side effects after taking tamoxifen

I finished taking tamoxifen in june after taking them for five years, these last few weeks i have been experiencing very painfull breasts even the right one which was the side i had the mastectomy and reconstruction. Can anybody tell me if it,s normal to experience this pain.:

Kath, I have just finished taking tamoxifen for 5 years to and I am also experiencing breast pain. I googled this question to and came across your post. I'm going to call my oncologist in the morning and find out. I'll try and get back here to post his answer.

Thank you both for sharing. It is just wonderful that you can work together to get the solution. THAT is what this site is for.

I just finished my 5 years am 35 and experiencing the same discomfort (so much that it hurts to run or hug) - did you find out if it is a common occurance?

Hi,
Im currently taking tamoxifen for about 8 months my period is irregular. But after i had my period my left breast is extremely pain and so tender. I had mastectomy last year. so worried.

I am due to go to the breast clinic soon so will enquire there. I havent had any more replys apart from yours but if i do find anything out i will let you know.

I am 45 and I stopped taking tamoxifen in Oct 2009 after taking it for 5 years. While I was taking tamoxifen I did get get my period but not very much. I had a pretty normal period in November and now again in March I have it and I have had it for 2 weeks now and it has been very heavy and lots of clots. Has anyone else experienced this?

I also had the breast pain on my left side where I had my lumpectomy.

Hello, MN Guest, Thank you for your question. You didn't mention if you had Chemotherapy, but I have a feeling that you did, before the Tamoxifen. Chemo. can bring about menopause in many women. Ask your Doctor to check you for this.
-------------------------------

How does chemotherapy influence the onset of menopause?

* During chemotherapy, women may have irregular menstrual cycles or amenorrhea (disappearance of menstrual periods). Some medications used in chemotherapy may also cause damage to the ovaries, resulting in menopausal symptoms or menopause.
* Menopause may be immediate or delayed, permanent or temporary when triggered by chemotherapy.
* There is no way to accurately determine how or when chemotherapy or other cancer treatments will affect your menstrual cycle.
* Menopause is rarely a sudden response to chemotherapy. When chemotherapy treatments begin, you may notice some menopausal symptoms, but usually the symptoms are delayed for several months after treatment is started. This is natural.
* Menopausal symptoms may last for years after treatment is completed.


http://www.chemocare.com/managing/ menopause_chemotherapy.asp

Can Tamoxifin cause me to be emotional and cry easily or be sad? I have only been on it for 2 weeks.

Tamoxifen is not without side effects. Some women who take it feel menopause-like symptoms, including hot flashes and emotional changes. There are few useful treatments for these symptoms.
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/ NWS_1_1x_Soy_Component_May_Counteract_Tamoxifen_Used_by _Breast_Cancer_Patients.asp?sitearea=NWS& viewmode=print&

Hi -- I had lumpectomy in May 2004, had radiation and started taking tamoxifen since then. Stopped in June of 2009. I'll be 48 this year. And yes, we are having the same experience right now. During the time i'm taking tamoxifen, I get my period (irregular though) once in a while. Mine is usually triggered by stress. Then I underwent endometrial biopsy just to make sure that Tamoxifen is not causing the thickening of the lining in the uterus. It was clear. But then right now after stopping tamoxifen, my period came back gradually. As of this writing I had it back, today as the fourth day and heavy and very normal regular period just like the old days. I'm kind of worried but trying not to get too stressed out of it since it won't help. I'm just glad I read your post. Hopefully, everything gets back to normal to both of us..

Hi
My oncologist warned me that would happen.
M

I took Tam for 5 years and have been off for about 7 weeks. Experiencing extreme 'crankiness', breast tenderness, and eating alot of junk. Today my doctor prescribed Cymbalta - but after researching not sure I'll take it (not depressed nor anxious). What's a girl to do? BTW, no chemo required (very lucky).

Your body is detoxifying itself and cleaning out the tamoxifen. It is going through a chemical change. Before, it was you + Tamoxifen. Now it is you - Tamoxifen.

I've got just the same very tender breasts and one side doubled in size. Awaiting scans again for cancer but quite worried. Have you heard any more about whether it is normal for folk who've stopped the tamox after 5 years?
Sally

Not heard anything else, going for my two yearly check up soon. Hope everything goes ok for you.

I can not believe this! I have been so worried! Off of Tam for about 3 weeks. Really tender breasts. How is this the way I find out this is normal?? I am so glad you gals are talking. I have not slept in days....

Hi Kiki, I'm off to the oncologist on saturday so i'll let you know if he thinks it is a normal post tamoxifen side effect. I too have been really worried, my good boob has swollen to twice it's size and stayed that way for 6 weeks. I can't get it off my mind-its right there in front of me. I tend to always think the worst- a pessimist is never disappointed!! thinking about you.

Hi Kiki, I've just come back from the oncologist who was happy with the wat everything felt and told me there was nothing to worry about. She didn't expound on post tamox effects but was not concerned. They;re sending mr for more scans to put my mind at rest but everything seems fine. This shouldn't stop you getting checked out though, even if only to allow you to sleep at night. I was so relieved I howled afterwards!! best wishes, sally

Here's to HOWLING!

I too am so relieved to hear that others are experiencing breast tenderness after finishing tamoxifen. I thought I was seeing things as my "good" breast got bigger and much more tender. I finished 5 years in May and have gained another 10 lbs in addition to the 40 I gained throughout my 5 year stint. Fortunately the food cravings have seemed to slow down and I am focusing on low carbs and exercise.

Tamoxifen sent my uterus into a major growth spurt about 3 years in. No cancer, but required a hysterectomy. I do not miss the nausea and hot flashes from the drug, but the mood swings are still around.

I started Effexor XR about 1 year into Tamoxifen to counteract the hot flashes, but also help stabilize the moodiness. I had trouble with anxiety and the Effexor also helped this. I would like to stop the Effexor and am wondering if anyone else has dealt with moodiness after the drug?

It's strange how my good boob got larger too- makes me feel freakish but I am so blessed to have a supportive partner. Sorry to hear of the troubles you've had but am reassured as I too have gained some weight which doesn't help with the fragile body image left from surgery, even though I was lucky enough to retain my breast. thinking about you,
sally

I have another question. I'm posting b/c all of my doctors (seems like there are hundreds of them) look at me like I'm crazy when I ask them this stuff. So, has anyone had their libido RETURN after stopping tamoxefin? Holy cow...

And Sally, you ARE beautiful. You demonstrated your strength and now you can do anything. Your partner sees it. Embrace your new body. Love your 'good boob' and draw strength from the other. Have you seen Nemo? Consider it your lucky fin.

Yay!! My lucky fin!!! I like that! Thank you!!! Went for ultrasound last week, all fine just wierd hormone thing as far as they know. Libido return? About the same for me really, quite hot blooded anyway but definitely less easy to orgasm. Sigh!! Still, the intimacy is always good eh? And the cuddles!! Can never have too many cuddles (so long as they're gentle and more to the left which hurts less hee hee!)