Tamoxifen and Leg Cramps~ what have you done about it???? OUCH!!!!

135

Comments

  • sal314
    sal314 Member Posts: 599 Member
    #42
    I Feel Your Pain
    I got them too, but only on my left calf. I was so paranoid when they first started I made my doctor order an ultrasound to make sure it wasn't a blood clot.

    Turned out it was fine. They come and go and seem to get worse if I'm stressed. I haven't done anything for it, but I've heard calcium supplements can help?

    Hope they subside.

    Sally
  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #43
    chenheart said:

    Thanks for asking~ I am
    Thanks for asking~ I am feeling really, frighteningly well, actually. It does scare me only because I am waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop, and pain or something to set in...honestly, if I didn't know I was sick, I wouldn't know I am sick! I am still doing everything I always did~walking the 3 miles a day, being part of my book club, going out to dinner with friends and family, cleaning the house, cooking and eating dinner, shopping~ absolutely everything! I feel lulled into a state of denial, and it is unnerving sometimes. If that makes any sense at all!

    Hugs,
    Chen♥

    Glad to hear it!
    Enjoy feeling great and I hope it continues for you throughout treatment and beyond. Glad you started this post-lots of good things to try! I took my B vitamin today. I buy 2 avacados every time I go to the store so I have that covered. I forgot to get bananas today, darn! And love the soap idea, even if it doesn't help it certainly can't hurt! I'll have to read through again to see if I missed anything.
  • dena brannan
    dena brannan Member Posts: 6
    #44
    sal314 said:

    I Feel Your Pain
    I got them too, but only on my left calf. I was so paranoid when they first started I made my doctor order an ultrasound to make sure it wasn't a blood clot.

    Turned out it was fine. They come and go and seem to get worse if I'm stressed. I haven't done anything for it, but I've heard calcium supplements can help?

    Hope they subside.

    Sally

    tamoxifen
    leg cramps im used to potassium def. what i really need to know is what do you do when you sweat through everything you own overnight
  • dena brannan
    dena brannan Member Posts: 6
    #45
    sal314 said:

    I Feel Your Pain
    I got them too, but only on my left calf. I was so paranoid when they first started I made my doctor order an ultrasound to make sure it wasn't a blood clot.

    Turned out it was fine. They come and go and seem to get worse if I'm stressed. I haven't done anything for it, but I've heard calcium supplements can help?

    Hope they subside.

    Sally

    tamoxifen
    leg cramps im used to potassium def. what i really need to know is what do you do when you sweat through everything you own overnight
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #46
    dena brannan said:

    tamoxifen
    leg cramps im used to potassium def. what i really need to know is what do you do when you sweat through everything you own overnight

    I havent had leg cramps, but
    I havent had leg cramps, but i do get hot then cold then hot. I dont sweat too badly, but in the heat or sun my skin feels prickly. I had leg cramps when i was preganant I learned to never flex my feet downward and thry stopped. hope it continues to work
  • Curlz
    Curlz Member Posts: 42
    #47
    carkris said:

    I havent had leg cramps, but
    I havent had leg cramps, but i do get hot then cold then hot. I dont sweat too badly, but in the heat or sun my skin feels prickly. I had leg cramps when i was preganant I learned to never flex my feet downward and thry stopped. hope it continues to work

    Leave it to this group...
    To confirm my suspicion (that Tamoxifen can indeed be blamed on my terrible foot cramps) AND to offer up creative solutions! I know that potassium is good for charlie horses, so I've taken it on occasion, but I really hate bananas (unless they're in banana bread...hmm...maybe I've got to find a light muffin recipe?). LOVE tonic water, but didn't know about avocados being so high in K--will try them too.

    The crazy thing is that I went to my massage therapist (OMG, I leave there feeling like jelly) and he spent the first 1/2 hour on one foot. And the next 1/2 hour on the other. That's how bad they were! It suddenly dawned on my that my doctor's assistant has asked me a few times if I have leg cramps (nothing of great note), but maybe that's what's causing the feet to cramp! And here I was blaming it on the switch from sandals/bare feet to closed shoes. DUH!

    Thanks for all of the info/tips, ladies! Will let you know if the soap thing works for me. One question--do you put your feet/legs ON the bar? If so, I'm wondering if the elevation is helping too...?
    Curlz
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #48
    Curlz said:

    Leave it to this group...
    To confirm my suspicion (that Tamoxifen can indeed be blamed on my terrible foot cramps) AND to offer up creative solutions! I know that potassium is good for charlie horses, so I've taken it on occasion, but I really hate bananas (unless they're in banana bread...hmm...maybe I've got to find a light muffin recipe?). LOVE tonic water, but didn't know about avocados being so high in K--will try them too.

    The crazy thing is that I went to my massage therapist (OMG, I leave there feeling like jelly) and he spent the first 1/2 hour on one foot. And the next 1/2 hour on the other. That's how bad they were! It suddenly dawned on my that my doctor's assistant has asked me a few times if I have leg cramps (nothing of great note), but maybe that's what's causing the feet to cramp! And here I was blaming it on the switch from sandals/bare feet to closed shoes. DUH!

    Thanks for all of the info/tips, ladies! Will let you know if the soap thing works for me. One question--do you put your feet/legs ON the bar? If so, I'm wondering if the elevation is helping too...?
    Curlz

    My foot/leg are NOT on the
    My foot/leg are NOT on the soap...they are just there..on my side of the bed...one kinda at calf level, and one at the foot, but nothing special. Good luck!

    Chen♥
  • JuJuBeez
    JuJuBeez Member Posts: 332
    #49
    Curlz said:

    Leave it to this group...
    To confirm my suspicion (that Tamoxifen can indeed be blamed on my terrible foot cramps) AND to offer up creative solutions! I know that potassium is good for charlie horses, so I've taken it on occasion, but I really hate bananas (unless they're in banana bread...hmm...maybe I've got to find a light muffin recipe?). LOVE tonic water, but didn't know about avocados being so high in K--will try them too.

    The crazy thing is that I went to my massage therapist (OMG, I leave there feeling like jelly) and he spent the first 1/2 hour on one foot. And the next 1/2 hour on the other. That's how bad they were! It suddenly dawned on my that my doctor's assistant has asked me a few times if I have leg cramps (nothing of great note), but maybe that's what's causing the feet to cramp! And here I was blaming it on the switch from sandals/bare feet to closed shoes. DUH!

    Thanks for all of the info/tips, ladies! Will let you know if the soap thing works for me. One question--do you put your feet/legs ON the bar? If so, I'm wondering if the elevation is helping too...?
    Curlz

    thanks
    Thank you for bringing this up! I thought I was going crazy! My feet and calves have been cramping so bad. I just started Tamoxifen mid-August. There are nights that my toes will shift because my feet are cramping so bad. Now I know what to look for. Knock on wood, I haven't had any weight gain, but the hot flashes are bad sometimes. I'm like a Katy Perry song, I'm HOT, I'm COLD, I'm UP, I'm DOWN... ha ha! I am definitely going to try the soap thing. I'm on 37.5 mg of Effexor too. I started out on the 75, but I was a zombie on it!! I was dozing off at work at 8:30 in the morning. Even with sleep and coffee!! I notice I get dizzy a bit from the Effexor (I'm assuming it's from that... but who knows.)

    Thanks, Ladies! I appreciate your stories and tips!!
  • JustRenay
    JustRenay Member Posts: 54
    #50
    Me too...
    The things that have helped me the most are walking/stretching and sometimes I have to take a pain reliever...check out this website, and you can research any med...see what others have experienced...I read there that for most people, the side effects subside within a month of stopping the medication. Not sure how long you have to take it...I've been on Femara for 2.5 years, after 2.5 on Tamoxifen, and my side effects (similar on both meds) have gotten a little worse over time, but my doctor says that when I stop the meds (in April 2010), the side effects should ease quickly. Hang in there. Renay
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #51
    Claudia,
    I had them too.
    Claudia,

    I had them too. Awful enough in having to have help out of the pool.

    Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium. Make sure you take some of those. I can't remember the amounts, but your primary doctor should help with that information. Oncologist, just aren't into that stuff.

    Best,

    SIROD
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #52
    SIROD said:

    Claudia,
    I had them too.
    Claudia,

    I had them too. Awful enough in having to have help out of the pool.

    Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium. Make sure you take some of those. I can't remember the amounts, but your primary doctor should help with that information. Oncologist, just aren't into that stuff.

    Best,

    SIROD

    MG
    I was on tamoxifen for 10 months and had a lot of problems with leg cramps. After I was off, I was put on Magnesium because my primary doc checks *everything*! I realized after I was on it for awhile, how much better my feet felt. It's OTC and cheap at Sam's club.

    Maureen
  • helen e
    helen e Member Posts: 223
    #53
    when I was on it (am going back on it in 2 weeks) I didn't get the cramps but my restless leg syndrome was much worse. I have been off it for two months and haven't had any issue with my legs. I never made the connection. Just another thing to look forward to when I go back on it.

    Helen
  • Curlz
    Curlz Member Posts: 42
    #54
    helen e said:

    when I was on it (am going back on it in 2 weeks) I didn't get the cramps but my restless leg syndrome was much worse. I have been off it for two months and haven't had any issue with my legs. I never made the connection. Just another thing to look forward to when I go back on it.

    Helen

    A week later...
    And I'm still sleeping w/a bar of soap under the bottom sheet, down by my feet. I admit that I've also been drinking grapefruit juice each day to up the potassium, but that didn't start for a couple of days after putting the soap in the bed. Can't be sure yet what's working, but I'm NOT COMPLAINING!!! :-)

    THANKS FOR THE TIP!
    Curlz
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #55
    Wow am I glad this post has
    Wow am I glad this post has gotten bumped back up - i found out that I will be starting on Tamoxifen soon - i didn't think I would because im such a weak receptor, only 1-4%, but my Dr. feels this is enough for me to still benefit from taking Tamoxifen. And hey, if it'll offer me even a little bit of extra protection from this coming back - im gonna take it! I never researched it because i didn't think it would apply to me.
    I hope I dont get the leg cramps - with both of my pregnancies I would get leg cramps at night when I wasn't drinking enough milk during the day - i found when I drank more milk, I didn't get the cramps. Hopefully if i get the leg cramps i can keep them at bay with the milk, toxic water (love that!! ;), soap in the bed and cucumbers (because i just CANT eat bananas!!)
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • Curlz
    Curlz Member Posts: 42
    #56
    Heatherbelle said:

    Wow am I glad this post has
    Wow am I glad this post has gotten bumped back up - i found out that I will be starting on Tamoxifen soon - i didn't think I would because im such a weak receptor, only 1-4%, but my Dr. feels this is enough for me to still benefit from taking Tamoxifen. And hey, if it'll offer me even a little bit of extra protection from this coming back - im gonna take it! I never researched it because i didn't think it would apply to me.
    I hope I dont get the leg cramps - with both of my pregnancies I would get leg cramps at night when I wasn't drinking enough milk during the day - i found when I drank more milk, I didn't get the cramps. Hopefully if i get the leg cramps i can keep them at bay with the milk, toxic water (love that!! ;), soap in the bed and cucumbers (because i just CANT eat bananas!!)
    *hugs*
    Heather

    Another one who hates bananas--I love it!
    Glad I'm in such good company! :-)

    Fwiw, everything I read/heard was about LEG cramps. Never heard anything about feet, so it took ME a couple of weeks before the light bulb went off. I've been on the Rx since early July, but I really didn't start moving my arse around a whole lot until mid-Sept--and that's right about when I started noticing the foot cramps. More exercise = more need for potassium for me, I guess!
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #57
    jo jo said:

    Me also...i never connected
    Me also...i never connected mine to the tamoxifen...thought it was from the chemo. Mine wasnt just during the night...it was during the day as well. I would also get them in the arches of my feet and it literally made my toes curl...it hurt.
    Ive been on tamoxifen almost 3 months now and now that i think about it, its been almost a month since ive had any...they just went away on there own. I love bananas and i was eating them all the time even during the cramping...so either they werent working or i was just that low on calsium that it took forever to work.
    I hope you find relief with the soap in the bed thing.

    cramps, charlie horse
    I never in million years Until reading here would have thought connected to tamoxifen. I have oncologist appt next week. I will mention them to her-in past I never thought to say anything.

    see learn something new every day right? could be connection of the two..mmmmm
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #58
    sea60 said:

    YES!!!!
    I hate them! They're so painful. I wasn;t sure why I was getting them but now it makes sense since I'm on that too.

    I also get foot/toe cramps where my feet just ball up. I know I must look like an idiot because when one hits, I do alot to hopping & jumping.

    A really good friend of mine told me that when you have a cramp, take about a teaspoon of mustard...something about the tumeric.

    I gotta try it, I just keep forgetting.

    Blessings,

    Syl

    ahh the pain
    It seems like lasts for ever..I had 2 in one night so counted for second one-just over min..seemed like an hour to me
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    #59
    Curlz said:

    Another one who hates bananas--I love it!
    Glad I'm in such good company! :-)

    Fwiw, everything I read/heard was about LEG cramps. Never heard anything about feet, so it took ME a couple of weeks before the light bulb went off. I've been on the Rx since early July, but I really didn't start moving my arse around a whole lot until mid-Sept--and that's right about when I started noticing the foot cramps. More exercise = more need for potassium for me, I guess!

    Bump up
    Bumped up for MGM42

    Hope this helps.
    Sher
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
    #60
    The soap solution
    I have a friend, an old university swim coach, who swears by the bar of soap under the sheets. I could hardly believe it but she has used it for years and it works for her. I took tamoxifen for 6 years and never had leg cramps from it --only hot flashes. :(
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #61
    STAR Trial
    The STAR trial was just completed, which compared the Evista type drug (raxofeine ??? sp) and tamoxifen. Onocology researchers were SURPRISED to find that leg cramping was a side effect of tamoxifen and at the number of women who complained of severe leg and foot cramping. Duh. All they needed to do was read these boards. My info comes from a news article on breastcancer.org. I, too, have these cramps throughout my body. Been on tamox for 13 months. They just started in full force about 6 weeks ago. I'm going to try diet tonic water with a bit of fruit juice at night, the soap in the bed thing, massage, accupuncture, an electric blanket to keep my legs warm at night, and spliting my dose to 10mg in the AM and 10 mg at night. At this point I will try anything. If something works, I'll gladly post it. Hugs, Marilynn

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