Tamoxifen and sun exposure

BethInAz

Has anybody read anything about tamoxifen making you more susceptible to sun exposure sensitivity? I was out for a walk yesterday and later in the evening realized I had sunburn on both arms. I'm not usually sensitive to the sun and don't usually burn so easily. Wondering if it's the tamoxifen - and, if so, why...
Thanks for any knowledge y'all have!
Beth

pattimc

Beth...Me too!
I'm on Tamoxifen and was sitting out on the patio for about 20 minutes and my arms got burnt! I don't normally burn either and was wondering the same thing.

Glad you asked the question!

Patti

Christine Louise

Yep, I wonder
When I first started chemo, I walked the dog with only my hands uncovered and got a horrible, itchy, poison ivy-like rash within 15 minutes. The oncologist said it was from the chemo, so I suppose Tamoxifen could make you sun-sensitive, too. She thought that using lots of sunscreen -- way more than usual -- would prevent it.

Kat11

Christine Louise said:

Yep, I wonder
When I first started chemo, I walked the dog with only my hands uncovered and got a horrible, itchy, poison ivy-like rash within 15 minutes. The oncologist said it was from the chemo, so I suppose Tamoxifen could make you sun-sensitive, too. She thought that using lots of sunscreen -- way more than usual -- would prevent it.

Went to grandkids soccer
Went to grandkids soccer game today, so first time for me in the sun since Tamoxifen, Turned red and itchy. Had sunscreen on, did not really burn just got red and itchy.

Sher43009

Kat11 said:

Went to grandkids soccer
Went to grandkids soccer game today, so first time for me in the sun since Tamoxifen, Turned red and itchy. Had sunscreen on, did not really burn just got red and itchy.

Same thing with me. I had
Same thing with me. I had #30 sunscreen on but could only be out in the sun for 20 min. before I turned red and itchy. I was told it was from both the chemo and tamoxifen.

BethInAz

Sher43009 said:

Same thing with me. I had
Same thing with me. I had #30 sunscreen on but could only be out in the sun for 20 min. before I turned red and itchy. I was told it was from both the chemo and tamoxifen.

Sunscreen needed here
Gosh! Thanks, everybody for the advice/experiences. I suppose I'm going to have to be very careful this summer... I live in AZ where the sun shines every day and it's pretty intense. So, I suppose I should purchase stock in Coppertone.
Beth

chenheart

I found lots of info online
I found lots of info online about Tamoxifen and sun sensitivity; this one seems pretty much right to the point! A question was posed about a friend on Tamox and sun exposure.

"Concerning Tamoxifen, your friend should know that sun exposure should be avoided and protective clothes worn when in the sun. This drug causes skin sensitivity to sun and women who are using this medication need to wear sun protection factor 30 and higher to protect themselves from sun’s influence."

Sigh~ if it isn't one thing, it's another isn't it?!

SPF 50 Hugs,
Chen♥

Kat11

chenheart said:

I found lots of info online
I found lots of info online about Tamoxifen and sun sensitivity; this one seems pretty much right to the point! A question was posed about a friend on Tamox and sun exposure.

"Concerning Tamoxifen, your friend should know that sun exposure should be avoided and protective clothes worn when in the sun. This drug causes skin sensitivity to sun and women who are using this medication need to wear sun protection factor 30 and higher to protect themselves from sun’s influence."

Sigh~ if it isn't one thing, it's another isn't it?!

SPF 50 Hugs,
Chen♥

Thanks for the info Chen. I
Thanks for the info Chen. I thought last summer was bad with chemo. It's for me worse on Tamoxifen. My face turns red, like bright red. I look terrible. Like I have over heated and ready to blow. It is embarrassing as well. It last for a long time, not just a hot flash and it's gone. It's a pain in the ---. Anyone have any thoughts on this ?

bluwillo

I'll find the good in this!
This is my first visit here (wish I would have come much sooner!) and my first post.

I found SPF 50 SPRAY ON (!) sunscreen at Walgreens. The bottle I got was labeled for kids, but I compared it to the exact product for adults, and all the ingredients and amounts were the same. So why did I buy the kids? Cos I'm broke and cheap!! The kids bottle had a free 33% more in it! And I wanted spray on because I hate smearing stuff on me.

Also, in the "I'll find the good in this cancer cr*p department", our Walgreen's sells Hallmark cards. Hallmark now has a line of breast cancer stuff...they have an olive green baseball cap that says "One Tough Chick!" on it. Guess what's sitting on my head right now? And, guess who gave it to me? The cosmetics lady at Walgreen...she's been on this journey with me since I was diagnosed last year. Her sis had died 4 days before...so there was more crying than usual in the Hallmark aisle that day. She said the hat would look perfect with my red cowboy boots (which another friend had given me to kick cancer's butt). I don't know how the cancer feels about the boots (like I care!) but they sure made ME feel better!

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am very mad at the cancer and refuse to give it any positive vibes at all. I'm in a war with it, and will use anything to win, mostly my sense of humor.

Christine Louise

bluwillo said:

I'll find the good in this!
This is my first visit here (wish I would have come much sooner!) and my first post.

I found SPF 50 SPRAY ON (!) sunscreen at Walgreens. The bottle I got was labeled for kids, but I compared it to the exact product for adults, and all the ingredients and amounts were the same. So why did I buy the kids? Cos I'm broke and cheap!! The kids bottle had a free 33% more in it! And I wanted spray on because I hate smearing stuff on me.

Also, in the "I'll find the good in this cancer cr*p department", our Walgreen's sells Hallmark cards. Hallmark now has a line of breast cancer stuff...they have an olive green baseball cap that says "One Tough Chick!" on it. Guess what's sitting on my head right now? And, guess who gave it to me? The cosmetics lady at Walgreen...she's been on this journey with me since I was diagnosed last year. Her sis had died 4 days before...so there was more crying than usual in the Hallmark aisle that day. She said the hat would look perfect with my red cowboy boots (which another friend had given me to kick cancer's butt). I don't know how the cancer feels about the boots (like I care!) but they sure made ME feel better!

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am very mad at the cancer and refuse to give it any positive vibes at all. I'm in a war with it, and will use anything to win, mostly my sense of humor.

Welcome!
I love your boots and hat! Not too big on pink ribbons, personally (I applaud the thought, just not the look), so a green Tough Chick hat sounds fab and I'm gonna look for it.

Good tip about the sunscreen, thanks.

BethInAz

bluwillo said:

I'll find the good in this!
This is my first visit here (wish I would have come much sooner!) and my first post.

I found SPF 50 SPRAY ON (!) sunscreen at Walgreens. The bottle I got was labeled for kids, but I compared it to the exact product for adults, and all the ingredients and amounts were the same. So why did I buy the kids? Cos I'm broke and cheap!! The kids bottle had a free 33% more in it! And I wanted spray on because I hate smearing stuff on me.

Also, in the "I'll find the good in this cancer cr*p department", our Walgreen's sells Hallmark cards. Hallmark now has a line of breast cancer stuff...they have an olive green baseball cap that says "One Tough Chick!" on it. Guess what's sitting on my head right now? And, guess who gave it to me? The cosmetics lady at Walgreen...she's been on this journey with me since I was diagnosed last year. Her sis had died 4 days before...so there was more crying than usual in the Hallmark aisle that day. She said the hat would look perfect with my red cowboy boots (which another friend had given me to kick cancer's butt). I don't know how the cancer feels about the boots (like I care!) but they sure made ME feel better!

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am very mad at the cancer and refuse to give it any positive vibes at all. I'm in a war with it, and will use anything to win, mostly my sense of humor.

Ballcaps
Bluwillo - the ballcap a friend gave me is pink - but says "Fight Like a Girl." I'm wearing it to the Relay for Life later in June. Yours sounds great, too! Love the red boots as well. You have a great princess warrior attitude. I admire that. I'm trying but sometimes the fear crops up and gets in the way.
Beth

bluwillo

BethInAz said:

Ballcaps
Bluwillo - the ballcap a friend gave me is pink - but says "Fight Like a Girl." I'm wearing it to the Relay for Life later in June. Yours sounds great, too! Love the red boots as well. You have a great princess warrior attitude. I admire that. I'm trying but sometimes the fear crops up and gets in the way.
Beth

Fear
Oh, Beth, I still get (am) scared, but I try really hard not to let it rule my life. I was really lucky that during diagnosis and treatment, I was also going to college full time. Also, helping my DH run our business. I thought if I ran fast enough, the cancer would say "Dude, we can't keep up, we're outta here!" LOL! See with which disdain I regard cancer? Anyway, after I finished school last month I have a little more time, so a little more room for the fear. Thankfully, tho, I have less to be afraid of now. I feel like I've been there, done that and totally have the scars to prove it! I know now that whatever comes up, I can get thru it.

(Oh, and I never allow myself to go into my room, curl up in a ball on the bed, and vow never to leave that position. I know when I feel like doing that, the fear is winning...so I start a new project or divert myself. I talk to myself ALOT! LOL!)

BethInAz

bluwillo said:

Fear
Oh, Beth, I still get (am) scared, but I try really hard not to let it rule my life. I was really lucky that during diagnosis and treatment, I was also going to college full time. Also, helping my DH run our business. I thought if I ran fast enough, the cancer would say "Dude, we can't keep up, we're outta here!" LOL! See with which disdain I regard cancer? Anyway, after I finished school last month I have a little more time, so a little more room for the fear. Thankfully, tho, I have less to be afraid of now. I feel like I've been there, done that and totally have the scars to prove it! I know now that whatever comes up, I can get thru it.

(Oh, and I never allow myself to go into my room, curl up in a ball on the bed, and vow never to leave that position. I know when I feel like doing that, the fear is winning...so I start a new project or divert myself. I talk to myself ALOT! LOL!)

Great philosophy
This is a great philosophy. When fear strikes my heart, I dive into the Bible and read through some Psalms. Thanks for the tip on sunscreen, too.
Beth

Bella Luna

Thanks for the tip. I
Thanks for the tip. I started Tamoxifen in mid-March and had no idea about sun sensitivity. I will make an extra effort to stay under wraps when outdoors. Luckily, I have worn sun hats for several years so that habit shouldn't be hard to continue. Best of luck with your journey.
BL

u2cansurvive

Bella Luna said:

Thanks for the tip. I
Thanks for the tip. I started Tamoxifen in mid-March and had no idea about sun sensitivity. I will make an extra effort to stay under wraps when outdoors. Luckily, I have worn sun hats for several years so that habit shouldn't be hard to continue. Best of luck with your journey.
BL

Thanks for the info
I am not on Tamoxifen, but Aromasin. I have been experiencing red face also. I thought it was Rosasea, but after reading the posts have come to the conclusion , it might be my meds. I will try the sun screen. Thanks for sharing.

GB28

Tamoxifen and the sun

im newly diagnosed this year and post surgery have only been on Tamixifen for about 3weeks. My sisters and I decided a break from all of this was in order, so off to the Florida gulf we went!  After one day on the beach I felt 'itchy' but thought little of it. After day two I had a raised, itchy, bubbly poison ivy type rash all over! I did use sunblock, and I'm generally a 'dark tan' skin type but it looks like my days of relaxing in the sun are limited and change is in order for the next five years :-/ 

one search in google brought up multiple links to 'tamoxifen and Sun Senditivity' 

disneyfan2008

The only reason I was told to

The only reason I was told to use lots of sunscsreen was due to radiation. (when I wore tank tops or swim suit) more so.

 

Denise

Teach76

Always and forever forward, protect

I don't know all about your treatment, but if you are just beginning Tamoxifen, I assume you had radiation recently.  I am just headed to radiation in about 3 weeks, and with the Summer sun fast approaching, I was told that for the rest of my life I will have to protect the radiated side.  RO suggested shirts with SPF.  

Planning to head to Florida myself when treatments are done, so I at least am glad to hear it is still the "Sunshine State,". We have had so much rain in PA in May, so it's hard to go out and purchase sunscreen when you still have the heat on in the house!

Enjoy your vacation!

Nene543917

Tamoxifen and Sun

Hi, I do think like someone said that the Tamoxifen does make more sun sensitive.  The fact that we have also had radiation also adds to the equation. The rash that everyone os talking about is most likely a contact dermatitis. I had that during my radiation treatment. Itchy as heck and I had to get a special medication to alleviate the symptoms. Hope this helps. 

Nene