Moodwise, what’s normal vs tamoxifen side effects?

Hi,

Ive had treatment for 2 lots of breast cancer (in 2017 aged 38 and most recently a local recurrence in 2019 aged 40). I finished rads for the recurrence mid-Feb 2020, am back on tamoxifen for the foreseeable and I am struggling with severe low mood to the point where I can no longer tell if I'm just naturally exhausted or depressed after multiple years and rounds of treatment/surgeries or whether this is a tamoxifen side effect. Is there any way I can tell the difference between the two ? I really don't feel like I'm in my own mind anymore. I know I should be grateful as I'm "technically" NED right now, but I can't stop crying over nothing, the thoughts are becoming increasingly dark and I just can't shake them, they're taking over everything.
Is this depression? Or is this a tamoxifen thing? How would I be able to tell the difference?  

  • Hello Mich789 and welcome to the forum

    It sounds from your post as through you've certainly been through the mill this past couple of years. I'm sure that some of our other members will post before long to share their experience and offer some support. 

    Regardless of if your current mood is being affected by the tamoxifen or is a result of all you've been through, or indeed is a mixture of the two, it sounds as if it would be a good idea to have a chat with your GP. They will be able to discuss what the best support options are to help you through this stage of things. 

    You're not alone in this Mich789 and I know that the members here will do their best to support you. You're welcome to post here to offload, have a rant or chat to others who understand some of what you have been through. I also just wanted to say that don't forget you can call the Samaritans 24/7 if things are becoming overwhelming and you want to talk to someone. I know that some of the community here have posted previously about how helpful they found it to do that. 

    I hope that you're able to get an appointment sorted with your GP as soon as possible. Keep in touch with is here and let us know how you're doing. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator