User Reviews for tamoxifen oral

I have been on Tamoxifen since March 2016 and I have noticed more mood swings, severe hot flashes, aches and pains, fatigue and I seem to have "peach fuzz" on my face!! My last period was March, it threw me into menopause. I'm 50 and had ductal carcinoma and a double mastectomy in September 2015. The percentage of getting Uterine Cancer from this are low I hear but something to consider before taking this drug..

I were diagnosed with Lobular breast cancer at 44 in 2010 which had spread throughout my right breast and to my lymph nodes. I were also estrogen and progesterone positive. I started Tamoxifen after completing 6 months Chemo and 5 weeks Radio September 2010 and were told I'd be on it for 5 years. The most noticeable side effect were the hot flushes however as time went on I've had growing memory loss, joint pain vision deterioration not to mention anger and anxiety which I'd not felt before. I stopped taking it November 2015 however started bleeding which I've just found out is due to a huge pulp in my uterus which I now have to have a hysterectomy as they couldn't remove it all. My Breast care specialist has changed me to Arimidex for a further 5 years as I am now post menapausal but looking at the side affects for this new drug I am reluctant to continue and wonder is it better to just take my chances?Read More Read Less

Im 50 and was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma on my 50th bday August 2015. I chose to have a double mastectomy. After reading ALL the horrible reviews, I VERY reluctantly,started Tamoxifen Mar 22, 2016 and all I have noticed is my moods seem a bit all over the place, I'm easily irritated and my hot flashes increased. My weight so far has stayed the same and no hair loss as others have mentioned. So far, so good.

I was diagnosed with DCIS-stage zero in 2014. I had bi-lateral lumpectomy surgery, followed by 33 radiation treatments. I was told I needed to take Tamoxifen for 5 years following the radiation. I am almost 2 years into taking the Tamoxifen and dealing with being lethargic, moody, muscle and limb weakness, and worst of all HOT FLASHES that make life miserable. I find it hard to get out of bed. Multiple visits to the ER on top of everything else. I HATE this drug!!

Diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer with sentinel node involvement (2 of the 8 nodes taken were positive). After radiation I was prescribed Tamoxifen. Was on the drug for about 8 weeks which were the worst in my life. Side effects included constant fatigue, joint pains, back pain, hip pain, to the point that it was hard to get out of bed, bi-polar moods, depression, crying all of the time, lethargic and feeling suicidal. Not to mention the less annoying symptoms of headache and sweating. I'm an active 51 year old; ride horses, exercise daily, always outside doing something. Made the decision to go off the drug and live my life the way I was meant to. Read More Read Less

Had DCIS - grade 0, lumpectomy and 1 week of brachytherapy. Suggested to take Tamoxifen for preventive reasons and strong family history of breast ca. Started with joint pain, chills, developed minor cataract after 1 year on medication (now advanced enough during second year to have extraction). Late in second year had DVT and taken off drug. The risk of the adverse affects were greater than initial dx. Continuing off the drug with close supervision by oncologist and surgical oncologist.

I took Tamoxifen for 5 years, 5years ago and I had a good experience with this medication. I have degenerative osteo-arthritis. During the time I took the medication I did not experience any side effects at all and my arthritis even seemed better. I am 70 years old and had mammograms yearly with no cancer.

I was diagnosed w/Stage 3A IDC ER/PR positive breast cancer in left breast in Jan 2015. Had bilateral mastectomy Feb 2015, chemo from Apr 6-Jul 20 and 28 rounds of radiation. Started Tamoxifen Aug 11. Worse side effect was nausea, so I started taking it before bed to sleep through the nausea period. I was premenopausal at diagnosis and the chemo stopped my periods and started the hot flashes which come as night sweats. Rarely have any during the day. No other side effects except those two. No depression, no weight gain (actually lost 10 lbs). I don't eat a lot of sugar, salt, stay away from processed and fast food.Read More Read Less

I was told i had a 3cm tumour in my right breast near the lymph nodes. After a lumpectomy it turned out to be grade 3 cancer which is fast growing and invasive. It had not spread and my centinel node was negative. I had 3 weeks of radiotherapy and have been in pain ever since. Had such a big seroma i was crying with the pain. Went back to see my surgeon and had another scan.I had more seromas by then and had some drained. I have been on Tamoxifen for about 5 months now. I hate it! The cramps-hot flushes-complete exaustion are just too much to bear sometimes. And i've noticed my face getting a soft downy hair on it. Have to take Tamoxifen for 10 years. Read More Read Less

I have been taking Tamoxifen now for 5 years I had a Lumpectomy 4 rounds of Chemotherapy 20 rounds of Radiation and now still on Tamoxifen I was on 20mg but reacted too well to it and have been reduced to 10mg I curse it every day I have extreme hot flashes the anxiety is getting worse I also take Effexor that was suppose to help it helps some of the mood swings I would be aweful without that I get headaches constipation you name it I get it. Now my oncologist tells me he wants me to stay on it for another 5 years! Oh and not to forget the lack of sleep and the weight gain.Read More Read Less

I have been taking tamoxifen and effexor for a little over a year, after lumpectomy, radiation and no chemo. I feel tired and lethargic all the time. No sex drive, brain fog,muscle aches, and severe constipation are the worst things because these were never a problem before tamox. The first 6 months my hair was falling out in chunks,but my onco said it wasn't the tam. The next time I got my prescription filled, I noticed that "hair loss" was listed after "stroke" under side effects, so there. The hair loss has stopped, but I also started taking biotin to help my hair. I have to take tam., but I'm only 53 and I feel 100. Read More Read Less

In 2012 at age 49 I was diagnosed with LCIS and atypical hyperplasia and have been taking tamoxifen for almost three years and will take for a full five years. My side effects included not getting my period, hot flashes, rash on neck, aches in my bones. I am also on effexure for the hot flashes and night sweats. That didn't really help, but my mood improved. Recently my hot flashes and night got worse, I am now doing acupuncture and it has greatly improved. My hot flashes are almost gone and I got my period for the first time in three years. Read More Read Less

I was diagnosed in 2011 with Lobular carcinoma.I took 40 mg of tamoxifen for a couple weeks but was decreased to 20 mg because of leg cramps and heavy feeling. I have continued the last almost four years on 20 mg with good results Id say. I have had to had surgery again in 2013 but it wasnt malignant. Yea Ive had the migranes,very rare now,hot flashes occasionally the only thing that has got more frequent is leg and foot cramps BAD and my vision seems to be getting weak. BUT that is ok just a blip in this thing called life,a chapter in my book.One year and a couple months and Im done with this I hope ;) Live .love .laugh people ...enjoy take care Read More Read Less

At 27 i was diagnosed breast cancer, but on my first operation the doctor has cut through the lump so the cancer spread through the breast, but not elsewhere.I had chemo 6 sections and then tamox and zoladex still taking them for 1 y and 10m. I have developed osteopenia, nervousness, dry v, mood swings, teeth cavities, weight gain, hot flashes, forgetfulness etc. Iforget to take a pill. I hate the feeling this therapy gives me. i want to quit it but my doctor says at least 5 years and maybe 10. I don't understand why so long when i am cancer free from the second operation till now. And would i be able to have children if i take these medications so long?Read More Read Less

Sudden onset of menopause signs and symptoms didn't sit well with my body. I was still quite young. My body got so confused. I ended up bleeding for 10 months in a row so stopped taking it.

Hot flashes depression, the worst of all is my "fit of rage" over nothing. I get so upset over the littlest things that I feel like I'm having a panic attack(start breathing really deep almost like I cant catch my breathe. I can live with hot flashes,aches,pains,headaches,etc. but I CAN'T LIVE WITH THE ANGRY

I was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer in my right breast in Jan. 2011; Lumpectomy in Feb. 2011; Radiation (6 weeks) March thru April 2011; and started taking the Tamoxifen medication in May 2011. I have been taking Tamoxifen for over three years now. I have had excessive hot flashes and mood swings. In the summer of 2013, I had to take a two months break from the medication because of my hot flashes. I also have eyes irritations and itchy skin. Recently, Sept. 2014, I had a D & C to stop excessive bleeding, remove polyps and reduce the thickness of uterus walls. The polyps were noncancerous - Thank GOD. Now as a postmenopausal woman, I have to have my uterus removed, Jan. 2015, because of the contiuous bleeding and polyps quickly reforming. Although my Oncologist took me off of the Tamoxifen immediately, August 2014, because of the bleeding - the side effects continues.It makes me wonder if the benefits of the medication outweighs the many side effects that the medication causes. I have an appointment with my oncologist today to discuss medication options. I will see my primary care physician in a couple of weeks for health updates, just before seeing my ob/gyn surgeon in Jan. 2015. Ladies, make sure we do our part in getting the most effective health care by going to doctors and maintaining a personal health log. As a team, we can give breast cancer, a run for its money. God bless and good luck to all taking the breast cancerRead More Read Less

I was diagnosed with LCIS 31/2 years ago, and have been taking Tamoxifen for 3 years now. LCIS is Lobular Carcinoma in situ, a precursor to breast cancer. At first the side effects were severe hot flashes and night sweats. The night sweats have subsided, but I still get very bad and frequent hot flashes. However, I am also in menopause, so it is hard to figure out whether all of the hot flashes can be attributed to the drug. For the past few weeks I have experienced a constant low grade headache and pains in the back of my calves. I went to my regular doctor, and she said I am retaining a little bit of fluid in my ankles and calves. I am also fatigued and depressed. Now that I read these comments, I see that these symptoms can be a side effect of this drug. I have an appointment with the oncologist next month, and I will report these new side effects to him. Isn't getting older just great?Read More Read Less

I put effective because in 2 years of taking the "half dose" (10mg) I have remained cancer free. I however have not felt like myself since the week I started it. I have anxiety (added Ativan to my drugs) hot flashes and mood swings (added Effexor 75 mg) but I still have had almost all of the side effects listed. Eyes have trouble focusing, but I do not need glasses. Bone/joint aches even though I workout 5-6 days per week and do yoga. Zero sex drive - and this was not the case before. Very hard time losing weight. I will do my best to stick it out for 5 years, but have told my oncologist that is it. I cannot do this for another 5 - quality of life is just as important.Read More Read Less

I had a lumpectomy with nodes removed and was told I was cancer free. As a precaution, had radiation but no chemo. Then I was put on Tamoxifen. This medication got progressively worse as I took it. During my two months of taking the medication, I experienced chills, night sweats, extreme spike in sugar readings, aches and pains -- so bad I could not make it from room to room, face rash, etc. I thought I was going to die. My vision deteriorated so fast on this medication, I was afraid I was going blind. Headaches were bad. Mood swings, maybe just because I felt so horrible, were extreme. My doctor insisted I still keep taking it, but I can't. Been off for over a month now and still plagued with side effects but they have been lessening with time, and am getting stronger. I am really afraid of returning breast cancer (or worse) but taking this again is not an option. Quality of life was not there, I was turning into a vegetable. Don't know what to do. Read More Read Less