Tamoxifen and Skeletal Muscle Cramping

mgm42
mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm at my wits end. Does anyone else have cramping in their neck, shoulders, upper back, torso, knees, and arms/hands as well as feet? My family doctor tried a change in my other meds in order to see if they were the culprits. No luck. My oncologist thinks there is no way that tamoxifen could cause this. She sent me to a rheumatologist and I've had blood work for a variety of diseases including RA and MS. I'm normal. I had this same problem on Armidex, Femara, and Aromasin. This cramping prevents me from driving the car, going out, shopping, etc. because I need to be near a heating pad at all times. I'm going to be 69. I'm seriously considering getting off of the tamoxifen for quality of life issues. I'm scared, very scared. I've been on the tamoxifen for 13 months and was on AI's for 2 years prior to the tamoxifen. I've researched and researched to no avail. You all my are last hope before I make my decision. Hugs, Marilynn

Comments

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #2
    leg cramps
    OMG terrible....at nights....only since 18mths tamoxifen
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #3
    disneyfan2008 said:

    leg cramps
    OMG terrible....at nights....only since 18mths tamoxifen

    Question?
    What do you do for your nighttime cramping? I would appreciate knowing. Maybe I could do whatever it is you're doing? Also, maybe it would apply to my daytime problems. Hugs, Marilynn
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950
    #4
    mgm42 said:

    Question?
    What do you do for your nighttime cramping? I would appreciate knowing. Maybe I could do whatever it is you're doing? Also, maybe it would apply to my daytime problems. Hugs, Marilynn

    Hey Marilynn
    Well I have bad
    Hey Marilynn
    Well I have bad toe cramps at night , some leg cramps and my knee is killing me...when I was on Arimidex the Onc. had me stop taking it for a month to see if the symptoms improved.
    They did, so he switched me to Tamoxifin. Don't see any big improvement. But my point is that you won't know if it's the Tamoxifin until you quit taking it for a while and see if the symptoms improve. See what your Onc. says about that....
    Dee
  • Sally5
    Sally5 Member Posts: 87
    #5
    dyaneb123 said:

    Hey Marilynn
    Well I have bad
    Hey Marilynn
    Well I have bad toe cramps at night , some leg cramps and my knee is killing me...when I was on Arimidex the Onc. had me stop taking it for a month to see if the symptoms improved.
    They did, so he switched me to Tamoxifin. Don't see any big improvement. But my point is that you won't know if it's the Tamoxifin until you quit taking it for a while and see if the symptoms improve. See what your Onc. says about that....
    Dee

    mgm
    mgm,

    I have been on tamox. since July. I have had leg cramps, hot flashes and toe cramps. I recently changed and started taking it during the day. It helps me sleep better.... even if it is all in my head.

    ** Someone on this site suggested the bars of soap in your bed (forgot who... to give credit) and I think it helps... Your sheets smell nice. :)

    The tonic water was another suggestion from this site but I couldn't drink it to see if it worked... (I think this was from Traci... who called it Toxic water) <---- yes

    Also, maybe you can change your dose throughout the day... to alleviate the possible side effects. Another great idea from this site. Thanks

    Hope it helps,
    Merry (Sally5)
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #6
    You all are great...
    Thanks for the helpful hints and for the support. After I had a cramp in my throat, while yawning, I decided to get off the tamoxifen, as my onc suggestedd for two weeks and see what happens. If the same thing happens with the tamoxifen that did with the Arimidex, then I'll know it's the drug. Thanks a bunch. I'm going to post another topic on about dosages. Maybe we'll all get some input on that. Hugs, Marilynn
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #7
    mgm42 said:

    You all are great...
    Thanks for the helpful hints and for the support. After I had a cramp in my throat, while yawning, I decided to get off the tamoxifen, as my onc suggestedd for two weeks and see what happens. If the same thing happens with the tamoxifen that did with the Arimidex, then I'll know it's the drug. Thanks a bunch. I'm going to post another topic on about dosages. Maybe we'll all get some input on that. Hugs, Marilynn

    potassium
    My dr and someone else suggested more potassium

    I do eat bananas on occassion but not enough to notice if helped or not!
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #8
    what exactly is:
    Skeletal Muscle Cramping
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #9
    Potassium
    I would suggest having your potassium level checked...low potassium can cause severe muscle cramps

    Hoping you better,
    Nancy
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #10
    mgm42 said:

    You all are great...
    Thanks for the helpful hints and for the support. After I had a cramp in my throat, while yawning, I decided to get off the tamoxifen, as my onc suggestedd for two weeks and see what happens. If the same thing happens with the tamoxifen that did with the Arimidex, then I'll know it's the drug. Thanks a bunch. I'm going to post another topic on about dosages. Maybe we'll all get some input on that. Hugs, Marilynn

    Magnesium
    Low magnesium can also cause some muscle pain. Sam's club has it OTC cheap.

    Maureen

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