Me n Tamoxifen

Tamoxifen .I am no expert, but I remember reading some years ago that the maximum benefit of taking Tamoxifen was the first 2 years. Opinions might have changed since then.
If you find that Tamoxifen does not agree with you, it is best to come off it, as we are apparently given Tamoxifen as a precaution anyway.
I myself was on Tamoxifen for 5 years, and have had more aches and pains than on it since coming off 2 years ago

David David

Oh how sympathise! I have been on tamoxifen for 15 months now and I feel like **** all the time. I have been backwards and forwards to my oncologist, my GP, have read loads on the net about it. I read other people\'s postings and I feel that maybe I am being a wimp - a lot of other people seem to manage it ok.

I switched to taking it in the evening which stopped the permanent headache, but I feel bloated, achy, tired, nauseous, depressed, irritable, hot/cold/sweaty - generally just yuk - ALL THE TIME.

At a friend\'s house the other day I met her cousin who had just completed her five years of tamoxifen. She did know how I felt because she felt exactly the same and added that she hadn\'t realised quite how bad she felt until she came off it. She told me to stick with it and the time would go quickly. I came home, told my partner and burst in tears (I never used to be one for waterworks but these days tears flow freely) - to actually speak and see someone who knew exactly how I felt, who didn\'t remotely think I was being a wimp or malingering was so great.

I am still sticking with it, I am trying to be realistic and to pace myself more and not to expect too much of myself. I have found this really hard, I am the kind of person that used to be busy from 7 a.m until midnight and then some. I did an OU degree whilst splitting up from my ex husband, whilst my Mum was seriously ill and dying from bowel cancer, whilst my daughter had ME and numerous other things - I\'m generally someone who gets on with life and I just can\'t do this anymore. I wouldn\'t say that I have come to terms with this but I am slightly more accepting.

I am still open-minded about whether or not to go through another almost 4 years of feeling like this but I\'m not looking at the whole 4 years - too depressing! I am taking it month by month - sticking with it and telling myself just to see how I get on for one more month. It\'s helping. I\'m also going to ask my GP to swtich me to Nolvadex - sometimes changing brands can help.

I do truly empathise though with you David. It is such a horrible feeling.

Very best wishes

bjj