Tamoxifen and sleep probs

Hi Kazoo,

I've been on Tamoxifen for 7 months but my nights were very disturbed already from chemo. Tamoxifen certainly didn't improve them. Between my 4 hot flushes a night, my neuropathy pains and my cramps I was woken several times a night.

A few things seem to have helped.

I take a capsule of cod liver oil before going to bed (http://www.solgar.com/SolgarProducts/No ... lement.htm)

I also take a magnesium supplement

I went to see a reflexologist.

My nights are not perfect but much improved and I feel much more refreshed in the morning than I used to.

I hope you find something that works for you too.

Hugs

Kathleen

Sorry no use to you as not on that yet. However sleepless nights are just awful hope you get some relief what Kathleen said hope that will help. My sleep been all over last two weeks due to I think menapaue kicking in now on the three day steriods and am wired!!!!

Hi Kazoo and Dee,

Dee, sorry to hear that the sandman is abandoning you too. As if we didn't have enough to deal with.

Kazoo, just to let you know that every Winter I take cod liver oil to help with dry skin. I took it last year too when I was having chemo (after getting the doctors to check it was OK) and started again last November. After a few days of the treatment I was delighted to find that I was sleeping for much longer stretches at a time and getting fewer and less intense hot flushes. A week later I had my first reflexology appointment.

Of course I don't know if the improvements are due to the cod liver oil, the reflexology or just my body getting used to the Tamoxifen.

I noticed on the web site I referred to yesterday that they say to take 1 - 3 capsules a day. On the actual bottle they say to take one capsule a day unless otherwise advised. That is what I do.

Good luck

Kath

Am on Tamoxifen since Jul2011 & have had lots problems that go with it. I now take supplements - Cod liver oil, magnesium, glucosamine & also sage tablets which I find help greatly with the hot flushes. Was always a great sleeper before all of this but like it's mentioned in a previous post my sleep pattern suffered with all the different treatments. Recently I've found I'm not a sleeping great, am "restless" in bed but I was putting it down to the fact that my routine has changed so much as a result of this experience (have retired after 33yrs of working) & not down to Tamoxifen,I am thinking of taking a Mindfulness course to try to help me relax more. Am very interested to know how you get on, keep us posted.

Hi Funky chick,

Are you sure that sage is OK for ER+ ladies like ourselves. There seems to be some differences of opinion out there when I googled it but I have never asked a doctor. Just wondering if you did.

Love your code name by the way

Kath

Hi kazoo, I take sleeping tablets. I had a very stressful start to treatment and had real problems sleeping at the start. They made a huge difference to me, getting a full nights sleep really helped me get through the tough times. I came off them with no problems after a few weeks. I am back on them now after a stressful surgery and christmas period. For me its one less thing to worry about.

I am starting tamoxifen on the 28th and I am getting real worried about it after all the posts. This drug seems to cause more problems - not looking forward to it

Kathleen,

yes, sage ok for ER+ & tamoxifen, as per my breast care nurse. Also forgot to say I take flaxseed oil, great for lubrication!! For immune system echinachea is good also but be careful to take it for 2weeks & then 1week off it.

Thanks for the replies. I bought myself some cod liver oil and have started to take that, and am also considering relexology (just cause I think it sounds so relaxing!). Going to hold off on the sleeping tablets for now, but may ask my doc when I'm next in. I have slept a bit better the last couple of nights, still woke up, but managed to get back to sleep again. Thanks again girls, as usual this site is my saviour! Hope all your symptoms settle down.

Hi kazoo,
I also found reflexology amazing, better than a massage and really helped me zone out for the hour! I would really recommend reflexology I think its the best thing since sliced bread!!

So pleased to see this post and the suggestions. I too am suffering badly. I take ages to find a comfortable position to go to sleep in, due to the saline expander I had fitted to preserve skin for the reconstruction. If I wake during the night - which is most nights - I cannot get back to sleep and usually find myself nodding off just before the alarm goes off to get the kids up for school!

I will certainly be trying some of the suggestions. Thought sleppless night were a thing of the past once my kids started sleeping through!!!

Karen