Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen Hi
I have been on Tamoxifen for 18 months now. The last few days i have been suffering with blurred vision pounding headaches and nausea. Having read the ‘side effects’ leaflet i’m now wondering if they are being caused by the tamoxifen. Not to sure as these symptoms have only just developed. Does/has anyone else have these problems?
Deb x
Blurred vison Hi there Deb, I have only been on Tamoxifen for about 4 months and noticed 3 weeks ago that my vision was very very blurred I was struggling to see. I thought it was a side effect from the herceptin as my vision went like that straight after my first dose, but now I am thinking it could be because of the Tamoxifen. Hav eyou mentioned it to your oncologist I did and theygave me some eye drops as my eyes were very sore aswell.
Love Clairemm x x
Tamoxifen Hi Deb,
I have been on Tamoxifen for about 6 months now and hav’nt felt right since. I was going through the menopause so was experiencing the usual tiresome symptoms of hot flushes, night sweats etc but in mild form. The tamoxifen seems to have agravated them so they have been a lot worse. I also suffer spells of lightheadness, more headaches, forgetfulness&lack of concentration, low moods, in which I cry at the drop of a hat!! Some days i don’t feel any energy or enthusiasm for anything and it gets me down. I feel about 100 years old a lot of the time, so yes I’m pretty sure your symptoms are down to tamoxifen, as a lot of postings from other women who have suffered side affects have also confirmed.
I did report it to the Oncoligist who said if he put me on another drug, I would probably suffer the same symptoms as they all dampen down the effects of oestrogen in the body. He said the emotional symptoms were to be expected after what I’ve been through and should improve with time.
It might help you to go and have a chat either with your oncoligist or breast care nurse they might be able to advise you. Good luck and hope you are soon feeling ok,
love Cyn x
tamoxifen and cataracts Hello
The info leaflet on tamoxifen mentions cataracts and ‘other eye problems’ as possible side effects. I had a cataract a couple of years ago (nothing to do with tamoxifen and at the stupidly young age of 50 - well it’s young for a cataract !). The first symptoms of my cataract were a deterioration in the acuity of my vision - ie blurred especially distance vision. The cataract itself was not visible to the naked eye - so I had absolutely no idea I had one, but my optician suspected that I did and referred me on.
If you are worried it might be worth a check up at your optician.
Take care
Kate
tamoxifen Debs
It does seem odd that you have only just started having side effects when you have been on the drug for quite a long time - it might be worth getting to see your GP. Could it be migraine? Also I was fine on tamoxifen until they changed my brand (I was only on a “cheap” version, so it was just convenience for the pharmacist that meant they changed - not a cost saving thing) but I had dreadful headaches and nausea - I went back to the pharmacist and although the “active” ingredient was the same, the “inactive” bits that bind the tablet were different - and she felt that it was probably something in that list of ingredients that was causing the problem - I went back to the “old” brand and the symptoms disappeared…could it be something similar for you?
katymc
Hi Everyone
Thanks for all your replies.
Finally went to see doc and she said the symptoms are due to the menopause. I hadn’t realised that there are more than 1 type of Tamoxifen will have to ask her about it. Think though she is getting a bit fed up with me keep going to see her!
Deb x
Nolvadex D Deb, The other type of Tamoxifen is Nolvadex D
It is considered to be more expensive than the generic brands, but several people have found that when they have changed to Nolvadex D after having side-effects from the generic brand, they have stopped having the problems.
You could try asking to be changed.
I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years, coming off it 2 years ago.
David S
do monitor your symptoms Hi Deb
If your symptoms continue please do go back to your consultant and ask for scans. There are many reasons for nausea and bad headaches, but your GP can’t know for sure these are symptoms of the menopause in your case.
best wishes
Jane