I’m 43 years old, and have this year been treated for Er/Pr+ breast cancer, I have been taken Tamoxifen now for 64 days following a lumpectomy, and re-excision, I started it prior to my 2 weeks of radiotherapy which I finished 3 weeks ago today!
Two weeks after starting Tamoxifen I started getting sciatica type pain, which I just can’t shift and in fact it’s getting worse, I have a constant dull ache in my calf and a lot of pain and weakness when I go from a sitting to standing position! Along with various aches and pains - all in my left leg. After a few steps though I’m fine, basically I’m okay as long as I don’t sit down I have spoken to a breast care nurse, radiotherapy nurse and my gp none of which believe it is related to the tamoxifen and is just coincidental! Also they don’t believe the effects would be so instant! Gp has sent me for bloods just to be sure, but also referred me for physiotherapist.
Has anyone else experienced similar issues with tamoxifen? I am on the Mylan brand.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this post x
I’m on anastrozole after a mastectomy and about 2-3 weeks after surgery I also had sciatica. I went to an osteopath and my pelvis was out of line. After osteopathic treatment I continued with yoga for hips in particular and it slowly improved.
Good luck.
Hi,
im experiencing the same thing around 6 weeks into taking Tamoxifen.
Ive been referred back to the breast care nurses who have suggested anti inflammatories for a week and if no improvement to report back for a possible bone scan.
They also said it wouldn’t be linked to Tamoxifen but I’ve never had sciatica before!
Im definitely going to push for a scan if no improvement as I can’t live with the worry it’s something more sinister.
Our poor bodies have been through so much.
Just found this thread & wondering if the issue with your leg pain is resolved?
I am 46yrs & been on tamoxifen just over a year and a half. About three months ago I started experiencing leg pain in my calf, right leg only, after 5km walks. This coincided with experiencing daily palpitations in the evenings & discovering I had ovarian cysts.
I mentioned it to GP recently as had blood tests for fatigue/ check iron levels (I’m now low on haemoglobin & white cells). She mentioned sciatica but I am not convinced it is that. On googling it seemed to fit more with intermittent claudication which can happen after BC along with appetite loss (which I have also experienced, & 20lbs lighter since diagnosis).
I don’t really know what to do. It’s always tempting to link all new symptoms together & think it must be tamoxifen. I can tolerate the pain atm, but I think if it gets worse I will have to go back to GP.
I just found this website and your comment. My situation is almost exactly what you have described yours to be. I hope you are still on here and can share if you are currently dealing with leg pain or if everything has gotten better.
I am 47 years old. I’ve been taking tamoxifen for about 1 year now. I have dealt with lower back pain off and on since 2015 but nothing that stopped me from my normal daily routine. I started having lower back and left side of butt pain a few months ago. 3 weeks ago the pain was very intense and seem to shift to being all in my left leg. It’s only been in the last 2 days that the pain has not been as intense. I am wearing compression socks 24/7 and that has helped my left leg not to feel so weak.
When I saw my medical oncologist last week, she would like for me to get an MRI.
Thank you for your time. Any advice would be appreciated.
Hi @HopeJunkie sorry to hear you are experiencing leg pain. I had pain in one leg after exercise which felt like severe intense cramping. It improved each time with rest. The onset was sudden and while I experienced it for a few weeks, the problem went away. No idea why! I have had some fluctuating symptoms whilst on tamoxifen but it is not always easy to tell if it is the meds or just our age! I had mentioned it to GP at time and she thought sciatica but I wasn’t convinced. I hope you get some answers & the problem improves soon. Best wishes, xx