Tamoxifen and fatigue

confused123
confused123 Member Posts: 251
edited September 2013 in Breast Cancer #1

Hi everyone,

I haven't been to this forum in a long time but it was very helpful to me at one time and I talked with some great ladies.  I am hoping to get some more answers.  I have been tired for what feels like years now.  I am on Tamoxifen and was just looking up side effects of it and noticed a lot of women complaining of fatigue on Tamoxifen.  I have been on it for 4 years now and always compain of being tired to my doctors and I always get answers like "well your a mom of 3" or "you work a lot".  Anyway, no doctor has ever made the connection to Tamoxifen.  I am wondering if any of your doctors have made that connection for you and did you find a way to make it better?

thanks

Comments

  • lintx
    lintx Member Posts: 697
    #2
    Hi there!

     

    I just finished my 1st yr on Tamoxifen with no side effects.  My onco did say that she saw in her practice more se's in premenopausal women.  She mentioned fatigue, specifically.  I'm post and 60's, so she thought that combo made me more tolerant of the drug.  She also said many women take it a year or more and begin all sorts of se's.  Everyone is just so different.  I'm sure you must have regular labs done to check Vit D and the basics.  If not, see your PC for a general physical, etc.  Your girls are darling and seeing their picture makes me miss my sweet granddaughter!  Linda

  • punkinpie
    punkinpie Member Posts: 18
    #3
    Tamoxifen and fatigue

    I've been on Tamoxifen for two years and am pre-menopausal. I have some fatigue, but nothing like I had while getting chemo or even radiation. I do get leg cramps that I've been told could be related to the tamoxifen. 

  • confused123
    confused123 Member Posts: 251
    #4
    thank you

    Thanks for your responses, I am pre menopausal so maybe it is connected.  I will ask my doc at my check up.  I also do find the side effects getting worse as time goes on.  One more year!  I can't wait.

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #5
    I don't have much, if any....

    I was taking Tamoxifen for the first time for 5 years.  I am post-menopausal by surgery (for my 'other' cancer).  I have restarted the Tamoxifen because of some VERY promising stats on recurrance from years 5-10 (I'm at year 8).

    I DID find that as a result of all of my treatments, surgeries, etc, my Iron was extremely low.  Along with adding calcium for my bones (osteoporosis from the chemo), I added Iron.  I felt VERY MUCH better!!!  

    Ask your docs to look at your Iron...and maybe also have a bone density scan to have a baseline to go off of for bone thinning...

     

    Hugs, Kathi

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #6
    I just finished my 5th year

    I just finished my 5th year of tamoxifen. I am a high energy person-but I am tired but due to I wake up many  many times each night. I am told by the Dr it's my age (54).

    Fatigue: Not sure what that is-but when I ask the DRs they say IS YOU have it YOU"D know it.

     

    Denise

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