Tamoxifen User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Msm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed this year with stage 2 DC. I’ve now gone through almost an entire year of treatment, chemo/radiation, which has been hell. Now my doctor is “strongly” recommending Tamoxifen. Before reading all these experiences, I already had my doubts. I don’t know about anyone else, but I want my life back! Living like a prisoner for another 5 years is not for me. I thank and admire all who had the courage to write about these experiences, STAY BRAVE!"

• Van...
• April 15, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with DC breast cancer in November 2014. After 6 chemo treatments, a double mastectomy, and 33 radiation treatments, I have been on Tamoxifen for 7 months. The hot flashes are getting better at times, and I'm taking Gabapentin for my hot flashes. The back and hip pain is horrible. I have put on 20 lbs. I go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week and ride my horse 3 times a week, but all forced. I feel bad pretty much all the time. Always sick to my stomach. Working out makes me feel more sick, but I push through it anyway. No matter what I do, I can't drop weight. I'm in the process of losing my eyelashes for the 4th time. I used to have pretty, thick hair, and now it's thin. My memory is horrible. I hate this life."

• Ang...
• July 4, 2016

For Breast Cancer "It's one year I'm on Tamoxifen. I will manage all side effects that I have such as hot flashes, joint pain, back pain, mood swings. My goal is to live longer and see my son's future. I'm a 46-year-old. I try not to think about pain and side effects until I'm really tired from pain. The only thing I'm scared of is pain. The rest I will manage. Good luck to all of you! Life is beautiful, and fight for it."

• Anonymous
• March 4, 2010

For Breast Cancer "I have been on tamoxifen for 10 months now. I have had hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, heavy menstrual bleeding, discharge, headaches, and now back pain. But I want to decrease my chance of possibly getting invasive breast cancer or DCIS in my other breast, so I will continue to take it."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 30, 2018

For Breast Cancer "Had hot flashes or hot all the time, thinning hair, overwhelming fatigue, pain in the jaw, confusion, and strange thinking. Thought and said things differently than I normally would have, and I couldn't sleep even though I was always tired. Didn't have any energy, and I always had energy before, but it was a chore just to make myself move. Kept saying I'm so tired. Just found these sites, and it is helping me to understand how tamoxifen affects so many so differently. Thank God my husband and family were kind during this time. I was on tamoxifen about 20 months when I asked the doctor to let me get off of it, and since I am 80, she decided to honor my request."

• Anonymous
• June 20, 2016

For Breast Cancer, Prevention "I've been taking Tamoxifen for 10 months now. At first, I seemed okay. The doctor prescribed Effexor at the same time to combat any menopausal symptoms. I fell into a bad funk. SEVERE depression and not sleeping. I stopped taking the Effexor (doctor wasn't too happy) thinking that was causing some adverse effects. He put me on Trazodone 50 mg for sleep. That worked for a short period of time so they upped the dosage to 100 mg at night. However, my depression is tenfold. I'm so irritable and angry all the time. The slightest thing sets me off. I can't stand to be around people. I can't concentrate and my appetite has decreased. I've lost about 8 pounds. I just don't feel right, ever, anymore. I have to stay on this for 5 years."

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2017

For Breast Cancer "62 year old white female. Stage 2. Tumor and some lymph nodes removed in February 2015. I have been on Tamoxifen for 6 days and now the side effects are draining me. Extreme tiredness, itching skin, headaches, arm and leg pain with numbness, dizziness, and hot flashes. I am having a war with myself about medications and alternative medicine. I was extremely ill with Arimidex, suffering from stomach pains radiating to my back. The unconcern of my oncologist set me off to find alternative methods. I found an excellent alternative medicine doctor, and we started cleaning out the estrogen from my liver, kidneys, etc., but I am having a problem eliminating body fat. My breast surgeon scared me into taking Tamoxifen. The alternative doctor says there are always other things you can do. I'm torn."

• K92...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 8, 2019

For Breast Cancer "I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 1a IDC at 39 yrs old. I know this is an important part of my treatment and recurrence prevention, but this drug makes me feel awful. You name the side effect, I have every single one. There has to be a better option."

• mer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2012

For Breast Cancer "Going on month two now... It made me very tired (loss of vitality), but it is much better now, had constipation but increased my fiber, water, and exercise - all is well as long as I do this, joint pain in my hips but is better with exercise, nausea - I had a little when I started, it got better, and now it is back and worse - I have started taking Pepto-Bismol, and it has helped - you can try mint (candy, gum), anxiety - happens occasionally but so far tolerable. It is always best to speak to your health professional before trying the above."

• Gua...
• July 11, 2013

For Breast Cancer "I was on Tamoxifen for 4 1/2 years after I had my chemo. There were a lot of side effects after stopping estrogen: dry skin, loss of libido, and an edgy feeling. When I started taking Tamoxifen, I felt much better. I didn't feel edgy as the Tamoxifen tricked my body into feeling like it had estrogen. I had hot flashes but did not feel them. My friends would tell me I must have had a hot flash because my face turned red. I highly recommend this medicine. I felt much better on it."

• iSu...
• May 31, 2013

For Breast Cancer "I am going on 5 years taking this medication religiously. I was diagnosed with Stage 2B ductal carcinoma, invading my chest wall and 3 lymph nodes in 2008. So far, cancer free. The side effects are minimal. My skin is drier, and I do feel aged, but I also had my ovaries removed after testing for BRCA2 so I think it might be due to that also. I want to continue taking for another 5 years since I'm only 34."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2011

For Breast Cancer "Medicine works well. I was really scared initially but with my family and friends' support, I gained strength. It worked like magic. I feel really better now. Had some start-up issues, but my body gelled well with the medicine. I am glad I took the medicine."

• Gem...
• September 4, 2014

For Breast Cancer, Prevention "I have been on it for almost 2 months. Had some night sweats but continue with fatigue, dizziness, some sadness, short temper. I am supplementing with Vit E and B6 daily. I will give it more time but not sure I will manage 5 yrs. I certainly do not wish to go on additional pills to manage side effects."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 15, 2018

For Breast Cancer "For those of you who only had menopausal side effects - hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, dry skin - great. I had all that plus anxiety attacks, depression, headaches that made migraines seem like a walk in the park, hair loss, muscle aches and cramps, fatigue that made it difficult to just walk to the bathroom, blurred vision (I had already had cataracts removed). The list goes on and on, but to compound it, when I told my doctors, they said, 'Oh, tamoxifen doesn't cause that.' I gave them the list of side effects with the ones I had marked, and it was thrown in the wastebasket in front of me. Now that I have quit taking it, the side effects come and go. They can and do return over and over again about every two to three months and last two to three months. My doctors told me none of this, so if you are contemplating taking it, do the research first. I wish I had."

• Lal...
• June 27, 2014

For Breast Cancer "I am 41. I had been on Effexor for a couple of years, so when I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, I carried on with the medication. I started taking Tamoxifen about a month ago. So far, I am very fatigued, have headaches, and some physical aches and pains. I take my Tamoxifen in the morning with my breakfast because that seems to calm the nausea that I can get with an empty stomach. The best thing that I am experiencing now that I am on Tamoxifen is the ability to cry and work through emotion. That ability had left me while I was just on Effexor. I still felt sad, but didn't feel like I could cry. Well, the tears come now, and they feel cleansing and good. I have much less anxiety about having a cancer reoccurrence."

• Tou...
• September 14, 2015

For Breast Cancer "I have been on Tamoxifen for 40 days. Here's my story: I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer (98% estrogen fed) in April 2015. I did not need chemo or radiation. I was told after surgery (June 2015) that I had to take 'Tommy' for 5 years. I fought the idea, but eventually decided to give it a try. So far, the main complaint I have is fatigue. I take it at night and that helps. Some joint pain, vaginal discharge (clear mostly), and the BEST thing about Tommy is that it has calmed me down. I am about 30% of the energized person I was before. I no longer feel like I need to solve the world's problems in a day. So, I can honestly say, that's a big plus! WEIGHT CHANGES: I became Vegan and did not lose any weight! :("

• Car...
• July 27, 2015

For Breast Cancer "I had stage 1 IDC breast cancer, diagnosed in June 2013, mastectomies in August 2013, and started tamoxifen in October 2013. After experiencing stomach digestive issues, I went off it in March 2014 until August, then back on and have been on it ever since. So almost 1 year straight, but another 5 months of it before that as well. My biggest complaint is feeling so wiped out by the end of the day. I take it at night when going to bed, usually around 10 PM. Does anyone think switching the time I take the pill will matter? I have also noticed a 5-10 pound weight gain. I'm very active and fit-I lift weights, run, and do CrossFit. I have found that the side effects of this drug are forcing me to live and eat cleaner to try and reduce them."

• ESe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2019

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I've been on Tamoxifen for about a year as hormonal blockade for stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma (small, but grade 3). At first, I just had insomnia, which is being treated with Ambien and Remeron. Now, I'm getting crushing fatigue, TMJ, and hip bursitis after I walk (about 2-3 miles on most days). I've also had a posterior vitreous detachment, first in the left eye, then in the right. The line I'm getting from oncology is: Those are symptoms of aging; everyone has those, and it is not Tamoxifen that is causing it. Well, I went on a trip and stopped it for 3 weeks. Walking about 4 miles daily, on the go, and I didn't have the pain. Started Tamoxifen again, and it all came back within a month. Very frustrating, but I'm afraid not to take it."

• Aun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2016

For Breast Cancer "I found my lump before Christmas. It was in the milk duct, 2 surgeries weeks apart to remove both lumps, painful. Tamoxifen is horrible! Always sweating, barely sleeping. I already had a hard time with insomnia, now this drug has made things worse. Started taking this in April. I will start taking the drug in the morning instead of at night. Hopefully, I may be able to get some sleep through the night without having to change sheets nightly. After reading the other posts, this explains my constipation, lack of energy. Will see what kind of meds or herbal product I can take for the hot flashes, getting unbearable."

• Lyn...
• February 24, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I've been on tamoxifen for 3 1/3 years. In the beginning, I was fine, but as years went on, I began to have extreme fatigue, feels like it's hard to swallow at times, anxiety, can't drive due to lack of focus, and hot flashes. Oh, I forgot that I gained a lot of weight and I take Zumba classes. I told the Dr. that I'm having a hard time driving, and he just dismisses what I say. The nurse said that there was another patient complaining about the same thing. I have 6 1/2 more years on this medicine. I'm doing my best!"

• Sti...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2015

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I am 41 years old, and like many who have already posted, wish the doctors would just be more upfront regarding the side effects. I think it would be more manageable, as sometimes I think I am crazy. I have had peeling of my hands, foot swelling, foot pain, decreased sex drive, fatigue, and yeast infections. I have taken Tamoxifen for 2 years and am on the 10-year study. My children are my motivation for taking this medicine."

• bas...
• August 10, 2015

For Breast Cancer, Prevention "I have been on Tamoxifen for 4 1/2 years. I have insomnia, mood swings, and other small side effects. I can't wait till my 5 years are up. I stayed on this pill because I want my risk of cancer to be low. My family has been very kind and patient with me. The worst side effect is cramping throughout my body."

• pin...
• January 16, 2017

For Breast Cancer "I was on tamoxifen for 5 years. It drove me into severe depression. I was delusional to the point of being in a psychiatric hospital for 1 year. No doctor at the time could find out why I was as I was! I had water retention, weight gain of 25 kilos, fluid on my lungs, which caused coughing to the point I felt I was suffocating, insomnia, joint pain, nausea, and hot flushes. And to crown it all, skin disorders, of which the rash and sores made me look like I had HIV. Bicarbonate of soda, lemons, and ginger have improved my health!"

• nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2020

For Breast Cancer, Prevention "I started on tamoxifen because of tumor markers. I had heard negative comments, but I wanted to give it a shot. First, I avoided reading the side effect pamphlet and instead asked my husband to read it. I know I’m the type of person that can sometimes talk myself into feeling a certain way. I had to tweak when I took it. If I took it in the morning, I noticed I would get lightheaded and nauseous about 2 PM. If I took it at 5-6 PM, I would get very moody that evening. For me, it’s best if I take it right before bed. My doctor said I don’t have to take it at the exact same time, so I take it whenever I’m heading up to bed. About the only thing I notice is a funny taste in my mouth sometimes, but it’s not bad. For me, I figured that’s better than getting breast cancer and going through chemo. I’m grateful the tumor markers were caught early and that my system seems to be tolerating this treatment well. I’ve been on tamoxifen for 3 months."

• HOT...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2014

For Breast Cancer "The wisest decision I can share is changing when I take the tamoxifen. I decided that sleep was imperative in order to deal with the side effects. I take the tamoxifen during the day. I live in CA, so temperature-wise, this is a good thing to do. Running hot is an understatement. Skin and hair have taken a hit as the hips have improved. I suspect the lack of juice to connective tissues is the reason. Also, arthritis has shown up in both knees. One perk? Evenness of mood after 2 years. My 10 rating? No recurrence as of 2.5 years."