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When do you take your tamoxifen?

lovs2decorate
lovs2decorate CSN Member Posts: 44
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am going to start taking tamoxifen soon (I picked the 4th of July).
With the side effects that most people tend to have,I was wondering is there a better time to take it than another? Does it take a few days to start to feel those side effects? I have asked my doctor and tend to get the "everyone is different" answer. Just looking for some experiances if possible.

I am a newbie.When I looked into joining a group, I was told that my local support group takes off for the summer. I'm feeling rather lost. I'm so glad I found a place where I feel like I belong.Thank you all for being here and in the same breath, I'm sorry we have to be.
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Comments

  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn CSN Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #2
    Welcome!
    I'm also sorry we all have to be here, but am so grateful under the circumstances to have this place to come for information, support, and laughter (sometimes through the tears).

    I've just been on Tamoxifen for a little over a month, and have been taking it in the AM. I had read a post a while back (from Traci) that her doctor had recommended her to tske hers in the morning after she had been taking it at night and having problems with hot flashes.

    I still get hot flashes, even after my doc prescribed Effexor. The Effexor did help quite a bit, and now it's more like really warm flashes and there are fewer of them that before.

    Hang in there!

    Cindy
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  • mjjones453
    mjjones453 CSN Member Posts: 155
    #3
    cindycflynn said:

    Welcome!
    I'm also sorry we all have to be here, but am so grateful under the circumstances to have this place to come for information, support, and laughter (sometimes through the tears).

    I've just been on Tamoxifen for a little over a month, and have been taking it in the AM. I had read a post a while back (from Traci) that her doctor had recommended her to tske hers in the morning after she had been taking it at night and having problems with hot flashes.

    I still get hot flashes, even after my doc prescribed Effexor. The Effexor did help quite a bit, and now it's more like really warm flashes and there are fewer of them that before.

    Hang in there!

    Cindy

    welcome!
    I have been taking Tomoxifen since May 6. I was told to take mine with my heaviest meal, so I take it at supper time. I am lucky so far, as to not having any hot flashes at all. I wish you the best, Mary
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  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA CSN Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #4
    mjjones453 said:

    welcome!
    I have been taking Tomoxifen since May 6. I was told to take mine with my heaviest meal, so I take it at supper time. I am lucky so far, as to not having any hot flashes at all. I wish you the best, Mary

    Welcome! (and good memory, Cindy!)
    Before I started Tamoxifen 7 months ago, my doctor also just kind of shrugged when I asked him what time of day to take it.

    (BTW, I take the 20-mg, once-a-day pills. Some doctors prescribe 10-mg, pills twice a day.)

    I started taking it at bedtime -- by the 2nd night, I was up every 2 hours with wicked hot flashes. So I switched to taking it in the morning, and it really helped -- they're now more like the "warm flashes" Cindy describes. And, strangely, I never have them during the day.

    I'm very careful to take mine with breakfast, never on an empty stomach -- I have no idea if that's really necessary, but my tummy is naturally a little temperamental anyway, so it seems like a good idea.

    I can tell you that I'm having no other side effects that I notice (so far, so good!)

    I think it sucks that the support group you were looking into takes off for the summer -- 'cause I'm pretty sure that cancer doesn't! So I'm especially glad that you found us -- we're always here!

    Traci
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  • chenheart
    chenheart CSN Member Posts: 5,159 Member
    #5
    TraciInLA said:

    Welcome! (and good memory, Cindy!)
    Before I started Tamoxifen 7 months ago, my doctor also just kind of shrugged when I asked him what time of day to take it.

    (BTW, I take the 20-mg, once-a-day pills. Some doctors prescribe 10-mg, pills twice a day.)

    I started taking it at bedtime -- by the 2nd night, I was up every 2 hours with wicked hot flashes. So I switched to taking it in the morning, and it really helped -- they're now more like the "warm flashes" Cindy describes. And, strangely, I never have them during the day.

    I'm very careful to take mine with breakfast, never on an empty stomach -- I have no idea if that's really necessary, but my tummy is naturally a little temperamental anyway, so it seems like a good idea.

    I can tell you that I'm having no other side effects that I notice (so far, so good!)

    I think it sucks that the support group you were looking into takes off for the summer -- 'cause I'm pretty sure that cancer doesn't! So I'm especially glad that you found us -- we're always here!

    Traci

    I thought cancer did take
    I thought cancer did take off for the summer...same way as it isn't active on weekends, which is why rads are scheduled Mon-Fri. Oh well, my bad!

    Seriously, I thought it was strange too, maybe with school out, and families going on vacation, etc, the group is less supported during the summer or something.

    Hugs,
    Chen
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  • Sally5
    Sally5 CSN Member Posts: 87
    #6
    chenheart said:

    I thought cancer did take
    I thought cancer did take off for the summer...same way as it isn't active on weekends, which is why rads are scheduled Mon-Fri. Oh well, my bad!

    Seriously, I thought it was strange too, maybe with school out, and families going on vacation, etc, the group is less supported during the summer or something.

    Hugs,
    Chen

    Thanks
    Hi all,

    I am about to start Tamoxifen, too. Thanks for the info. I am a bit hesitant with all the side effects I've heard about. Great info. about when to take it. I also heard that Vit. E could help with the hot flashes...
    I am new to this. (7 weeks out from surgery).

    Wow, funny. I went to a support group too just before my surgery and I found out they were on a break for Easter... My cancer didn't take a break.

    You all have helped me keep my sanity. .... thanks....
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  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope CSN Member Posts: 823
    #7
    I took it in the morning for
    I took it in the morning for a couple of weeks and had HORRIBLE headaches. I then started taking them at night and no headache.

    We're all so different.

    You may have to play around and find what works for you.

    Best of luck,
    dh
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  • KathiM
    KathiM CSN Member Posts: 8,027 Member
    #8
    Right before bed...
    I don't notice any sides...but it could be because I am sleeping! I'm in my last year of it...YEA!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
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