Hello. I’ve just been prescribed Tamixofen and due to take for the next 5 years after a lumpectomy and will get Radiotherapy in the New Year. I’m well aware that there can be side effects and these and the severity will depend on individuals. Might seem a daft question but those of you who have suffered side effects, how long did they take to appear? I’m keen to get Christmas out the way but due to start a new job in January. Not sure why I’ve assumed I’ll get every symptom on the list but just thought I would throw the question out there.
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Hi Lambo
I’ve only been on it for two months, but not had any serious side effects yet. In fact the past two weeks there has been nothing… I wonder if some symptoms are associated with your natural cycle.
I felt a little nauseous weeks 1-2 which coincided with a period.
About week 4 had stomach cramps (like period pain, but no period)
Week 5 cracking headache for several days (this is normal pre-period symptom for me but lasted longer)
Week 6 a slightly later, heavier period.
In between these, a few night sweats.
Other than the headache, none have been that extreme, and I’ve felt very well the past two weeks. Long may it continue! 
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Hi lambo01
I’ve been on Tamoxifen for six months. After about two weeks I had a few days where I struggled to concentrate and also had a couple of slightly warmer nights but nothing major. As I was concerned about it affecting work if the lack of focus continued (I had also recently started a new job when diagnosed), I changed the time I took it from lunchtime to 5pm. Since then I have had no problems at all, maybe due to changing times, maybe by simply becoming accustomed to the medication.
There is also lots out there about things people can do to minimise side effects if they do have them. Cutting out, or at least reducing alcohol, is one of those things and exercise is recommended over and over again. Liz O’Riordan talks about exercise being the “fourth treatment” and as well as reducing side effects from treatments research also shows it to reduce the risk of recurrence. I am convinced regular exercise is the reason my side effects were initially very minor and I don’t have any ongoing issues.
Best of luck with everything. x
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Hi I’ve been on tamoxifen for 4 months now and the side effects have been minimal. I had a two weeks period after my second of four chemos and then my periods stopped so haven’t had a period since July. I’m told they may come back in 12-18 months. I’m 46 but have been having mostly menopausal symptoms when I started tamoxifen hot flushes, brain fog, trouble sleeping, a little weight gain. The hot flushes and brain fog increased some what since chemo but are now much less frequent but the trouble sleeping has continued and I think that’s the main thing that effect me. I’m putting any brain fog down to having restarted work which has been an overload of information all at once. I have found the brand a difference. My first 3 months were on wockhaardt brand and last month on crescent. With crescent I have had achy joints and felt a bit nausea in the first week. Collecting my next prescription today so we’ll see what I get.