Beginning Tamoxifen

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I started my Tamoxifen today. 1st pill of five years. So far today, so good. Y biggest concern (after the obvious) is weight gain. I have been in Weight Watchers for a year and have worked so hard in my weight loss journey. I am so afraid it will come back. Are there many cases out there of people maintaining their weight or is it that big of a side effect that it's pretty much guaranteed? Any and all comments would be appreciated!! Best of luck to the other ladies out there too.

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1

It's actually hard to say, because some people have been known to lose weight while taking it.

Have you discussed the issue with your doctor? They may be able to help you find ways to mitigate such an effect.

Are there any woman who can post that have already taken this and have experience with it?

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2

I started taking tamoxifen 3 months ago. I was also concerned about weight gain. My onc told me it was not inevitable, especially in pre-menopausal women. I immediately lost 5 lbs. It was scary, because I changed nothing in my routine and the lbs just melted away making me realize I could just as easily gain weight. I have put 3 lbs back on. The side effect that bothers me most is hot flashes while I sleep. I used to be a sound sleeper. But cold neck rolls by the bed in a cooler help.

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3

I haven't experienced the hot flashes yet. The thing that I feel is joint aches and pains but that is getting easier the longer I am on it. I am dreading the flashes, however, I already struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep. Best of luck to you and I hope that your flashes ease up!!

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4

I have finished the 5 years after the diagnose invasive Duct. Had a mastectomi, my own choice ( made way before it happend to me at my first routine ckeck ) . The tumor was very little and I started tamoxifen immidiately almost. No radiation, no chemo.
I already had had a heel spore and pains in my feet from excessive walking and that pain continued. 3 years ago I got special inserts in my shoes but is has only helped some. I stopped menstruating immidiately ( I was 50 ), didnt really have hot flashes or any side effect I could blame on the pills.
But - then a few months ago I overheard a woman at work talking about how many shoes she has bought and still she has pain in her feet, and so has a few of her friend who are also on preventive cancer med. In the mean time I have had cramps in my legs, increasing pain in my shoulders, hips, knees and of course the feet. No weight gain worth mentioning. I started having hot flashes when I stopped producing estrogen and thus is in menopause. I used to feel "stiff" for some time whenever I got up from a chair.
I stopped a months and a half ago taking tamoxifen, while I really should have continued until August. 90% of my pain is gone !!! I am so glad I didnt know all that while I took the pills. I would have been one of those who constantly would ask to have another type of pill to avoid the pain, like my collega at work who is now trying her forth type. I kept it up almost til the end and I feel safe with my decision to stop. Pleas G-d I will never have to go through it again.

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5

Hello there I av been taking Tamoxafin now for 4 yrs and have only jus started putting weight on ... But I'm a size 16 now we're before I have always been a size 12-14 I was even a size 10 ..while going though my Chemo therapy Treatment ... So yes hun unfortunately thus is a bug side effect also acheing limbs ... I'm only 49 but thus medducatuin sumtimes makes me feel as thoe I'm 60 ;( ...I've always worked out and keep myself fit .. But can not seem 2 stop eating and feeling bad pain in my limbs legs and arms fingers and ties as well .. Really wondrung but I'm going 2 try but not sure if I can do another 12 mths of this drug .. I'm Strong and Positive but I'm jus hopeung I can carry on taking it .. Good Luck hun try hard 2 stay on it as the other drug I tried made me feel worse given me Cramp and so much pain I was screaming out in agony ..Tamoxafin is the best hun jus be Strong and Positive and ur be fine ;) xx

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6

I have been on Tamoxifen for 6 months now and was previously on Femara.
My specialist told me to come off Femara and go on Tamoxifen, not sure of the
reason but I certainly feel worse on them. My legs ache all day and night and this was not as bad on Femara. I have put weight on as well. Not happy on these tablets at all, considering stopping them in April, as have been on medication for 5 years by then.

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7

I too was very concerned about the weight gain. I've been on Tamoxifen for almost a year. I did gain weight initially, but then I started Weight Watchers (which I had done on and off over the years), and I have been able to "maintain" my weight (even though it's much higher than I would like it to be). My oncologist has stressed to me that I should not be stressed about the scale, but the fact that I've been able to maintain my weight without gaining any more is a plus.

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8

Hi Im 51 i Went on tamoxifen for a year and half ago and yes I gained some weight and bolatiness I was pretty miserable Iim at the gym 5 days a week and was still gaining with not have a perfect diet... so I stared a clean eating diet 5 weeks now I feel great lost 12 pounds bloodiness is gone I still drink on weekends on clear alcohol nothing sweet but I believe it's the food that was putting on those extra pounds I was very unhappy but not I feel like a new person feeling good! Now

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9

I am 46 years old and I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) and was given 1 chemo after a mastectomy was done with all 18 lymph nodes negative and on my discharge from the hospital was put on Tamoxifen 20mg (which I am taking 1 tab a day for the last two weeks). I have started having severe pain in my womb, hot flashes, dizziness, pain on the nerves within the back of my neck. And my doctor says I should continue treatment. I don't think I will. Please, I need help.

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