Tamoxifen

Zoladex is given to reduce hormones level in pre-menapause women in the treatment of eostrogen positive breast cancer. Possible side effects are headache, flushing, bone pain (usually resolve 1-2 weeks after treatment), depression, mood changes and osteoporosis in the long term.
Tamoxifen prevents eostrogen from feeding eostrogen dependent cancer cells and therefore decreases spread of the cancer. Flushing also is a common side effect.
It is very important not to stop the treatment, you need to consult your specialist Breast nurse, GP or oncologist as there are many treatment to help the side effects of hot flushes and mood changes. Many women find primose oil,soy foods, isoflavone supplements (red clover, black cohosh or vitamin E) of some help, also exercise and stop smoking does help. There are other proven methods that might help hot flushes for example a relaxation-based method, known as paced respiration, has been shown in small studies to significantly reduce hot flashes. However, this therapy is not widely available.
In severe cases your doctor can prescribe you medication which might help e.g. SSRI.
I hope I didn't confuse you.
faisal

Thanks for the info Faisal. I have a review next week at the breast care clinic so will ask about some of the things you mention.

i was told to avoid soya, i have been on tamoxifen, zoladex, had the ovaries and the rest out and mow on arimidex, guess its different for everyone xxxx

Very brave of you to join us in our leaky lifeboats. Look forward to your observations elsewhere - make a change from us diagnosing each other! Do you think reading entries on What Now helps you as a doctor to view cancer from the sharp end? Now all we need are the politicians to be looking, and we'll be really plugging some of our worst leaks.... xxx Penny

Hi There,

I want to share regarding my wife case taking tamoxifen and she also take Avemar a complementary therapy made of wheat germ. So far I don't see any side effect.

I hope my information is useful, for this forum.

Hi,
I'm on tamoxifen and get hot flushes, mood swings and tears that appear from nowhere!! I was told by a pharmacist not to take anything with isoflavones or phyto-oestrogens (from plants I think} because they will affect the action of tamoxifen. Also I've found out (from a thyroid website) that tamoxifen has an effect on the thyroid and can suppress it so because I'm hypothyroid I have to have blood tests more frequently to monitor my T4 levels. At the moment I'm just taking evening primrose oil and vitamin E capsules. I tried cutting out my glass of wine in the evening but still lie awake at night so have knocked that on the head and chill out now with my pinot grigio!!
Hope this helps ... but on the good side I was told that tamoxifen helps protect your bones against osteoporosis.
Must go.... just poured my glass of wine mmmmmmmm

Glenis xx

Hi folks,

Many thanks for your various comments - interesting reading that what is recommended in some cases is to be avoided in others! I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Personally, I do find that exercise helps, and I have been taking a tablet called clonidine for the flashes which my doctor thought might help. It seemed to at first but now I think I'm getting immune to it. It's primarily used for something else but found to be useful with flushing as well.

Well Glenis, I'd like to know more about what the effects on the thyroid are supposed to be. What does the thyroid do exactly anyway? (excuse my ignorance). By the way, I'm quite partial to a glass of red wine too but rarely participate as I find this, along with sugary things and caffeine all help to make the flushes worse - anything it seems that boosts energy levels which is exactly what we need at times isn't it? Have to be careful with sweeteners though as I'm allergic to aspartame - evil stuff that.

Anyway, thanks again and cheers!
Sue x

Your thyroid controls your body metabolism (have a look at www.thyroiduk.org) and because mine is underactive (hypothyroid) I have to take thyroxine for ever. Hypothyroid means that the thyroid gland isn't producing enough thyroxine. I was diagnosed because I asked my GP for a blood test for it because I was so tired all the time that my work and social life were suffering!! This was only a couple of months before my BC diagnosis so we're doing a juggling act at the moment to get my dosage right because tamoxifen can suppress the thyroid, not good if it's not functioning properly in the first place! So, am I tired from my radiotherapy treatment and everything thats been going on or is it from my thyroid or is it just that my 'get up and go' seems to have got up and gone!!

Glenis xx

I too have hypothyroid (for about 12 years). I am almost 1 year finished all my BC treatment (surgery, chemo and radio)... my most recent bloods show a very stable thyroid... my energy is good, I am getting to the stage where I sometimes wonder why I am tired (instead of it being my natural state). After a 'thyroid wobble' , it generally takes a few months to stabilise (all my family have it) so hang tough and it will settle... the treatment for BC may mean it takes longer, but after nearly a year of tamoxifen, mine is fine ( I am running 10ks and living a busy life)
As for your get up and go.... it's resting but not gone, you'll see!
EJ x

Thanks EJ for reassuring me that eventually everything will get back to normal. My trouble is I'm so impatient!! Don't think I'll ever be running 10k's though!!
Glenis xx

Hi Folks,

Thanks very much for the info on the effects of Tamoxifen on Thyroids. I to does seem to explain a few things. The fact that it supresses the Thyroid would explain why it is a constant battle to fight the tiredness, especially as I still work full time, It might also explain why some have reported weight gain when on Tamoxifen, as when one is tried, they will be getting less exercise more often than not, and also eating more energy boosting foods. I have heard that exercise helps to boost metabolism - wonder if this is true? Often it's the last thing you feel like doing though isn't it? And no, can't see myself running 10K either, though I can empathise with feeling impatient. All I want to do is get back to what I was but maybe that's being unrealistic?

Hi Smiler,

Iv been taking Tamoxifen for nearly 2 years now and i didnt like side effects at all. Terrible hot sweats, painful feet and cramps, nausea, tiredness, lethargy, and put on 3 stone in weight. Dr. gave me venteflaxin for the sweats but over time gave me blurred vision. So, they now changed me from Tamoxifen to Arimidex and stopped the venteflaxin. also with the arimidex, Calcium plus vit D, that was 2 weeks ago and since then ive been really ill stomach cramps, vomiting and exhausted. So i may have to go back on Tamoxifen if these symptons are from the arimidex, the sweats seem better on these tablets, but the bad outweigh the good. I was advised against taking Vit E, Black cohosh and red clover as these apparently contain oestrogen which i am not to have due to cancer as it oestrogen feeds the cancer. I went into the health shop and they suggested sage for the sweats, so i went into boots and checked with the pharmicist who consulted her book and she said no dont take sage or any plant related vits. So the only alternative is to get something perscribed from the consultant, but there will be side effects.Anyway good luck and take care.
Maria xx

i got hot flushes at first with the tamoxifen but they seem to have stopped, however i still get muscle cramps in my legs through the night not all the time just every now and again seems to be worse if i drink alcohol as well!! I do have mood swings as well not sure if that is because of the tablets or just because of everything ive been going through cant be sure

Hi Maria,
So glad I read your comment. I was changed by my G.P
from Tamoxifen to Arimidex about 10mths ago as I was getting hot flushes and put on weight. The hot flushes have stopped but I have still gained weight and have found my knees and ankles have started to ache. Thing is, I read that Arimidex is used for postmenapausal women and as I stil get my periods I have started to worry that I'm not protected from further cancer. Can anyone give me any advice?

Many thanks,
Babs

Hi Babs

I was having Periods up until the Radiotherapy treatment then my Periods stopped due to the Radiotherapy treatment.
Yes Babs i also read that the Arimidex were for postmenapausal women
If i were you i would definately check up on that with your consultant oncologist. If there is something im unsure about i ring the consultant secretary and get her to ask the consultant on your behalf your concern, and get her to get back to you. They normally do, give her your hospital no. it saves alot of time. Glad my comments were of help to you. Also make sure they perscribe you calcium plus vit d for your bones whilst taking arimidex, but you may not need calcium if your getting a period, but do ask. good luck, let me know how you get on. Take care.

Maria xx

Hi Sue

brendan here.

My wife had breast cancer 2006 - took chemo and 15 months on tamxifen- now in 2008 feb - has secondary cancer.Liver , bones ,ribs, spine.

Check with your doctor about taxoxifen - belived to cause liver cancer -so i suggest you check this out on the internet and ----- see is there a better drug - myself and my wife dont really have faith in either the chemo or drugs at this stage.

Are we fools - not really just certain that you must question all drugs before you decide to take them.

we are from ireland and are currently in Mexico to get treatment

Brendan

I will start taking tamoxefen at the end of June, I started experiencing hot flushes after I finished the chemotherapy but the flushes have now improved so I was wondering whether they will reassume once I start on the tablet. Furthermore I have been told that people experience weight gain is that the general view?

I've been taking Tamoxifen since the beginning of December last year, and am experiencing terrible hot flushes and joint pain (particularly my feet and elbows). I am also struggling to try and lose some weight, I put it on whilst on chemo and have only managed to lose a little. I go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week and am a fairly active person generally.

What concerns me most is the differing advice that seems to be given. An earlier poster said that she was told to avoid soya, I have cut out dairy products from my diet after reading the Plant Programme, and have mentioned this to both GP and Oncologist and neither has said that I should avoid soya!! I take a bone supplement and glucosomene (both recommended by GP and pharmacist).

Now I'm wondering what on earth to take and not to take.

I posted a new topic about Starlower Oil for hot flushes, my work friend has been taking this since being told about it by a breast care nurse). Obviously this is plant based.....!!!!!

HELP!!

Hevver

Dear Maria,
Many thanks for your reply which I am ashamed to admit I have only just seen. I am a bit scared of talking to people on this sort of thing and although I have looked at the different subjects on the forums I didn't think to look on my profile to check for replies to my query.
About two months ago I did pluck up the courage to write to my brilliant G.P and ask him whether I should be on Arimidex and he got on to my oncologist. They decided to put me back on Tamoxifen which as yet doesn't seem to be giving me any problems. I can feel my body warm up occasionally but it is summer(I think). I have also lost a bit of weight, but that might be due to my running round looking after my hubbie who has just had a hip resurfacing and needs to be helped quite a bit at the mo.
As I said, many thanks for getting back to me. I hope everything is ok with you and you are well.

Babs

Hi, I've been on Tamoxefin for 18 months. Yesterday after begging my oncologist he said that I could stop for two months to see if all my issues cleared and wether or not I am in Menopause. I have had terrible side effects. Hot flashes, mood swings, weight gain, lack of energy. I just feel like my entire body and emotions are out of control. I am wondering if anyone else has gone through the same thing. Any advice.

Hi. Good luck to all of you. I´ve been taking Tamoxifen for nearly four years now, in the first two of those years I was on Zoladex too. In the beginning the flushes were terrible, completely debilitating, couldn´t go out anywhere for a while cos the flushes would happen and I just couldn´t deal with them they were so bad. They did improve a bit which meant I could get on with life and over the last three years they have diminished in both intensity and frequence. Now I rarely get them and if I do they are no worse than a very minor inconvenience.
The mood swings, well yes I certainly had those but I think I put them down more to the whole experience than the medication. Didn´t have any bone or joint problems though so lucky there.
Weight gain yes definitely, though I have been assured by a Doctor friend who was also on tamoxifen for five years that once you stop you can start to lose weight. Have to believe her cos she stopped about 18 months ago and has managed to drop a couple of sizes. Looking forward to that time.
Hope this has helped, sometimes, although believe me I know how hard it is, it is just a case of giving it more time.

Good afternoon all,
I'm a 'new girl' - well when I say girl, I am 54 and have been taking Tamoxifen for 2 years, Yesterday my doctor advised that now the two years are up I should switch to Arimidex.
I have got to say that reading the side effects on the packet really doesnt fill me with hope as for the last two years I have suffered with an extreme loss of libido and I am 'well in trouble' at home! Dont get me wrong, my husband has been uber supportive etc etc but 'things' just havent moved on from the time I had my surgery/radiotherapy followed by Tamoxifen.
I would be more than enthusiastic to continue with a happy sex life but just cant find it any more!!
Anyone help on that score??

hi, ive been on tamoxifen since july at first the hot flushes where really bad i tried everything soya,vitd, you name it i tried it .i was on 20g a day (1tablet) then i spoke to my oncoligist about the hot flushes and he changed my dose from 1 tablet to 2 tablets (10g) a day and that seems to have controlled the flushes but then last week after 11months i got a period iam now worried that iam not protected from the cancer i was still gettting the symptoms (backache stomach cramps) but no period now ive had 2 in the past 2weeks and iam worried sick has the cancer returned or is there a higher risk that it will return.dotxx

Hi Jimsdot

Not everyone who is on Tamoxifen stop their periods. Mine were cancelled out by the chemo rather than Tamoxifen and there are a lot of women in our support group whose periods have continued regardless of tamoxifen or chemo.

There is no evidence to suggest that your cancer will come back because of your periods.

If you still have concerns it might be an idea to have a word with your breast care nurse?

Hi I am due to go onto Tamoxifen after my second (or maybe third if needed!) surgery which I have next week and I am dreading. After reading all your entries I am very worried. I am also hypothyroid and I knew nothing about any effects from Tamoxifen before.

I am also vegetarian and so eat a lot of soya!

Hi everyone,
Just checked out some of the messages regarding Tamoxafin on here as i'm due to start a 5yr course after my chemo so i've been very intrested in some of your comments.
I always try to look at the side effects -just to educate myself and be prepared.

I've read with interest about the herbs that some of you are taking as i do prefer herbs to chemicals which is ironic really seening how i'm have chemo :-) And as i'm 53 this Xmas i'd hoped i would have finished my periods by now, but no!! so mood swings and sweats are the norm now.

This has helped me look at the tablets more and will now watch for any side effects, but again i won't look at effects to much as your mind can work overtime can't it?

Thanks again for all the info and help.

Dee

Hi soya, i am new to this site, I take arimidex but have problems with my joints/muscles...thisn keps me awake at night...do you have any symptons like this....betty

I've been on both Tamoxifen and Arimidex. I suffered hot flushes etc with Tamoxifen but also had stiff joints/muscles on Arimidex and I think this is a common side effect unfortunately of Arimidex.

I have only been on tamoxifin for 3 weeks and have already had to lower my dose. I am having terrible back pain along with bone pain, nausea, stomache cramps and blurred vision......are all of these normal???

.. and to the other person who is due to start on Tamoxifen soon - so sorry I can't recall your name but I thought my experience might be of interest to you.

I have been on it now for five weeks following a partial mastectomy and whilst waiting for radiotherapy to start - maybe in a couple of weeks.

It appears that I may have been very fortunate with the Tamoxifen because I have had none of the side effects that bib is having which sound very debilitating and distressing indeed. The only side effects I have had are tiredness - I now have to have a sleep every afternoon - and the VERY occasional hot flush so I feel very fortunate.

However what bib said about lowering her dose caught my attention and I thought it might be worthwhile to ask if anyone knows if there is a sort of "standard" dosage or does it vary for different people. I have one 20mg tablet per day and I'm wondering if that's a low dose or what??

Any information gladly received and could be of help to everyone on the drug to know whether dosages vary.

Thanks in advance!!!

As far as I know 20mg is the standard tablet per day - I must admit that I've never heard of anyone having to reduce their dose so the side effects must be quite debilitating.

We have over a 100 members in our support group and don't know of anyone who has had such a reaction except for hot flushes and some say they have also gained weight.

I was listening to an American teleconference this week about breast cancer and someone brought up the issue of being on Arimidex and having stiff joints. The doctor there said it was because the Arimidex suppresses the oestrogen levels (bit like WD40!) so that's why you get stiff. She did say that sometimes acupunture, pilates or yoga might help (although not stop it) plus a supplement such as glucomose (spelling?!) but, as with everything, I think it's always best to get it checked out that you're okay to have complementary therapies.

Hi to everybody

Have been on tamoxifen since december 07 and have had really bad hot flushes day and night also keep waking up in the early hours. Lots of aches and pains in my joints thought I was going mad till I spoke with others who are all having the same problems but when I asked at hospital about the aches they said it is not due to the tamoxifen ! pull the other one it has bells on I thought!!
Also cry at anything and everything. Still must not grumble as the say.
Best wishes to all
mandy

Thanks so much for your input - mandy is your dose 20mg a day too??

I guess I have just got lucky with my medication and I am eternally grateful that I am not battling the side effects some seem to be cursed with.

Sheena - I'm not greatly into alternative medicine and certainly with something as serious as this I am going traditionally with what my so-far excellent health professionals are suggesting to me. You were speaking of natural treatments for joint pain - here in New Zealand we have glucosomine which some people swear by and deer velvet seems to be proving highly effective for some people with arthritis etc.

Thanks again for your feedback!!

I'm the same as you, not into alternative medicine although I do think that complementary therapy can play a big part in making people feel better about themselves (such as yoga, acupuncture etc).

I know I wouldn't want to rock the boat with regards the treatment that I'm getting from my hospital as I feel quite well at the moment and it would concern me to introduce other supplements into my body. It was interesting though what the oncologist from America was saying - she drew similarities with a car without WD40 (!) and that's what she said people's bodies are like (without the oestrogen!).

I've never heard of deer velvet before but I'm not that up to speed with supplements as a whole (except Vitamin C that I've been taking for a number of years).

(Like your quote!! - very true!)

Hi everyone,

This is my very first time on this site. I've been on Tamoxifen for nearly 3 months now, and the hot flushes and night sweats are a real pain. I'm also on Herceptin and gave had treatments so far. I'm looking for any suggestions on things to eat or drink or take to help improve on these side effects.

Hello new Bee and welcome to the site, but just a shame you have to join in the first place :-(
I'll be interested to see what people will say to you about the reply to your comment as i myself am due to start Tamoxifin after my treatment. in January.

It's strange because i've been quite lucky so far as i turn 53 in Dec and had got away without hot flushes and only had a very few night sweats, But starting chemo has changed all that..what a nightmare lol.. and to think i'll have to go through this until i'm 58! oh dear(don't i sound ungrateful) but sometimes it's nice to have a moan ha ha..
I do hope someone replies to help you out so good luck!
Dee.

HI THERE EVERYBODY... I WAS ON TAMOXIFEN FOR 2 YEARS AND THEN MY CONSULTANT DECIDED TO PUT ME ON ARIMIDEX.
AT THE TIME SHE ASKED ME IF I HAD GONE THOUGH THE MENOPAUSE.
I SAID I WASN'T SURE BUT MY PERIODS HAD STOPPED AFTER STARTING TAMOXIFEN.
'OH YOU PROBABLY HAVE THEN' SAID SHE.

SO 6 MONTHS DOWN THE LINE ON ARIMIDEX I HAVE JUST STARTED THE PERIOD TO END ALL PERIODS.. A GREAT SHOCK AFTER 2.5 YEARS !! TROUBLE IS ARIMIDEX ONLY ADDRESSES THE OESTROGEN SECRETED BY A GLAND (CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME) NOT THE OVARIES SO UNTIL MENOPAUSE HAS BEEN FINISHED ITS NO GOOD !!
BACK TO THE CLINIC NEXT WEEK !!

Hi all
I started my Tamoxifen at the beginning of the year - it was ghastly - aching joints, nausea. I switched to Nolvadex which is a different manufacturers and it is a bit better with regard to the aches. Flushes are slightly less dramatic but I spend most of the night fighting the duvet off and then dragging it back on because I'm cold. Bedroom windows wide open and a shivering husband. Previous to BC I had been taking sage and black cohosh which had been helpful but I was told to avoid them so don't take them now. I too find alcohol can make them worse so I only allow myself a glass of wine at weekends ( and then open the windows even further when I go to bed!!!). I was advised to take mine at night so the nausea is lessened and that works although sometime I wake up with a griping pain in my upper sotmach (I think it's the pancreas). I also get rashes but this may be down to the radiotherapy as it's that area mostly affected. I was 54 in April and I was told I'll be on Tamoxifen for two years and then Arimidex - that sounds as horrible from what you all say and yet I thought it would be better. My hospital has a holisitic centre and I was given free sessions of auricular acupncture (the needles go into tops of your ear which is a bit uncomfortable) and I think this was effective. I get all the tiredness too and the emotional bits but this could be the menopause. Yes, I've put weight on as well - two stone and I hate that bit as well - none of it's fair is it!!!!! I had no idea that it affected your thyroid. Exercise helps so the dog gets lots of extra walks and swimmings helps me have a good nights sleep. I think you deal with the diagnosis and the operation and the chemo and radiotherapy and you just don't realise that there are still nasty bits like the side effects of the tablets. It all makes you a bit fed up sometimes.

OH JOY!! :-) LOL..
Well this is somethings to look forward to isn't?

I was just at the Doctors yesterday asking about my sick note for work, We got on about Periods as up till now i was still having them BUT! i was due to have a period this week only i don't feel as though i'm going to have one.
This lead the conversation to Tamoxafin, the doc asked me if anyone at the hospital had explained that due to chemo it may stop my periods-funny i said did ask this when me and my hubby saw the nurse before my chemo and she had never heard of it(confusing) as it's in the booklet your given.
He also mentioned that Tamoxafin will stop them but like i said i'm 53 this year and not bothered if they do stop.
I just find that your given lot's of information about everything but you don't always get someone who can give you an answer-that's why i like to read up on things and come on here to ask if i get stuck.

I've also started to put on weight but again when i started my treatment your advised to eat in case your appetite goes and i think that's why i've put on most of my weight.
So far i haven't been sick or lost my appetite so i'm cutting back on things and starting to exercise(not saying this is going to work but while i feel ok i will)

I have been lucky so far- going throught the change i mean-very few hot flushes, mainly moods swings withme BUT! starting chemo has changed all that the flushes are awful and like you, when i go to bed the covers are on/off ha ha.. and my hubby just doesn't understand when he tries to cuddle me it's only seconds before i say get off i'm hot and the day after my chemo i have to have this injection and when it kicks in the pain in my joints are really bad(sometimes can't stand up straight away) so all in all it looks like starting Tamoxafin willjust continue the effects so like it or lump it i have just have to get on with it, But the one thing you said about changing youe medication? i will if it doesn't agree with me.

The one thing which does sometimes irritate me is when you hear your friends asking how you are(i always say fine regardless) and think everything is sorted now you've had your operation and finishing off with chemo, they don't really understand and that even when your finished all this you have to take tablets so times for the rest of your life and i do find this hard to get across and of course the worry what if!..

Anyway thank you for your comment and i just hope my rambilings make some kind of sense lol..
Dee

OH JOY!! :-) LOL..
Well this is somethings to look forward to isn't?

I was just at the Doctors yesterday asking about my sick note for work, We got on about Periods as up till now i was still having them BUT! i was due to have a period this week only i don't feel as though i'm going to have one.
This lead the conversation to Tamoxafin, the doc asked me if anyone at the hospital had explained that due to chemo it may stop my periods-funny i said did ask this when me and my hubby saw the nurse before my chemo and she had never heard of it(confusing) as it's in the booklet your given.
He also mentioned that Tamoxafin will stop them but like i said i'm 53 this year and not bothered if they do stop.
I just find that your given lot's of information about everything but you don't always get someone who can give you an answer-that's why i like to read up on things and come on here to ask if i get stuck.

I've also started to put on weight but again when i started my treatment your advised to eat in case your appetite goes and i think that's why i've put on most of my weight.
So far i haven't been sick or lost my appetite so i'm cutting back on things and starting to exercise(not saying this is going to work but while i feel ok i will)

I have been lucky so far- going throught the change i mean-very few hot flushes, mainly moods swings withme BUT! starting chemo has changed all that the flushes are awful and like you, when i go to bed the covers are on/off ha ha.. and my hubby just doesn't understand when he tries to cuddle me it's only seconds before i say get off i'm hot and the day after my chemo i have to have this injection and when it kicks in the pain in my joints are really bad(sometimes can't stand up straight away) so all in all it looks like starting Tamoxafin willjust continue the effects so like it or lump it i have just have to get on with it, But the one thing you said about changing youe medication? i will if it doesn't agree with me.

The one thing which does sometimes irritate me is when you hear your friends asking how you are(i always say fine regardless) and think everything is sorted now you've had your operation and finishing off with chemo, they don't really understand and that even when your finished all this you have to take tablets so times for the rest of your life and i do find this hard to get across and of course the worry what if!..

Anyway thank you for your comment and i just hope my rambilings make some kind of sense lol..
Dee

I have read all the above carefully but can't come to a decision about whether Tamoxifen or Arimidex would be best for me. I'm post menopausal. They both seem to have fairly horrendous side effects but it seems that Tamoxifen is associated with thyroid problems, liver cancer and uterine cancer. Has anyone had advice on this? I also don't uinderstand why some people start on Tamoxifen and then have to change to Arimidex?

My experience of all this so far is that if you don't ask lots of questions you just get the most obvious treatment and not necessarily that which is best for you. I guess I will have to make this decision once I've had my mastectomy on 2nd December so any advice would be welcome.

Thanks, Ann

Ok here is how I understand it. When you are menstruating and have not entered the menopause the Ovaries make oestrogen - which some cancers feed on so they use Tamoxifen to block the effects of the oestrogen. Post (after) menopause the ovaries stop making oestrogen but the adrenal glands then begin making oestrogen - Arimadex/Femara block the effects of the oestrogen prduced by the adrenal glands. Simple!!! Zoladex is used in pre menopause women to prevent the oestrogen produced by the ovaries too - but not in post menopausal women. Have I made any sense???? Jools x

Thanks for your explanation Jools. I had previously thought that Tamoxifen could also be used for post menapausal women too. Seems that the side effects are the same whichever, oh joy!!

Hope you are feeling ok, and thanks again for taking the trouble to reply xx

Hi all.
Well have now been on tamoxifen for about 10 days.
I asked my consultant about whether to give up soya and that I am vegetarian and eat it quite often. She said not to give it up.
I have had a few night sweats and seem to be feeling more tired than normal.
I also aked my consultant about possible problems with my hypothyroid condition but she said she hadn't found a problem with other patients. However the phamacist suggested asking my doctor for more frequent blood tests.

We shall see.

Best wishes

Veggie xxx

Hi all.

I getting niggly probs I had before I went on Levothyroxine. Interesting eh!!!

Veggie xxx

Hi

I have been reading with interest all the comments regarding tamoxifen as it's the very subject that led me to join this community today. I have had a mastectomy, Chemo, fnished Radiotherapy yesterday and have been on tamoxifen for 3 weeks. I sometimes feel like a radiator as I get so hot and then of course cold, especially if its been a particularly wet flush. I am constantly taking layers of clothes off and then putting them back on. My bedroom is like a deep freeze and my husband never complains (lucky girl, I know).

I am 47, and had an early hysterectomy when I was about 37. I was put on HRT very soon after the hysterectomy as I was having really bad clothes drenching hot flushes, so the assumption was that my ovaries had been damaged during the operation.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I had to stop taking the HRT and surprisingly I had no side affects. No hot flushes - nothing. Okay my body was coping with the aftermarth of the mastectomy and then chemo, but I was surprised and wondered if the meonpause was over and I had been taking HRT needlessly?

My oncologist has put me on tamoxifen, but how do I know if I have been through the menopause or not? I have no womb, so no periods. Its a little scarey to think I may actually be post menopausal and therefore not be taking the right medication.

To add insult to injury, I am also insulin dependent diabetic, so I take my tamoxifen in the morning as I would prefer not to have the flushes at night, as they can be confused with the symptoms of hypos (low blood sugars). It has helped a bit as whilst I still get hot and cold, I haven't experienced a drenched bed since starting to take the tamoxifen in the morning.

Does anyone know if there is a test to show if you have been through the menopause or not?

I too like a glass of pinot grigio but also feel it makes the flushes worse, but interestingly I had a couple of glasses of champagne last night to celebrate the end of my treatment and guess what - no flushes. If my budget would allow, I reckon I would do that every night.

Thanks for listening.

Anna