Tamoxifen

andi44 · July 2013

I've only been on this drug since July 1st, but I'm asking if anyone out there has ever felt like their mental faculties ever felt 'fogged'....I know this sounds a bit crazy - but it seems like for the first few hours of taking it - I'm not to alert. I know I'm blonde, and that probably doesn't help my cause - ha, ha, ha...Anyway, I will probably have to start taking it at night versus the morning...I'm sure its just me...cancer just sucks !!!

Andi

Chickadee1955 · July 2013

Hi Andi,

I've been on

Hi Andi,

I've been on Tamoxifen for a year and a half. I have always taken it at night just before bed, so have never noticed a 'fog'.

Chemo left me that way for about a year after I was done, so I know what you mean. Good luck!

Chickadee

lintx · July 2013

Andi

I've been on it since Sep '12 and take it at night. I haven't noticed anything. Yes, try switching to nights. Linda

Lynn Smith · July 2013

lintx said:
Andi

I've been on it since Sep '12 and take it at night. I haven't noticed anything. Yes, try switching to nights. Linda

Interesting

Interestiing.I also take mine at night but sometimes my husband tells me I'm a bit foggy during the day.BUT he knows I try to go in so many different directions at once.

Change to night and let us know if you see a difference.Would be interesting to know.

Lynn Smith

Josie21 · July 2013

Tamoxifen

Hi Andi,

I was on tamoxifen for 2 and a half years until I switched to aromasin (after hysterectomy). The biggest problem I had was hot flashes. As far as feeling fogged, I feel like that most of the time. I truly believe that it is from the medicine, but I also attribute it to the fact that I suffered from depression after being diagnosed. I don't think I am depressed anymore, but my mind seems to wonder at times. As I lose more and more hormones I feel like I am losing brain cells as well! The worst is when I forget why I walked into a room. I just laugh it off now because I am so thankful that I am going on almost 5 years of NED. 5 years ago I dreaded going on meds, and now I am dreading going off. Go figure!!

And I agree, cancer does suck!!

Hugs,

Ginny

Megan M · July 2013

lintx said:
Andi

I've been on it since Sep '12 and take it at night. I haven't noticed anything. Yes, try switching to nights. Linda

Hey Andi. I agree to start

Hey Andi. I agree to start taking it at night and see if that helps.

Hugs, Megan

SIROD · July 2013

Josie21 said:
Tamoxifen
Hi Andi,

I was on tamoxifen for 2 and a half years until I switched to aromasin (after hysterectomy). The biggest problem I had was hot flashes. As far as feeling fogged, I feel like that most of the time. I truly believe that it is from the medicine, but I also attribute it to the fact that I suffered from depression after being diagnosed. I don't think I am depressed anymore, but my mind seems to wonder at times. As I lose more and more hormones I feel like I am losing brain cells as well! The worst is when I forget why I walked into a room. I just laugh it off now because I am so thankful that I am going on almost 5 years of NED. 5 years ago I dreaded going on meds, and now I am dreading going off. Go figure!!

And I agree, cancer does suck!!

Hugs,

Ginny

For Ginny

Please reconsider going OFF Tamoxifen. Please talk with your oncologist as studies have shown staying on Tamoxifen or going to an aromatase inhibitor has shown to keep a recurrence away.

Doris

Josie21 · July 2013

SIROD said:
For Ginny
Please reconsider going OFF Tamoxifen. Please talk with your oncologist as studies have shown staying on Tamoxifen or going to an aromatase inhibitor has shown to keep a recurrence away.

Doris

Thanks SIROD

I will definitely talk to my doctor. Thanks for thinking about me. I know I think of you often and hope you are feeling a little better.

Hugs,

Ginny

disneyfan2008 · July 2013

I am starting MY LAST Month

I am starting MY LAST Month of tamoxifen (just finishing up 5 years) I personally have not had that issue with the script. As we all know we each react to meds and everyday life things in many ways.

HAVE YOU contacted you Dr?

Denise

andi44 · July 2013

Josie21 said:
Thanks SIROD
I will definitely talk to my doctor. Thanks for thinking about me. I know I think of you often and hope you are feeling a little better.

Hugs,

Ginny

Tamoxifen side effects...

Thank you ladies for your feedback - at least I don't feel it is just me...This past weekend, I've switched to taking it at night - so, we'll see if that makes a difference...if it doesn't, I'll than speak to my doctor...I'm just tired of talking to doctors - ugh !!!

Andi ~

TraciInLA · July 2013

disneyfan2008 said:
I am starting MY LAST Month
I am starting MY LAST Month of tamoxifen (just finishing up 5 years) I personally have not had that issue with the script. As we all know we each react to meds and everyday life things in many ways.

HAVE YOU contacted you Dr?

Denise

No "blonde" side effects here!

Hi, Andi -

I've been on Tamoxifen for nearly 4 years (only 6 more years to go...sigh...). The only major side effect for me is hot flashes, and those are definitely worse for me at night, so I've always taken it in the morning. I haven't noticed any "blonde" side effects -- at least any more than usual!

Traci

MsGebby · July 2013

Like the other pink sisters,

Like the other pink sisters, taking Tamoxifen at night will probably do the trick. I was taking Arimidex and the side effects were just too much for me to take. I started Tamoxifen in March and the onle SE I have are the hot flashes. My hair seems to be thinning too. Not sure if there is a connection though.

Stick with it. You deserve the best protection against a recurrence that medicine has to offer.

xoxo

Mary

survivorbc09 · August 2013

andi44 said:
Tamoxifen side effects...
Thank you ladies for your feedback - at least I don't feel it is just me...This past weekend, I've switched to taking it at night - so, we'll see if that makes a difference...if it doesn't, I'll than speak to my doctor...I'm just tired of talking to doctors - ugh !!!

Andi ~

I hope by switching to nights

I hope by switching to nights that you will feel batter Andi.

Jan

andi44 · August 2013

survivorbc09 said:
I hope by switching to nights
I hope by switching to nights that you will feel batter Andi.

Jan

Actually, switching to taking

Actually, switching to taking the med at night has helped...This is the first time I've ever had to take any sort of medication on a regular basis (besides taking antibiotics)...I hate taking pills and I'm bad at it...that's why I thought that if I took it in the morning when I'm getting ready I'd remember to take it...It's hard to alter routines - Anyway, thank you all for your comments and suggestions...

Andi

andi44 · August 2013

TraciInLA said:
No "blonde" side effects here!
Hi, Andi -

I've been on Tamoxifen for nearly 4 years (only 6 more years to go...sigh...). The only major side effect for me is hot flashes, and those are definitely worse for me at night, so I've always taken it in the morning. I haven't noticed any "blonde" side effects -- at least any more than usual!

Traci

Traci,
How long after taking

Traci,

How long after taking Tam. did your hot flashes start? I haven't experienced those yet - I don't think I would mind - I'm usually cold blooded anyway - I need a little heat...ha, ha, ha...

Andi

TraciInLA · August 2013

andi44 said:
Traci,
How long after taking
Traci,

How long after taking Tam. did your hot flashes start? I haven't experienced those yet - I don't think I would mind - I'm usually cold blooded anyway - I need a little heat...ha, ha, ha...

Andi

2nd pill I took, will never forget

Andi,

I started out taking Tamoxifen before bedtime, because I've always had a "weenie tummy" (yes, that's the medical term for it! ), and my oncologist and I were concerned about nausea.

I'll never forget -- the 2nd night I took it -- I'm lying in bed, and WHOOSH!!! I was only 40 years old, I'd NEVER had a hot flash in my life, and had no idea what was happening to me! I discovered very quickly that my hot flashes were worse at night, so switched to taking it in the morning, which helps -- I ALWAYS make sure to take it with food, and thankfully have never had any problems with it making me nauseous.

I started on Tamoxifen only about 5 weeks after my last chemo, so was still getting over "chemo brain," and was afraid I wouldn't remember to take it. I got one of those daily pill boxes, and I still use it. I feel like a senior citizen, filling up my pill box for the week every Sunday night, but it really does help me to remember to take it!

Traci

Double Whammy · August 2013

MsGebby said:
Like the other pink sisters,
Like the other pink sisters, taking Tamoxifen at night will probably do the trick. I was taking Arimidex and the side effects were just too much for me to take. I started Tamoxifen in March and the onle SE I have are the hot flashes. My hair seems to be thinning too. Not sure if there is a connection though.

Stick with it. You deserve the best protection against a recurrence that medicine has to offer.

xoxo

Mary

Pill box, senior citizen and previously blonde here

I took Arimidex for 2 years and switched on Tamoxifen 6 months ago. Since I tend to fall asleep at night on the sofa and if I do, it's in both my and my husband's best interest if I stay there, I know I would not be compliant if I took them at bedtime. I have absolutely no side effects on Tamoxifen, fog included. Even tho I'm 66, I still have an occasional hot flash prior to awakening in the morning. I did have some joint pain on Arimidex which was mild and I contributed it to age, but I don't have it anymore on Tamoxifen. And, I do use a pill box because even with a morning routine, I'd be uncertain whether I took meds or not. And that fog has nothing to do with Tamoxifen - it's just me!

Hope you can figure out what's causing your fog and can continue taking this medicine because it is important for ER+ folks.

Suzanne

jlharris · August 2013

Double Whammy said:
Pill box, senior citizen and previously blonde here
I took Arimidex for 2 years and switched on Tamoxifen 6 months ago. Since I tend to fall asleep at night on the sofa and if I do, it's in both my and my husband's best interest if I stay there, I know I would not be compliant if I took them at bedtime. I have absolutely no side effects on Tamoxifen, fog included. Even tho I'm 66, I still have an occasional hot flash prior to awakening in the morning. I did have some joint pain on Arimidex which was mild and I contributed it to age, but I don't have it anymore on Tamoxifen. And, I do use a pill box because even with a morning routine, I'd be uncertain whether I took meds or not. And that fog has nothing to do with Tamoxifen - it's just me!

Hope you can figure out what's causing your fog and can continue taking this medicine because it is important for ER+ folks.

Suzanne

Switching from Arimidex

Suzanne;

Why did you switch from arimidex to tamoxifen? Did you have worse side effects from arimidex? Just curious because I am currently on arimidex (two week now) and have had no side effects.

Thanks,

Jenifer

JJDS · August 2013

MsGebby said:
Like the other pink sisters,
Like the other pink sisters, taking Tamoxifen at night will probably do the trick. I was taking Arimidex and the side effects were just too much for me to take. I started Tamoxifen in March and the onle SE I have are the hot flashes. My hair seems to be thinning too. Not sure if there is a connection though.

Stick with it. You deserve the best protection against a recurrence that medicine has to offer.

xoxo

Mary

I have read that if you have

I have read that if you have no side effects with tamox, that you might not be metabolizing it. Anyone else hear or read this?

TraciInLA · August 2013

JJDS said:
I have read that if you have
I have read that if you have no side effects with tamox, that you might not be metabolizing it. Anyone else hear or read this?

No correlation

According to my oncologist, there is NO correlation between side effects/no side effects and whether or not Tamoxifen is doing its job.

There are a small percentage of women who can't metabolize Tamoxifen, or don't metabolize it well, but there's also a simple blood test for that. My oncologist always runs that test before putting someone on Tamoxifen. I'm an "intermediate metabolizer," which is the most common result.

Traci

TraciInLA · August 2013

TraciInLA said:
No correlation
According to my oncologist, there is NO correlation between side effects/no side effects and whether or not Tamoxifen is doing its job.

There are a small percentage of women who can't metabolize Tamoxifen, or don't metabolize it well, but there's also a simple blood test for that. My oncologist always runs that test before putting someone on Tamoxifen. I'm an "intermediate metabolizer," which is the most common result.

Traci

Also worth noting - drug interactions

I also think it's worth noting that there are some common over-the-counter and prescription drugs that have been shown to make Tamoxifen less effective, including Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Tagamet (cimetidine) and some (not all) antidepressants. From the ACS:

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/guidetocancerdrugs/tamoxifen

Before cancer, I used to take Benadryl occasionally if I had trouble sleeping -- now that I'm on Tamoxifen, I've stopped doing that. And I used to take Tagamet sometimes for heartburn -- I switched to Zantac.

Traci

Tamoxifen

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