Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant User Reviews

• ESe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2019

"I've been on Tamoxifen for about a year as hormonal blockade for stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma (small, but grade 3). At first, I just had insomnia, which is being treated with Ambien and Remeron. Now, I'm getting crushing fatigue, TMJ, and hip bursitis after I walk (about 2-3 miles on most days). I've also had a posterior vitreous detachment, first in the left eye, then in the right. The line I'm getting from oncology is: Those are symptoms of aging; everyone has those, and it is not Tamoxifen that is causing it. Well, I went on a trip and stopped it for 3 weeks. Walking about 4 miles daily, on the go, and I didn't have the pain. Started Tamoxifen again, and it all came back within a month. Very frustrating, but I'm afraid not to take it."

• Sti...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2015

"I am 41 years old, and like many who have already posted, wish the doctors would just be more upfront regarding the side effects. I think it would be more manageable, as sometimes I think I am crazy. I have had peeling of my hands, foot swelling, foot pain, decreased sex drive, fatigue, and yeast infections. I have taken Tamoxifen for 2 years and am on the 10-year study. My children are my motivation for taking this medicine."

• Mst...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 6, 2017

"I had stage 2 grade A IDC with trace evidence in the sentinel node. I've been on tamoxifen for 5 years, with 5 years left to go. I currently have the following side effects: hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, fatigue, blurred vision, hair loss, hair thinning, hypertriglyceridemia, bone and joint pain, and cannot tolerate drug brand changes, and have had to have a total hysterectomy."

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 9, 2020

"I just started taking Tamoxifen about a week ago. I am always nauseous, I am noticing my hair thinning since I started, my jaw hurts, and the pelvic pains are so uncomfortable. I am always crying and saying things I would never say. I will need to speak to my doctor and see if there are other alternatives. Hopefully, there is."

• RNa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 7, 2021

"At age 58, I was diagnosed with stage 1 IDC in Oct 2017. Had a mastectomy in Dec 2017. Refused to start aromatase inhibitors for the first year post-op due to side effects. Tried AI for a month after the oncologist convinced me, and I had side effects of terrible muscle pains and cramps, hot flashes that were severe, and severe constipation. Was also put on Effexor to help against side effects. I stopped both of these and asked to be put on tamoxifen, but at a lower level with my argument being that the San Antonio University study in 2013 documented that 5 mg was enough to keep cancer from reoccurring and the 20 mg caused greater side effects. Also, an Italian study states the same. My oncologist doesn’t like it, but I take the 5 mg dose daily, at night. Still have insomnia, hot flashes, muscle pains, and cramps. Also, my BUN level is high. Is this drug worth being on with these side effects? I’ve weaned myself to 2.5 g per day, and symptoms are a bit less."

• Kcy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 3, 2014

"Hot flushes not too bad, suffer from fatigue and bone pain, but the medicine makes me feel safe."