Hi, I started Tamoxifen about 2 months ago now. Pretty much as soon as I took it my left ear felt blocked and I developed tinnitus. I then developed what I can only describe as tingling / numbness in the left side of my face and head.
I stopped tamoxifen due to this (two weeks into taking it) I have had an MRI of the head which was all ok. After two weeks break from tamoxifen the sensations were still there, so they concluded it wasn’t a side effect so I went back on tamoxifen. I am three weeks in and the tingling and numbness is getting worse. I take the tablet at night so the day times were better but the tingling is there in the day now too. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it a side effect?
Thanks for reading
I keep reading about all the different side effects of Tamoxifen and cannot bring myself to start my prescription. I don’t want to take something that makes me ill and ruins my quality of life. I am scared that the cancer will come back and worse, but I am still prepared to take the chance and live healthily while I can. Will you post how you get on with taking Tamoxifen please?
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I think a lot of people manage very well with little side effects, so it’s got to be worth a try as it does reduce the risk of the cancer returning. That’s just my opinion though, I appreciate everyone’s different. I am going to preserver a bit longer and just keep praying I’ll wake up and the tingling and numbness is gone 
. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Hello, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer and had my lumpectomy and 2 nodes removed 2nd July and am anxiously awaiting the results. Advised before surgery it would be radiotherapy and hormone therapy but I appreciate how things can change. I have had a tingling sensation in both sides of my face just like when the injection is wearing off at the dentist on and off for the last 6 days. I am following this with interest. Sending you my best wishes
Tamoxifen! Don’t you just love how someone tells you that somewhere, someone has had little side effects - I have yet to meet such a person. I suppose if health professionals told people there’s a high chance you will feel a lot different on it, many would opt out.
I had my concerns of taking it, but was also concerned about my hormones progressing it, so I started taking it after surgery, the week before I knew I’d be ovulating - so my hormones would be rising. I was anxious in the gap between biopsy results and surgery knowing that I’d have a natural cycle of hormones without treatment promoting its growth. I suspect taking it a week before ovulation is why I started spotting a week before due ( as it stimulates ovulation).
I’ve been on it 2 months now, got some lovely side effects - not! Light-headed, nausea, indigestion, tiredness, hot/cold, insomnia, and currently the mother of all periods, with stomach cramps a plenty. Having gone about 6 weeks since last spotting, I thought I might at least get the bonus of no more periods ( and I’m 53!) No such luck.
Unfortunately, I’ve made a boo-boo and run out of tamoxifen this weekend. Got a bit caught up in the software update internet breakdown on Friday - tried to order online Thursday, seemed to let me, but if I go on now, says I cant access that function and there is no record of my order being processed. Also, my bad as its the first time Ive had to order any meds online ( not that I was ever told I’d need to, or how to by anyone) and I didn’t realise that my local designated pharmacy shuts all weekend. I went to check if they had my prescription yesterday and found the shutters down.
So could be a few days before I get my next dose. First pack I got given at clinic, 2nd pack my GP automatically generated on the clinics sayso, nobody mentioned I would have to spend the next 5 years remembering to order online monthly (when the system isn’t down). You’d think it could be automatically generated. My tamoxifen addled brain is not good at remembering or prioratising new orders lol.
I do have slightly more ear things going on, but I think thats due to falling asleep with my right earbud in ( I sleep on the left). I always listen to podcasts to combat the insomnia as it takes ages to sleep otherwise.