I have been on tamoxifen and venlafaxine since July 2013. The side effects have crept up on me, until tonight! As you can see by the time I can’t sleep. I haven’t slept at all. I have paced the floor and cried all night. It’s been the longest and horrendous night and I don’t understand why. I can only put it down to the medication.
It’s was my birthday Sunday and I had areally lovely day with the family, nice meal , few glasses of wine and then I get home and my mood starts to change. I am shaking , I am tired but as soon as I lay down I feel clostraphobic (spelt wrong) in my own body , I can’t breath so I jump up and pace. I can’t wait for it to be come light outside. The venlafaxine is supposed to help with the SE, but not tonight. Hope there’s some help out there cos I don’t want another night like this one x x
Dear Chris
I am sorry to read your post, along with the support you will soon have here, our helpliners are on hand with practical and emotional support for you, lines are open today 9-5 ( weekdays 9-5 and Sat 10-2 0808 800 6000), it may help to talk things over so please feel free to call
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi there
Ive been on Tamoxifen since August 2012 and have suffered sleep wise ever since ! But mine is mainly due to being woken up with hot flushes throughout the night, I hope you dont mind me saying but your symptoms sound more like anxiety related, are you worried about anything at the moment other than the obvious !! I had severe anxiety before my BC diagnosis and I had very similar symptoms at night to the ones you describe, I hope it sorts its self out for you very quickly
Take caee, hes wishing you a much better sleep tonight xx
Chis-this sounds awful. perhaps you should discuss it with your doctor.
I have been on tamoxifen since April 2013 and it has absolutely affected my sleep. I slept like a baby through chemo even when on steroids so I absolutely know the sleep problems are related to Tamoxifen. My breast doctor confirmed this. I tend to sleep for about 1-2 hours then wake up and struggle to get to sleep again. This goes on all night. Recently I’ve stopped myself even glancing at the clock when i wake up and just turn over and try to drift back to sleep.
I have really long lies at the weekend to try to catch up.
The hot and cold flushes are horrible too and I certainly find the heat claustrophobic. I also find my mind is constantly ticking over with all the things that are worrying me. I think Tamoxifen has a part to play in that.
I’m trying to just accept this new sleep cycle-doing my best to catch up when I can and not stress. Easier said than done.
I hope you manage to resolve the issue. I’m sure talking about it with a medical proffessional will help.
My doc has prescribed low dose Zopiclone which I have been taking for the past year since I started on Tamoxifen, I take one every night (half a tablet) and sleep well and feel fine in the morning. GP advised that I wouldn’t become adicted and I have never been a good sleeper so happy that these tablets do seem to work.
Hey,
I haven’t been on the forum in a few weeks so just noticed this, I hope your new meds are helping?
I’ve got GP Tuesday so have a list of woes for her which includes not sleeping for more than 2 hrs at a time without waking saturated in sweat 
I only started Tam in November but I also have zoladex injections so not strictly sure which the culprit is? Xx
I’m due to start tamoxifen on Saturday and after reading some of the side effects I feel like I’m on them already. My sleeping is really poor I’m exhausted I have pains in my lower back legs and feet hot flushes. I’m just over four weeks since last FEC. How can you tell these are side effects from tam or chemo ??? Xxx Tracy q
Thanks julie_L for your reply would you say its worth asking GP for something to help with hot flushes they seem to be slowing down a bit now but suppose will increase with tamoxifen. I’m really glad to hear the aches and pains in legs ect ease off as this is starting to get me down. I to have not been able to exercise and start rads on Wednesday so won’t be able to start swimming for a while yet I hope I’m lucky and get min side effects xxx Tracy
Thanks Julie xxx