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Tamoxifen and stomach discomfort?

throbinson
throbinson CSN Member Posts: 14
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello -- I've been on Tamoxifen for a relatively short period of time. I had two normal, on-time periods, then no period the third month. I've also noticed a fair amount of stomach/abdominal discomfort in the last few weeks, and I'm wondering if others on Tamoxifen have experienced this. I feel somewhat bloated and crampy, and noticed some constipation and gas as well.

I haven't experienced some of the other side effects I had been told to expect, like hot flashes or vaginal dryness. Would anybody else like to share their experiences? Also, any remedies for the stomach problems?
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  • cruf
    cruf CSN Member Posts: 908 Member
    #2
    Hi! I've been on Tamoxifen for 4.5 years and have had major bloating, and constipation the whole time. I also have irritable bowel syndrome so have really blamed my symptoms on that. I drink alot of water and eat alot of fiber and veggies with hope to improve the constipation. I think that also causes the increased gas. The only thing that has helped me has been taking Senna plus which is a laxative with a stool softner. I also have had hot flashes for the entire time but I have to say, I'd rather these side effects rather than the return of BC. Good luck. Hope you find relief. Let me know if you do. HUGS!! Cathy
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  • throbinson
    throbinson CSN Member Posts: 14
    #3
    cruf said:

    Hi! I've been on Tamoxifen for 4.5 years and have had major bloating, and constipation the whole time. I also have irritable bowel syndrome so have really blamed my symptoms on that. I drink alot of water and eat alot of fiber and veggies with hope to improve the constipation. I think that also causes the increased gas. The only thing that has helped me has been taking Senna plus which is a laxative with a stool softner. I also have had hot flashes for the entire time but I have to say, I'd rather these side effects rather than the return of BC. Good luck. Hope you find relief. Let me know if you do. HUGS!! Cathy

    Thanks Cathy -- I think I'm going to add a couple of daily doses of Citrucel to my daily regimen. Senna is a little too harsh for me to take.

    I agree, putting up with some physical annoyances is much better than having more breast cancer to deal with.

    Thanks,
    Tracey
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  • bmoe
    bmoe CSN Member Posts: 3
    #4
    throbinson said:

    Thanks Cathy -- I think I'm going to add a couple of daily doses of Citrucel to my daily regimen. Senna is a little too harsh for me to take.

    I agree, putting up with some physical annoyances is much better than having more breast cancer to deal with.

    Thanks,
    Tracey

    Hi there -
    I've been on tamoxifen since August. The major side effects have been dizziness and nausea/queasiness. The dizziness has recently disappeared (knock on wood!), and we took care of the stomach issue by getting me a prescription for Protonix (an ulcer drug) - it works well with no side effects of its own.
    Good luck!
    Beth
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