Tamoxifen

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cindybob
cindybob Member Posts: 61
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone!
Okay, I get the hot flashes. I was pretty mean for a while, but I think I'm evening out, but has anyone else lost weight because of Tamoxifen? I've been on it for 2 months and have lost about 12 pounds. I had colon cancer, not breast cancer, but I joined this discussion group because of being on Tamoxifen. My weight has been crazy anyway. Before I was diagnosed I was losing weight. Of course, surgery and treatment made me lose even more. I quit weighing myself when I hit under 80 lbs. (I quit doing EVERYTHING when I was that skinny.) I took Remarin for a few months to gain weight. I gained 40+ pounds on Remarin (finding clothes was rough). Anyway, I felt healthy enough at 125 lbs. I quit the Remarin. I got sick almost right away with pneumonia. So, I lost about 20 lbs. 105 was still a healthy weight for me, I'm only 5'1". But since starting Tamoxifen I've been losing again pretty steadily. I hope someone says it is Tamoxifen, because the alternative is . . . well, worrysome. So, how many of you lost weight on Tamoxifen? Thanks for any thoughts!
Cindy Bob

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  • lindatn
    lindatn Member Posts: 229
    #2
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    Not sure why the weight loss on Tamoxifen most of us find the opposite. Check with your DR. Are you eating well? I'm not sure why they have you on Tamoxifen. You are with the right group here on Tamoxifen sure enough of us swearing and still taking it hoping it really works like the drug company who makes it says it does. Keep us posted as you are in our prayers. There are a lot of us who wonder if our knees will hold up. We are here for you. Linda
  • cindybob
    cindybob Member Posts: 61
    #3
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    lindatn said:

    Not sure why the weight loss on Tamoxifen most of us find the opposite. Check with your DR. Are you eating well? I'm not sure why they have you on Tamoxifen. You are with the right group here on Tamoxifen sure enough of us swearing and still taking it hoping it really works like the drug company who makes it says it does. Keep us posted as you are in our prayers. There are a lot of us who wonder if our knees will hold up. We are here for you. Linda

    Thank you Linda for your reply. I'm on Tamoxifen for a few reasons. I know that I had colon cancer, but I got diagnosed at 37 and the females in my family mostly had famale cancers diagnosed young. My mom at 38, grandmother, aunts, etc. So, my DR says that my cancer is most likely a "female" cancer just as if it were breast or ovarian. I'm at pretty high risk for breast cancer anyway, and with having cancer already, the tamoxifen is hopefully going to keep the breast cancer away. I've also done the BRCA testing for breast and ovarian cancers, so I should get those results in a few more weeks. I was afraid you might say that most women gained weight. As far as eating well, well, my appetite is low. I used to center my day around food, now, I just do not like food as much. It is very strange. I mean, eating was a hobby. I loved food. Now, I just do not really care about it. So, no, I'm not eating well. But what I do eat is most often good for me. I'm not too hopeful now that women will be writing that they lost weight too. Thank you again Linda, for the encouragement!
  • cathy16
    cathy16 Member Posts: 1
    #4
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    Hi, my name is Cathy. I have been on tomoxifen for 1 year. I lost weight when I did chemo, but have gained it all back and then some. The doctor told me that there would be a little weigth gain from it, but not anything substantial. Hope you will be feeling better soon.
  • cindybob
    cindybob Member Posts: 61
    #5
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    cathy16 said:

    Hi, my name is Cathy. I have been on tomoxifen for 1 year. I lost weight when I did chemo, but have gained it all back and then some. The doctor told me that there would be a little weigth gain from it, but not anything substantial. Hope you will be feeling better soon.

    I think if I'm honest with myself, the weight loss is probably not the the Tamoxifen. Oh well, I'm experiencing a few more symptoms with the weight loss, (headaches-fatigue) Um, sort of like when I had cancer the first time and didn't know it. I just had tests run a couple of months ago, so I think I'm clean. But why would I have the same symptoms again? Maybe it is Psychological. Who knows? I guess I'll have to break down and go back to the doctor. I am so sick of doctor's appointments. Especailly when they just say, oh, I don't think it has anything to do with cancer. I mean, I don't want it to have anything to do with cancer, but PLEASE tell me what it is if it isn't cancer! Thanks for letting me vent!
  • Teresa09
    Teresa09 Member Posts: 2
    #6
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    cindybob said:

    I think if I'm honest with myself, the weight loss is probably not the the Tamoxifen. Oh well, I'm experiencing a few more symptoms with the weight loss, (headaches-fatigue) Um, sort of like when I had cancer the first time and didn't know it. I just had tests run a couple of months ago, so I think I'm clean. But why would I have the same symptoms again? Maybe it is Psychological. Who knows? I guess I'll have to break down and go back to the doctor. I am so sick of doctor's appointments. Especailly when they just say, oh, I don't think it has anything to do with cancer. I mean, I don't want it to have anything to do with cancer, but PLEASE tell me what it is if it isn't cancer! Thanks for letting me vent!

    Hello! I think what you really need to do also is to post on the UOA Message Board! I have an ileostomy from Crohn's disease and know many people through the UOA who've had colon cancer. Not sure if you had resection surgery or what, but do try them out at www.uoa.org and access their Message Board. You needn't have an ostomy to do so! You're still in "the family" with having colon cancer. Definitely keep going back to the doctor until they provide you with an adequate answer, especially if you are eating normally but are losing weight. Good luck!

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