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Tamoxifen tiredness - will this get easier?

Slickvic
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Hello

I am 40 years old and am in my second month on Tamoxifen - preventative due to my high risk of breast cancer.

I am (or was) a fairly active person and work shifts including nightshifts (often 12 hours). The only side effect I am experiencing so far is tiredness but it has knocked me for six! On days off I could sleep for 9-12 hours (it used to be 7) and when I'm working I go home, eat and go to bed to do it over again the next day. I'm finding it hard to find either time, energy or motivation for exercise or anything really.


I would be grateful if anyone could reassure me that this will get better over time, or suggest any tips to help manage it. I know many people on this forum are in dire situations and being tired isn't the end of the world. I am very thankful that at present this is all I have to deal with and I certainly don't take it lightly. However I don't know anyone else in my situation to talk to about these things. 

Thank you for reading and take care

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    Hi Slickvic,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear that you are having these problems with Tamoxifen. This cannot be easy when you are working 12 hour shifts. Lara is right, some brands of Tamoxifen have worse side-effects than others. Have a word with your pharmacist and see if another brand will help. Taking your tablets in the evening instead of the morning is something else that you could try.

    I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. I took Tamoxifen for the first bout and Letrozole for the second. I was particularly exhausted with Tamoxifen. I finished taking all cancer medication in 2017 and I no longer feel as tired, so there is light at the end of the tunnel!

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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    Hi Slickvic,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear that you are having these problems with Tamoxifen. This cannot be easy when you are working 12 hour shifts. Lara is right, some brands of Tamoxifen have worse side-effects than others. Have a word with your pharmacist and see if another brand will help. Taking your tablets in the evening instead of the morning is something else that you could try.

    I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. I took Tamoxifen for the first bout and Letrozole for the second. I was particularly exhausted with Tamoxifen. I finished taking all cancer medication in 2017 and I no longer feel as tired, so there is light at the end of the tunnel!

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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