Tamoxifen and Weight Gain

MsWarren35
MsWarren35 Member Posts: 2
in Breast Cancer #1

I have been on tamoxifen for the last 6 months, in that time I have gained 30 pounds and recently start having really bad leg cramps at night. And I will not even mention the hot flashes. All of this is new to me and I don't have anyone to ask for help in regards to methods to deal with the side effects. Sad parts of being diagnosed so young many of my friends have no idea what to say or what can help.

Comments

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #2
    If your meds are a problem,

    If your meds are a problem, talk to your oncologist.  There are other drugs that are also used for hormonal therapy.

    I have been on tamoxifen for three years with minimal challenges; but I am aware of the fact that not everyone tolerates it well.

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #3
    What I did

    I was gaining weight really badly and had leg cramps too. I decided to change from walking to running. My weight is now back to normal (cramps gone), I have made lots of new friends and have a wonderful new hobby. I placed third among survivors of our local Race for the Cure 5K and the two winners were 20 years younger than me. Exercise is really key and swimming and biking are great too. I also cut out sugar and eat meat once a week. Mostly I eat fruit and veggies and no processed food (well ok, the occasional bag of Doritos). Of course, you should check with your oncologists before making any lifestyle changes. Good luck, Anna

  • lintx
    lintx Member Posts: 697
    #4
    button2 said:

    What I did

    I was gaining weight really badly and had leg cramps too. I decided to change from walking to running. My weight is now back to normal (cramps gone), I have made lots of new friends and have a wonderful new hobby. I placed third among survivors of our local Race for the Cure 5K and the two winners were 20 years younger than me. Exercise is really key and swimming and biking are great too. I also cut out sugar and eat meat once a week. Mostly I eat fruit and veggies and no processed food (well ok, the occasional bag of Doritos). Of course, you should check with your oncologists before making any lifestyle changes. Good luck, Anna

    Tamoxifen

    I've been on it three years now.  I've always walked 4 mi a day and do 4 yoga classes, 2 zumba classes weekly and eat well.  I had leg cramps a couple times early into the med, but it hasn't happened since.  I think as long as you're stretching your muscles and moving your body, it's a plus.  I say lifestyle has to be lifelong.  You can stumble and eat badly only now and then.  Just keep moving!!  Do express your concerns w/the DR, too.  Linda

  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #5
    Welcome - you can do this!

    I was diagnosed at the age of 40, so can relate to how you must be feeling, and the comments you're probably hearing from some of your friends and loved ones: "But you're too YOUNG to have breast cancer!"  If only that were true, right?

    But I'm now 46, and I'm doing very well -- you can do this, too!  I've been on Tamoxifen for almost 6 years, and my oncologist feels strongly that I need to stay on it for 10 years total.  I haven't gained weight since going on Tamoxifen, but I was already overweight, and I sure haven't been able to lose weight these past 6 years, either.

    Hot flashes have been my biggest side effect -- I had never had a hot flash in my life until the 2nd day I took Tamoxifen, and then, out of nowhere...WOOSH!  I had no idea what was happening!  I might suggest you talk with your oncologist about perhaps trying vitamin E -- it doesn't work for everyone, and it isn't a magic pill for hot flashes, but it does make them more bearable for me.  I take standard drugstore vitamin E, 400 IU, twice a day, with my doctor's blessing.

    For me, I find the biggest cause of leg cramps at night is not drinking enough fluids, so be sure to drink enough.  My partner (who isn't on Tamoxifen) also finds that drinking tonic water really helps -- it has a small amount of quinine in it.

    Don't know if any of that helps?

    Traci

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #6
    I gained weight and HAD

    I gained weight and HAD WICKED legs cramps at night. My Dr said the painful cramps were not related to the Tamoxifin, I beg to differ.

     

    I started taking Magnisum and it helped. I have been off the tamoxifin for 2 yrs this month-leg cramps on occasion now.

     

    Make sure your Dr (gyno) checks for thickening of the uterus. (which I had) My Dr wasn't going to do the test (I had them frequently) until my oncologist insisited on it.

     

    Denise

  • Ivatan_Juliet
    Ivatan_Juliet Member Posts: 1
    #7
    Evening Primrose for hotflashes

    Hi, my doctor recommend taking evening primrose and it seems to have lessen the hot flashes ever since i started (only been a week since i started taking it).

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