Tamoxifen

2

Comments

  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 196 Member
    TraciInLA said:

    Also worth noting - drug interactions

    I also think it's worth noting that there are some common over-the-counter and prescription drugs that have been shown to make Tamoxifen less effective, including Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Tagamet (cimetidine) and some (not all) antidepressants.  From the ACS:

    http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/guidetocancerdrugs/tamoxifen

    Before cancer, I used to take Benadryl occasionally if I had trouble sleeping -- now that I'm on Tamoxifen, I've stopped doing that.  And I used to take Tagamet sometimes for heartburn -- I switched to Zantac.

    Traci

    web link...

    Thank you Traci for providing the link...it had some good information...and, I never thought that certain vitamins could affect the effectiveness of tamoxifen...

    Andi :)

  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    Andi

    Andi.I also hate taking pills. I don't take but 3 meds so not that many but I at times I forgot my tamox.I take it at night like I mentioned.Recently I see my hair getting thinner.Noticed this last several months.I thought it could be my bout with bronchitis but might be tamox.I forgot loosing hair was another side effect.I had fine thin hair anyway all my life. Hope when I go off tamox it gets thicker.

    I didn't need chemo or radation with DCIS so that can't be why my hair is thinning.  

    I'm counting the months to be finished with tamox.Dec 2014 will be 5 years.Like Sirod said don't go off of it.I took a few months contemplating before taking it and my doctor told me I would be a greater risk of getting another type of cancer. 

    Lynn Smith

  • June Bugs
    June Bugs Member Posts: 167
    TraciInLA said:

    Also worth noting - drug interactions

    I also think it's worth noting that there are some common over-the-counter and prescription drugs that have been shown to make Tamoxifen less effective, including Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Tagamet (cimetidine) and some (not all) antidepressants.  From the ACS:

    http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/guidetocancerdrugs/tamoxifen

    Before cancer, I used to take Benadryl occasionally if I had trouble sleeping -- now that I'm on Tamoxifen, I've stopped doing that.  And I used to take Tagamet sometimes for heartburn -- I switched to Zantac.

    Traci

    There are several

    There are several antidepressants that you should not take while on tamoxifen.  And, everyone should have the test to see if they metabolize tamox as many don't.  That's why "some" have no side effects, it isnt' working.

  • Daniela Federica
    Daniela Federica Member Posts: 3
    andi44 said:

    web link...

    Thank you Traci for providing the link...it had some good information...and, I never thought that certain vitamins could affect the effectiveness of tamoxifen...

    Andi :)

    I have just finished chemo

    I have just finished chemo and have been told that I will have to take tamoxifen, in addition to mastectomy to improve survival. Cancer sucks, I agree. Thanks for raising this subject as it was very useful for me to know what is coming next. It seems to never end... Frown

  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member

    Andi

    Andi.I also hate taking pills. I don't take but 3 meds so not that many but I at times I forgot my tamox.I take it at night like I mentioned.Recently I see my hair getting thinner.Noticed this last several months.I thought it could be my bout with bronchitis but might be tamox.I forgot loosing hair was another side effect.I had fine thin hair anyway all my life. Hope when I go off tamox it gets thicker.

    I didn't need chemo or radation with DCIS so that can't be why my hair is thinning.  

    I'm counting the months to be finished with tamox.Dec 2014 will be 5 years.Like Sirod said don't go off of it.I took a few months contemplating before taking it and my doctor told me I would be a greater risk of getting another type of cancer. 

    Lynn Smith

    June Bugs

    Yes some antidepreesents can't be taken while on tamox.My family doctor gave me a prescript but when I went to the oncologist she said I can't take it.In the beginning of my dx they were encourgaging me to take something.The stress of it all but With a heart condition since 30 I prefer not to.It's the going off  the antidpressent that worries me.It has to be gradual but I stil fear my heart going out of control.

    I went cold turkey drinking caffeine coke.(I didn't know better) My heart meds weren't working. I had to go my heart specialist.Nothing was found.I realized on my own  it was going off the caffeine  coke.Withdrawal.So I prefer not to take anything. The withdrawal was horrific with my heart beating 160 beats a minute till I took a  pill to get the fast beats to subside.The heart meds were only lasting 12 hours and not 24 hours during that time.

    There was one nerve pill I know I can take but the doctor said it can't be taken with tamox.

    Lynn Smith

  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member

    Pill box, senior citizen and previously blonde here

    I took Arimidex for 2 years and switched on Tamoxifen 6 months ago.  Since I tend to fall asleep at night on the sofa and if I do, it's in both my and my husband's best interest if I stay there, I know I would not be compliant if I took them at bedtime.  I have absolutely no side effects on Tamoxifen, fog included.   Even tho I'm 66, I still have an occasional hot flash prior to awakening in the morning.  I did have some joint pain on Arimidex which was mild and I contributed it to age, but I don't have it anymore on Tamoxifen.  And, I do use a pill box because even with a morning routine, I'd be uncertain whether I took meds or not.  And that fog has nothing to do with Tamoxifen - it's just me!

    Hope you can figure out what's causing your fog and can continue taking this medicine because it is important for ER+ folks.

    Suzanne

    I am not taking tamoxifen

    I am not taking tamoxifen Andi, but, if you do have side effects, be sure and ask your oncologist if there is anything he or she can give you to help with them.  You shouldn't have to suffer through taking tamox.

    Good luck!

  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 196 Member

    I have just finished chemo

    I have just finished chemo and have been told that I will have to take tamoxifen, in addition to mastectomy to improve survival. Cancer sucks, I agree. Thanks for raising this subject as it was very useful for me to know what is coming next. It seems to never end... Frown

    Daniela -

    There is an end in sight...and, it sounds like you're on the upswing regarding your health...I was fortunate I didn't have to have chemo - just the mastectomy & rads...each of us is different - and I think its funny that Tamoxifen affects each of us different...

    p.s., love the beach pix - I used to live in Fl - and miss it so much....

    Andi :)

  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 196 Member

    Andi

    Andi.I also hate taking pills. I don't take but 3 meds so not that many but I at times I forgot my tamox.I take it at night like I mentioned.Recently I see my hair getting thinner.Noticed this last several months.I thought it could be my bout with bronchitis but might be tamox.I forgot loosing hair was another side effect.I had fine thin hair anyway all my life. Hope when I go off tamox it gets thicker.

    I didn't need chemo or radation with DCIS so that can't be why my hair is thinning.  

    I'm counting the months to be finished with tamox.Dec 2014 will be 5 years.Like Sirod said don't go off of it.I took a few months contemplating before taking it and my doctor told me I would be a greater risk of getting another type of cancer. 

    Lynn Smith

    Lynn -

    I too have/had DCIS - but had to have radiation...My hair is already thin and breaks easily...And, I saw that too was one of the side effects :(   Everyday, I choke as I take this tiny white pill - my new name for it is 'cyanide'...I know its supposed to help in reducing the chance of a return cancer - I too have a greater chance of getting cancer in my other breast, as the mri shows calcifications - I wanted both taken off - but insurance wouldn't pay...So, I'll continue to 'choke' down this cyanide pill as instructed - ugh !!! But, in my case,  I'm not convinced cancer won't return...

    Andi  :)~

  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    andi44 said:

    Actually, switching to taking

    Actually, switching to taking the med at night has helped...This is the first time I've ever had to take any sort of medication on a regular basis (besides taking antibiotics)...I hate taking pills and I'm bad at it...that's why I thought that if I took it in the morning when I'm getting ready I'd remember to take it...It's hard to alter routines - Anyway, thank you all for your comments and suggestions...

    Andi :)

    I am glad that by taking

    I am glad that by taking tamox at night time that it is helping you Andi.  I hate taking pills too Frown

     

    Jan

  • Cheryl 1
    Cheryl 1 Member Posts: 41
    andi44 said:

    Lynn -

    I too have/had DCIS - but had to have radiation...My hair is already thin and breaks easily...And, I saw that too was one of the side effects :(   Everyday, I choke as I take this tiny white pill - my new name for it is 'cyanide'...I know its supposed to help in reducing the chance of a return cancer - I too have a greater chance of getting cancer in my other breast, as the mri shows calcifications - I wanted both taken off - but insurance wouldn't pay...So, I'll continue to 'choke' down this cyanide pill as instructed - ugh !!! But, in my case,  I'm not convinced cancer won't return...

    Andi  :)~

    Are you feeling any better by

    Are you feeling any better by being on tamoxifen now Andi? 

  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 196 Member
    Cheryl 1 said:

    Are you feeling any better by

    Are you feeling any better by being on tamoxifen now Andi? 

    Cheryl -

    Since I've switched to taking that pill at night, I do think it has helped for most of the dizziness that I was experiencing...I still feel a bit of 'fogginess' but that passes after being up for a while...haven't experienced any hot flashes or other 'female' side effects - 

    Cheryl, are you or are you going to be taking this drug? It seems that everyone has different experiences with the side effects...I'm still 'choking' down this bitter pill everynight...I'm just not happy about taking it...

    Thank you,

    Andi :)  

  • JJDS
    JJDS Member Posts: 258
    andi44 said:

    Cheryl -

    Since I've switched to taking that pill at night, I do think it has helped for most of the dizziness that I was experiencing...I still feel a bit of 'fogginess' but that passes after being up for a while...haven't experienced any hot flashes or other 'female' side effects - 

    Cheryl, are you or are you going to be taking this drug? It seems that everyone has different experiences with the side effects...I'm still 'choking' down this bitter pill everynight...I'm just not happy about taking it...

    Thank you,

    Andi :)  

    I am glad that by switching

    I am glad that by switching to taking it at night, that you're doing better Andi.

    Hugs, JJ

  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    JJDS said:

    I am glad that by switching

    I am glad that by switching to taking it at night, that you're doing better Andi.

    Hugs, JJ

    Happy that you're feeling

    Happy that you're feeling somewhat better Andi.  Do you think you need to talk to your onco about switching to another hormone blocker? 

    Leeza

  • deeb111
    deeb111 Member Posts: 141 Member
    I take it at around 4pm this

    I take it at around 4pm this way if I get fogged im done with all chores and home from work and I will veg in bed if I need hope this helps you best of luck

  • grannabeth
    grannabeth Member Posts: 95
    Just finished my first

    Just finished my first whole bottle of Tamoxifen--only 59 more bottles to go! Andi, I, too, am not real happy with taking this drug. It's just so aggravating that I escaped hot flashes during my natural menopause--only now I get the priviledge to experience these lovely hot flashes courtesy of tamoxifen!!  I'm hoping that this side effect might get milder or go away completely after awhile.  I have read about armidex and it has its own SE that don't sound like too much fun either. I think I can deal with the hot flashes better than joint pain, though. 

    Sounds like we both started tamoxifen about the same time--so at least we can encourage each other on this journey.

    Beth

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    Take it at night.  And don't

    Take it at night.  And don't give up.  I was diagnosed with Stage 3 in 1987.  I took tamoxifen for 7 years because no one knew how long to take it back then (they still don't--ha, ha).  Anyway, I believe tamoxifen was responsible for my 18 year remission.  I wish I had taken it 10 years! 

  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 196 Member

    Take it at night.  And don't

    Take it at night.  And don't give up.  I was diagnosed with Stage 3 in 1987.  I took tamoxifen for 7 years because no one knew how long to take it back then (they still don't--ha, ha).  Anyway, I believe tamoxifen was responsible for my 18 year remission.  I wish I had taken it 10 years! 

    cynthia-

    I did switch to taking it at night - hasn't helped much with the 'fogginess' in the morning.  I'm going to try to take it in the evening - when I get home from work...I actually quit taking it for a week and a half - I felt like the old me :)   No dizziness/fogginess or bone/joint pain...I know I need to take it - so, I started back a few nights ago...

    Andi :)

  • andi44
    andi44 Member Posts: 196 Member

    Just finished my first

    Just finished my first whole bottle of Tamoxifen--only 59 more bottles to go! Andi, I, too, am not real happy with taking this drug. It's just so aggravating that I escaped hot flashes during my natural menopause--only now I get the priviledge to experience these lovely hot flashes courtesy of tamoxifen!!  I'm hoping that this side effect might get milder or go away completely after awhile.  I have read about armidex and it has its own SE that don't sound like too much fun either. I think I can deal with the hot flashes better than joint pain, though. 

    Sounds like we both started tamoxifen about the same time--so at least we can encourage each other on this journey.

    Beth

    Beth-

    I haven't experienced any hot flashes - just the dizziness & a bit of bone/joint pain...I'm counting down the bottles too...instead of the '99 bottles of beer on the wall' - song - I'm singing 58 more bottles of pills to take, 58 more bottles of pills, take one down and throw it around, 57 more bottles of pills to take... I hate taking pills - yuck !!!

    Anyway, Please keep me updated as to how you are doing...

    Andi :)

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    jlharris said:

    Switching from Arimidex

    Suzanne;

    Why did you switch from arimidex to tamoxifen? Did you have worse side effects from arimidex? Just curious because I am currently on arimidex (two week now) and have had no side effects.

    Thanks,

    Jenifer

    Why I switched from Arimidex to Tamoxifen

    I'm sorry I didn't answer this previously.  I lost my hair 3 years ago to chemotherapy and haven't seen it since (well, I have SOME hair, but I look like the crypt keeper).  The medical profession has a hard time accepting that it is from the Taxotere because it is a really really rare side effect and my oncologist has been determined it had to be attributable to something else (that can be fixed).  So the switch was to see whether it was  due to the was the Arimidex.  She was not comfortable without me taking something for ER+ and thought that since AIs work differently than Tamoxifen, it was worth trying.  It didn't make any difference.  I saw her yesterday and we decided to stay with Tamoxifen simply because while I didn't think Arimidex was causing any joint pain, I have absolutely none on Tamoxifen so I guess those aches I thought were age ralated might have been related to Arimidex.  I assured her that I planned on complaining about my hair for the rest of my life and since she extended my life, she needed to be prepared to hear about it for a long time.  

    And, all the talk about taking Tamoxifen for 10 years instead of 5 - well, I don't think I'm going to do that, but will do it for 5 and revisit how I feel about it then.  "They'll" probably change their minds again by then anyway . .  .

    Suzanne 

  • Lynn Smith
    Lynn Smith Member Posts: 1,264 Member
    andi44 said:

    cynthia-

    I did switch to taking it at night - hasn't helped much with the 'fogginess' in the morning.  I'm going to try to take it in the evening - when I get home from work...I actually quit taking it for a week and a half - I felt like the old me :)   No dizziness/fogginess or bone/joint pain...I know I need to take it - so, I started back a few nights ago...

    Andi :)

    Andi44

    Andi44- I wonder why the difference with us on the radiation.Maybe tumor size.My tumor was 1/2 centimeter.I always thought it would be at least radiation but was told in the beginning no chemo.

    There are 4 in my family with breast cancer.Mom was dx at 21 and lived to be 81.Then my niece, me and last year my sister.So a family history.A aunt and cousin had benign breast tumors. 

    It's been 4 years for me.I don't know if I'll ever feel comfortable.I'm afraid if I do feel that way then the beast would come back when I least expect it.Cancer is life changing and I think we feel that way from now on. I try not to talk about it as much now around people.Sometimes I wish I'd never told anyone but family.  

    Lynn Smith