Tamoxifin
Lynn Smith
Comments
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Hi, Lynn
I've been on Tamoxifen for 18 months, and I'm having a very difficult time losing weight (I'm overweight, and really need to lose some weight). My oncologist feels it may be due to the Tamoxifen. I'm not gaining weight, but I'm sure not losing it, either, no matter how hard I work at it.
My only other side effect from the Tamoxifen is hot flashes, and I'm fortunate that I've been able to keep them manageable by taking Vitamin E (approved by my gynecologist and oncologist).
Hope that helps,
Traci0 -
On tamox since Dec 2009TraciInLA said:Hi, Lynn
I've been on Tamoxifen for 18 months, and I'm having a very difficult time losing weight (I'm overweight, and really need to lose some weight). My oncologist feels it may be due to the Tamoxifen. I'm not gaining weight, but I'm sure not losing it, either, no matter how hard I work at it.
My only other side effect from the Tamoxifen is hot flashes, and I'm fortunate that I've been able to keep them manageable by taking Vitamin E (approved by my gynecologist and oncologist).
Hope that helps,
Traci
Been on it since Dec 09. I am staying the same in weight but would like to gain a few lbs.I need a little extra. If I back off not eating much a couple days I really lose weight fast.Then people say "Are you sick"??? I don't need that.
I keep hearing of hot flashes.I never had them with my total hysterocomy and I wasn't able to take hormones with a family history of bc and me having benign tumors for many years.BUT now I know what everyone is talking about.I am having them but seems like when the weather is warmer. I get hot all over and want to get in the house.Not sure I will be able to sun a little this year????
Lynn Smith0 -
My oncologist told me to
My oncologist told me to expect to gain up to 20 lbs if I wasn't careful. I was on it for 7 years and gained about 10 lbs, but I lost it within a few months after I came off of it. So it wasn't a big deal.0 -
Cypress CynthiaCypressCynthia said:My oncologist told me to
My oncologist told me to expect to gain up to 20 lbs if I wasn't careful. I was on it for 7 years and gained about 10 lbs, but I lost it within a few months after I came off of it. So it wasn't a big deal.
You were on it 7 years.My friends were on it 5 years and then something else.I THINK that is what my doctors said.
I can't wait till the 5 years gets here to find out. I have a long ways to go!!!! 3 1/2 years.
Lynn Smith0 -
I have gained weight. Same
I have gained weight. Same thing the last time I was on it, but I will take the weight gain if it gives me more time! I am also retaining so much fluid in my hips and legs, so don't really know how much is from the meds, and how much is fluid from the tumors. Then with the cancer meds, my thyroid is bouncing to hypothyroidism. As long as I feel okay overall, the weight gain is minor!
~Carol0 -
I was on it for 7 years,Lynn Smith said:Cypress Cynthia
You were on it 7 years.My friends were on it 5 years and then something else.I THINK that is what my doctors said.
I can't wait till the 5 years gets here to find out. I have a long ways to go!!!! 3 1/2 years.
Lynn Smith
I was on it for 7 years, because, back in 1987, no one knew how long I should take it. :-)My oncologist only does 5 years now.0 -
I was on tamoxifen & gained
I was on tamoxifen & gained about 8 lbs in the 4 months i was on it. It was causing a whole slew of painful side effects & i got a 2nd opinion from a different oncologist who would actually LISTEN to me about what was going on - she said since my tumor was only 1-4% very weakly PR positive that i wasn't getting any benefit from it anyway. I would have stuck it out were it not for the excruciating joint (knee, hip, wrist, elbow) pain that it caused.
*hugs*
Heather0 -
I was on Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 yrs..
I did gain weight but not sure if from Tamox...predisone I am sure combination of both...I was just taken off tamox (2mths ago) and lost about 7 pounds...but not sure just by going off meds or waht..(been off steriods about 3 yrs)
soon as my surgery is over...I have to go back on Tamox...(surgery due to complications of tamox)
I go in tomorrow at 6 am...
time will tell if gain it back...
Denise0 -
Cypress Cynthiadisneyfan2008 said:I was on Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 yrs..
I did gain weight but not sure if from Tamox...predisone I am sure combination of both...I was just taken off tamox (2mths ago) and lost about 7 pounds...but not sure just by going off meds or waht..(been off steriods about 3 yrs)
soon as my surgery is over...I have to go back on Tamox...(surgery due to complications of tamox)
I go in tomorrow at 6 am...
time will tell if gain it back...
Denise
I can understand now why it was 7 years with taking tamox.Your doctor did the right thing.It was a long time ago.
My one friend was dx in 1995.That is why she only took it 5 years and then something else. She still tells me she wishes there was something else.She's like me. She hates taking meds but she wants more estrogen blockers if there were more.
The other friend has been dx 6 years and she took it.My niece tried it but had side effects.She had to quit it .She is a 6 year survivor(double masecetomy).
Disney-Good Luck on your surgery tomorrow and to everyone "we will all have a long survival". I believe that in my heart and I pray for that.
Lynn Smith0 -
Hi Lynn, I've been on TamoxLynn Smith said:Cypress Cynthia
I can understand now why it was 7 years with taking tamox.Your doctor did the right thing.It was a long time ago.
My one friend was dx in 1995.That is why she only took it 5 years and then something else. She still tells me she wishes there was something else.She's like me. She hates taking meds but she wants more estrogen blockers if there were more.
The other friend has been dx 6 years and she took it.My niece tried it but had side effects.She had to quit it .She is a 6 year survivor(double masecetomy).
Disney-Good Luck on your surgery tomorrow and to everyone "we will all have a long survival". I believe that in my heart and I pray for that.
Lynn Smith
Hi Lynn, I've been on Tamox for a little over a year and have put on a bit of weight. I'm not overweight, but I definitely have to work on weight management. I asked my onc. about this, and she said that the weight gain could be due to menopause (which the tamox put me in). What do all of you think? Do you think some of the weight gain is just due to good old fashioned menopause? I have 5 older sisters, and they have all complained to me that they have struggled with their weight as they age.0 -
Hot FlashesTraciInLA said:Hi, Lynn
I've been on Tamoxifen for 18 months, and I'm having a very difficult time losing weight (I'm overweight, and really need to lose some weight). My oncologist feels it may be due to the Tamoxifen. I'm not gaining weight, but I'm sure not losing it, either, no matter how hard I work at it.
My only other side effect from the Tamoxifen is hot flashes, and I'm fortunate that I've been able to keep them manageable by taking Vitamin E (approved by my gynecologist and oncologist).
Hope that helps,
Traci
Not only do I get hot flashes, but night sweats and some joint pain. The joint pain is more like rheumatoid arthrtis in that it is not always in the same place, but my hands are the place where I get it. I thought that I was through most of the flashes and sweats. I go to the onco in July. I will be discussing this and if there is anything to be done. I am getting a hot flash just thinking about hot flashes! Dang!!!0 -
Tamoxifen discussion is helpful!
This has been a great trail. I have my appt with medical oncology June 9.
I've actually met someone on line who I won't meet in person until July. (fears aside, I researched him and have shared 100s of pages of emails and talked - he's out of country on business) He knows what I'm going through and has been the best thing that's happened to me. Emotionally I've never been more alive (and we are the talk of the radiation department - LOL)
We've made a point of being honest with each other so this gives me a better idea of what to expect.
So that is a long intro to some questions!
Did your mood or affect change?
Do you still feel like yourself and in control of emotions?
How about the passion side of things? (I swear, I have the horomones of a teenager now!)
Any major concerns for 'the bedroom'?
Thanks!
ps like most good girlfriends, you'll likely want to send me warnings, I have that area covered. What I don't have is girlfriends on tamoxifen!0 -
LynnKT,LynnKT said:Hi Lynn, I've been on Tamox
Hi Lynn, I've been on Tamox for a little over a year and have put on a bit of weight. I'm not overweight, but I definitely have to work on weight management. I asked my onc. about this, and she said that the weight gain could be due to menopause (which the tamox put me in). What do all of you think? Do you think some of the weight gain is just due to good old fashioned menopause? I have 5 older sisters, and they have all complained to me that they have struggled with their weight as they age.
In my case, I'm 42 and nowhere near menopause -- and Tamoxifen is showing no signs of sending me there, Aunt Flo comes every month, regular like the moon.
Traci0 -
AgeMarleneElla said:Tamoxifen discussion is helpful!
This has been a great trail. I have my appt with medical oncology June 9.
I've actually met someone on line who I won't meet in person until July. (fears aside, I researched him and have shared 100s of pages of emails and talked - he's out of country on business) He knows what I'm going through and has been the best thing that's happened to me. Emotionally I've never been more alive (and we are the talk of the radiation department - LOL)
We've made a point of being honest with each other so this gives me a better idea of what to expect.
So that is a long intro to some questions!
Did your mood or affect change?
Do you still feel like yourself and in control of emotions?
How about the passion side of things? (I swear, I have the horomones of a teenager now!)
Any major concerns for 'the bedroom'?
Thanks!
ps like most good girlfriends, you'll likely want to send me warnings, I have that area covered. What I don't have is girlfriends on tamoxifen!
I think a lot of your questions are dependent on your age. Some of the changes you describe are part of the normal aging process and going through menopause. I think I have problems controlling my emotions because I was diagnosed with BC in November and went through a mastectomy and reconstruction in January, 2011. I have not had the opportunity to know what it is like in the bedroom, unfortunately. My concerns in that area would be more anxiety about feeling desirable post mastectomy. Do I think that everything else still works? Absolutely! Do I still have desire? Absolutely!
Please be careful since you have met this guy online. He may be a great guy as they are out there, but he could also have a hidden agenda especially since you have shared so much about yourself.0 -
TamoxifenMarleneElla said:Tamoxifen discussion is helpful!
This has been a great trail. I have my appt with medical oncology June 9.
I've actually met someone on line who I won't meet in person until July. (fears aside, I researched him and have shared 100s of pages of emails and talked - he's out of country on business) He knows what I'm going through and has been the best thing that's happened to me. Emotionally I've never been more alive (and we are the talk of the radiation department - LOL)
We've made a point of being honest with each other so this gives me a better idea of what to expect.
So that is a long intro to some questions!
Did your mood or affect change?
Do you still feel like yourself and in control of emotions?
How about the passion side of things? (I swear, I have the horomones of a teenager now!)
Any major concerns for 'the bedroom'?
Thanks!
ps like most good girlfriends, you'll likely want to send me warnings, I have that area covered. What I don't have is girlfriends on tamoxifen!
Thanks for the note. Being very careful, he and I have talked several times, he's a reputable professional and continues to support me 100% with just a PG email and phone relationship. We still have 7 weeks of talking to do.
Actually your point of age is a good one. I'm 51 and not even perimenapausal! Regular as clockwork. I was very fortunate to have a lumpectomy with the scar blended on the edge my areola and a sentinel node biopsy scar towards my pit. Other than being brutally red right now, a small dent is about all that's apparent. I've never had great confidence in having a good 'rack' but now I'm actually a little proud of what 'the girls' have been through (right side is surgery side, left had a needle biopsy that was negative). Haha I've tried to keep my sense of humor through this ordeal.
Thanks for sharing it was reassuring!
Full radiation done, 5 days left to site only! YEAH!0 -
Be carefulMarleneElla said:Tamoxifen
Thanks for the note. Being very careful, he and I have talked several times, he's a reputable professional and continues to support me 100% with just a PG email and phone relationship. We still have 7 weeks of talking to do.
Actually your point of age is a good one. I'm 51 and not even perimenapausal! Regular as clockwork. I was very fortunate to have a lumpectomy with the scar blended on the edge my areola and a sentinel node biopsy scar towards my pit. Other than being brutally red right now, a small dent is about all that's apparent. I've never had great confidence in having a good 'rack' but now I'm actually a little proud of what 'the girls' have been through (right side is surgery side, left had a needle biopsy that was negative). Haha I've tried to keep my sense of humor through this ordeal.
Thanks for sharing it was reassuring!
Full radiation done, 5 days left to site only! YEAH!
Be careful like someone said. I talked to a lady who met somoene on line.I told her what a love story.Well it is BUT I can't believe her.She came over here from another country and WOW does she speak her mind a bit more than she should.I met her husband and he is meek.I even told her you must speak to people differently.She said people are rude.She is the rude one and very outspoken.
I've been on tamoxifin for 17 months.The surgery was a lumpectomy also.Slightly smaller on one side(left) but no scarring that is noticeable. A slight indentation but that was when a benign tumor was found after my malignant tumor.Just 3 weeks later.I was glad my doctor wanted to do a second surgery to check margins.I found the benign tumor just 2 days before that surgery.
I am 64 and my husband is 69.The tamoxifin has done nothing that has caused us any problems. In fact my husband thinks it isn't working if it's suppose to cut down on the estrogen levels. I've also had a total hysterocomy still we have no problems after 42 years of marriage.
Lynn Smith0 -
Just started tamoxifanLynn Smith said:Be careful
Be careful like someone said. I talked to a lady who met somoene on line.I told her what a love story.Well it is BUT I can't believe her.She came over here from another country and WOW does she speak her mind a bit more than she should.I met her husband and he is meek.I even told her you must speak to people differently.She said people are rude.She is the rude one and very outspoken.
I've been on tamoxifin for 17 months.The surgery was a lumpectomy also.Slightly smaller on one side(left) but no scarring that is noticeable. A slight indentation but that was when a benign tumor was found after my malignant tumor.Just 3 weeks later.I was glad my doctor wanted to do a second surgery to check margins.I found the benign tumor just 2 days before that surgery.
I am 64 and my husband is 69.The tamoxifin has done nothing that has caused us any problems. In fact my husband thinks it isn't working if it's suppose to cut down on the estrogen levels. I've also had a total hysterocomy still we have no problems after 42 years of marriage.
Lynn Smith
Hi there. I just started tamoxifan, and so far my only issues are hot flashes and arthritis type pain. So far I have still had my cycle but it's only been about 5 weeks.
My sister took tamoxifan for 5 years, and we've been discussing the side effects. She stated that she had trouble with vaginal dryness and needed a lubricant with her hubby.
Otherwise, the same symptoms as me, but her cycle stopped for the entire 5 years...I am hoping that my cycle stops as well - there should be a positive side effect once in a while...lol.
Best of luck with the meet...I hope it is all you expected...I still have to say, make sure you are safe (it's impossible not to give this advise, forgive me!).
Take care0 -
I have been on Tamoxifan for a total of 4 months. I am perimenopausal. I have experienced weight gain, fluid retention, hair loss, hot flashes, memory loss and brain fog, dizziness, easy to anger/frustration, and disrupted sleep. I have two friends who experienced similar side effects. One stopped the meds (she had DCIS) and one stayed on it (ILC like me). I am meeting with my oncologist this next week to discuss the effects. I know the drug can be so beneficial and I am hoping I will be told the side effects will decrease with time.
0
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