Hi I am a 37 year old girl from China and my English is not so good. I diagnosed with breast cancer last summer. My daughter was only six months old. Efter operation I take medication called tamoxifen. One month later I started having muscle twitches. Mostly when I am sitting or lying there. They drive me crazy. I have never had this problem before. I am pretty sure it’s tamoxifen that gives muscle twitches. I talked to my doctor. He denied it. He said it has nothing to do with tamoxifen. I searched in Chinese websites. It seem like I am the only patient who has such side effects. But it does happen to me. Does anyone have same side effects? Shall I continue to take the tamoxifen? I have constant muscle twitches, it gives anxiety. Can anyone help me please? Thank you
Dear Ginsheng,
welcome to the forum, and I am sorry to hear that you had breast cancer so young, with a small child.
your doctor is correct, that muscle twitches are not listed as a side effect of Tamoxifen. If you continue to have the muscle twitches and you are concerned, then perhaps you need to go back and speak to him again.
With regards to should you continue with it? Tamoxifen is one of the oldest, and well researched drugs, that prevents the cancer from returning. You should not stop any medication without discussing with your doctor first.
You mention anxiety - when you have had cancer, I think it heightens health anxiety, which is understandable. It may be worth you exploring this with your doctor too, as it can impact on your enjoyment of life otherwise.
I hope this helps,
Take care x