Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer User Reviews (Page 2)

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2017

"62 year old white female. Stage 2. Tumor and some lymph nodes removed in February 2015. I have been on Tamoxifen for 6 days and now the side effects are draining me. Extreme tiredness, itching skin, headaches, arm and leg pain with numbness, dizziness, and hot flashes. I am having a war with myself about medications and alternative medicine. I was extremely ill with Arimidex, suffering from stomach pains radiating to my back. The unconcern of my oncologist set me off to find alternative methods. I found an excellent alternative medicine doctor, and we started cleaning out the estrogen from my liver, kidneys, etc., but I am having a problem eliminating body fat. My breast surgeon scared me into taking Tamoxifen. The alternative doctor says there are always other things you can do. I'm torn."

• mer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2012

"Going on month two now... It made me very tired (loss of vitality), but it is much better now, had constipation but increased my fiber, water, and exercise - all is well as long as I do this, joint pain in my hips but is better with exercise, nausea - I had a little when I started, it got better, and now it is back and worse - I have started taking Pepto-Bismol, and it has helped - you can try mint (candy, gum), anxiety - happens occasionally but so far tolerable. It is always best to speak to your health professional before trying the above."

• K92...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 8, 2019

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 1a IDC at 39 yrs old. I know this is an important part of my treatment and recurrence prevention, but this drug makes me feel awful. You name the side effect, I have every single one. There has to be a better option."

• Gua...
• July 11, 2013

"I was on Tamoxifen for 4 1/2 years after I had my chemo. There were a lot of side effects after stopping estrogen: dry skin, loss of libido, and an edgy feeling. When I started taking Tamoxifen, I felt much better. I didn't feel edgy as the Tamoxifen tricked my body into feeling like it had estrogen. I had hot flashes but did not feel them. My friends would tell me I must have had a hot flash because my face turned red. I highly recommend this medicine. I felt much better on it."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 15, 2018

"For those of you who only had menopausal side effects - hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, dry skin - great. I had all that plus anxiety attacks, depression, headaches that made migraines seem like a walk in the park, hair loss, muscle aches and cramps, fatigue that made it difficult to just walk to the bathroom, blurred vision (I had already had cataracts removed). The list goes on and on, but to compound it, when I told my doctors, they said, 'Oh, tamoxifen doesn't cause that.' I gave them the list of side effects with the ones I had marked, and it was thrown in the wastebasket in front of me. Now that I have quit taking it, the side effects come and go. They can and do return over and over again about every two to three months and last two to three months. My doctors told me none of this, so if you are contemplating taking it, do the research first. I wish I had."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2011

"Medicine works well. I was really scared initially but with my family and friends' support, I gained strength. It worked like magic. I feel really better now. Had some start-up issues, but my body gelled well with the medicine. I am glad I took the medicine."

• iSu...
• May 31, 2013

"I am going on 5 years taking this medication religiously. I was diagnosed with Stage 2B ductal carcinoma, invading my chest wall and 3 lymph nodes in 2008. So far, cancer free. The side effects are minimal. My skin is drier, and I do feel aged, but I also had my ovaries removed after testing for BRCA2 so I think it might be due to that also. I want to continue taking for another 5 years since I'm only 34."

• Lal...
• June 27, 2014

"I am 41. I had been on Effexor for a couple of years, so when I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, I carried on with the medication. I started taking Tamoxifen about a month ago. So far, I am very fatigued, have headaches, and some physical aches and pains. I take my Tamoxifen in the morning with my breakfast because that seems to calm the nausea that I can get with an empty stomach. The best thing that I am experiencing now that I am on Tamoxifen is the ability to cry and work through emotion. That ability had left me while I was just on Effexor. I still felt sad, but didn't feel like I could cry. Well, the tears come now, and they feel cleansing and good. I have much less anxiety about having a cancer reoccurrence."

• Tou...
• September 14, 2015

"I have been on Tamoxifen for 40 days. Here's my story: I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer (98% estrogen fed) in April 2015. I did not need chemo or radiation. I was told after surgery (June 2015) that I had to take 'Tommy' for 5 years. I fought the idea, but eventually decided to give it a try. So far, the main complaint I have is fatigue. I take it at night and that helps. Some joint pain, vaginal discharge (clear mostly), and the BEST thing about Tommy is that it has calmed me down. I am about 30% of the energized person I was before. I no longer feel like I need to solve the world's problems in a day. So, I can honestly say, that's a big plus! WEIGHT CHANGES: I became Vegan and did not lose any weight! :("

• Car...
• July 27, 2015

"I had stage 1 IDC breast cancer, diagnosed in June 2013, mastectomies in August 2013, and started tamoxifen in October 2013. After experiencing stomach digestive issues, I went off it in March 2014 until August, then back on and have been on it ever since. So almost 1 year straight, but another 5 months of it before that as well. My biggest complaint is feeling so wiped out by the end of the day. I take it at night when going to bed, usually around 10 pm. Does anyone think switching the time I take the pill will matter? I have also noticed a 5-10 pound weight gain. I'm very active and fit-I lift weights, run, and do CrossFit. I have found that the side effects of this drug are forcing me to live and eat cleaner to try and reduce them."

• Lyn...
• February 24, 2017

"I've been on tamoxifen for 3 1/3 years. In the beginning, I was fine, but as years went on, I began to have extreme fatigue, feels like it's hard to swallow at times, anxiety, can't drive due to lack of focus, and hot flashes. Oh, I forgot that I gained a lot of weight and I take Zumba classes. I told the Dr. that I'm having a hard time driving, and he just dismisses what I say. The nurse said that there was another patient complaining about the same thing. I have 6 1/2 more years on this medicine. I'm doing my best!"

• Aun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2016

"I found my lump before Christmas. It was in the milk duct, 2 surgeries weeks apart to remove both lumps, painful. Tamoxifen is horrible! Always sweating, barely sleeping. I already had a hard time with insomnia, now this drug has made things worse. Started taking this in April. I will start taking the drug in the morning instead of at night. Hopefully, I may be able to get some sleep through the night without having to change sheets nightly. After reading the other posts, this explains my constipation, lack of energy. Will see what kind of meds or herbal product I can take for the hot flashes, getting unbearable."

• pin...
• January 16, 2017

"I was on tamoxifen for 5 years. It drove me into severe depression. I was delusional to the point of being in a psychiatric hospital for 1 year. No doctor at the time could find out why I was as I was! I had water retention, weight gain of 25 kilos, fluid on my lungs, which caused coughing to the point I felt I was suffocating, insomnia, joint pain, nausea, and hot flushes. And to crown it all, skin disorders, of which the rash and sores made me look like I had HIV. Bicarbonate of soda, lemons, and ginger have improved my health!"

• Bev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2019

"Cancer Center of America told me to take tamoxifen with melatonin (20 mg). I take 10 mg both at night before I go to bed. It's been hard with the hot flashes and mood swings. It's been a month, and I'm trying to follow Dr. orders. Every day I want to stop taking it, but I don't. Say a prayer before taking it and pray for no side effects."

• HOT...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2014

"The wisest decision I can share is changing when I take the tamoxifen. I decided that sleep was imperative in order to deal with the side effects. I take the tamoxifen during the day. I live in CA, so temperature-wise, this is a good thing to do. Running hot is an understatement. Skin and hair have taken a hit as the hips have improved. I suspect the lack of juice to connective tissues is the reason. Also, arthritis has shown up in both knees. One perk? Evenness of mood after 2 years. My 10 rating? No recurrence as of 2.5 years."

• Boo...
• June 12, 2016

"I have been taking Tax for 6 months. I won't lie, having a mastectomy was easier than the meds, but the alternative is worse. My biggest complaint is fatigue and moodiness. Training for a Half Ironman has its challenges, but I think the daily training helps me in so many ways. I don't have joint pain and other major side effects. I like the open discussion format, as doctors are really upfront about all of the side effects, as each person is different. It is nice to hear from others about the mood swings, I thought I was going crazy... Hard on family for sure. I just keep on trucking... Good to hear from others."

• jwi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 1, 2017

"I have been on Tamoxifen for about a year now. I have the hot flashes and the sweats, and oh yes, the mood swings, but now I'm experiencing severe temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ). I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem on this medication. If so, what did you do to make it go away? Two weeks of this condition is two weeks too long. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for any suggestions you may have."

• Lis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 31, 2016

"I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years after a mastectomy for estrogen-based breast cancer. During the last years and ongoing, I have been overwhelmed with fatty tumors. Some are growing at a rapid rate and some that were soft are turning hard. They are on my rib cage, my abdomen, my legs, and 1 or 2 on my arms. I seem to be the only one concerned."

• Vee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2020

"All the adjuvant therapies that were offered to me scared the life out of me. I changed my diet, de-stressed, meditated, exercised, and don't dwell on having had a lump. From now on, it's about quality of life. It's information like this (under 'adverse reactions') that makes me glad I trusted my gut: drugs.com search for Soltamox, then look at profession, and then look under side effects."

• Jos...
• March 3, 2016

"I have been on tamoxifen for 5 months now, and it truly is difficult to isolate the side effects of the drug alone due to the fact that I was perimenopausal prior to being diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer with micrometastasis in one lymph node. I am 52 years old. My primary complaint is insomnia. I have become a light sleeper, waking up 10-20 times each night. While I am able to fall asleep again, I never feel as though I have had a deep, restful sleep. I take my tamoxifen in the morning after I brush my teeth. A year post-diagnosis, which included surgery (partial mastectomy), chemotherapy, 25 rounds of radiation, and now tamoxifen, I have endeavored to train for an Ironman race in August. I am getting stronger every day."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

"I am so angry. An oncologist recommended this horrible drug. She said if you don't, you will die a painful death. My mother was 85 years old and couldn't fight this medicine. It is straight-up an absolutely awful drug. Why, I want an appointment with this doctor with my mum. She is in hospice care at this moment. It hasn't even been one year since the first treatment, which hospitalized her for 14 days. It almost killed her. DO NOT TAKE IT. If she lives till Christmas, I will be surprised. She is dying a painful death now."

• Mar...
• September 15, 2015

"Was for 5 years, increased to 10 years, I'm in year 7. Had 3 lumpectomies within a 3-month span, had chemo, radiation, plus 1 year of Herceptin for ductal carcinoma in situ T2 HER2+. I am alive and plan on staying that way. After much research and talking to doctors, the conclusion is that chemo and tamoxifen seem to have precipitated other chronic illnesses: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, osteopenia, clinical depression, gastroenteritis, worsened IBS, and PTSD. My legs, lower back, and fingers are usually swollen and usually in pain. I wanted off the tamoxifen due to the weakness in my legs and fatigue. No other was as effective in inhibiting estrogen. I still lose my hair, gained 130 lbs, I'm in a wheelchair. I'm alive. 3 years to go."

• Pam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2015

"I have been on tamoxifen for almost a year now. I experience hot flashes, which can be unbearable at times. I have joint pain, which makes it hard to walk. I also have gained about 10 to 15 pounds since I have been taking this medicine."

• Geo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 6, 2019

"I was diagnosed with stage 2 ductal carcinoma. Lumpectomy and 2 lymph nodes were removed. I was started on tamoxifen 30 days before my surgery. Since my cancer was hormone-driven, tamoxifen was required in addition to 25 rounds of radiation. Hot flashes that I can feel coming on worse with stress. Problems with my fingers and pain in my joints. My fingernails crumble and splinter easily. I am always fatigued and have to drink an energy drink just to function. I have had 6 biopsies since my surgery. I have a lot of scar tissue. My skin still burns 4 years after my radiation. I will be glad when I am off this drug. God bless all of whom that are going through it. One lady said to me, more birthdays."

• SCM...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 17, 2025

"I have been on tamoxifen for a year and a half and have found that once I stay active and eat mostly whole foods the side effects are minimal or none at all. I have had instances where I'm unable to exercise for a few days and the mood swings, fatigue, and hot flashes hit me like a stack of bricks. Once I'm able to find the energy to start exercising again, the side effects usually go away."