Effects of tamoxifen or just run down?

Can't help as I am on my first month on it. I am startin to get the hot flushes already.

Hi Michele,
I'm 2 months on Tamoxifen, so pinch of salt, there's another 4 years and 10 months to go before I can talk with any real authority
I am a gold WW member, and have had no more difficulty maintaining my goal weight in the last 2 months.
In my experience of weight management, exercise alone simply won't do it, portion control and food choices are equally important.
I have had no bothersome side effects on tamox thus far. One major night sweat some couple of weeks ago is all. In the first few weeks, I was getting hot ears or a hot face... but no fully fledged hot flushes.
I am slightly tired at the moment, but that's because I have just finished 4 weeks of RT (yesterday, yipeeee!!, celebrating with meal out with hubby at the w/e). I have had both period in the last 2 months, and no appreciable difference in how they feel, except much lighter cramping.
It's unclear to me whether my very good experience thus far will continue, but I operate on that basis. I take the stuff every morning with breakfast, and at week end as I go running before breakfast, I take it roughly at the same time as week days, with a banana.
So far, this works for me.
I hope your system stabilises and that your experience improves. And in all honesty, I hope mine does not disimprove!!

Good luck, and hang in there!

Catherine

Hello Michele!

I have been on Tamoxifen now for 4 months and like Catherine I have found little difference except for the hot/cold sweats at night.. I absolutely 'burn up' and then 'freeze' numerous times each night .. The only other thing and I'm not sure if its from Rads or Tamoxifen but completely opposite to you, I have lost about 20 pounds .. I can't lie I was delighted to lost the first 10 but now I am hoping that I don't lose any more .. On the period front I have noticed little difference as they had begun to get heavier anyway (no doubt my age )..

Hang in there
Resolute x

Thanks everyone for posting your experiences. I think I am a phenomenon with the different experiences. I wonder would it be better taking the tamoxifen at night as I seem to get REALLY HOT during the day when I am at work. I have an appointment for a checkup in two weeks times so I might be enlightened more. Wishing you all health and happiness.

You are not alone! I put on a stone over treatment and am finding it so so difficult to shift- even though I'm back running and eating healthy - it's a bit of a kick after all we've been through!
My oncologist even took some time out to mention that particular difficulty at the aviva conference a few weeks ago, and said if we wanted to shift those pounds we have to be so strict with food - especially carb consumption and exercise 30 mins a day 5 times a week.
It's slow going and very frustrating, but life is for living too- I'm trying to be as healthy as I can and keep an eye onthe weight so that it doesn't go up anymore...... Gotta love tamoxifen eh????

On tamoxifen since August and having symptoms from it alright. But I had my bloods done so I know I'm not going through the menopause even though I have many similar symptoms from the tamoxifen. I too put on lots of weight but joined sw group and have lost a stone in 5 weeks, eating as much as ever but healthy choices. Started back walking too with the help of a local cancer support centre doing a walking programme for 15 weeks. So all in all getting back to where I want to be. Hard work but possible.

On tamoxifen since August and having symptoms from it alright. But I had my bloods done so I know I'm not going through the menopause even though I have many similar symptoms from the tamoxifen. I too put on lots of weight but joined sw group and have lost a stone in 5 weeks, eating as much as ever but healthy choices. Started back walking too with the help of a local cancer support centre doing a walking programme for 15 weeks. So all in all getting back to where I want to be. Hard work but possible.

Hi sunshine 71
I hope you don't mind me asking, I never got any blood test done to find out my menopausal status I am on tamoxifen a year now. Did you get test done before you started on tamoxifen. I had a mirena coil fitted (I had it removed in May) so I had no periods and have not had any since starting tamoxifen.
Liz