New to tamoxifen - Exhausted

Dear Aiidee

I am sorry to read that you are experiencing such exhaustion having only recently started on Tamoxifen.Like any drug,some people have more side-effects than others.Many women find that side-effects are worse at the start of treatment but they settle down after a few weeks or months.
Fatigue is a common side effect of Tamoxifen.It is more common in women who start taking it before the menopause than those who start taking it after the menopause.We have a good book called ‘Coping with Fatigue’ and some aspects of it you might find helpful.You can down load it from our website here https://www.cancer.ie/sites/default/files/content-attachments/coping_wi…
Meanwhile if you would like us to put you in touch by phone with another lady who is on Tamoxifen you can phone our Nurseline here and we can arrange this for you.

Kind regards

Cancer Nurse | Irish Cancer Society.

Hi Aidee, I was the same when I started tamoxifen, it took 6 months for my body to adapt but it did. I know the fatigue is frustrating but just give yourself time and eat healthy and your energy will return but it took me a year for energy to return once treatment (chemo, radiation, herceptin) stopped. I am now on tamoxifen a little over 5 years (new study shows taken it for 10 years is better) and I feel fine, I exercise and that helps to keep my weight stable. Just hang in there. I was 36 when I started it and I know it is hard to feel so tired but it will pass - promise