you to be over everything just cause its been 51/2 years since this crappy journey began. I am back at work , working 3 shifts inc nights. 2 kids 14 and 12, a wonderful husband ( who sometimes doesn’t get that I still get tired) and my escape which is my horses. Sorry to moan just needed to get everything out!
Yes-- I believe there is a connection. I have been on Tamoxifen for 4 years also. Very hard to get out of bed in the morning. I’m ok once I get started with the day. - but if I sit too long – hard to get going . Lots of joint pain in knees hips hands sometimes too.
After my bi lateral mastectomy I was put on Tamoxifen but the side affects were unbearable. I asked my Oncologist about % of cancer returning with or without Tamoxifen. For me there is a 2-3 % difference. I concluded that taking tamoxifen given it only changed things by 2-3% wasn’t worth all the side affects.
May be ask your Oncologist the same question and decide from there.
I want to then everyone on this thread. I’ve been on tamoxifen for 4 years and flet that I was being a whimp still struggling with the side effects. Reading this has helped me so much to realise that this drug really does cause us a lot of problems and i’m not alone in that.
, also had full mast, chemo, rad, herceptin/lapatinib trial, zoladex. Both my hips get very painful especially to touch don’t take any pain meds some days it does hinder me as I feel so tired and sore. People expect you to be over everything just cause its been 51/2 years since this crappy journey began. I am back at work , working 3 shifts inc nights. 2 kids 14 and 12, a wonderful husband ( who sometimes doesn’t get that I still get tired) and my escape which is my horses. Sorry to moan just needed to get everything out!