Lovely Taoxifen and Side Effects - Already some for me!

LoveBabyJesus
LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi lovely sisters --

I started tamoxifen two weeks ago. I find I have a level of depression. However this doesn't concern me as much as the "yellow discharge" coming from...well you know. Should I be concerned? No period since April - chemo stopped it. I am 33.

I appreciate your feedback. :)

Comments

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #2
    Hope this helps
    I was also 33 when I was first put on tamoxifen. It saved my life as, 24 years ago with stage 3 cancer, my prognosis was not so great. The only "new" treatment was tamoxifen But it did have some side effects for me too, especially decreased libido. I also had a thin watery discharge while on tamoxifen and saw my gyn and he said it was the tamoxifen. I would have it checked but it is probably normal. The depression may or may not be tamoxifen as cancer patients are at much higher risk for depression. Speak with your oncologist if you are feeling overwhelmed as he/she will be able to help and, if you need an antidepressant, certain ones are not a good idea with tamoxifen. PS I also began having regular periods again after a chemo pause in them. You may or may not have them.
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #3
    CypressCynthia said:

    Hope this helps
    I was also 33 when I was first put on tamoxifen. It saved my life as, 24 years ago with stage 3 cancer, my prognosis was not so great. The only "new" treatment was tamoxifen But it did have some side effects for me too, especially decreased libido. I also had a thin watery discharge while on tamoxifen and saw my gyn and he said it was the tamoxifen. I would have it checked but it is probably normal. The depression may or may not be tamoxifen as cancer patients are at much higher risk for depression. Speak with your oncologist if you are feeling overwhelmed as he/she will be able to help and, if you need an antidepressant, certain ones are not a good idea with tamoxifen. PS I also began having regular periods again after a chemo pause in them. You may or may not have them.

    Thank you Cynthia. I may go
    Thank you Cynthia. I may go see a gyn soon. I need to think about the antidepressant.
  • RozHopkins
    RozHopkins Member Posts: 578 Member
    #4
    Tamoxifen
    I was told there would be a discharge with this med. I believe there is one antidepressant which works well with Tamoxifen, have forgotten the name but your Oncol should know it. Some ladies go onto it to help with sweats rather than for depression. Yes, as said there are certain antidepr. which must not be used with Tam I think in the SSRI group. Again your Oncol will know which these are. My Cymbalta works well for me, not for everyone of course. However, a side effect from this one is it decreases slightly the strength of Tamoxifen. I have halved the Cymbalta doze and will eventually come off it. No periods for one year, wont be taken of Tam until taken for two years (without a period). So yukky but guess has to be done. Good luck to you. XX

    Do you have any other side effects, I seem to get no sleep now, and if I do, get terrible night terrors, a million hot flashes. Ah well.
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #5
    RozHopkins said:

    Tamoxifen
    I was told there would be a discharge with this med. I believe there is one antidepressant which works well with Tamoxifen, have forgotten the name but your Oncol should know it. Some ladies go onto it to help with sweats rather than for depression. Yes, as said there are certain antidepr. which must not be used with Tam I think in the SSRI group. Again your Oncol will know which these are. My Cymbalta works well for me, not for everyone of course. However, a side effect from this one is it decreases slightly the strength of Tamoxifen. I have halved the Cymbalta doze and will eventually come off it. No periods for one year, wont be taken of Tam until taken for two years (without a period). So yukky but guess has to be done. Good luck to you. XX

    Do you have any other side effects, I seem to get no sleep now, and if I do, get terrible night terrors, a million hot flashes. Ah well.

    Been on tamoxifen for a
    Been on tamoxifen for a little over a month. So far my side effects are minimal. I too am experiencing a slight discharge but what I am noticing most is my mood. It seems I am more negative then normal. Kind of like the mood swings you get during your period. I try and stay focused on my negativity so before I speak I give myself a "time out" before really saying what's on my mind. I hope those hormones balance out in a couple of months and get back into a regular cycle. On the good side... very few hot flashes and when they do happen they are miniscule.

    Lorrie
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #6
    butterflylvr said:

    Been on tamoxifen for a
    Been on tamoxifen for a little over a month. So far my side effects are minimal. I too am experiencing a slight discharge but what I am noticing most is my mood. It seems I am more negative then normal. Kind of like the mood swings you get during your period. I try and stay focused on my negativity so before I speak I give myself a "time out" before really saying what's on my mind. I hope those hormones balance out in a couple of months and get back into a regular cycle. On the good side... very few hot flashes and when they do happen they are miniscule.

    Lorrie

    yes the discharge is normal.
    yes the discharge is normal. the med can act estrogen like on some areas of your body, so I am told. some of the effects can improve over time. hate the weight gain.

Discussion Boards