Tamoxifen side effects

hi I have been on tamoxifen for 2yrs 3mths and am considering stopping as the side effects are really getting me down I have terrible cramps from my toes up to my torso plus the hot sweats and now my legs and hips really hurt so pretty fed up is there anyone else that has these problems and have they managed to control the aches and pains 

  • Hi

    It is really a co-incidence that I have read your post today.  I was awake most of the night with leg and foot cramps, and my legs were aching all day!!!  I too have been on Tamoxifen since June 2013.  I do take crampex and drink tonic water for the iodene which can hlep.  I have been told that a bath at night can also help.  I am seeing the Oncologist soon, and will ask him for help.

    I will NOT stop taking Tamoxifen, as I believe this gives me more of a chance of it not returning.  I am on Tamoxifen for 5 years and then 2 years on Arimedex.  

    I do get down with it all, I have a lot of hot sweats during the day.  I work as a teaching assistant and often the children will say "you have gone red", but  I am determined to finish to course.  

    I do understand your feelings, but I feel it is best to continue with the treatment.

    Take care, and please post if you need a bit of a rant or questions.

    xxxx

     

     

  • HI I AM NEW TO THIS SITE AND HAVE JUST POSTED ABOUT THE SAME THING IM WITH YOU ON THE PAIN ITS AWFUL AND DRAGS YOU DOWN CRAMPS IN MY LEGS TO IM RELIEVED IN A WAY I THOUGHT I WAS GOING CRACKERS KAZZIE XXXXX  

  • Hi,

    I hope you ladies dont mind a man replying. I just wanted to add that some men who are given hormone therapy for prostate cancer, also suffer joint pains like you describe. I was lucky in that I didnt have joint pains but I did have very bad hot flushes plus weight gain and also suffered mood swings. There is an unwritten rule and even a song entited, "Grown men dont cry". I never got angry or anything like that but there were times when I would be reading a book or hear something on the telly which acted as a trigger, and I would have tears running down my face. As a man, I found this very embarassing and used to hide this even from my wife by feingning a yawn as it often make my eyes water. I think in all fairness she probably knew for you ladies dont miss much but she spared my embarsassment by not saying anything.

    The reason why I am writting this is that hormone therapy has almost certainly saved my life, as even before the radiotherapy, my psa came down fron 70 to 3.18. So please think very carefully before stopping tamoxifen. In the end I looked at it as a price worth paying even though I know I didnt suffer the pain like you ladies are. Hope this helps, Brian.

  • hi brian i am with you on symptoms they seem never ending hate the weight gain to cannot seem to control it i feel im in a catch 22 as exercise is out the question most days which is frustrating but i will deal with it cramps are very painful i get so hot that i have to walk on my passage floor my feet feel they are going to explode with heat lol . i would never stop medication i was just seeing if others had simular symptoms as when i explain to my consultant he tries to waffle me of and annoys me. i was 100% fit before i had c and i feel very angry and frustrated but ill get through it i am alive and very thankful i was invited for a early mammogram in 2013 for a survey they were doing i went along and the rest is a blur i had to have a masectomy and lympth glands removed  thankfully wasnt in there but i cannot move my dominant arm properly either have had a little op on it but not done much at all very painful .someone was watching over me i had no signs at all .i am happy to be alife as if i hadnt had the early invite i wouldnt be telling my story  karenxxx

  • Hi Karen

    Welcome to Cancer Chat.

    I found an older discussion thread on tamoxifen which I also thought you might find interesting here. It includes comments from  one of our nurses.

    Best wishes

    Jane