tamaxofen

neda

Ok! I have been crying for the last 3 days, because I was so scared to started taking tamaxofen ( for 5 years) and just didn't know what to do! finaly I had a prayer and took the first one.I am very emotional. I don't want to write negetive things here to possibily scared somebody who is in the sam esituation, but it is hard to start a medicine that cause a risk of getting another cancer.Does it effect the hair or skin also? I know the benfits are more but I am just so scared. i wanted to share it with you. Have a wonderfull day to everybody.
Neda.

KathiM

Tamoxifen is MY friend...for 3 years!!!
The first month or so was the only time I had any trouble...and that could have been from the hysterectomy I had had 6 months earlier for the rectal cancer...infrequent hot flushes.

On the PLUS side of Tami....I took it instead of the Aromatase Inhibitors (AI's) because my bones were very porous...osteoporosis from the chemo, etc. When I started Tami, I also started Actonel. 2 years later, my bones continue to get better, part (my hip) is osteopenic (VERY mild osteoporosis), and the back has improved!!!! The AI's have a nasty habit of negatively affecting bone density, and raising cholesterol levels. You are right on when you say that most meds have risks with their benefits, but I REALLY don't want breast cancer again...I look HORRIBLE in pink!!! ROFL!!!

Hugs, Kathi

tjhay

tamoxifen
I started tamixifen in April, and yes I also had concerns, however after chemo, having no hair, a grey complexion, and no evergy. Well I would rather have a slight chance of another cancer. As far as appearance is concerned, that is what make up, and hats are for. Not to make light of it but seriously tamoxifen helps, it is another weapon for you to use in your against cancer. Fight now with the weapons your given, deal and worry about what its when what ifs happen. Face today strong and proud don't worry about tomorrow. You are a strong capable person, and you can do this, one day at a time girl.
Tj

babebussie

Neda, it's okay to cry,
Neda, it's okay to cry, trust me i've been doing alot of that myself. I started tamo just a week ago and i havent had any problems thus far. I was also scared to take it, hell it took me 3 months to actually start it but you know what i got over the fear and took my 1st pill last week. I'm still here and dont have anything bad to say about the little white pill.
It's okay honey, you'll be fine.

Praying for you luv,
Babe

neda

KathiM said:

Tamoxifen is MY friend...for 3 years!!!
The first month or so was the only time I had any trouble...and that could have been from the hysterectomy I had had 6 months earlier for the rectal cancer...infrequent hot flushes.

On the PLUS side of Tami....I took it instead of the Aromatase Inhibitors (AI's) because my bones were very porous...osteoporosis from the chemo, etc. When I started Tami, I also started Actonel. 2 years later, my bones continue to get better, part (my hip) is osteopenic (VERY mild osteoporosis), and the back has improved!!!! The AI's have a nasty habit of negatively affecting bone density, and raising cholesterol levels. You are right on when you say that most meds have risks with their benefits, but I REALLY don't want breast cancer again...I look HORRIBLE in pink!!! ROFL!!!

Hugs, Kathi

Thanks.
Thank you and I wish you the best possible recovery.

neda

tjhay said:

tamoxifen
I started tamixifen in April, and yes I also had concerns, however after chemo, having no hair, a grey complexion, and no evergy. Well I would rather have a slight chance of another cancer. As far as appearance is concerned, that is what make up, and hats are for. Not to make light of it but seriously tamoxifen helps, it is another weapon for you to use in your against cancer. Fight now with the weapons your given, deal and worry about what its when what ifs happen. Face today strong and proud don't worry about tomorrow. You are a strong capable person, and you can do this, one day at a time girl.
Tj

OK!
Thank you I will do my best and with relying I God I will do It.YO ara right we are strong and we can do it!

I will have yo in my prayers for a complete recovery and that this road will be a easier road for you in future.

Thank you.

neda

babebussie said:

Neda, it's okay to cry,
Neda, it's okay to cry, trust me i've been doing alot of that myself. I started tamo just a week ago and i havent had any problems thus far. I was also scared to take it, hell it took me 3 months to actually start it but you know what i got over the fear and took my 1st pill last week. I'm still here and dont have anything bad to say about the little white pill.
It's okay honey, you'll be fine.

Praying for you luv,
Babe

Thanks
Thank you. Its been few hours since I took the first one. So far so good.:) You as anyone else here are in my prayres too.

Neda.

Christmas Girl

Hello, Neda!
Please, don't be frightened of the Tamoxifen - think, instead: it is a GOOD medicine, because it will lessen your risk of recurrence. It is truly another weapon for the battle. Your risk of recurrence is higher without it. Your risk of another type of cancer is much, much slimmer. It's a matter of balancing those risks.

Heck, even simple aspirin has potential side effects - and, people take it and other over-the-counter medications without ever even thinking about risks!

I took Tamoxifen for 2 years, before being switched to Arimidex - now 3+ years & still counting. NO SIDE EFFECTS WHATSOEVER from the Tamoxifen!

Please don't let that itty, bitty white pill scare you. Another bout with breast cancer is much scarier, isn't it?

Best wishes to you, Neda. I hope you'll do just fine with it.

Kind regards, Susan

Christmas Girl

KathiM said:

Tamoxifen is MY friend...for 3 years!!!
The first month or so was the only time I had any trouble...and that could have been from the hysterectomy I had had 6 months earlier for the rectal cancer...infrequent hot flushes.

On the PLUS side of Tami....I took it instead of the Aromatase Inhibitors (AI's) because my bones were very porous...osteoporosis from the chemo, etc. When I started Tami, I also started Actonel. 2 years later, my bones continue to get better, part (my hip) is osteopenic (VERY mild osteoporosis), and the back has improved!!!! The AI's have a nasty habit of negatively affecting bone density, and raising cholesterol levels. You are right on when you say that most meds have risks with their benefits, but I REALLY don't want breast cancer again...I look HORRIBLE in pink!!! ROFL!!!

Hugs, Kathi

Kathi in pink!
Kathi, you are so pretty, I can't imagine a color that's NOT lovely for you!

Actually, before BC - I didn't own a single thing in pink. To me, back then, pink was for babies & little girls. Right around when I was diagnosed (almost 6 years ago), pink became THE fashion color in a big way! And, still is...

Personally, I think EVERY woman looks good in pink! No matter skin tone, nor hair & eye color.

Do you prefer turquoise, as tasha does? :-)

Kind regards, Susan

Christmas Girl

tjhay said:

tamoxifen
I started tamixifen in April, and yes I also had concerns, however after chemo, having no hair, a grey complexion, and no evergy. Well I would rather have a slight chance of another cancer. As far as appearance is concerned, that is what make up, and hats are for. Not to make light of it but seriously tamoxifen helps, it is another weapon for you to use in your against cancer. Fight now with the weapons your given, deal and worry about what its when what ifs happen. Face today strong and proud don't worry about tomorrow. You are a strong capable person, and you can do this, one day at a time girl.
Tj

Hi, Tjhay!
I'm so glad you are taking Tamoxifen! And, I'm relieved, too. I worry very much about those who resist, because the benefits far outweigh the risks. I took it for 2 years with absolutely no side effects whatsoever. I'll be hoping it will be so for you, too.

Best wishes, and...

Kind regards, Susan

Christmas Girl

babebussie said:

Neda, it's okay to cry,
Neda, it's okay to cry, trust me i've been doing alot of that myself. I started tamo just a week ago and i havent had any problems thus far. I was also scared to take it, hell it took me 3 months to actually start it but you know what i got over the fear and took my 1st pill last week. I'm still here and dont have anything bad to say about the little white pill.
It's okay honey, you'll be fine.

Praying for you luv,
Babe

You, too, Babe...
I'm relieved that you, too, Babe, are taking Tamoxifen. And, I'll be hoping it'll do what it's supposed to for you, most importantly. Also, I'll be hoping you don't experience any negative side effects.

Best wishes to you!

Kind regards, Susan

Ltalcott

one week into it
I've been on Tamoxifen since May 1st now. No side effects at all. I thought maybe a headache, which I was told was one side effect, but I get headaches all the time, so I can't blame it on the Tamoxifen.

I was glad to hear someone post that they only had problems for a month or so.

I didn't know whether se would start right away, or whether they would build up.

Guess they could go either way?

Lisa

Piggies

Tamoxifen
I've been on Tamoxifen since November 2008. I started taking it about two weeks after my last radiation treatment. I had early stage 1 breast cancer, had a lumpectomy and did not need chemo, which was great! I had my concerns about taking the Tamoxifen. I heard about menopause like symptons such as hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats. I was very concerned about that because I have not gone through menopause and I am way to young for it. I haven't had any hot flashes and from what I am told, if you have one you'll know it. I've had very few night sweats. Other than that, so far so good and I've been on it for a little over six months. As for the other side effects, I have a wonderful oncologist, gynecologist, radiation oncologist and surgical oncologist all who monitor me closely. I believe taking the Tamoxifen is better than not taking it.

tasha_111

Piggies said:

Tamoxifen
I've been on Tamoxifen since November 2008. I started taking it about two weeks after my last radiation treatment. I had early stage 1 breast cancer, had a lumpectomy and did not need chemo, which was great! I had my concerns about taking the Tamoxifen. I heard about menopause like symptons such as hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats. I was very concerned about that because I have not gone through menopause and I am way to young for it. I haven't had any hot flashes and from what I am told, if you have one you'll know it. I've had very few night sweats. Other than that, so far so good and I've been on it for a little over six months. As for the other side effects, I have a wonderful oncologist, gynecologist, radiation oncologist and surgical oncologist all who monitor me closely. I believe taking the Tamoxifen is better than not taking it.

Tamoxifen
Hi there. I have been on Tamoxifen for almost a year now.. The MAJOR Problem I have with it is remembering to take it every day. No other side effects.. I hope you will get along with it as well as most people do.

Hugs Jxxxx

Christmas Girl

Ltalcott said:

one week into it
I've been on Tamoxifen since May 1st now. No side effects at all. I thought maybe a headache, which I was told was one side effect, but I get headaches all the time, so I can't blame it on the Tamoxifen.

I was glad to hear someone post that they only had problems for a month or so.

I didn't know whether se would start right away, or whether they would build up.

Guess they could go either way?

Lisa

Only one week into it...
Potential side effects from Tamoxifen may take a bit of time to show up, if they're going to at all. Also, side effects can "peak" and then level off, or even subside completely. Of course, I'm speaking of what I call the "annoying" side effects - not necessarily the debilitating and/or serious ones.

So, yes - could go either way.

I'll be sincerely hoping you experience no side effects whatsoever.

Kind regards, Susan