hi,
Yes I never thought I would not takeit after mast, recon and chemo taking a pill is simple !! , I was just very surprised at myself as to why I felt scared of it, think maybe I was still full of chemo , I will take anything to stay alive. lost my mum to bc in the 1970’s and boy did she suffer for years , drugs very limited then and the rads were very severe.
keep well, keep warm
xx
here, here roadrunner! I was unsure about takin it, but then got things into perspective rather quickly! If I recall Taxmox gave me around 8%, 1% would have been enough for me! Only been takin it for 2 weeks, yes get the hot flushes, but got those through chemo so not noticed any other side effects - maybe a bit too soon yet?
J
Hi
I have Just been reading this thread with interest. I was DX in Dec 07, had WLE, 1 node involved so was offered chemo (which I did have to think about and did have 18 weeks) followed by 20 rads. In July 08 was prescribed Tamoxifen, never even questioned taking it. I did not tolerate it very well so went back to ONC and was prescribed Arimidex, which to be honest was even worse than tamoxifen, so went back and I am now on Aromasin (Exmestane). Have been on that for nearly a year. I think you should at least try it, then be aware that there are alternatives and as others have said it may help you. You need to throw everything at it you can. I agree with what many have said here that everyone is different, but until you try, you do not know how you will react. It will be no where near as bad as chemo and rads. Go for it Lisa.
x Sarah
I agree that it is certainly worth trying it. You can always stop/change to another drug if need be.
I just stopped mine after a few weeks of side effects and slightly suspect blood test results, but may well go on another drug depending what GP says after next blood test.
Good luck in your decision 
HI Gardengirl
I have been on tamoxifen since march 08, I am bloated nausea, cramps, stomach pain to name but a few, I noticed you said about your bloods, my bloods have been a bit haywire since tamoxifen, high calcium raised liver function, just had some more bloods taken last week waiting for results. I know all my problems are caused by the tamoxifen as I never had bloating, sleepless nights etc before.
However after all said and done I feel awful, but jusy have to keep taking them.
Libby x
Hi Libby,
Actually, I think I would be pleased to hear that the odd blood results are due to tamoxifen. (There’s a nasty beast in the shadows niggling me with thoughts of secondaries…tho’ that’s highly unlikely).
If I find anything useful/interesting after my next results I will post them on this thread.
Good luck with your results. Take care of yourself x
not sure why I have not started taking the tablets really, apart from the lady at the LGFG thing who got seconadries in her womb, which she is convinced was to do with the Tamoxifen. The oncologist who gave me the tablets said that he was giving me the tablets not because I definately needed them as my diagnosis is ER- but because then I could say that I had had everything that they could possibly give me.
anyway I have read all of your replies and have decided to start taking the tablets in the morning. I have been really lucky with my other treatments and not suffered many side effects, so heres hoping I am just as lucky on the Tamoxifen!
Hi newforestmum,I cant understand why you have been given tamoxifen if you are er-,I thought that tamoxifen was of no use for er- cancer .I know that tamoxifen has a very slim chance of causing womb cancer but this would not be secondary cancer.
best wishes Mel xx
Glad you have decided to have a go. Let us know how you get on.
x
Hi All
I started with Arimidex May 2009 and have just changed to Tamoxifen. 7 days into it. Dont feel too bad. Bone pain not as bad. Problem for me is I keep getting back ache. Had it a few months ago and visited onc who said it was ok. I kept taking pain killers and managed even though the back ache was still there. Just a dull ache most of the time. Now its feeling bad again. Usually not so bad during the day when I am moving about, but is very uncomfortable in the evening. I struggle to stand up as though i am too heavy to lift myself, and painful across lower back.
Have to say , prior to dx I only ever had bach ache twice in my life. Now dont seem to be able to get rid of it. Not sure if its the meds or just me getting older. I am 54. XX
Hi, I have had lower back pain for about 3 years now, had x ray which showed age degeneration,. however it was bad after op but put that down to lenth of time on table ,11 hours. and now it is bad and I put that down to lack of movement on my part over xmas and snowed in period.
would like another x ray now though coz every ache is now a worry
Hi newforestmum
Glad to hear you have decided to give the Tamoxifen a go , let us know how you get on .
Linda x
Hi newforestmum,
Good luck with the tamoxifen. YOu may be absolutely fine on them, as we are all different. Hope all goes well
Hi Libby51,
Just to say that my GP thinks the tamoxifen was adversely affecting my liver, so agrees that I should stay off it for now. My bloods indicate an improvement since I stopped taking the tablets, and I am due some more tests in a couple of weeks. Later we will decide whether or not to try another drug. (My % benefit would only be small so I am not unduly worried about taking anything).
GP quite sure the blood problems were not due to anything more sinister, so I am relieved
All the best to you.
ok I did take one tablet on the day I said I would but then that was it, not sure why. But I have now been on the tablets for 10 days. So far so good apart from heartburn and slight sicky feeling every now and again. worst thing so far is bloating my stomach looks like I am at least 7 months pregnant. spoke to chemo nurse, who referred me to gp who said it should hopefully settle down in a couple of weeks but if not to get back in contact.
Hello Ladies
I am due to start taking tamoxifen the end of march, I have just finished chemo,and start radiotherapy then too.
I asked the chemo nurse what my hormone status was she said it was 6, and felt that it was beneficial for me to take the drug, and clinical trials proved it to be a overall success, obviously she pointed out some of the side effects as well,
I do have my concerns about taking the drug and find it a bit daunting can anyone advise or reasure, any response would be grateful
thank’s ann x
Hi there - I’m into my third month of Tamoxifen and apart from initial PMT ( poor hubby wondered what had hit him) and mild hot flashes - and I use this term because I really did suffer during menopause these flashes are really nothing in comparison. Something I’ve learnt is - Yes by all means arm yourself with facts and others experiences but do treat them with caution. It’s your cancer not theirs - your life your protecting not theirs.Focus on the positive -Tamoxifen is working well for many of us - It’s giving us a good fighting chance of kicking this into touch ( sorry am watching rugby). If you decide not to give Tamoxifen try …one day you might just be regretting it. Good Luck … have just read you’ve started taking them really hope your still doing well .