Hi Sirguys

Sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment. As if it wasn't enough that you had breast cancer in the first place along with all the treatment that accompanied that diagnosis you now have to contend with the joys of Tamoxifen. I know some women have no problem with it but sadly that's not the case for all of us.

Do you mind me asking how long you've been taking tamoxifen? I was 39 when diagnosed and started taking Tamoxifen just after turning 40. I found the first 6 months the hardest with regards the menopausal symptoms being absolutely horrendous but I persevered as felt it was worthwhile to hopefully have the added protection of the drug. I was eventually prescribed Megace (Megastrol) to try and help combat the side effects of the Tamoxifen and it did seem to tone down the severity of them but didn't eliminate them entirely. However in the final year of taking Tamoxifen the Megace was no longer effective and I was back to full on hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings etc. 

Here's a few things I found helpful over the past few years .....

> night sweats - the purchase of a Chill Pillow as well as a gel pad to put my feet on, it's amazing how quickly you feel better when your feet don't feel like they're on fire lol they (can be bought on ebay for just a few quid each)

> hot flushes - loose fitting cotton clothing & when possible use a desktop fan or if out and about one of the small handheld fans

> mood swings/stress levels etc - I attended various course at my local Maggie's Centre

Apparently some antidepressants can help with the menopausal symptoms but should that be something you'd consider trying, however if it's your GP that prescibes them and not your oncologist make sure that he/she knows you are on tamoxifen as they're not all compatable and if I understood it correctly they can interfere with your body's capability to absorb the Tamoxifen.

Since coming off Tamoxifen it gradually become more bareable for me and I'd reached a point where I was only having the odd hot flush etc and was finally able to sleep properly again (let's face it a good night's sleep helps you cope with pretty much anything) but it would appear that what I had experienced was just a chemically induced menopause and now I'm going through a natural one which after not having had a period in 6 years and having to deal with them again is to say the least frustrating, thankfully the hot flushes etc aren't as bad as before.

I truly hope things settle down for you soon. In the meantime I'm always here if you want to chat :-)

Take care

Su

I have been taking the tablets since May so hopefully things will settle down.  Thank you for your advice Su.