Tamoxifen Side Effects

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amymwillis
amymwillis Member Posts: 2
in Breast Cancer #1
Ladies,

I am in my six month of taking Tamoxifen and third month of the Lupron Depot shot. Although I have not experienced a lot of hot flashes or night sweats, I feel bloated and have gained a few pounds. I considered myself pretty active before my diagnosis and watch my diet closely but still can't seem to drop the weight. Any suggestions/recommendations are most welcome!

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  • Minka
    Minka Member Posts: 29
    #2
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    Not liking it so much...
    I'm on Tamoxifen only....and I'm miserable. I'm trying to decide whether or not to stop taking it. I'm to the point where quality of life is more important than quantity, but I'm not sure it's the Tamoxifen causing all the problems. My body has been through a lot and I'm 58...so my onco says a lot of what I'm feeling is age (?)...I wanted to hurt him. I didn't have this pain before the cancer, so...who knows? I bloat too...that would be the Lupron causing that....it's awful and hard on the body. Why are they giving you Lupron too? I thought the Tamoxifen was supposed to take care of repressing the estrogen?
    Minka
  • peanutcat
    peanutcat Member Posts: 104
    #3
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    Minka said:

    Not liking it so much...
    I'm on Tamoxifen only....and I'm miserable. I'm trying to decide whether or not to stop taking it. I'm to the point where quality of life is more important than quantity, but I'm not sure it's the Tamoxifen causing all the problems. My body has been through a lot and I'm 58...so my onco says a lot of what I'm feeling is age (?)...I wanted to hurt him. I didn't have this pain before the cancer, so...who knows? I bloat too...that would be the Lupron causing that....it's awful and hard on the body. Why are they giving you Lupron too? I thought the Tamoxifen was supposed to take care of repressing the estrogen?
    Minka

    Tomoxefen
    Gee, the only side effect I have which is mild is a little swollen fingers and feet. I sorry your have so much trouble
  • peanutcat
    peanutcat Member Posts: 104
    #4
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    Minka said:

    Not liking it so much...
    I'm on Tamoxifen only....and I'm miserable. I'm trying to decide whether or not to stop taking it. I'm to the point where quality of life is more important than quantity, but I'm not sure it's the Tamoxifen causing all the problems. My body has been through a lot and I'm 58...so my onco says a lot of what I'm feeling is age (?)...I wanted to hurt him. I didn't have this pain before the cancer, so...who knows? I bloat too...that would be the Lupron causing that....it's awful and hard on the body. Why are they giving you Lupron too? I thought the Tamoxifen was supposed to take care of repressing the estrogen?
    Minka

    Tomoxefen
    Gee, the only side effect I have which is mild is a little swollen fingers and feet. I sorry your have so much trouble
  • peanutcat
    peanutcat Member Posts: 104
    #5
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    Minka said:

    Not liking it so much...
    I'm on Tamoxifen only....and I'm miserable. I'm trying to decide whether or not to stop taking it. I'm to the point where quality of life is more important than quantity, but I'm not sure it's the Tamoxifen causing all the problems. My body has been through a lot and I'm 58...so my onco says a lot of what I'm feeling is age (?)...I wanted to hurt him. I didn't have this pain before the cancer, so...who knows? I bloat too...that would be the Lupron causing that....it's awful and hard on the body. Why are they giving you Lupron too? I thought the Tamoxifen was supposed to take care of repressing the estrogen?
    Minka

    Tomoxefen
    Gee, the only side effect I have which is mild is a little swollen fingers and feet. I sorry your have so much trouble
  • peanutcat
    peanutcat Member Posts: 104
    #6
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    peanutcat said:

    Tomoxefen
    Gee, the only side effect I have which is mild is a little swollen fingers and feet. I sorry your have so much trouble

    to many
    I don't know why 3 posts went on
  • amymwillis
    amymwillis Member Posts: 2
    #7
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    Minka said:

    Not liking it so much...
    I'm on Tamoxifen only....and I'm miserable. I'm trying to decide whether or not to stop taking it. I'm to the point where quality of life is more important than quantity, but I'm not sure it's the Tamoxifen causing all the problems. My body has been through a lot and I'm 58...so my onco says a lot of what I'm feeling is age (?)...I wanted to hurt him. I didn't have this pain before the cancer, so...who knows? I bloat too...that would be the Lupron causing that....it's awful and hard on the body. Why are they giving you Lupron too? I thought the Tamoxifen was supposed to take care of repressing the estrogen?
    Minka

    Minka,
    My onco told me the
    Minka,

    My onco told me the Lupron would stop my periods completely and shut down the estrogen production. I get a shot every three months and will stay on the Lupron/Tamoxifen combo for two years at least. My energy level is just not what it used to be and it is so frustrating. I watch my diet very closely but still feel bloated and can't seem to drop the weight no matter how I adjust my diet and exercise regime. Thanks for your insight - hoping that the Tamoxifen pros outweigh the cons.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #8
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    For most part I did not have
    For most part I did not have any side effects (noticable)-my Oncologist insisted my my OB fo regular internal (not sure of name) ultra sound/ followed by D & C each time for thickening of the uterus. I am happy she instisted-since I did have that side effect. about 3 1/2 yrs of tamoxifen I had total Hysterctomy! All well now...i have 14 more mths of tamoxifen.

    Denise
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #9
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    Minka said:

    Not liking it so much...
    I'm on Tamoxifen only....and I'm miserable. I'm trying to decide whether or not to stop taking it. I'm to the point where quality of life is more important than quantity, but I'm not sure it's the Tamoxifen causing all the problems. My body has been through a lot and I'm 58...so my onco says a lot of what I'm feeling is age (?)...I wanted to hurt him. I didn't have this pain before the cancer, so...who knows? I bloat too...that would be the Lupron causing that....it's awful and hard on the body. Why are they giving you Lupron too? I thought the Tamoxifen was supposed to take care of repressing the estrogen?
    Minka

    Is weight gain or bloating
    Is weight gain or bloating one of the side effects of tamox according to your oncologist? I know it does come with a lot of side effects and some have them and some don't, but, I am not sure about weight gain.

    I wish you good luck and let us know what you find out.
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #10
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    For most part I did not have
    For most part I did not have any side effects (noticable)-my Oncologist insisted my my OB fo regular internal (not sure of name) ultra sound/ followed by D & C each time for thickening of the uterus. I am happy she instisted-since I did have that side effect. about 3 1/2 yrs of tamoxifen I had total Hysterctomy! All well now...i have 14 more mths of tamoxifen.

    Denise

    I...
    I can't comment personally, as I am not a candidate for any of the estrogen blockers..TNBC.... BUT....I have a close, dear friend who is on Tamoxifen..has been for almost two years...she hates it but soldiers on with it...she has gained weight, clothes don't fit, her joints ache...many of the same side effects I read about on this board...she plays tennis 3-4 days a week(she's really good) but the weight doesn't budge nor do the joint aches go away...as I said, she hates it and is trying her best to not give up on it....I have great empathy for her and all of you who are dealing with these side effects...

    Hugs, Nancy
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #11
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    MAJW said:

    I...
    I can't comment personally, as I am not a candidate for any of the estrogen blockers..TNBC.... BUT....I have a close, dear friend who is on Tamoxifen..has been for almost two years...she hates it but soldiers on with it...she has gained weight, clothes don't fit, her joints ache...many of the same side effects I read about on this board...she plays tennis 3-4 days a week(she's really good) but the weight doesn't budge nor do the joint aches go away...as I said, she hates it and is trying her best to not give up on it....I have great empathy for her and all of you who are dealing with these side effects...

    Hugs, Nancy

    Tamoxifen can cause some
    Tamoxifen can cause some weight gain or, at least, one of my bc sisters has gained some while she has been on it. I am so sorry for all of these side effects.


    Hugs, Debby
  • debi.18
    debi.18 Member Posts: 850 Member
    #12
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    DebbyM said:

    Tamoxifen can cause some
    Tamoxifen can cause some weight gain or, at least, one of my bc sisters has gained some while she has been on it. I am so sorry for all of these side effects.


    Hugs, Debby

    Since January
    I've been on Tamoxifen since January. When I asked my onc about one of the side effects being weight gain, she told me that if I didn't have problems with birth control pills I probably wouldn't with tamoxifen either. Well, guess she was wrong. I'm very bloated all the time and still have the 15 or so lbs I gained during chemo. I'm eating a well balanced diet and even going to the gym, but haven't managed to loose any of it. Before BC, I didn't eat a healthy diet but stayed nice & slim. One of my chemo nurses told me that she has seen many women that have weight gain with tamoxifen. I have a whole closet full of clothes I can't wear - very frustrating!

    Hugs, Debi

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