Tamoxifen and stiffness

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1

Hello, just wondered if anyone taking tamoxifen is also experiencing sore and stiff joints? I’ve been taking it since June and am really noticing aches and stiffness in my ankles, knees and fingers.

2

I exercise a lot, so am generally ok, but I always feel like an old lady when I get out of bed in the morning, and stagger to the bathroom!  I attribute that to the tamoxifen

3

Hi RoadRunner, yes, that’s the kind of thing I mean. When I first get up and go downstairs I have to take the steps one at a time as my ankles won’t bend! I have started to swim and I’m fine but can then have trouble getting out of the pool ?

4

Hi Karen Mc I have just been to an apointment with my Oncologist because the stiffness has become so bad I feel like an old lady at 56. I’ve completed 4.25 years of my 5 year treatment after stage 2 bc. He confirmed that the stiffness which I now have constantly not just when I get out of bed was very likely to be caused by T and because I had clear lymph nodes he was happy for me to stop and see if the symptoms disappear or ease. I will go back in 3 months as he said it can take that long to clear your system. I obviously have some reservations but was told by the oncology nurse at my previous visit that they are now prescribing 3 years of T rather than 5 or 10 and zinc assures me I am very low risk. So let’s see how it goes. To be honest it’s only in the last 6 months that it has got really bad and if I had to have carried on o would as it’s a fairly small price to pay to avoid a return of theirs horrible disease.
Sorry I haven’t been more help other than to sympathise and confirm that you are not alone. I will try to update in a few weeks with how it’s going. Good luck x

5

Thanks Katzygirl. I just started Tamoxifen back in June and docs say I’m better taking it than not, so I’ve a while to go yet! I guess I just need to acknowledge the stiffness and work through it! I saw my GP this week and she says it’s due to the lower oestrogen levels resulting from Tamoxifen. At least I know it’s nothing ominous. Like you, it makes me feel older than my years though.