Topic: Tamoxifin side effects and anti-depressant to control side effects
Tamoxifin side effects and anti-depressant to control side effects
posted Tue, 01 Jul 2003 11:09PM
Becca
I recently completed a lumpectomy and radiation for breast cancer and am now scheduled to start Tamoxifin. I am peri-menopause, already waking up 3-5 x's a night from hot flashes...I just can't bring myself to "pop" that 1st Tamoxifin tablet, even tho I've had a Rx for it for over a week now, I'm so worried about the side effects...worsening my hot flashes, weight gain, mood swings... So my oncologist also wrote a Rx for Traxidone (antidepressant) which she said will help control some of the side effects of both my peri-menopause as well as the Tamoxifin. Does anyone have experience with the use of anti- depressants to control symptons? Does everyone gain weight on Tamoxifin? The drug info sheet included with my Rx actually said that weight loss is a possible side effect...nothing is said about weight gain.
I don't really trust what the docs tell me...so far my whole experience with breast cancer treatment has been much different than what I have been prepared for by the Drs... Everything has actually been worse than what I was prepared for.
(No Subject)
posted Wed, 02 Jul 2003 06:22PM
rachel
Hi Becca,I can't really give you any advice on side effects, as I only took my first tamoxifen tab today after getting the prescription yesterday, but I had the same feelings as you. I've already put on about 1/2 stone and my breast care nurse has told me there can be weight gain which im not looking forward to at all, but I keep getting told it's a small price to pay for keeping the bc at bay, which I know is true. I also looked at the leaflet which mentioned weightloss, not weight gain and when I took the first tab this morning, i felt different emotions because I will be taking it for the next 5 years but I know it is absolutely necessary, in my view, to take it.
I will be reading this post too for any advice given.
xx Rachel
Hi Becca
posted Wed, 02 Jul 2003 08:39PM
nj
I was pre-menopausal before treatment and have been on Tamoxifen for 5 months. I have actually lost a bit of weight, but am following a low-fat diet (can't do total non-dairy - too hard!). I have had a few warm flushes, but nothing else much, and my breast care nurse recommended Evening Primrose and Black Kohosh supplements to combat those. Why not give it a try? You may find it doesn't make your menopausal symptoms any worse - if it does you can stop, or go back and ask for something else.
Tamoxifen
posted Wed, 02 Jul 2003 09:09PM
DarkLady
If your BC is ER+ have you looked at www.johnleemd.com? He has been treating women with BC for years.
tamoxifen
posted Thu, 03 Jul 2003 02:58PM
jc
Hi Becca. I have been taking tamoxifen for nearly 2 years now. There are side effects but I think it's a case of learning to live with them. I have noticed a slight weight gain, but I'm too lazy to diet at the moment, so it may not be the tamoxifen. I try and keep hot flushes under control by taking Red Clover tablets. Yes I have noticed depression recently, but it's not too bad. If it was I would definitely go to GP and ask for anti depressants. The thought of not taking the tamoxifen scares me more than the side effects. Give it a go! Julie
Tamoxifen
posted Thu, 03 Jul 2003 11:37PM
biker1
Hi
I was on Tamoxifen for over 2 years before I had my ovaries removed. I was pre-menopausal and found the hot flushes difficult to cope with at first, but after a couple of months and a few sleepless nights especially during the summer I got use to it, you do get use to them as you find your own way to cope. During the winter when it is cold they are an absolute godsend especially when the bed is cold, you hope for a flush to warm yourself and the bed up!!!
I also read the leaflet and imagined I would get all the symptoms but I put the symptoms to the back of my mind and never thought of them, hence i didn't really get any symptoms...only the hot flushes which I couldn't hide from.
So don't think of the symptoms you may get, think of it as something that is keeping you well.
Good luck with the tamoxifen treatment.
Julie XX
Tamoxifen
posted Sat, 05 Jul 2003 01:21AM
debbieissi
Hi Everyone
I am 43 pre-menopausal, just about to start taking Tamoxifen, had lumpectomy followed by mastectomy, ER+ and have just finished 8 lots of chemo as was on the Tact Trial and currently just completed 1 week of radio with 2 more to go! I have worked throughout most of my treatment, though had days/time off when I felt a bit rough from chemo. During this last week I have worked mornings and travelled for radio to Mount Vernon Hospital in the afternoon, I am very tired by the time I get back so have a rest and slap on the aqueous cream! So far no side effects just tired!
I looked up the symptoms of the menopause against the symptoms listed for taking Tamoxifen, and was surprised to find that actually they are very similar, so the way I view taking it is that probably in a few years time I would be having the hot flushes etc anyway, just having them a bit earlier than I would have!! A few people I know who are currently taking it have suggested taking the Tamoxifen at night before going to bed, they said that they found it helped to reduce side effects and hot flushes so might be worth a try!
Good Luck Everyone!
Debbie