Hello
I have posted on the hormon therapy forum but thought I would ask on here as well. I am a 39 year old mum of two young kids (youngestjust started school today 
). I had a lumpectomy and radiotehrapy for early stage bc. I have made changes to my diet (no dairy, red meat, very little sugar… still a bit of alcohol but there is only so far I can go!). I juice every day… I have been on tamoxifen for six months and I am realising (with the help of my patient husband) that this drug (and not my ‘cancer experience’) is sending me into an emotional wreck… Have any of you a) taken tamoxifen and had any useful complementary therapies that have helped reduced its emotional side effects and/or b) stopped taking tamoxifen and used more natural alternatives? All ideas gratefully received!
Hi
one word…chocolate…I don’t know if it’s any good for you but it makes me feel better!!!
hi nattysilv im alot older than u but i had lumpectomy and rads finished in august im normley a strong person but im on tamoxifen im a total wreck and i think its the tablets that have made me like it my daughter as said how i lose it so easy. and can get so down in myself since iv been on them dont know enything that can help only mabe doctor can give me something but keep putin of going over the doc
Hiya,
i have not started hormone therapy yet but my doc did say if iget side effects we could try evening primrose and acupuncture. Don’t know if that would help?
rae
x
Many people find mild anti depressants get them through taking tamoxifen. They also help with the hot flushes and night sweats, apparently.
I’d suggest you go back to your normal diet, too. Cutting out red meat and dairy altogether has NOT been proven to be beneficial in preventing cancer, in any reliable trials. I don’t know about you, but if I’m not eating properly I always find it harder to cope.
I’m not advocating an unhealthy diet - just a balanced one that you enjoy! Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh air and exercise will help you to feel better. And chocolate. 
Hi
Sorry you are having a hard time.
I was put on Tamoxifen after my lumpectomy and radiotherapy. It affected me really badly, mood swings, getting things out of proportion and very emotional in a negative way. It was only after I refused to take it that the consultant suggested Anastrozole (Arimidex). Symptoms immediately lessened and I felt more ‘normal’. The reason that they don’t prescribe this drug initially is because it is more expensive. Do push for it - I’m sure you will find it better.
Best wishes,
janie5
Arimidex can only be used by post menopausal women due to the way it works. It will not work if you are pre-menopausal.
Definitely try evening primrose oil - or starflower oil which is better as it has the same active ingredient but more of it.
I would also recommend trying the various anti-depressants that are OK with tamoxifen. As said they also help with hot flushes, many women take them in low doses just for this. Don’t despair if the first one you try doesn’t suit you - it can be a bit of a trial and error process. I have taken three different medications for hot flushes - the first one worked well for six months then gave up, the second made the flushes worse, the third worked well and I am now slowly weaning myself off it as I finished tamoxifen last month.
Try not to give up on tamoxifen, it has really been a wonder drug, and has made a significant impact to survival statistics.
Hi Natty
Tamoxifen does seem to hit a lot of people badly -some find changing brands helps. Starflower oil is good. I also found cutting right back on tea and coffee (I drink caffinated coffee about once a month) really helped me with the hot flushes and the urge to eat toast and jam all the time. I also found cutting down on alcohol - i tend to drink on special occassions only - oddly you get used to it and I lost half a stone. Organic wine seems better and does not give me a head - my fav tipple is organic prosecco nicel chilled.
Look on the Penny Brohn website - they give sound dietary advice based on Science. They advocate reducing red meat and dairy consumption and avoiding processed food and sugar and bumping up veg and salad. I went on a course and the general thoughts are try to follow the reccommendations about 80% of the time - the odd blow out on steak with blue cheese dressing and a glass or two of red is not going to harm you - After all life is or enjoying.
Take care and good luck
Jacqui
I am a research scientist and have looked at journal research as opposed to websites.
I have found in a quick look at review papers on diet and breast cancer that there is no association between diet and breast cancer with the exception of alcohol. This doesn’t mean you should ditch the chardonnay - just reduce your intake. You’ll be glad to know that research has also shown that women who drink a moderate amount live longer than those that do not - so keep it moderate.
Another linkwith breast cancer is being overwieght and putting on weight in adulthood.
The penny brohn advice is good general health advice - although I would suggest having just semi-skimmed milk and not avoid diary too much unless you have a good source of calcium in your diet.
I hope this helps
Alison