Tamoxifen Side Effects

This is really a common side effect with Tamoxifen treatment and all too frequently leads to discontinuation of a really helpful drug. Recommendations that are at the top of the list include regular exercise and a Mediterranean diet. Do those first. Next I would consider acupuncture. There was a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology a couple of years ago that compared acupuncture to an antidepressant drug commonly used for hot flashes called Effexor. Acupuncture was just as effective in decreasing hot flashes and patients reported increased libido, and improvements in energy, clarity of thought, and sense of well-being with acupuncture. Side effects for the Effexor group included dry mouth, nausea, constipation,and decreased appetite. Black cohosh is another option. I won’t go into all the weaknesses of the big studies that have been done on black cohosh and hot flashes but I’ll summarize by saying the preponderance of the evidence shows that black cohosh is effective in treating hot flashes. It is not a phytoestrogen as some have believed in the past. Many of the common herbal preparations used for hot flashes do contain phytoestrogens so I would avoid those and stick with plain black cohosh. This is really a common side effect with Tamoxifen treatment and all too frequently leads to discontinuation of a really helpful drug. Recommendations that are at the top of the list include regular exercise and a Mediterranean diet. Do those first. Next I would consider acupuncture. There was a study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology a couple of years ago that compared acupuncture to an antidepressant drug commonly used for hot flashes called Effexor. Acupuncture was just as effective in decreasing hot flashes and patients reported increased libido, and improvements in energy, clarity of thought, and sense of well-being with acupuncture. Side effects for the Effexor group included dry mouth, nausea, constipation,and decreased appetite. Black cohosh is another option. I won’t go into all the weaknesses of the big studies that have been done on black cohosh and hot flashes but I’ll summarize by saying the preponderance of the evidence shows that black cohosh is effective in treating hot flashes. It is not a phytoestrogen as some have believed in the past. Many of the common herbal preparations used for hot flashes do contain phytoestrogens so I would avoid those and stick with plain black cohosh.

Be very conscious about your food choices, and compose a delicious yet low/moderate glycemic diet for yourself. (you can have organic dark chocolate over 65% cocoa, too. but not more than an ounce a day).Choose the cancer-protective foods while you're at it (listed earlier today). Plus, you'll need to exercise in some fashion that suits you--walking 1/2 hour a day or tai qi or Pilates or yoga. All you need is 1/2 hour a day of movement. More is even better. In addition, green/white tea is a bit stimulating to your metabolism and has anti-cancer activity. Make sure your thyroid is working well (TSH @ 2.5 or less is what I like to see), and your vitamin D-OH25 is over 55 (I like to see it between 55-80ng/ml). And you need to sleep well at night to maintain good sugar balance. All this helps. Dale Be very conscious about your food choices, and compose a delicious yet low/moderate glycemic diet for yourself. (you can have organic dark chocolate over 65% cocoa, too. but not more than an ounce a day).Choose the cancer-protective foods while you're at it (listed earlier today). Plus, you'll need to exercise in some fashion that suits you--walking 1/2 hour a day or tai qi or Pilates or yoga. All you need is 1/2 hour a day of movement. More is even better. In addition, green/white tea is a bit stimulating to your metabolism and has anti-cancer activity. Make sure your thyroid is working well (TSH @ 2.5 or less is what I like to see), and your vitamin D-OH25 is over 55 (I like to see it between 55-80ng/ml). And you need to sleep well at night to maintain good sugar balance. All this helps. Dale

I was on Tamoxifen before Femara. My biggest problems were nausea and joint aches and pains. I do not remember having any cough with it though. This is just my experience though. I was on Tamoxifen before Femara. My biggest problems were nausea and joint aches and pains. I do not remember having any cough with it though. This is just my experience though.

A respiratory side effect of Tamoxifen can include coughing which has been reported in approximately 4% of the patients according Lexicomp's Drug Information Handbook for Oncology.

- It is important to consult with your health care provider about the coughing as it may be a sign of infection as Tamoxifen may alter your body's ability to ward off infections.
- It is also important to take precautions around people with colds or infections.

Other less common side effects are listed on these two websites:
- http://www.rxlist.com/nolvadex-drug.htm
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601293/DSECTION=side-effects A respiratory side effect of Tamoxifen can include coughing which has been reported in approximately 4% of the patients according Lexicomp's Drug Information Handbook for Oncology.

- It is important to consult with your health care provider about the coughing as it may be a sign of infection as Tamoxifen may alter your body's ability to ward off infections.
- It is also important to take precautions around people with colds or infections.

Other less common side effects are listed on these two websites:
- http://www.rxlist.com/nolvadex-drug.htm
- http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601293/DSECTION=side-effects

I have been on Tam since 2007, and in the fall of 08, I found that I could not sit without tremendous pain. I know that one of the side effects of Tam is bone and joint pain, but never did I make the connection that my pain could be related to Tam. However, in the past few months I have heard many stories that matched mine. I am surprised that none of my doctors picked up on this, but it is something that all users of Tam should be aware of. To read more, please visit:
http://elynjacobs.blogspot.com/2011/07/tamoxifen-friend-or-foe.html
I have been on Tam since 2007, and in the fall of 08, I found that I could not sit without tremendous pain. I know that one of the side effects of Tam is bone and joint pain, but never did I make the connection that my pain could be related to Tam. However, in the past few months I have heard many stories that matched mine. I am surprised that none of my doctors picked up on this, but it is something that all users of Tam should be aware of. To read more, please visit:
http://elynjacobs.blogspot.com/2011/07/tamoxifen-friend-or-foe.html