Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with Grade 2 IDC in February 2020, had lumpectomy to affected breast and therapeutic mammoplasty to unaffected breast to even me up (however, a 23mm area of DCIS was found in the unaffected breast so lucky coincidence there!). At 2 week post surgery follow up (end of March 2020), I was put straight onto Tamoxifen. Initial side effects of nausea and ‘dead legs’ as well as aching heels where I struggled to walk to the bathroom in the morning! However, all of this took place at the start of Lockdown One and I fortunately didn’t gain the Covid Stone! I accepted the changes and side effects and they didn’t really impact on my life at all. Lockdown 2 in January 2021 and I continued to work full time (Key Worker) and retained an active lifestyle. However, since about June of this year, things have gone downhill. Side effects have worsened (I still take Tillomed and always have). I have pains in my lower back, across my right ribs, aching joints, especially right elbow, and my feet hurt. If I’ve been sitting for even a short time, it is painful to walk again and what with the back pain and joint pain, I struggle to walk and hobble around until my joints get lubricated I suppose. But the dreaded weight gain. I think I’ve put on a stone and a half in three months. Waistbands were getting a bit tight and the balloon belly grew and grew so I braved stepping on the scales and was aghast at what it said! So, with managing pretty much trouble free on Tamoxifen for 14 months, now into year 2 of it, and I’m struggling physically. Wondering if it’s the menopause too, perhaps - I am 52 - and the dreaded middle age spread has come in abundance. Just wondering if there are any other ladies out there in the same circumstances and for whom being on Tamoxifen for longer has brought worse side effects.
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