Im a breast cancer survivor from last year so dont come on here much now. I was very lucky my lump was found early, well i found it just before my mammogram was due, i had lumpdectomy, node removal, only first was affected but all went, and rads, no chemo., Am on tamoxifen and to be honest the side effects seem tp have got worse over the year. I was on HRT for years oncologist said probably caused my BC, so possibly im having memopause all over again too. i started taking it at 41 as had early one like my mum, who sufferred severe osteoporosis. didnt stop till cancer was discovered, I rarely get a full night sleeps cause of night sweats. i get em during day as well, i seem to have achey limbs,IBS all sorts. My friend sufferring the actual menopause said try the health shop she goes to they reccomended stuff which helped her, but im wary of taking anything with even natural oestrogen in them and i dont want to take any more medicine if i can avoid it., Im a pretty fit person for someone in 60s, never smoked, not overweight. walk a lot, and heart,lungs etc.all fine. Can anyone suggest alternative therapy they are taking, that has helped them, i mostly need to make the night sweats less.One menopause was enough, i dont want two. Also is there anything that you can do to lessen night sweats, im single so have a double bed to myself and sleep in nude anyway windows on latch but live in a city ground floor flat so cant have them wide open and would love to find a natura;l way to cool down.June
Hi Catchpole,
I am sorry you are going through this difficult time and are experiencing these side effects. I am sure some of our users will be along soon to show their support.
In the meantime please do call our helpline at 0808 800 6000 who will be able to talk to you about Tamoxifen and talk through any questions you may have. The opening hours are below.
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Late opening Wednesday 9am-7pm,
Saturday, 9am-1pm
Best wishes,
Lizzy
I have IBS taking tamoxifen too. I am currently trying two pots of live yoghurt each day, though you can buy probiotic tablets at the health food store. I read on here I think, someone saying that a gut bacterial imbalance can cause IBS to appear or get worse if you already have it. I have had some success with this, maybe worth a try as its totally natural? Also, part of IBS in post menopausal women, or those on tamoxifen, has been attributed to an inability to process fats in the same way leading to fast gut movement. I know you said you are at a good weight and active, is there any way you could perhaps try less fat and increase calories in another way?
I’m not medical in any shape or form, but am trying to find my way through it in the early stages.
As for the night sweats, (which I have had the last two nights for the first time!!!) what about a fan in the room, just keeping the air moving can make a big difference.
Charys x
Hi all,
Just a small point, I read somewhere that a natural wool filled duvet is better for night sweats as it ventilates the body better than feather down or other fillings. I bought a light one & have found it more comfortable.
ann x
Hi
i have found taking a frozen hot water bottle to bed wrapped in a tea towel has been a life saver. I just hug it when a flush comes on and cools me down quickly to go back to sleep.
ddd
Oops don’t know what happened there. Do these sweats get worse or better the longer you take tamoxifen? Finished rads in August and had sweats but nothing as bad as this. I don’t feel clean my joints are all sore apart from protecting you from bc is there any pluses to tamoxifen?
Apparently you’re at less risk of heart attacks, high cholesterol & osteoporosis. Doesn’t cheer u up much when you feel rough though does it? Not sure about the flushes going with time. I only really have mine in the evening when I’m watching tv (not if I go out though…strange) & they aren’t too bad. I do a lot of exercise & eat really healthily, which is also supposed to make the flushes less ferocious. Jill has suggested changing the time you take it, which has worked for some. xx